Clearwater Tampa St. Petersburg Home Inspection

Posted via email from Clearwater St. Petersburg Tampa Home Inspection News

Thursday, December 27, 2012

Do as I say, not as I do

Permit? We don’t need no stinkin’ permits. They’re such a pain.

Seems that Miami-Dade County completed two building projects in municipal buildings without obtaining permits or inspections. They got caught. . .

In fact, officials for the county's internal services department got away with completing two construction projects in downtown Miami without obtaining permits for either one, according to Miami-Dade Inspector General Chris Mazzella.

"The Office of the Inspector General finds this matter troubling," Mazzella wrote in a Dec. 19 report to Mayor Carlos Gimenez. "The OIG is concerned that a pattern of building code violations appears to be emerging and should, herefore, be addressed."

In a separate investigation in April, Mazzella's investigators found the internal services department failed to obtain a permit for a roof project until 16 months after construction began.

Read the full story here: http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/riptide/2012/12/miami-dade_inspector_general_c.php

Mark Cramer

Mark Cramer Inspection Services, Inc.

492 20th Ave.

Indian Rocks Beach, FL 33785

727-595-4211

Advice for consumers on choosing a home inspector in Tampa, St. Petersburg or Cleawater

http://www.Tampa-Home-Inspection.com

Posted via email from Clearwater St. Petersburg Tampa Home Inspection News

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Bedbug Cure Worse than Bite

Health Concerns about Misuse of Pesticides for Bed Bug Control

Public Health Issues
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are alerting the public to an emerging national concern regarding misuse of pesticides to treat infestations of bed bugs and other insects indoors. Some pesticides are being applied indoors even though they are approved only for outdoor use. Even pesticides that are approved for indoor use can cause harm if over applied or not used as instructed on the product label.

There has been a dramatic increase in the number of bed bug-related inquiries received by the National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC) over the past several years, with many involving incidents of pesticide exposure, spills, or misapplications¹. From January 2006-December 2010, NPIC reported 169 calls to their hotline where residents, homeowners, or pesticide applicators sprayed pesticides indoors to treat bedbugs. These cases involved pesticides that were misapplied, not intended for indoor use, or legally banned from use. Of those, 129 resulted in mild or serious health effects (including one death) for persons living in affected residences².

ATSDR warns that outdoor pesticides should not be used indoors under any circumstances. Homeowners and applicators should always carefully read the product label to make sure that:

· it has an EPA registration number

· it is intended for indoor use

· it is effective against bed bugs (the label should say it is meant to be used to treat your home for bed bugs) and

· you know how to properly mix the product (if a concentrate) and where and how to apply it safely within the home.

Consumers should also be aware of recent cases where licensed and unlicensed pest control applicators illegally sprayed outdoor pesticides indoors to control bed bugs. In some cases, these pesticides were found at levels that harmed or could have harmed people’s health. In some cases, residents were relocated until their homes could be decontaminated.

Background
This issue first came to ATSDR’s attention when a misapplication of a chemical to treat a bed bug infestation occurred in a residential building in Ohio. A pest control applicator hired by the building owner sprayed the interior of 2 occupied apartments with a pesticide intended only for outdoor use. These illegal applications were made five times over 72 hours and included spraying of ceilings, floors, and even beds and a crib mattress. The occupants included a family with small children, who displayed health symptoms typical of pesticide poisoning, including headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, and muscle tremors. The families were evaluated and treated at a local hospital. The homes were evacuated and families relocated. The families lost furniture, electronics, clothing, linens, toys, and other personal items that were grossly contaminated. A review of this case and other cases of acute illness related to exposure to insecticides used for bed bug control was recently published in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report³ .

Even pesticides that are approved for indoor use can cause harm if over applied or not used according to the label directions. Like the incident in Ohio, these situations can also result in the loss of personal items, the need to replace contaminated building materials, and expensive cleanups. For example, a mother with a young family contacted NPIC and reported a number of serious health effects her husband, her children, and she experienced from pesticide exposure. A pest control applicator hired by their landlord had applied multiple pesticides seven times over a five-month period. The infestation was later determined not to be bed bugs. Before moving out of the contaminated home, the family members (ranging in ages from 1-32 years) experienced neurological symptoms (such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, visual disturbances, numbness in the face and limbs, muscle tremors, etc.), abdominal pain, and cardiopulmonary symptoms (chest tightness, heart palpitations, and chest pain). Documented in another call was a mother who contacted NPIC describing her infant who developed vomiting and diarrhea after being placed on a mattress treated with an undiluted indoor insecticide. Other bed bug related calls to NPIC describe similar complaints where the caller or the caller’s family members experienced headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, tremors, etc., from indoor pesticides being misapplied (often over applied).

How might pesticide exposure affect children?
It is particularly dangerous to allow children to reoccupy a home that has had a recent pesticide treatment where surfaces are still wet, or where they can come in direct contact with pesticide dusts. Children can put objects that have pesticide residues on them in their mouths, and generally put their hands in their mouths and touch their faces more often than adults. They also breathe a greater volume of air per body weight than adults. Thus, the behavior and physical characteristics of children can lead to higher exposures than adults.

Do pesticide products affect the health of animals?
Exposed animals may have the same health effects as people. Illness in pets after a pest control application is sometimes a first warning that pesticides have been misused or over applied. Because of their small body weights, exposed pets may show signs of pesticide poisoning quickly. Cats and dogs may be exposed to pesticides when they come in contact with contaminated surfaces such as floors.

Preventing Exposure to Pesticides

1. Make sure you are treating the right pest. Many pests look alike. Before using any pesticides, confirm that your infestation is actually from bed bugs. Some products are specific to an insect, and won’t work if used on any other insect. Depending on the lifecycle stage in which they are found, bed bugs can resemble bat bugs, poultry bugs, carpet beetles, and barn swallow bugs. Ticks can also be mistaken for bed bugs. Bed bugs are small parasitic insects. Adult bed bugs are reddish-brown, have flat bodies, are the shape and size of an apple seed, and do not have wings. Signs of bed bugs in your home include bites on the skin resembling a rash, small spots of blood on bed sheets or clothing, brown fecal stains on linens or furniture, staining on ceilings or walls, and finding molts (cast off skins) in the home. For help making sure your pests are bed bugs, you can contact an entomologist (insect expert) at many county extension services. Follow the link below to find your local extension service: http://www.csrees.usda.gov/Extension/index.html

2. Do not use pesticides indoors if they are intended for outdoor use. The label on the product will tell you whether it can be used indoors. Using outdoor pesticides indoors can hurt your family’s health, contaminate your home, result in the loss of your belongings if they become contaminated, and cost thousands of dollars to clean up your house to make it safe to reoccupy.

3. Use a pest control expert if you hire someone to treat your home for a pest problem. Treating bed bugs is very challenging. If you choose to hire someone to treat your home, an experienced pest management professional can help you treat the infestation effectively. A pest management professional should thoroughly inspect your residence, and provide instructions for preparation and cleaning. They should use a combination of practices based on specific information about the pest’s life cycle and habitat needs. This includes non-chemical methods along with limited and targeted pesticide use only as needed. In most cases, chemicals alone will not eliminate pests. When hiring a pest management professional, ask about the specific steps they take to treat infestations.

When you hire someone to control bed bugs or any other pest, make sure they are currently licensed and certified to apply pesticides. Ask to see the certification. Ask for the brand name of the pesticide and the name of the product's active ingredient in case you or a member of your family gets sick from exposure to the product. Read the label of the product the pest control applicator is planning to use to make sure it is for indoor use.

Check with your state pesticide agency to find out about certification and training requirements http://aspcro.org/?q=control-officials. They may also be able to help you find a certified pest control applicator in your area.

4. If you buy over-the-counter pesticide products to apply yourself, be sure

· the product is in unopened, original pesticide containers

· the containers are labeled, and

· the containers have an EPA registration number.

If you feel you have been overexposed to a pesticide or feel sick after a pesticide has been used in your home, consult your doctor or a poison control center (1-800-222-1222) immediately.

5. ALWAYS FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE PRODUCT LABEL. The label will tell you which bugs the product will kill, how to mix the product, and where and how to apply the product.
Do not apply pesticides repeatedly or in excess of label directions - more is not better and may be unsafe for your family. Do not apply pesticides to beds or furniture unless the label allows it. Not following the label instructions can harm the health of your family, your pets, or you and can result in contamination of your home that can be expensive and time consuming to clean up. Do not use other household chemicals such as kerosene, rubbing alcohol, or bleach for pest control. They can cause negative health effects, fire, or explosions.

Treating an infestation: Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

How can bed bugs be treated safely?
Like lice infestations, bed bugs are best treated using a combination of practices, such as inspection, monitoring, reducing clutter, using physical barriers, and carefully applying pesticides if needed. This type of comprehensive pest control strategy is called “integrated pest management” (IPM). This approach includes vigilant activities by homeowners and renters, such as:

· checking luggage and clothes when returning from a trip or buying second hand clothing, mattresses, or furniture;

· thoroughly inspecting infested areas and the surrounding living space;

· reducing clutter where bed bugs can hide;

· installing encasements on box springs, mattresses and pillows, and using interceptors under bed posts and furniture legs;

· aggressively cleaning infested areas and clothing, in conjunction with professional heat/steam or cold treatments of baseboards and other belongings;

· carefully using pesticides approved for indoor use on bed bugs (see http://cfpub.epa.gov/oppref/bedbug/ for a list of EPA-approved pesticides), or hiring pest management professional.

There is no federal certification program for IPM pest control professionals, and some professionals practice IPM without specific certification, but two non-profit organizations do have certification programs. To learn more about their programs or to find a pesticide control applicator in your area, visit http://greenshieldcertified.org/ or http://www.certifiedgreenpro.org/. This information is being provided solely to assist you and is not an endorsement or recommendation by CDC of any pest control individual or company.

DO NOT USE BLEACH in areas where you have treated your home with a pesticide. Bleach can convert some pesticides to more toxic forms that could result in harmful exposures to your family. See the following links and for more information on how to effectively treat bed bug infestations:

· Environmental Protection Agency: http://www.epa.gov/bedbugs

· National Pesticide Information Center: http://www.npic.orst.edu/pest/bedbug.html

Important phone numbers and Web sites

If you believe you or a family member has become ill from a pesticide exposure:

Call your local poison control center: 1-800-222-1222, your local hospital emergency room, or the National Pesticide Information Center at 1-800-858-7378. You can also call the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Information Line at 1-800-CDC-INFO for information about pesticides.

If you believe your pet has become ill from a pesticide exposure:

Contact your local veterinarian or call the National Animal Poison Control Center at 1-888-426-4435.

To report a possible pesticide misuse:

Contact your state pesticide regulatory agency. You can state specific contact information at: http://www.npic.orst.edu/reg/state_agencies.html

To learn more about pesticides and bed bugs

ATSDR ToxFaqs
http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/substances/index.asp

CDC Parasites Web site
http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/bedbugs/

Environmental Protection Agency Web sites
http://www.epa.gov/bedbugs
http://www.epa.gov/pesticides

National Pesticide Information Center
http://www.npic.orst.edu

Mark Cramer

Mark Cramer Inspection Services, Inc.

492 20th Ave.

Indian Rocks Beach, FL 33785

727-595-4211

Posted via email from Clearwater St. Petersburg Tampa Home Inspection News

Monday, December 3, 2012

Keep it Clean

Here’s a great example of mold growing without an obvious source of water leakage.

In order to grow mold, we need, mold spores, which are ubiquitous, food, moisture and the right temperature range, which we have year round in Florida.

This house has been vacant for 2 years with water and power off. Heavy mold growth is present on kitchen cabinets and wood doors to bedrooms. The mold is growing on dust, which serves as food. Without air conditioning, the humidity is high enough at times to supply enough moisture to support the growth of mold.

We normally don’t see mold growing in vacant homes, unless, as in this case, cleaning has been neglected. On the other hand, I’ve seen similar mold growth in occupied houses in clothing closets where the baseboards never get cleaned.

If you want to avoid mold growth, keep things clean and dry!

Mark Cramer

Mark Cramer Inspection Services, Inc.

492 20th Ave.

Indian Rocks Beach, FL 33785

727-595-4211

Advice for consumers on choosing a home inspector in Tampa, St. Petersburg or Cleawater

Posted via email from Clearwater St. Petersburg Tampa Home Inspection News

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Who Is Inspecting Your Roof?

Here’s a story about how municipal inspectors aren’t inspecting roofs

Mark Cramer

Mark Cramer Inspection Services, Inc.

492 20th Ave.

Indian Rocks Beach, FL 33785

727-595-4211

Posted via email from Clearwater St. Petersburg Tampa Home Inspection News

Thursday, November 8, 2012

LG Electronics Recalls Electric Ranges Due to Burn and Fire Hazards

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: LG Electric Ranges

Units: About 161,000

Manufacturer: LG Electronics Inc., of South Korea

Hazard: Burners on the electric ranges can fail to turn off after being switched off and the temperature setting can increase unexpectedly during use, posing burn and fire hazards to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: LG has received 80 reports of incidents involving burners failing to turn off or the temperature setting increasing unexpectedly during use. No fires or injuries have been reported.

Description: The recalled ranges involve models LRE30451, LRE30453, LRE30755, LRE30757, and LRE30955ST. They were sold in black, white and stainless steel and with a smooth black ceramic glass top cooking surface. The recalled ranges have serial numbers starting with 512, 601, 602, 603, 604, 605, 606, 607, 608, 609, 610, 611, 612, 701, 702, 703, 704, 705, 706, 707, 708, 709, 710, 711, 712, 801, 802, 803, 804, 805, 806, 807, 808, 809, 810, 901, 902, 903, 904, 905, and 906. The model and serial numbers can be found on a label that can be seen by opening the storage drawer at the base of the unit. The electric ranges are about 47½ inches tall to the top of the backguard, 29 inches wide and 28 inches deep.

Sold at: Best Buy, Home Depot, Sears, and regional appliance retailers nationwide from January 2006 to June 2010 for between $800 and $1999.

Manufactured in: South Korea and Mexico

Remedy: Consumers should immediately contact LG to schedule a free in-home repair. Consumers whose burner heat setting cannot be regulated by using the controls or who experience problems with a cooktop burner remaining on, should immediately stop using the recalled electric range until it is repaired.

Consumer Contact: LG; toll-free at (855) 400-4638, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, or www.LG.com/us and click on Public Notices in the Customer Services section for more information.

To see this recall on CPSC's web site, including pictures of the recalled product, please go to: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml13/13031.html

Mark Cramer

Mark Cramer Inspection Services, Inc.

492 20th Ave.

Indian Rocks Beach, FL 33785

727-595-4211

Advice for consumers on choosing a home inspector in Tampa, St. Petersburg or Cleawater

Posted via email from Clearwater St. Petersburg Tampa Home Inspection News

Friday, August 10, 2012

GE Dishwashers in Tampa Homes Recalled

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 9, 2012
Release #12-244

Firm's Recall Hotline: (866) 918-8760
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908
Firm's Media Contact: (888) 240-2749 GE Recalls Dishwashers Due to Fire Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in
cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of
the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled
products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or
attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of product: GE, GE Adora(tm), GE Eterna(tm), GE Profile(tm) and
Hotpoint(r), Dishwashers

Units: About 1.3 million in the United States

Manufacturer: GE Appliances, of Louisville, Ky.

Hazard: An electrical failure in the dishwasher's heating element can pose a
fire hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: GE has received 15 reports of dishwasher heating element
failures, including seven reports of fires, three of which caused extensive
property damage. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves GE, GE Adora, GE Eterna, GE Profile and
Hotpoint brand dishwashers. They were sold in black, white, bisque,
stainless steel and CleanSteel(tm) exterior colors and finishes. The model
and serial numbers can be found on a metallic plate located on the left tub
wall visible when the door is opened. Model and serial numbers will start
with one of the following sequences:

Brands GE, GE Adora, GE Eterna, GE Profile, Hotpoint

Model Number Begins With (except Hotpoint): GLC4, GLD4, GLD5, GLD6, GSD61,
GSD62, GSD63, GSD66, GSD67, GSD69, GLDL, PDW7, PDWF7, EDW4, EDW5, EDW6,
GHD4, GHD5, GHD6, GHDA4, GHDA6 Model Number Begins With (Hotpoint): HLD4

Serial Number Begins With: FL, GL, HL, LL, ML, VL, ZL, AM, DM, FM, GM, HM,
LM, MM, RM, SM, TM, VM, ZM, AR, DR, FR, GR
Sold at: Appliance dealers, authorized builder distributors and other stores
nationwide from March 2006 through August 2009 for between $350 and $850.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled dishwashers,
disconnect the electric supply by shutting off the fuse or circuit breaker
controlling it and inform all users of the dishwasher about the risk of
fire. For all dishwashers, contact GE for a free in-home repair or to
receive a GE rebate of $75 towards the purchase of a new GE front-control
plastic tub dishwasher, or a rebate of $100 towards the purchase of a new GE
front-control stainless tub dishwasher or GE Profile top control dishwasher.
Consumers should not return the recalled dishwashers to the retailer where
they purchased as retailers are not prepared to take the units back.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact GE toll-free at (866)
918-8760 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the
firm's website at www.geappliances.com/recall

To see this recall on CPSC's web site, including pictures of the recalled
products, please go to:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml12/12244.html

Mark Cramer
Mark Cramer Inspection Services, Inc.
492 20th Ave. Indian Rocks Beach, FL 33785
727-595-4211

Tampa Bay Area Home Inspector
http://www.BestTampaInspector.com
Clearwater Home Inspector
St. Petersburg Home Inspector
Advice for consumers on choosing a home inspector in Tampa, St. Petersburg
or Cleawater

Posted via email from Clearwater St. Petersburg Tampa Home Inspection News

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Chinese Drywall Settlement

Settlement for $80 million more for drywall victims

Lawyers representing thousands of victims of Chinese drywall have reached an $80 million settlement with insurance companies representing many of the builders and installers of the material.

That money will feed into a settlement announced in December that involves Knauf Plasterboard Tianjin Co., a German maker of defective Chinese drywall that could, by some reckonings, make $1 billion in repairs. The settlement called for Knauf to create an uncapped fund to repair 4,500 properties, mainly in Florida.

The latest settlement includes more than 600 defendants, including 80 insurers. The agreement covers as many as 8,000 homeowners, more of them Florida residents than any other state.

Read the full article here: http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20120606/ARTICLE/120609750?p=1&tc=pg

Mark Cramer

Mark Cramer Inspection Services, Inc.

492 20th Ave.

Indian Rocks Beach, FL 33785

727-595-4211

Advice for consumers on choosing a home inspector in Tampa, St. Petersburg or Cleawater

Posted via email from Clearwater St. Petersburg Tampa Home Inspection News

Saturday, June 9, 2012

Will your smoke detectors work?

Right now some significant issues are being raised about smoke detectors. Turns out that the type used in 95% of homes are not effective in detecting smoke from smoldering fires and these are the type fires that cause most of the 3,000 home fire casualties. Several states and many municipalities around the country have banned ionization type detectors because of the flaws in the system. Tennessee currently has legislation that would require photoelectric alarms.

Here’s some life saving tips to keep your family safe:

www.theworldfiresafetyfoundation.org

Mark Cramer

Mark Cramer Inspection Services, Inc.

492 20th Ave.

Indian Rocks Beach, FL 33785

727-595-4211

Advice for consumers on choosing a home inspector in Tampa, St. Petersburg or Cleawater

Posted via email from Clearwater St. Petersburg Tampa Home Inspection News

National Home Safety Month & Fire Safety Tips

Here’s some life saving tips to keep your family safe:

www.theworldfiresafetyfoundation.org

Link to video: http://via.whnt.com/6Nsr7rS

Posted via email from Clearwater St. Petersburg Tampa Home Inspection News

Friday, June 1, 2012

Home Values Rise

Zillow issued a released Friday reporting that both national home values and rents rose in the month of April.

According to the April Zillow Real Estate Market Reports, national home values rose 0.7 percent in April to a Zillow Home Value Index of $147,300. This is the largest monthly increase in home values since January 2006, and it makes April the second month in a row in which home values climbed up.

Zillow also reported that rents rose from March to April, increasing by 1.6 percent, according to the Zillow Rent Index. Of the 178 markets covered by Zillow, 78 percent experienced a rise in rents.

The Miami-Fort Lauderdale and Phoenix metro areas saw the biggest increases in home values, rising 1.6 and 1.9 percent, respectively. Values continued to decrease in hard-hit markets like Atlanta, where home values fell 0.7 percent.

“The housing market continues to show positive signs, with home values increasing significantly in April,” said Dr. Stan Humphries, chief economist at Zillow. “The recovery is moving in the right direction, but we caution that negative equity will cast a long shadow over the housing market. With almost one-third of homeowners with mortgages underwater and unable to sell their homes, inventory is having a hard time keeping up with increasing demand in many areas. We’ll continue to watch this signal as increasing home values turn from a blip into a trend.”

Foreclosures also continued to decline in April, with 6.8 out of every 10,000 homes being foreclosed across the U.S. That figure was down from 8 out of every 10,000 in March.

We’re seeing increased activity in the Tampa Bay market. Home sales have been very strong in the first quarter of this year.

Mark Cramer

Mark Cramer Inspection Services, Inc.

492 20th Ave.

Indian Rocks Beach, FL 33785

727-595-4211

Advice for consumers on choosing a home inspector in Tampa, St. Petersburg or Cleawater

Posted via email from Clearwater St. Petersburg Tampa Home Inspection News

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Viking Dishwasher Recall

Viking Range Recalls Dishwashers Due to Fire Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in
cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop
using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a
recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Viking dishwashers

Units: About 2,000

Manufacturer: Viking Range Corporation of Greenwood, Miss.

Hazard: An electrical component in the dishwasher can overheat, posing a
fire hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: Viking has received 21 reports of incidents, including
five reports of property damage from fires. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The recall includes Viking 24" Professional, Designer and
Custom Panel dishwashers manufactured between May and September 2010. They were sold in black, white and 24 other custom colors,
stainless steel and with custom wood panels. The name "Viking" appears on the control panel at the top of the door. The model
and serial number are located on the identification plate mounted on the inside on the left side of the
dishwasher door opening. The first six numbers in the serial number are the manufacture date in mmddyy format, e.g., serial number
052610 was manufactured on May 26, 2010. Model and manufacture dates included on this recall are:

Model Numbers Starting With*: DDB325, DFB450, VDB325, VDB450 Date Codes -
first six digits of serial number: 052610 through 091510

*Model numbers ending with an E are not included on the recall.

Sold at: Appliance and specialty retail stores nationwide from June 2010
through March 2012 for between $1,425 and $2,000.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled dishwashers and
contact Viking's hotline for a free in-home repair.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Viking toll-free at
(800) 241-7239 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday or visit Viking's website at www.vikingrange.com

To see this recall on CPSC's web site, including pictures of the recalled
products, please go to: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml12/12147.html

********************************************************

Visit our blog, OnSafety at www.cpsc.gov/onsafety See our videos on YouTube
at http://www.youtube.com/uscpsc Follow us on Twitter at
http://twitter.com/OnSafety See our photos on Flickr at
http://www.flickr.com/photos/uscpsc

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the
public from unreasonable risks of injury or death from thousands of types of
consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. The CPSC is committed to
protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire,
electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard or can injure children. The
CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs,
power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals - contributed
significantly to the 30 percent decline in the rate of deaths and injuries
associated with consumer products over the past 30 years. To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, visit
www.saferproducts.gov, or contact CPSC's Hotline at info@cpsc.gov, (800)
638-2772 or CPSC's teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270. To join a CPSC e-mail
subscription list, please go to https://www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx.
Consumers can obtain recall and general safety information by logging on to
CPSC's Web site at www.cpsc.gov.

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Report an Unsafe Product: www.SaferProducts.gov Thank you.

Posted via email from Clearwater St. Petersburg Tampa Home Inspection News

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Ceiling Fans Recalled by Westinghouse Lighting Due to Shock and Fire Hazards

Name of product: Ceiling Fans

Units: About 7,000

Importer: Westinghouse Lighting Corp., of Philadelphia, Pa.

Hazard: The two 60-watt light bulbs included with the ceiling fans exceed the fan's maximum wattage, which can cause the ceiling fans to overheat or fail. This poses fire and shock hazards to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported

Description: The following Westinghouse Lighting ceiling fans with 24, 30 and 42-inch diameter blades are included in this recall. "Westinghouse" is printed on the fan's ceiling canopy. The item number is printed on the fan's motor housing.

Item Number Description Photo

72243 24-inch ceiling fan

gun metal finish with opal-frosted light kit

6 blades (black/graphite color)

78631 24-inch ceiling fan

chrome finish with opal-frosted light kit

6 blades (dark wood/beech color)

72245 30-inch ceiling fan

espresso finish with opal-frosted light kit

3 blades (espresso/dark cherry color)

78763 30-inch ceiling fan

chrome finish with opal-frosted light kit

3 blades (dark wood/beech color)

78764 42-inch ceiling fan

gun metal finish with opal-frosted light kit

3 blades (black/graphite color)

Sold by: Home improvement and hardware stores, home centers and electrical product suppliers nationwide and online at www.amazon.com from January 2011 through January 2012 for between $135 and $150.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled ceiling fans and contact Westinghouse Lighting for two free replacement 40-watt light bulbs.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Westinghouse Lighting toll-free at (888) 417-6222 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's website at www.westinghouselighting.com

To see this recall on CPSC's web site, including pictures of the recalled products, please go to:

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml12/12135.html

Mark Cramer

Mark Cramer Inspection Services, Inc.

492 20th Ave.

Indian Rocks Beach, FL 33785

727-595-4211

Advice for consumers on choosing a home inspector in Tampa, St. Petersburg or Cleawater

http://www.ledflashlightreviews.info

Posted via email from Clearwater St. Petersburg Tampa Home Inspection News

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Chinese Drywall Settlement

(Reuters) - Owners of thousands of U.S. homes tainted with foul-smelling Chinese drywall agreed to a legal settlement on Thursday with a German manufacturer.

An attorney for the plaintiffs, Russ Herman, said the settlement reached with Knauf International was worth $800 million to $1 billion, but a lawyer for the company said the final amount would likely be much lower.

Knauf International's Chinese subsidiary made the tainted product, which has been blamed for producing a stench and fumes that damage air conditioning, wiring and fixtures.

Plaintiffs say the settlement, which requires court approval, could provide for repairs on as many as 4,500 properties containing drywall made by Knauf Plasterboard Tianjin, or KPT.

Read the full article here: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/12/15/us-drywall-settlement-idUSTRE7BE1NK20111215

Mark Cramer

Mark Cramer Inspection Services, Inc.

492 20th Ave.

Indian Rocks Beach, FL 33785

727-595-4211

Advice for consumers on choosing a home inspector in Tampa, St. Petersburg or Cleawater

http://www.ledflashlightreviews.info

Posted via email from Clearwater St. Petersburg Tampa Home Inspection News

Tankless Water Heater Recall

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 27, 2011
Release #12-074 Firm's Recall Hotline: (800) 244-8202
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908 Navien Recalls Tankless Water Heaters Due to Risk of Carbon Monoxide
Poisoning

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in
cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of
the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled
products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or
attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Navien Instantaneous or Tankless Water Heaters

Units: About 13,000

Importer: Navien America Inc., of Irvine, Calif.

Manufacturer: Kyung Dong Navien Co. Ltd., South Korea

Hazard: An unstable connection can cause the water heater's vent collar to
separate or detach if pressure is applied. A detached vent collar poses a
risk of carbon monoxide poisoning to the consumer.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported

Description: Navien tankless hot water heaters are white with "T-Creator"
and "NAVIEN" on the front. Recalled model numbers are CR-180(A), CR-210(A),
CR-240(A), CC-180(A), CC-210(A) and CC-240(A) manufactured in 2008. A label
on the side of the water heater lists the model number along with the
manufacturing year in YYYY format.

Sold by: Wholesale distributors to in-home installers nationwide from
February 2008 through March 2009 for between $1,500 and $2,100.

Manufactured in: South Korea

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using and check the model and
manufacture year information on their Navien water heater. Consumers with
recalled water heaters should immediately contact Navien to schedule a free
repair. Navien will replace all Nylon 66 vent collar with PVC collars.
Consumers who continue use of the water heaters while awaiting repair,
should have a working carbon monoxide alarm installed outside of sleeping
areas in the home.

Customer contact: For additional information, contact Navien at (800)
244-8202 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or visit the
firm's website at www.navienamerica.com

Note: Regardless of the type of water heater that is used, every home should
have a CO alarm outside all sleeping areas and consumers should ensure that
their CO alarms have working batteries.

To see this recall on CPSC's web site, including a picture of the recalled
product, please go to:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml12/12074.html

Mark Cramer
Mark Cramer Inspection Services, Inc.
492 20th Ave. Indian Rocks Beach, FL 33785
727-595-4211

Posted via email from Clearwater St. Petersburg Tampa Home Inspection News

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Tampa Holiday Safety Alert

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 13, 2011

Release #12-054

CPSC Hotline: (800) 638-2772

CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

UL Media Contact: (847) 830-1404

Holiday Safety Alert: Consumer Injuries Involving Decorations and Decorating Are on the Rise CPSC and UL Provide Tips for a Safe Holiday Home

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Holiday decorating plans do not normally include lacerations, falls and fires. Unfortunately, these hazards make an unwelcome appearance in the homes of thousands of consumers each year. To help avoid hidden decorating dangers, CPSC and UL are providing families with tips for a safe holiday home.

Reports of falls from ladders while stringing lights and hanging decorations, incidents of lacerations from broken glass ornaments and other holiday-related injuries are increasing. During November and December 2010, CPSC estimates that more than 13,000 people were treated in emergency departments nationwide due to injuries involving holiday decorations. This is an increase from 10,000 in 2007 and 12,000 in 2008 and in 2009.

Although estimates of deaths and injuries related to Christmas tree and candle fires are down, there are still an alarming number of incidents. Live trees or other evergreen decorations that have dried out burn fast and hot in a matter of seconds if they come in contact with an open flame.

Between 2006 and 2008, there was an annual average of four deaths and $18 million in property damage related to Christmas tree fires. During this same time period, CPSC received reports of about 130 deaths and $360 million in property losses related to candle fires.

"A well-watered tree, carefully placed candles, and carefully checked holiday light sets will help prevent the joy of the holidays from turning into a trip to the emergency room or the loss of your home," said Chairman Inez Tenenbaum. "Follow CPSC's safety tips and give your family the gift of a safe holiday home."

"This is easily the busiest time of year, but it's important to make time for safety while celebrating the holidays," said John Drengenberg, director of consumer safety at UL. "By committing a few minutes each day to safety, many accidents can be avoided and your holidays will be memorable for all the right reasons."

CPSC and UL suggest using the following 12 safety tips to help keep your holiday home safe this year:

Trees and Decorations:

1. Buying live trees, check for freshness. A fresh tree is green, its needles are hard to pull from branches, and its needles do not break when bent between your fingers. The bottom of a fresh tree is sticky with resin and, when tapped on the ground, the tree should not lose many needles.

2. Setting up a tree at home, place it away from heat sources, such as fireplaces, vents, and radiators. Because heated rooms rapidly dry out live trees, be sure to monitor water levels daily and keep the tree stand filled with water. Place the tree out of the way of traffic, and do not block doorways with the tree.

1. Buying an artificial tree, look for the label "Fire Resistant." Although this label does not mean that the tree will not catch fire, it does indicate that the tree is more resistant to catching fire.

4. Decorating a tree in homes with small children, take special care to avoid sharp, weighted, or breakable decorations. Keep trimmings with small removable parts out of the reach of children who could swallow or inhale small pieces, and avoid trimmings that resemble candy or food that may tempt a child to eat them.

Candles:

5. Keep burning candles within sight. Extinguish all candles before you go to bed, leave the room, or leave the house.

6. Keep candles on a stable, heat-resistant surface where kids and pets cannot reach them or knock them over. Lighted candles should be placed away from items that can catch fire and burn easily, such as trees, other evergreens, decorations, curtains and furniture.

Lights:

7. Use only lights that have been tested for safety by a nationally recognized testing laboratory, such as UL. Lights for both indoor and outdoor usage must meet strict requirements that testing laboratories are able to verify. On most decorative lights available in stores, UL's red holographic label signifies that the product meets safety requirements for indoor and outdoor usage. UL's holographic label, with the green UL Mark, signifies it meets requirements for only indoor usage.

8. Check each set of lights, new or old, for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections. Throw out damaged sets and do not use electric lights on a metallic tree.

9. Check each extension cord to make sure it is rated for the intended use.

10. Check outdoor lights for labels showing that the lights have been certified for outdoor use, and only plug them into a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI)-protected receptacle or a portable GFCI.

Fireplaces:

11. Use care with "fire salts," which produce colored flames when thrown on wood fires. They contain heavy metals that can cause intense gastrointestinal irritation and vomiting if swallowed. Keep them away from children.

10. Do not burn wrapping papers in the fireplace. A flash fire may result as wrappings ignite suddenly and burn intensely.

To find more valuable safety information for keeping your home safe and bright this holiday season, please visit www.cpsc.gov or UL's www.SafetyAtHome.com

To see this press release on CPSC's web site, please go to: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml12/12054.html

Mark Cramer

Mark Cramer Inspection Services, Inc.

492 20th Ave.

Indian Rocks Beach, FL 33785

727-595-4211

Advice for consumers on choosing a home inspector in Tampa, St. Petersburg or Cleawater

LED Flashlight Reviews

Posted via email from Clearwater St. Petersburg Tampa Home Inspection News

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Long Time Home Inspector Honored by ASHI

Anniversary Media Release

News Release	Contact (Mark Cramer)
	(727-595-4211)

Tampa Bay Area Inspector Honored by the American Society of Home Inspectors^® for Long-Time Service

Tampa, FL: Mark Cramer of Mark Cramer Inspection Services Inc., a local firm based in Tampa that conducts inspections of new and existing homes, was honored recently by the American Society of Home Inspectors for 20 of membership. Mark Cramer has been an ASHI Certified Inspector since 1991.

The American Society of Home Inspectors, founded in 1976, is the oldest, largest and most respected international professional organization of independent home inspectors in North America. Its Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics is the benchmark for professional performance in the field.

To become an ASHI Certified Inspector, a member must meet rigorous professional and technical requirements, including the successful completion of two comprehensive exams. In addition, he or she must perform at least 250 fee-paid home inspections that meet or exceed the ASHI Standards of Practice.

Mark Cramer conducts existing and new construction, pre-purchase, pre-listing and expert consulting inspections in the Tampa Bay area, including Clearwater, Tampa. Wesley Chapel and St. Petersburg.

Further information about Mark Cramer’s home inspections is available by calling 727-595-4211 or by visiting the inspector’s Web site at www.BestTampaInspector.com

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Posted via email from Clearwater St. Petersburg Tampa Home Inspection News

Sunday, October 16, 2011

DBPR HR-7020 Balcony Inspection

Balcony Inspections

We provide DBPR HR-7020 Balcony Inspections. This is a required inspection of all balconies, platforms, stairways, railings and railways.

If a hotel or apartment building has 3 or more stories, the Florida Administrative Code for lodging establishments requires the operator to submit a Certificate of Balcony Inspection every 3 years.

The DBPR mandates the use of form HR-7020, filled out by the property operator. We provide the inspection and photographs of the subject balconies, stairways and railings.

Call today if you need a DBPR HR-7020 Division of Hotels and Restaurants Certificate of Balcony Inspection.

http://www.besttampainspector.com/DBPR-HR-7020-Balcony-Inspection

Mark Cramer

Mark Cramer Inspection Services, Inc.

492 20th Ave.

Indian Rocks Beach, FL 33785

727-595-4211