Focus Products Group International, which owns the West Bend brand name, is recalling several hot cocoa drink makers today. According to the Food and Drug Administration, the small appliances have internal parts that may leach heavy metal lead while making hot cocoa.

Starting this week more than 27,000 consumers who purchased certain vacuum cleaners and air purifiers made by Oreck will be getting checks for $25 from the Federal Trade Commission under an agreement between the government and the manufacturer. Oreck claimed its Halo vacuum and ProShield Plus air purifier could reduce the risk of flu and other illnesses, and eliminate virtually all common germs and allergens. Last year Oreck agreed to pay the FTC a $750,000 fine.

Navien America Inc., of Irvine, Calif. has recalled about 13,000 instantaneous or tankless water heaters because of possible risk of carbon monoxide poisoning the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reported.

Each year portable space heaters cause an estimated 1,700 home fires, 180 injuries, and 70 deaths, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Does that mean they’re unsafe. It depends on the heater and how you use it.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission and retail giant Target Corp. announced yesterday a recall of Chefmate branded blenders. The blender's plastic pitcher can separate from the blade assembly while in use, posing the risk of cutting the blender's user.

A new report from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) finds that cooking fires are the leading cause of home structure fires and home-fire injuries.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission is urgently warning owners of home dehumidifiers to check their units. Certain 30-pint dehumidifiers made by LG Electronics Tianjin Appliance Co. have a dangerous electrical flaw that pose fire and burn hazards. The faulty dehumidifiers have already caused nine significant home fires and more than one million dollars in property damage.

After getting reports of 15 toasters that failed to pop, Hamilton Beach has recalled 300,000 two-slice models because “the heating element in these toasters can remain energized indefinitely.” There have been three reports of damage to kitchen cabinets but no injuries.