Another terrifying bit of life or death news from Black Diamond.  A nylon runner with a tape splice (two cut ends joined by masking tape) will fail in normal use. To give them some credit, this is the second equipment recall they announced today — BEFORE there have been any injuries or deaths known to…

Friends, if you bet your life on this equipment you need to stop right now and get the free replacements.The carabiner can unexpectedly open and allow the rope to become detached, posing a risk of injury or death to climbers from a fall. Source: Black Diamond Recalls to Inspect Carabiners Due to Fall Hazard

The family of Robert Beck, an 18 year-old quadriplegic former football player, has filed suit in Montana against Beck’s coach, athletic trainer, and school district.  Beck suffered an on-field concussion in September of 2014, and his doctors ordered that he stay off the field.  The lawsuit claims that Beck’s coach and trainer ignored the doctor’s…

The lopper handles can break when attempting to cut branches, posing a risk of serious injury and laceration.  It’s a vicious surprise if the handle snaps when you’re pushing hard to cut a branch.  Get the free replacement if you’ve got these shears at home! Source: Additional Injuries Prompt Reannouncement of Fiskars Recall of Bypass…

What Happened:  Judge Merrick Garland was announced by President Obama last week as the President’s nominee to fill the current vacancy on the Supreme Court of the United States (often referred to as “SCOTUS”).  If confirmed by the Senate, Judge Garland would be the 113th Supreme Court Justice and fill the vacancy created when Justice Antonin Scalia…

Pop Warner Football settled a lawsuit with a Wisconsin woman whose son committed suicide allegedly due to head injuries incurred while he played football as a child.  Debra Pyka filed the suit against Pop Warner because her son, Joseph Chernach, played in the league as a child and thereafter suffered from Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). …

Conductive foreign material was mixed into the battery cells during manufacturing, posing a risk of fire.  Things designed to sit on my lap should NOT burst into flames! Source: Panasonic Recalls Lithium-ion Laptop Battery Packs Due to Fire Hazard

Exercise is to make us healthy.  Don’t get injured by your equipment.  The blue flywheel can shatter while in use and throw metal pieces into the air. Source: RacerMate Recalls CompuTrainer Blue Flywheels Due to Risk of Injury

Cables damaged during manufacturing can come in contact with the metal body of the lamp.  A shocking event. Source: IKEA Recalls Floor and Table Lamps due to Shock Hazard

The lamp can separate from its base and fall onto consumers below, posing an impact hazard. Source: GE Lighting Recalls High-Intensity LED Replacement Lamps Due to Impact Hazard