Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, July 9, 1990 TAG: 9007070273
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: E3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Tammy Poole
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
A: Our classified advertising department provides a booklet of verses to help people write such tributes for use on the obituary page. The poems aren't copyrighted, said Marilyn Evans, the newspaper's telemarketing manager, "so we don't object to their use," she said.
Advertisements placed with original poems in them are not copyrighted either "to our knowledge," and unless so stated in the ad, they are reusable "as best we can tell," Evans said.
Warnings and recalls
Warnings and products recently recalled by the Consumer Product Safety Commission include:
Infant bean bag cushions made by a number of manufacturers, due to a suffocation risk for an infant unable to raise its head off the pillow. Consumers are advised to stop using the pillow immediately. For more information on brands and refunds, contact the commission at (800) 638-2772.
Charmglow electric bug killer which poses a fire hazard when infrequent cleaning of dead insects is combined with high humidity. To date, approximately 20 fires caused by this device have yielded property damage. For instructions on returning it for a refund, call Allied Tube and Conduit Corp. of Harvey, Ill., at (800) 558-5502.
Car-Roll-A-Way toy sets (#27342) by Jacobson Stores Inc. Wooden heads of the figures can detach and pose a choking hazard. Return for a refund or call (800) 837-5227, ext. 212.
"Bib to Bowl" pacifiers (#1852045) by Consolidated Stores (including Big Lots) are being recalled due to a lack of ventilation holes in the guards or shields as required by federal law to prevent suffocation. Return the pacifier to the store where purchased for a refund.
Gym sets with Glide Riders by Sears and Hedstrom. Some sets need to be fitted with plastic glide guards to prevent finger injuries. Call (800) 233-3271 to request a free glide guard.
Gas barbecue grills by Thermos and Structo sold since 1989. Hose, valve and regulator assemblies need replacement. For more information, call (800) 446-0475.
Infant/toddler activity center (item BK-06) by Battat Inc. The spinner at the top of the center wasn't properly glued, and beads inside pose a choking hazard. Return to place of purchase for a refund.
The previous information is from the Office of Special Adviser to the President for Consumer Affairs in Washington, D.C.
Importer to pay fine
The importer of the "Gut Buster" exercise device has agreed to pay a $130,000 fine to settle a lawsuit charging it failed to report a product defect, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said recently.
Consumer Direct, Inc. of Canton, Ohio, ignored consumer complaints claiming a defect in the "Gut Buster" caused its spring to break and created a substantial product hazard which it was legally obligated to report, according to the commission. The agency said the company had received many complaints of cuts, bruises and other injury caused by the breaks.
Consumer Direct maintains that no substantial hazard existed and that it did not violate statutory reporting requirements. However, the company agreed in 1988 to a repair program to retrofit 2 million "Gut Busters" with devices that would prevent the spring from breaking.
The CPSC reminded consumers to discontinue use of the exercisers until they have obtained the repair kit. Consumer Direct can be reached at (800) 325-7292.
by CNB