The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Fiskars Brands, Inc. of Madison, Wisconsin, announced a voluntary recall today of Fiskars’ SmartPower String Trimmers. Unfortunately, this isn’t the first weed whacker recalled this summer. The problems are usually similar: fire, burn and laceration hazards. In this case, the trimmer’s engine vibrations were found to […]
Fiskars Canada Inc., the Ontario-based company that manufactures those orange-handled scissors you see in almost every school and office, has issued a voluntary recall of its propane-powered weed whacker, Occupational Health & Safety reported today. Health Canada, in collaboration with Fiskars, found mechanical problems with the appliance that could lead to consumer injuries through flammability, […]
When it comes to grilling, meat always seems to steal the show. But as our favorite spatula-wielding diva Paula Deen reminds us, the best recipes come when you think out of the box. So, the San Jose Mercury News published some tips on grilling fruit this week, and we’re passing them along! The most important […]
As droughts, climate change, and record-breaking heat waves take their toll this summer, a majority of states across the East Coast are experiencing dangerous declines in air quality. Emergency room visits have spiked with people suffering from respiratory flare-ups, heat stroke and heat exhaustion. The dry, dirty air also inspired burn bans in multiple states […]
Officials in several parts of Texas have extended the burn ban that went into effect last Monday until July 25, the Herald Democrat reported. Burn bans are frequently enacted across the country in the summer, most often in an effort to curb air pollution. Grayson County approved the ban for different reasons, but the rules […]
We’re heading into prime growing season for lots of delicious vegetable matter and gorgeous flower plants, and that means this year’s war on weeds has begun. Before you start choosing questionable herbicides, check this out – according to a recent editorial in the Washington Post, perhaps all you need for battle is a nice pair […]
Memorial Day and the 4th of July are sneaking up quickly, friends, and there’s nothing more American than a proper backyard grilling party. You’ve got to do it right and set the scene – obviously, you’ll be needing some tiki torches. Sure, Citronella oil is a natural insect repellent. But any self-respecting tiki torch connoisseur […]
Propane isn’t exactly well known as an artistic medium, but one Seattle fire artist is making a splash with his unique brand of propane-fueled audio flame sculptures. In an interview last week with Wired.com, Rusty Oliver described his art as “iterative engineering” experimentation, and showed off one of propane’s more creative applications! Obviously, working with […]