A faulty product drawn straight from horror films – chainsaws and pole saws that cannot be properly turned off – are among the most attention-grabbing of the recent product recalls and safety alerts issued by Health Canada.
Product recalls for health and safety risks are often based on unintended consequences – clothing where drawstrings pose choking risks, toys that contain too much of a harmful chemical or lights that may have fire risks.
However, many of the most recent recalls involve products failing to safely perform the exact purpose for which they are sold. Recent recalls include mountain-climbing ropes that break in use, halloween candles with excessive burn risks, potentially contaminated mouthwash, lounge chairs that collapse, and lighter and fondue fuels that pose excessive fire and burn risks.
Then there are the chainsaws and pole saws that don’t shut off as expected by an operator, posing a laceration hazard. Both the Kobalt 40-V electric pole saw and Kobalt 40V 12-inch cordless chainsaw were recalled because of switch failures that may cause units to continue to operate, even after the user has released the trigger. More than 1,400 of the chainsaws have been sold in Canada since 2014.
Among the other recalls of products for failure to safely perform their intended tasks:
A number of Petzl kernmantle ropes used for recreational climbing, caving and mountaineering were recalled because they may have a deep cut that could cause failure while in use. The ropes have a nylon core and polyester sheath material. More than 2,500 units have been sold in Canada since March 2018, with two defects reported, but no injuries.
Three-wick Halloween candles sold by Pier 1 Imports were recalled because the candle’s high flames could ignite the surface of the wax, posing fire and burn hazards. The candles scented “Scary Black Cherry” and “Death by Chocolate” were affected.
Mouthwash is designed to disinfect, not increase the risks of microbial contamination. The 473 ml bottles of Norwex Lysere Advanced Antioxidant Mouthwash were recalled because of the potential presence of a common household microorganism Pluralibacter gergoviae. Use of the contaminated product poses risks of infection to those with weakened immune systems, in surgical recovery or vulnerable to other sensitivities.
The locking mechanisms on each side of the SALT lounge chairs sold at Bed, Bath and Beyond may disengage, causing a fall hazard. The vendor received 19 reports of the frame breaking in the United States, but none in Canada.
Both the Recochem blue flame fondue fuel (sold in white and blue 500 ml bottles) and the Royal Oak All Natural Clean-Fuel Non-Petroleum Charcoal Lighter Fluid (sold in white 946 ml bottles) were recalled for the same problem: missing flame arrestors. Fuel vapours from a poured full stream may ignite. Flame arrestors reduce the risk of these flame-jetting incidents.
Health Canada’s online database is searchable, which is important because there is no guarantee that a Health Canada recall notice will make products disappear from store shelves or web sites.
Health Canada also provides a number of Twitter feeds, email notifications and mobile apps to help consumers stay aware of recalls and warnings. There is a Consumer Product Incident Report Form for consumers who have experienced health or safety incidents.
Consumers who may be worried safety regulators are not giving product safety problems the attention they deserve can also share their experiences online at the Consumers Council of Canada homepage.