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Consumer Q's for 6/19/08

Contact:  Teresa Jenkins
(404) 656-3645
1-800-282-5852

CONSUMER Q’s

Prepared by the Georgia Department of Agriculture, Office of Public Affairs
Tommy Irvin, Commissioner
Call Consumer Q’s Hotline at 1-800-282-5852

 

Consumer Recall:  Children’s Merry-Go-Rounds Sold Exclusively at Toys R Us Recalled by Pacific Cycle Due to Fall Hazard

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.   Name of Product:   Playsafe Spinning Quad Merry-Go-Rounds; Units:   About 15,000; Manufacturer:   Pacific Cycle Inc., of Madison, Wis.; Hazard:   The inner bearing on the merry-go-round can fail, causing the seat assembly to suddenly drop to the ground.   This poses a fall hazard to children riding the merry-go-round.  Incidents/Injuries:   Pacific Cycle has received one report of an injury involving the merry-go- round, which resulted in a fall and abrasions to a child.  Description:   The Playsafe Spinning Quad Merry-Go-Round has four yellow plastic seats and black and silver metal bars.  Sold exclusively by:   Toys R Us nationwide between January 2008 through March 2008 for between $80 and $100.  Manufactured in:   China; Remedy:   Consumers should immediately take the merry-go-round away from children and return it to Toys R Us for a full refund, or contact Pacific Cycle to receive a free retrofit kit.  Consumer Contact:   For additional information, contact Pacific Cycle toll free at (877) 564-2261 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.pacific-cycle.com.

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What causes mildew in household ceilings?

Mildew is the by product of mold which is encouraged by moisture.  It would be my suggestion that you start by checking your roof.  A roof leak, even a small one, can result in significant damage to insulation, walls, ceilings, floors and personal property.  A leak doesn't necessarily mean that the whole roof should be replaced.  A small flaw or deterioration can cause a leak, and often a patch or dab of roof cement will solve the problem.  The roof's age and overall condition are the factors that determine whether or not it needs replacing.  Now is the time to have your roof thoroughly inspected.

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I am in the process of selecting materials for a new roof.   My dilemma is color selection.   Do some colors reflect heat more than others?

Lighter colors absorb less heat than the darker tones during hot summer months, this would be a consideration.   Lighter roof tones will help a smaller home look larger.   Dark colors help make an unusually tall building seem less towering.   You will also want to consider whether or not the color will harmoniously blend in with the color of your existing home and the homes in the surrounding neighborhood.

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How and where can I get my garden soil tested?

Good gardeners have their soil tested every couple of years to ensure it has the proper nutrients and pH to enable their plants to grow to full potential.  Virtually all Georgia counties have University of Georgia Extension Service offices that offer a basic soil test that measures pH, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, manganese and zinc.

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I am trying to find a way to remove burnt food from a pot.  Do you have any suggestions?

Sprinkle the inside of the pot with baking soda.  Add a few drops of water and make a paste.  Allow the mixture to stand for about ½ hour, then add one cup of water and simmer for 15 minutes.  Add more water if needed so the pot doesn’t boil dry.  Turn it off and let stand for a few hours.  This will usually lift the burned food out of the pot.

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I am a licensed pesticide applicator in another state.   Can I use my license to work in Georgia?

If the state that issued your pesticide license has a reciprocal agreement with Georgia you may be able to obtain a license here easily.  Reciprocal licensing and certification agreements normally exist between entities that have the same or similar requirements.  Contact our Pesticide Division for information on obtaining a Georgia pesticide applicators' license.

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Can I paint over mildew or should it be removed?

Mildew must be killed before wood is refinished, or the mildew will grow through the new paint or stain.  To kill mildew, scrub the painted surface with a bristle brush or sponge using 2 to 3 quarts of warm water, one-third cup of household detergent, and 1 to 2 quarts of household bleach.  This mixture can be used to remove mildew from finished or unfinished wood.  Once the mildew is removed use a paint that contains a mildewcide.  When properly applied to a clean surface, paint containing mildewcide can prevent mildew for several years.  The paint's label should indicate if a mildewcide has been added.  If your paint does not contain this product a paint dealer can add it.

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If you have questions or problems with products or services regulated by the Georgia Department of Agriculture, you may write the Office of Public Affairs, Room 224, 19 Martin Luther King Drive, Atlanta 30334 or 404/656-3645 (metro Atlanta) or 1-800-282-5852 (state wide).