Our home improvement radio program, has been on the air for nearly 20 years. During that time we have had to continually reinvent ourselves to ensure that the program remains entertaining -- and informative.

One of our most recent programming changes involved the addition of a segment called "The Recall of the Week" dedicated to reporting about manufacturers' recalls of items that are potentially dangerous to consumers.

The true scope of the recall segment didn't really hit home until recently, when we reported the following product:

Vornado Air Circulation Systems announce recall of portable electric heaters. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announces the following recall in voluntary cooperation with the firm below. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of product: Portable electric whole room heaters

Units: 1 million

Manufacturer: Vornado Air Circulation Systems Inc., of Andover, Kan.

Problem: A faulty electrical connection can cause the heater to overheat and stop working, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

Incidents-Injuries: Vornado has received 24 reports of heater fires, though no injuries have been reported.

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled heaters immediately and contact Vornado to arrange for shipping and a repair, free of charge.

Consumer Contact: Contact Vornado at (888) 221-5431 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or log on to the company's Web site at www.vornado.com

What amazed us about this particular recall was the number of units being recalled: 1 million. We couldn't believe the potential danger that existed. To us, a million units meant a million families and more like 3 million to 4 million people at risk. All of the previous recalls that we had reported on involved a much lower number of units anywhere from a few hundred on the low side to several thousand on the high side. But never have we discovered a recall item that could have an impact on such a vast segment of society.

In any event, it made us think about how important it was for us to do our part to help the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission, Consumer Reports magazine and you keep abreast of potential dangers associated with faulty products being manufactured all over the world.

Here are a couple of other examples:

Vaxcel International Co. Ltd. Announces Second Recall of Ceiling Fans

Units: 1,200

Manufacturer: Vaxcel International Co. Ltd., of Glendale Heights, Ill.

Hazard: These ceiling fans were assembled without the proper wire insulation sleeving, which could result in exposed wiring. Consumers could receive an electrical shock during installation or removal.

Incidents-Injuries: None reported.

Description: These down-rod-mount, dual-motor, 36-inch ceiling fans were sold in chrome, stone white, brush nickel, polished brass, antique brass, or weathered patina finishes. Model number 355-6645 is printed on the box and on a label located on the central housing of the ceiling fan. The brand names of the fans are "Aire Tek" and "Turn-of-the- Century Apollo Series" which is written on the packaging only. A label located on the central housing of the ceiling fan displays the File Number "E215078," the UL Listing Mark, and the model number 355-6645. Vaxcel had previously recalled the same model fan sold under the "Aire Tek" brand name.

Remedy: Consumers should contact Vaxcel to verify if they have one of the recalled ceiling fans and to receive a free replacement ceiling fan if they do. To avoid the risk of shock while checking or removing a recalled fan, consumers should turn off the power source to the fan. Consumers are encouraged to use a professional electrician. Vaxcel will reimburse consumers up to $75 for charges incurred in removing recalled fans.

Consumer Contact: Call Vaxcel at (800) 482-9235 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday.

Simplicity Manufacturing Inc., Announces Recall to Repair Lawn Tractors and Riding Mowers

Units: 5,900

Manufacturer: Simplicity Manufacturing Inc., of Port Washington, Wis.

Hazard: A safety switch under the seat of these lawn tractors and riding mowers is designed to stop the mower blade turning within 5 seconds of the operator leaving the tractor seat. The recalled mowers' blades can continue to turn longer than 5 seconds after the operator leaves the seat, posing a laceration and amputation hazard.

Incidents-Injuries: None reported.

Remedy: Consumers should contact the dealership where the lawn tractor or riding mower was purchased to have a free replacement seat safety switch installed.

Consumer Contact: Call Simplicity at (800) 357-8244 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday visit the firm's Web site at www.simplicitymfg.com, or write to Simplicity Manufacturing, 500 N. Spring St., Port Washington, WI 53074.

Here's the URL for the recalls section of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Web site:

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prerel.html

You can also go to www.cpsc.gov and click on the recalls section.

And, that's all there is to it.