– Gorham manufacturer Jotul recalls gas fireplace inserts

Some gas fireplace inserts made by Jotul North America of Gorham have been recalled voluntarily because of potential electrical shock and burn hazards, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Jotul has received one report of a shock and burn injury. The company was not available to comment Tuesday.

The fireplace insert’s electrical wiring can come into contact with the metal rating plate on the insert, which creates the risk of shock and burns.

There are 1,200 inserts that were sold in the United States and 50 that were sold in Canada. Consumers are advised to stop using and unplug their inserts before checking their units’ model and serial numbers. Contact Jotul or the store where the item was purchased to schedule a free repair, the safety commission said.

The recalled models are Jotul GI 450 DVII, Jotul 450 DV TSI, Scan 45i and Scan 45i TSI. The models fit into vented fireplaces and are fueled by natural gas or liquid propane. The inserts are cast iron or steel and have a glass front, ceramic fiber logs, a gas burner and an electrical cord.

The fireplace inserts, which measure 17 inches by 32 inches, were sold to independent specialty fireplace and stove stores nationwide from June 2010 through September 2012. The model and serial numbers are on a metal plate inside the bottom front panel of each fireplace insert.

For more information, call Jotul North America at (800) 797-5912 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or visit the company’s website at http://www.jotul.com.

Market dips as White House, Republican leaders wrangle

U.S. stock indexes fell slightly Tuesday as political leaders wrangled in budgets talks to avert steep tax increases and spending cuts that could push the economy into recession.

“The market today is another great example of where it just seems to be over the fiscal-cliff drama between the Republicans and the Democrats; the opening offers from both sides have been discounted,” said Jeffrey Kleintop, chief market strategist at LPL Financial in Boston.

“All the letters and proposals are more for public consumption than actual negotiating purposes,” he added, referring to the back-and-forth between the White House and Republicans.

Extending losses into a second session, the Dow Jones industrial average declined 13.82 points, or 0.1 percent, at 12,951.78. The S&P 500 index lost 2.41 points, or 0.2 percent, at 1,407.05. The Nasdaq composite index fell 5.51 points, or 0.2 percent, at 2,996.69.”

Missouri lawmaker’s bill targets Thanksgiving sales

An incoming Missouri Democratic lawmaker wants to force many retailers to close for Thanksgiving, saying Tuesday that they are “invading family time” as Black Friday sales encroach into the holiday.

Retailers have moved their Black Friday sales earlier and earlier, and some major chains now open their stores on Thanksgiving night.

State Rep.-elect Jeff Roorda dubs his proposal the “Thanksgiving Family Protection Act” and said that the holiday should not be about profit.

— From staff and wire reports