Defective Product

York International has issued a recall for nearly 226,000 gas furnaces for manufactured homes made by Unitary Products Group (UPG) due to fire concerns with some models. The furnaces affected by the recall were sold under the Coleman, Coleman Evcon and Red T brands and were subject to a similar recall in 2004. York has said that some models are prone to overheating, which can cause the heat exchanger to crack, creating openings that can allow flames to reach the outside of the furnace. The company reports that if this occurs, drywall, paneling and other nearby combustibles can catch fire, which poses a serious fire and smoke hazard to anyone living in the home.

The furnaces affected by the recall are silver with white access panels and feature front access panels with emblems that say "Coleman," "Coleman Evcon" and "Red T." The models affected by the recall include these:

• DGAM075BDD
• DGAM075BDE
• DGAM075BDF
• DGAT070BDD
• DGAT070BDE
• DGAT070BDF
• DGAT075BDD
• DGAT075BDE
• DGAT075BDF
• DLAS075BDD
• DLAS075BDE
• DLAS075BDF

Homeowners and renters who suspect that their furnace is affected by the recall can find the model number written on a faceplate. They will need to remove both front access panels and look for the faceplate mounted on the left inside surface of the lower panel. These models were sold and installed in homes across the United States between 1995 and 2000 as original furnaces and replacement furnaces in manufactured homes.

Homeowners and renters who live in manufactured homes with recalled furnaces should stop using the furnace immediately until after the unit has been inspected and repaired or replaced. UPG has acknowledged at least 393 incidents involving the recalled furnaces, some involving extensive property damage. Anyone living in a home with a recalled furnace can schedule a free inspection and repair by calling UPG at 888-665-4640 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CST Monday through Friday.

Given the number of manufactured homes in Central Florida, Orlando personal injury lawyer James O. Cunningham is concerned about how many Floridians are at risk for serious injury from fires caused by these defective furnaces. In well over three decades practicing personal injury law, he has seen many defective products cause people serious, even fatal injuries, and he has a record of success helping injured people receive compensation through court awards and settlements. If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product and you have questions about your legal options, call 888-425-2004 or 407-425-2000 to schedule a free consultation. Before you sign anything offered by the at-fault company or their legal representatives, call Mr. Cunningham and have the documents reviewed by an experienced Orlando personal injury attorney.

A Florida distributor has recalled around 324,000 bamboo torches due to a sharp edge on a fuel canister that holds the wick, which can cause laceration when owners attempt to remove the wick for lighting. Atico International USA Inc. of Fort Lauderdale, FL distributes the Chinese-made torches, and the firm has received reports of five people experiencing injury due to the sharp edge, one of whom required stitches to close the wound. Four victims reported cuts from the sharp edge as they attempted to retrieve a wick that had fallen into the fuel canister.
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