Holiday Fires

This is the time of year when everyone gets excited because Christmas is almost here.  It’s also the time when happiness can turn to disappointment in the blink of an eye.  Disasters caused by fire don’t take a holiday just because it’s Christmas.  This is a time when we need to be especially careful when hanging lights and decorating our trees.  If your strings of lights are frayed, bare or arcing, don’t use them.  If you are using ornaments that contain internal lighting, be sure that the wires are not pinched, the insulation is not cracked and that the bulbs are securely in place.  In addition, be sure that the plugs are in good condition and the prongs are not loose or broken.  Be careful using extension cords.  If you are hanging exterior lighting and you need an extension, be sure to use an extension approved for exterior use.  Do not use an interior extension cord with exterior lighting as they are typically not weather proof.  Rainwater entering the connection can easily cause a short circuit.  Keep an eye on timers and automatic switches to make sure that they turn on and off at the appropriate times.  Just some food for thought…

Wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday season.

Brake and Battery Issues Prompt GM to Recall Trucks

General Motors has recalled approximately 464,000 Cadillac CT6, Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 trucks, all 2019 model year vehicles.  GM has discovered that a software error can disable the electronic stability and antilock braking systems.  According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), dealers are supposed start repairing recalled vehicles on January 27, 2020.  The repair will consist of reprogramming the antilock brake computer.  GM has also recalled 350,000 model years 2019 and 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 pickup trucks.  The problem with these vehicles is that the cable that goes from the battery to the alternator has too much glue in it.  As a result, the glue imposes a resistance to the flow of current and can cause the engine to stall, and possibly ignite.  This recall is also expected to begin on January 27, 2020.  Dealers are supposed to inspect the cables and clean the connections if necessary.  For additional information, owners can contact GM by visiting their website at www.gm.com, then scrolling to the bottom of the page and click on recalls.   Please have your vehicle identification number ready as you will be prompted to enter it to see if your vehicle is affected. 

Ford Recalls Super Duty Trucks

Ford Recalls Super Duty Trucks

The Ford Motor Company is recalling approximately 500,000 Super Duty trucks due to a concern that sparks from a seat belt pretensioner can start a fire.  The seat belt pretensioner deploys when a crash occurs.  Upon impact, the pretensioner is engaged and begins to emit sparks.  The sparks can then ignite carpet and carpet insulation in the area of the side roof pillar, also known as the “B” pillar.  If ignition occurs, the risk of injury can increase depending on the condition of the vehicle occupants.  This recall applies to F 250, F 350, F 450, and F 550 Super Duty, Super Crew vehicles built at Ford’s Kentucky Truck Plant between October 8, 2015 and October 29, 2019.  “Super Crew” refers to those affected vehicles that have four full-sized doors.  Dealers will apply foil tape to the carpet and carpet insulation and modify the sound deadener on the backside of the “B” pillar trim panel at no cost to owners.  For additional information, owners can contact Ford by calling 1-800-392-3673 and referencing recall number 19S52.  Owners can also go to NHTSA’s website and enter their vehicle identification number to determine if their vehicle is recalled.  If no recall appears, then the vehicle is NOT recalled.

Holiday Greetings

R. J Hill Consulting would like to wish you and yours

Happy Holidays !