From vehicle brakes to smart plugs: These were the major recalls in Canada this week

This week the government of Canada issued recalls and safety alerts for a series of vehicle components and consumer products. With dangers ranging from short circuit fire risks to electric shock hazards, here are some recalls the country has seen this week.
AUTO RECALLS:
Hyundai and Kia have issued a recall for several vehicle models and are urging drivers to park away from buildings due to the risk that the issue could start a fire.
Hyundai says the recall involves 326,942 vehicles in Canada and 1,642,551 vehicles in the U.S.
Hyundai's recalled vehicles include certain 2010-15 models of the Accent, Elantra, Tucson, Sante Fe and others.
Certain Kia SUV vehicles' brake hydraulic electronic control unit (HECU) runs the risk of short circuiting and increasing chances of combustion – even while the vehicle is turned off and stationary, according to the government of Canada.
The notice says that Kia will notify vehicle owners who may be affected by a faulty HECU, and advise them to have their vehicle assessed at a dealership, potentially to replace fuses for their brake system. Kia also suggests that owners with HECU park their vehicles outdoors and away from other vehicles until repairs have been finished.
Similarly, Ford vehicle owners may also face some trouble with braking systems, as Transport Canada has issued a notice warning certain front brake hoses could fail and cause a progressive brake fluid leak with some vehicles manufactured between 2013 and 2018. As the notice explains, this problem can cause reduced braking ability. The recall doesn’t include models with a Hybrid engine or vehicles repaired under Ford warranty extension program 22NO2, the notice adds. Owners of vehicles that may be at risk will be contacted by Ford and instructed to replace their front brake hose at a dealership.
The federal government also issued a recall for certain Keystone Cougar RV trailers, manufactured between 2017 and 2021, warning about frame rails which could bend or break. According to the notice, an abrupt change in vehicle handling could increase the possibility of a collision.
The notice says Keystone RV will contact owners by mail and instruct them to bring their RV trailer to a dealer to add support components – such as cross braces and an outrigger.
PRODUCT RECALLS:
The government issued a recall for Emporia’s North America Smart Plugs, which allow consumers to monitor the energy use of home appliances. The notice warned that these smart plugs are “not adequately grounded” and can pose an electric shock to the user. The notice also said that, as of Sept. 18, the company has not received any reports of incidents or injuries in Canada.
Health Canada advises owners of the smart plug to stop using it entirely and to contact Emporia in order to receive a full refund, or a free replacement plug.
Another major recall involves magnetic toy blocks, which Health Canada’s sampling and evaluation program has flagged as an ingestion hazard. STAX Insane Magnetic Building Blocks, by On Trend Goods, consists of small powerful magnets, which Health Canada says can be easily swallowed by children of all ages. The notice warns that the toy poses “serious and potentially life-threatening risks,” particularly when more than one powerful magnet is swallowed in a short period of time, causing magnets to attract one another while moving through the intestines. Health Canada says this can cause the intestines to twist, creating blockages or tearing of intestinal walls.
The notice added that, as of Sept. 22, the company has not received any reports of incidents of injury in Canada. Consumers who purchased this toy should return it to the retailer it was purchased.
For updates on other recalls this week, visit recalls-rappels.canada.ca
-With files from CTVNews.ca Writer Dorcas Marfo
CTVNews.ca Top Stories

All 41 workers rescued from collapsed tunnel in India after 17-day ordeal
Rescuers in northern India have successfully removed all 41 workers trapped in a collapsed tunnel under the Himalayas, the climax of a 17-day rescue operation to drill through rock and debris.
Andre Dawson wants the Expos baseball cap taken off his Hall of Fame plaque
Andre Dawson wants to be immortalized in the Baseball Hall of Fame as a Chicago Cub – not a Montreal Expo.
Alberta town to put proposed bylaw banning symbols such as Pride crosswalks, flags to plebiscite
A group in Westlock, Alta., is trying to ban crosswalks painted in rainbow colours and other symbols.
Full parole granted to SUV passenger convicted in Calgary police officer's death
A man convicted of manslaughter for his role in the death of a Calgary police officer almost three years ago has been granted full parole.
Chicago Blackhawks to terminate Corey Perry's contract after finding 'unacceptable' conduct
The Chicago Blackhawks said Corey Perry engaged in unacceptable conduct and took a step Tuesday toward terminating his contract, the latest twist involving the veteran winger who was mysteriously scratched and sent home last week without explanation.
With deadline looming, diplomats seek to extend Gaza truce; more hostages, prisoners are freed
Hamas and Israel released more hostages and prisoners under terms of a fragile cease-fire that held for a fifth day Tuesday as international mediators in Qatar worked to extend the truce and the United States urged Israel to better protect Palestinian civilians in Gaza if it follows through on its promise to resume the war.
Poilievre calling on 'unelected' Senate to 'immediately' pass farm fuels carbon tax bill
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is pushing for MPs to call on senators to 'immediately' pass a bill that would exempt certain farm fuels from the carbon price.
French police arrest yoga guru accused of exploiting female followers
French authorities arrested the leader of a multinational tantric yoga organization Tuesday on suspicion of indoctrinating female followers for sexual exploitation.
Short-term rental tax changes left out of Freeland's bill to implement fiscal update measures, here's why
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland will be tabling an omnibus bill to pass measures she promised in last week's fall economic statement. Missing from the package are the government's promised plans to crack down on short-term rentals, while the Liberal promise to double the carbon tax rural rebate top-up, is included.
W5 HIGHLIGHTS

W5 George Chuvalo: the boxer nobody could knock down
Canadian boxing great George Chuvalo went blow-for-blow with legends, but it came at a cost. W5's Sandie Rinaldo speaks with Chuvalo's children about the damage that 93 fights did to their father's cognitive health. 'Boom Boom Chuvalo' airs Friday at 10/9 on CTV.

W5 Owners of prized historic N.S. home in legal nightmare, thanks to local government
W5 investigates: A couple buys a historic house in Nova Scotia at auction and puts hundreds of thousands of dollars into renovations, but the local government says they don't own the property.

W5 Who was the Kenora bomber?: W5 digs up clues that could reveal his identity
CTV W5 investigates the dramatic explosion that occurred in a small Canadian city after an armed bandit attempted a bank heist. W5 digs up clues that could reveal his identity.
'Understudied and unregulated': Green Party pushes to investigate asbestos in tap water
Green Party Leader Elizabeth May has tabled a petition calling on the federal government to take urgent action on Canada’s aging asbestos-cement pipes due to the potential dangers of drinking tap water containing the deadly fibre.
A young race car driver from Canada is inspiring people all around the world
Austin Riley has been drawing crowds to the race track for years. But his claim to fame isn’t just being fast on the speedway, he is breaking barriers on the track for those with disabilities.
Court battle over Ontario's agriculture 'gag' laws kicks off in Toronto
A constitutional challenge of recent Ontario legislation that prevents the undercover filming of factory farms and the animals kept on them kicked off in a Toronto courthouse on Monday morning.
Despite perilous circumstances, incredible acts of humanity taking place amid Israel-Hamas war
The images and stories coming out of the war between Israel and Hamas are horrifying. Millions around the world have scrolled through the tragic scenes posted on social media with a growing sense of despair. It’s easy to forget that amongst so much inhumanity, incredible acts of humanity are taking place
'We can't speak': Barenaked Ladies band member on connecting to daughter through music
As a long-time member of the iconic Canadian band, The Barenaked Ladies, Kevin Hearn has played before large audiences all around the world, but his most cherished performances are before an audience of one in a Toronto area group home. That's where his daughter Havana lives.