Latest news with #safetyalert
CTV News
3 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
‘Serious health risks': Health Canada warns against recreational use of laughing gas
Health Canada issues a warning for recreational use of laughing gas - nitrous oxide - over "serious health risks." (Pexels/Stephen Andrews) Health Canada is warning people not to inhale nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, recreationally due to 'serious health risks, including death.' The health agency is aware that some of these products – labelled 'whip cream chargers' in various flavours – are being sold online and in retail stores. Several unauthorized products have been seized by the agency with the help of border authorities, in order to stop unauthorized shipments from entering the country. 'Advertising and selling nitrous oxide products for inhalation to the public is strictly prohibited,' Health Canada said in a safety alert. Nitrous oxide is a drug that can only be administered by an authorized health-care professional for sedation and pain relief during medical and dental procedures, the health agency says. When inhaled – or 'huffed' – laughing gas can cause serious adverse effects like increased heart rate, loss of consciousness, low blood pressure and lack of oxygen in the body, or asphyxia. It can cause issues like anemia and vitamin B12 deficiency, as well as birth defects, blood clots in the limbs and lungs, and air leaks between the lungs and chest wall. Other potential heart impacts include palpitations, heart attack and stroke. Nitrous oxide can damage nerves and contribute to spinal cord degeneration, as well as impair bladder and bowel functions, coordination while walking and sensation in the limbs and extremities. Confusion and delusion, agitation, hallucinations, feelings of paranoia and depression may also occur, and among the most serious health effects are prolonged pain, permanent paralysis and even death. Health Canada says prolonged use of the drug could result in lasting neurological damage, even after the usage has been stopped. Additionally, it can also result in addiction and withdrawal symptoms. In the case of inhalation, the health agency has advised seeking immediate medical attention from a health-care provider. 'Health Canada strongly advises that consumers not inhale any nitrous oxide products for recreational purposes,' the notice reads.
The Sun
19-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Card Factory urgently recalls a popular home interior buy sold since 2022 as it poses ‘serious fire risk'
CARD Factory has issued a safety alert urging customers to stop using a popular home product immediately. The discount card and gift giant is recalling its Tatty Teddy Cushions, which have been on sale since 2022, after it was discovered that the items do not meet current UK fire safety regulations. 2 The cushions, which shoppers can snap up in a series of various designs, pose a "serious fire risk", the high street retailer confirmed. In a statement posted online, the company said: 'Carte Blanche Greeting Ltd are voluntarily recalling the below cushions.' Customers have been ordered to stop using the product straight away and return it to any Card Factory store for a full refund. 'As a precautionary measure, please do not consume and return the product,' the notice added - although it's unclear why anyone would consume a cushion in the first place. The Office for Product Safety and Standards supported the warning, and confirmed that the product fails to meet the legal requirements under the Furniture and Furnishings Fire Safety Regulations 1988. Card Factory since have apologised for the inconvenience, as well as thanking loyal customers for their cooperation. The popular retailer has previously issued recalls on a range of items, such as mugs, wax burners, and even chocolates, Daily Star reported. Last Easter, Card Factory pulled a product from shelves after a bag of chocolate eggs was found to have the ingredients listed only in Polish - which posed a real danger to those with allergies. The batch in question contained peanuts, milk, soy, and potentially other allergens such as eggs and gluten-containing cereals. Another case saw a 'Wonderful Teacher' mug being pulled after being wrongly labelled as microwave safe. Iconic car brands including Ford and Dodge recall over 200k vehicles after engines suddenly cut out and brakes 'fail' It was later found that the handle could overheat, risking severe burns. Card Factory isn't the only retailer facing product safety woes. In recent weeks, major supermarkets including Tesco, Morrisons, as well as TK Maxx have had to recall various items. Earlier this month, beauty buffs were instructed to stop using a popular TK Maxx & Homesense bargain immediately. Your product recall rights Chief consumer reporter James Flanders reveals all you need to know. Product recalls are an important means of protecting consumers from dangerous goods. As a general rule, if a recall involves a branded product, the manufacturer would usually have lead responsibility for the recall action. But it's often left up to supermarkets to notify customers when products could put them at risk. If you are concerned about the safety of a product you own, always check the manufacturer's website to see if a safety notice has been issued. When it comes to appliances, rather than just food items, the onus is usually on you - the customer - to register the appliance with the manufacturer as if you don't there is no way of contacting you to tell you about a fault. If you become aware that an item you own has been recalled or has any safety noticed issued against it, make sure you follow the instructions given to you by the manufacturer. They should usually provide you with more information and a contact number on its safety notice. In some cases, the manufacturer might ask you to return the item for a full refund or arrange for the faulty product to be collected. You should not be charged for any recall work - such as a repair, replacement or collection of the recalled item The warning came under an urgent recall notice, which said the product could cause an ''electric shock or fire ''. The hair cap has been sold at both TK Maxx and Homesense since the start of 2025, with the product model number ZT-A. However, now the product's maker Eclat Cosmetic Ltd. is recalling the Beauty Hair Revitalise Steamer Cap for shoppers' safety. The two popular high street retailers have announced the safety recall, and are urging shoppers to return the item. TK Maxx and Homesense customers can claim a full refund or replacement upon handing the cap back to its vendor. According to the warning online, the risk of an ' 'electric shock or fire'' is caused by the fuse in the cap's plug, which does not meet the UK's required safety standards.
The Sun
09-05-2025
- The Sun
Hugely popular women's accessory is urgently recalled from Amazon over fears it'll burst into FLAMES
AMAZON has issued an urgent product recall over fears it could burst into flames. Customers have been urged to return the popular women's accessory due to a risk of fire. iHEAT Heated Jacket for Women, which is sold via Amazon, has been recalled. The product has also been removed from the online marketplace. According to an advisory issued by the UK government, the product presents a serious risk of fire as the lithium-ion battery pack is poorly constructed and does not provide sufficient protection to prevent thermal runaway. The advisory reads: "Additionally, the power supply is fitted with a noncompliant plug, with the plug pins too close to the edge of the plug face, exposing the user to live parts. "The product does not meet the requirements of the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 or the Plugs & Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1994." Owners have been urged to stop using the product immediately and contact the distributor you purchased from to request redress. It is important to note that users should not dispose of lithium-ion batteries in normal household waste. It comes after a popular bedroom lamp sold on Amazon has been urgently recalled over fears it could spark a dangerous house fire. The Murcher Bedside Table Lamp, sold under models WDF-YW-02 and WDF-FX01, poses a high fire risk due to a critical design fault, according to a new safety alert. The issue lies in the lack of proper cord anchorage inside the lamp. Over time, the power cord can shift and place dangerous strain on the lamp's internal connections. This can cause wires to detach, short-circuit, and overheat — which could easily trigger a fire in your home. The lamps, imported from China, were being sold via Amazon with product identifiers like FBA15JYHB6P9U000046, X001XNT8TZ, FBA15JYHB6P9U000016, and X001SKTXON. They feature a patterned design and come complete with a plug and bulb, making them a tempting buy for many looking to spruce up their bedside tables. However, the UK's Office for Product Safety and Standards has confirmed that the lamps do not meet the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016. Because of this, all imports have been blocked at the border and destroyed to prevent them from entering the country. Your product recall rights Chief consumer reporter James Flanders reveals all you need to know. Product recalls are an important means of protecting consumers from dangerous goods. As a general rule, if a recall involves a branded product, the manufacturer would usually have lead responsibility for the recall action. But it's often left up to supermarkets to notify customers when products could put them at risk. If you are concerned about the safety of a product you own, always check the manufacturer's website to see if a safety notice has been issued. When it comes to appliances, rather than just food items, the onus is usually on you - the customer - to register the appliance with the manufacturer as if you don't there is no way of contacting you to tell you about a fault. If you become aware that an item you own has been recalled or has any safety noticed issued against it, make sure you follow the instructions given to you by the manufacturer. They should usually provide you with more information and a contact number on its safety notice. In some cases, the manufacturer might ask you to return the item for a full refund or arrange for the faulty product to be collected. You should not be charged for any recall work - such as a repair, replacement or collection of the recalled item
