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Consumer Q's for September 13, 2007

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:  Fisher-Price Recalls Geo Trax Locomotive Toys Due To Violation of Lead Paint Standard

 

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:  Geo Trax Locomotive Toys; Units:  About 90,000; Importer:  Fisher-Price Inc., of East Aurora, N.Y.; Hazard:  Surface paints on the toys contain excessive levels of lead.  Incidents/Injuries:   None reported.  Description:  The recall involves the Geo Trax Freightway Transport and Geo Trax Special Track Pack locomotive toys.  These toys are red with yellow paint on the ladder and horn details.  The recalled models were manufactured between July 31, 2006 and August 20, 2007 and have a date code between 212-6CK through 325-6CK or 001-7CK through 232-7CK marked on the bottom of the product.  The packaging on the Freightway Transport model is marked H5705 and the packaging on the Special Track Pack model is marked K3013.  Sold at:  Retail stores nationwide from September 2006 through August 2007 for between $3 and $16; Manufactured in:  China; Remedy:  Consumers should immediately take the recalled toys away from children and contact Fisher-Price.  Consumers will need to return the product in order to receive a free replacement toy.  Consumer Contact:  For additional information, contact Fisher-Price toll-free at (888) 496-8330 anytime or visit the firm's Web site at www.service.mattel.com

 

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Household Tips:

 

Carpet Freshener

1 cup crushed dried herbs (such as rosemary, southernwood, or lavender)

1 teaspoon ground cloves

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2 teaspoons baking soda

Combine all the ingredients in a large jar or other container with a tight-fitting lid. Shake well to blend. Sprinkle some of the mixture on your carpet, let it sit for an hour or so, and then vacuum it up. It will give the room a pleasant smell and neutralize carpet odors.

Wood Floor Polish

1/2 cup vinegar

1/2 cup vegetable oil

Mix the ingredients well, rub on the floor, and buff with a clean, dry cloth.

Rug Cleaner

1/4 teaspoon dishwashing liquid

1 cup lukewarm water

Combine the ingredients. Use a spray bottle to apply the solution over a large area, or use the solution to spot-clean non-greasy stains. (Don't use laundry detergent or dishwasher detergent in place of dishwashing liquid, as they may contain additives that can affect the rug's color.)

 

Are there different types of lime?   I want to use it on my lawn and for pickling cucumbers.

In the strict chemical terminology, “lime” refers to calcium oxide with or without magnesium oxide.  Calcium oxide is usually best suited for industrial use.  Ground agricultural limestone has been the traditional material for liming acid soils in the southeastern United States.  Farmers usually refer to this as lime, but technically it is “ground limestone” or “ag limestone”.  Most of the time it is just referred to as “ag-lime”.  The lime that is used to pickle cucumbers is calcium hydroxide, also called slaked or hydrated lime.  It may also be used to dry out manure piles and treat animal carcasses to reduce insect and odor problems.

 

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What can I do to get rid of chickweed in my yard?

There are three primary methods of controlling weeds.  Proper lawn care, mowing and hand pulling, as well as proper herbicide use should help you get your weed problem under control.  Chickweed is an annual broadleaf plant and broadleaf control strategy calls for herbicides to be applied after the weeds are visible and actively growing.  Make sure you select a post-emergent herbicide formulated for broadleaf weed control.

 

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While visiting in the Midwest I purchased a pet monkey.  What do I need to do to bring it back to Georgia with me?

Primates of all species including monkeys are considered “exotic” pets and therefore fall under regulation of the Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division.   Most native wildlife and many exotic animals may not legally be kept as pets in Georgia.  According to their regulations; young animals undergo dramatic behavioral changes as they mature.  They become very aggressive and try to escape, and returning such an animal to the wild will usually result in its death.  You may contact the Wildlife Resources Division at

 

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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 call 404/656-3645 (metro Atlanta) or 1-800-282-5852 (statewide).