24.5.03

Wisconsin Memorial Day Weekend Roadtrips
Wisconsin lawyers and Wisconsin families often take summertime vacations and the tires on our cars are absolutely critical to a safe trip especially in warm weather because long trips, heavy loads, higher speeds and higher temperatures all put additional stress on tires. Here is what you should do:

- Check your tires regularly to be sure there are no visible signs of wear, damage, bulges, or tread separation.

- Be sure your tires are properly inflated. Check your tire pressure often--with an accurate gauge - for routine driving and before and during any long trips. Measure the tire when the tires are cold, before you drive on them. The recommended inflation pressure can be found in your owner's manual or on a label frequently found in the glove box, near the door latch on the driver's side, or other locations on your vehicle. The recommended inflation pressure is not to be confused with the maximum inflation pressure that is shown on the side of the tire. At the recommended inflation pressure, tires will last longer and be less likely to fail, and the car will use less fuel. Serious injury can result from tire failure because of under inflation or overloading.

- Never overload your vehicle. Your car and tires are designed to operate safely only up to their load limits. These limits are shown in your owner's manual and on the certification plate on the edge of the driver's door.

- Make sure there is enough tread on the tire to operate safely and the tires are wearing normally. All grooves should be visible and deep enough to at least touch the top of Lincoln's head on a penny inserted head first in the tread. Low tread or bald tires are unsafe and need to be replaced.

- If some spots on the tire seem to be wearing faster than others, see your tire dealer, service station or mechanic. You could have misaligned wheels, worn shock absorbers, or other potential problems. Make sure your tires are aligned and balanced properly.

- Don't drive at a high rate of speed for a long time, particularly in hot weather. Obey posted speed limits. Lower speeds also mean better gas mileage.

- Make sure that every person in every vehicle is properly restrained in a seat belt or child safety seat on every trip - before you turn the key in the ignition.

19.5.03

Recent recalls:

Swimways Corp. Announce Recall of Pool Dive Sticks
Swimways Corp., of Virginia Beach, Va., is voluntarily recalling about 25,000 packages of dive sticks (each package contains four dive sticks), which fail to meet the commission’s safety requirements. Children can fall or land on these dive sticks in shallow water and may suffer impalement injuries.

Weil-McLain Announce Recall of Ultra 155 & 230 Gas Boilers
Weil-McLain Company of Michigan City, Ind. is voluntarily recalling about 1,700 Gas Boilers. The gas valve mounting screws on the recalled boilers may have not been fully tightened during the assembly process and may have come loose in transportation. Weil-McLain is concerned that loose gas fittings could result in leaking gas, fire and/or explosions that could cause bodily injuries or property damage.

Homelite Announce Recall of Chainsaws
Homelite Consumer Products, Inc., of Anderson, S.C. is voluntarily recalling about 6,900 chainsaws. These saws can operate while the engine is at the "idle" setting, posing a risk of serious lacerations to the operator and bystanders.

Wal-Mart Announce Recall of Fabric Lanterns
Wal-Mart Stores Inc., of Bentonville, Ark. is voluntarily recalling about 64,000 fabric lanterns. The fabric is not flame retardant and can be ignited by the lantern's votive candle, posing a fire hazard.

Amen Wardy Home Announce Recall of Multi-purpose Lighters Shaped Like Matchsticks
Amen Wardy Home, of Las Vegas, Nev., is voluntarily recalling about 2,400 multi-purpose lighters shaped like matchsticks. The lighters lack child-resistant mechanisms that meet federal safety standards. Young children could operate these lighters, which poses a fire hazard.

Baby's Dream Furniture Inc. Announce Recall to Repair Cribs
Baby's Dream Furniture Inc., of Buena Vista, Ga., is voluntarily recalling about 4,600 wooden convertible cribs manufactured from January to August 2001 to repair hinges on the drop gate. The three hinges along the fold-down drop gate can crack or break and allow babies to have their fingers pinched. Baby's Dream has received 38 reports of broken or cracked hinges, but there have been no injuries reported.

DCD Incorporated Announce Recall of Exercisers
DCD Incorporated of Malibu, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 9,500 Ab Swing exercise units. The Ab Swing is a manual exercise unit, primarily intended for abdominal exercise. It is gray steel, with red seat and handlebars with black grips. The Ab Swing weighs approximately 18 pounds, and sits about 2 feet off the ground. The word "abswing" is printed on the front of the seat and the phrase "Made in Malaysia" is printed on a tag on the back of the seat. Units that contain the phrase "Made in China" are not included in this recall. Home Shopping Network (HSN) sold the exercise units in September 2002 for about $89.