AHAM's Blog

Follow These Portable Heater Safety Tips During Winter Months

As the weather cools, many families turn to portable heaters to warm their bedrooms and living rooms. When used properly, these heaters do a great job at providing warmth.  However, each year a number of unnecessary fires occur because the heater’s instructions were not properly followed.  For example, according to this recent news story, the Phoenix Fire Department responds to up to 40 house fires each winter caused by portable heaters.

To keep you safe and warm, AHAM recommends the following safety tips:

• Read the manufacturer’s instructions and warning labels before using your portable electric heater.
• DO NOT leave operating heater unattended and always unplug heater when not in use.
• DO NOT use your heater with a power strip or extension cord. Overheating of a power strip or extension cord could result in a fire.
• String out cords on top of area rugs or carpeting. Placing anything, including furniture, on top of the cord may damage it.
• Keep combustible materials, such as furniture, pillows, bedding, papers, clothes and curtains at least three feet from the front of the heater and away from the sides and rear. DO NOT block heater’s air intake or exhaust source.

To view more safety tips, visit AHAM’s Heater Safety website. Additionally, you may order copies of AHAM’s Portable Electric Heater Safety brochure by clicking here. Copies are available in both English and Spanish. AHAM also has a variety of other fire safety brochures, including clothes dryer safety and Recipe for Safe Cooking. There is no shipping charge for orders of 250 or less. A nominal shipping fee is charged for larger orders.

AHAM Members and Staff Speak at ICPHSO Annual Meeting in Seoul, South Korea.

The International Consumer Product Health and Safety Organization (ICPHSO) met in Seoul, South Korea for its annual meeting last week.  It was the largest attendance at the international meeting since the group was formed, with attendees from 18 countries on six continents. 

Some of the topics discussed included:

• Overview of Regulatory Systems
• Approaches to Standards and Conformity and Harmonization
• Trends in Public Safety
• Compliance with Global Product Safety Standards

Two companies gave keynote addresses this year, and both of them are members of AHAM:  LGE and Samsung.  Dr. Jongmin Shin, Vice President of Quality Division from LG, stressed the partnership between government and manufacturers on safety.  Mr. Kyungju Lee, Sr. Vice President of Samsung, talked about the intersection of quality and safety in today’s manufacturing companies.  In addition, Dr. Hyesoon Yang, of Samsung, participated in a panel discussion on managing the multiplicity of standards and regulations for global companies.  Additionally, AHAM’s Wayne Morris, Vice President of Technical Operations and Standards, who also serves on the ICPHSO Executive Board, spoke on the future direction of standards harmonization and arranged three panel discussions within the Electrical Sector program.

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Chairman Inez Tenenbaum attended, along with the head of the Korean National Testing Lab and Korean Consumer Agency.   ICPHSO will meet Feb 28-March 2, 2012 in Orlando.

Know when to use a Microwave or Conventional Oven: A message from the USDA’s “Cook it Safe” Campaign

Busy parents appreciate how hectic the after-five routine can be, especially when hungry mouths are staring at you and wondering when dinner will be served.   Many Americans’ freezers are stocked with trusted meals sure to put a smile on any kid’s face.  While the shortest distance between the freezer and the table may be the microwave oven, not all frozen foods can be cooked in the microwave.  The package instructions specify which type of appliance will cook your family’s favorite frozen meal safely and deliciously.

The USDA and partners have just kicked off the “Cook It Safe” campaign, urges consumers to take the time to read package instructions and properly cook pre-packaged meals, whether or not they are microwaveable.  Prevent foodborne illness due to undercooking frozen or other pre-packaged meals with these four simple tips:   

1.)    Read and follow all of the package cooking instructions

2.)    Know When to Use a Microwave or Conventional Oven

3.)    Know Your Microwave Wattage before Microwaving Food

4.)    Always Use a Food Thermometer to Ensure a Safe Internal Temperature

It is important to use the cooking appliance that the manufacturer recommends on the food package instructions, whether the instructions call for cooking in a conventional oven, convection oven, toaster oven, or microwave. Package cooking instructions are calibrated for a specific type of appliance and may not be applicable to all ovens.  Some frozen foods may appear to be fully cooked but actually consist of raw, uncooked product, and it may be tempting to cook these foods quickly in a microwave, they must be cooked according to manufacturer’s instructions.

After cooking in any type of appliance, always use a food thermometer to be sure the product has reached the recommended safe temperature to help prevent any risk of foodborne illness.   

The USDA has created a several fun videos demonstrating these tips.  Check back at the International Food Information Council’s blog and @IFICMedia on Twitter for more information on health, nutrition and food safety.

AHAM PARTICIPATES IN U.S.-CHINA CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY SUMMIT

WASHINGTON, DC (October 13, 2011) — Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) President Joseph M. McGuire will participate in the 4th biennial United States-China Consumer Product Safety Summit being held in Washington, DC, October 13-14, 2011.  The Summit is being held in partnership with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection, and Quarantine of the People’s Republic of China (AQSIQ).

McGuire will participate in a panel discussion titled “Global Best Practices in Product Design” on Thursday, October 13 along with Mr. Mark Kumagai, Director of Electrical Engineering, CPSC; and Ms. Kitty Pilarz, Senior Director, Mattel Product Safety, Fisher-Price.     

McGuire’s presentation will stress that, “AHAM members are continually working to improve their products and processes.  Their focus on product safety is ongoing, ingrained and evolving.  Through AHAM, the manufacturers work together to improve safety standards to ensure they keep pace with technology, consumer trends and innovation.”

The Summit focuses on Building a Culture of Consumer Product Safety in China, and will include keynote addresses from the U.S. CPSC’s Chairman Inez Tenenbaum and China’s AQSIQ’s, Vice Minister Sun Dawei.

More information about the Summit can be found here.  It is also being streamed live and may be viewed here.  The “Global Best Practices in Product Design” panel will begin at 2:00 pm, Eastern.   For more information, contact Jill Notini at (202) 872-5955 ext. 318.

AHAM Marks Fire Prevention Week by Distributing 250,000 Safety Brochures

National Fire Prevention Week is October 7-12, 2011 and AHAM is again supporting this Week by providing several safety brochures (just pay shipping). Last year, AHAM distributed over 250,000 brochures to local fire departments, schools and non-profit agencies.

The following brochures are available:

• “Protect Against Range Tipping”
• “Recipe for Safer Cooking Procedures”
• “Clothes Dryer Safety”
• “Portable Heater Safety Brochure” (English)
• “Portable Heater Safety Brochure” (Spanish)

There is no shipping charge if your total order is less than 250 brochures. However, there will be a nominal shipping charge for larger orders. You may order brochures online or click here for an order form. Email AHAM if you have any questions.

CPSC Acts on Hair Dryer Safety

AHAM commends the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) for taking action on June 2, using its new authority, to ensure that all hair dryers are safe by containing integral immersion protection to prevent electrocution if the product is dropped into the sink or bath.

AHAM members helped develop and have complied for many years with a voluntary safety standard requiring this protection and we supported the CPSC action to deem any product that doesn't use immersion protection as a “substantial product hazard.”

Noncompliant products, if destined for import into the United States, may be stopped at foreign or US ports before they even enter the US stream of commerce.  The rule that was finalized by CPSC makes transparent a position that CPSC has had for many years, but now formalizes the process whereby stakeholders may comment through a rulemaking process.  Additionally, under the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, CPSC was provided funding for the policing of ports and products, adding teeth to the enforcement of this new law.  AHAM supported the CPSC’s desire to formalize the process under Section 15J, and added substantial technical support to this specific hair dryer rule.  AHAM encourages the CPSC to continue to use this process in a focused and judicious manner.

All About Induction Cooking

AHAM has told you about the Five appliance that can help you save money, but did you know there is a type of cooking technology that can save you time, money and piece of mind?  Induction cooking is relatively new and unknown, but induction cooktops are gaining popularity among kitchen designers. 

Induction cooking works by transferring heat directly to your pot or pan through an electric current.  The cooktop will only heat your pan when it is in direct contact with the surface.  For a complete explanation of how this cooktop works, read this helpful article in Kitchen and Bath Business: Understanding Induction. 

So how can an induction cooktop save you time, money and piece of mind?

• Induction allows you to cook your meal faster.  You will have more control over the heat, with the ability to adjust the temperature with more accuracy and bring water to a rapid boil in less than two minutes.  Clean up could not be easier with the flat, ceramic glass cooktop.  You can wipe it clean in seconds, and since it does not get hot, even spills and splatters are easy to clean.
• The direct-to-vessel heating used in induction cooktops does not waste heat.  This makes this technology more sustainable than others, and you will save on your utility bills.
• Finally, since the cooking heat stays contained to the pan, the surface of the cooktop will always remain cool.  Watch the video below from HGTV to see that you can lay your hand on the cooktop next to your pan with no worries!  Your kitchen will stay cooler and you will not need to be concerned about burns from touching the surface directly.

 

Watch Wayne Morris' House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee Testimony

Wayne Morris, AHAM's VP, Division Services, recommended improvements to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Publicly Available Consumer Product Safety Information Database in testimony delivered on February 17. You can watch a video of the hearing below.

 

AHAM Testifies on CPSC Consumer Product Safety Information Database

AHAM VP Wayne Morris testified yesterday before the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Manufacturing and Trade to recommend improvements to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Publicly Available Consumer Product Safety Information Database, which was authorized under the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA). 

The Publicly Available Consumer Product Safety Information Database will enable any member of the public to submit reports of harm involving consumer products. Manufacturers and private labelers identified in reports will be provided a limited opportunity to comment on the reports.

AHAM’s testimony supports the creation of a public database. However, the current design and operation of the website:

• decreases the quality and accuracy of information that will keep consumers safe
• places unreasonable burdens on manufacturers
• does not require timely resolution of good faith material inaccuracy claims

AHAM’s specific recommendations and a full copy of the testimony can be read on AHAM's website.

Be Warm and Safe while Snowed In

This January has been very cold and “snowier” than usual according to CNN’s “This Just In” news blog, where you can see a Google map showing 49 out of 50 states have snow on the ground right now.  Winter weather is snowing people in all across the country, unless you are lucky enough to live in Florida!

People are going to look for ways to warm up while enduring these icy conditions, so AHAM wants to remind everyone to use their heating appliances properly.  Read the instructions before operating portable heaters and follow AHAM’s Top Tips for Using Your Electric Heater Safely.  You should also teach your children not to get too close to the heater and do not place them in a child’s room without supervision. 

You should also read these winter storm precautions from Gwinnett County Fire Department in Georgia.  These are good tips from people down south who usually avoid being snowed in!