Here's a weekend project that could save a life: if you have babies or small children in your home on a regular basis, check your window coverings to make sure there aren't any cords that could accidentally strangle children.

Kathleen Leeson used to be a foster parent, but I wrote about how Leeson is now directing her energies to getting the word out about the dangers of corded window treatments to other families, to try to prevent accidents like the one that killed her foster son Angel Duenas, 2, in August.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission calls cords on window coverings like roman shades, roller shades and window blinds a top hidden hazard in American households. There have been many recalls of individual versions of these products, including four in October and six in August (search the CPSC site's list of blind, shade and cord recalls here). Children either wrap the cords around their neck, which can get tangled, or they pull cords from inside the mechanism and get caught.

What can you do in your own home to stop similiar tragedies? Start with cordless products ...

Continue reading "Keep window blind cords away from kids" »

Posted by Liz Kay at 7:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Consumer safety
        

Heads up to new parents: the Consumer Product Safety Commission and Maclaren USA have announced a voluntary recall of more than 1 million of its umbrella strollers, after 12 reports of fingertip amputations when a child put a finger in a hinge.

If you've got one of these models, including the Volo, Triumph, Quest Sport, Quest Mod, Techno XT, TechnoXLR, Twin Triumph, Twin Techno and Easy Traveller, contact the company for a free repair kit by calling (877) 688-2326 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or by going to www.maclaren.us/recall.

The CPSC says consumers should stop using the product until they install the repair.

The strollers were sold from 1999 through November 2009 at stores like BabysRUs and Target for $100 to $360. 

Posted by Liz Kay at 11:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Consumer safety
        

If you get extra happy and drink too much during your Halloween festivities, you can get a free taxi ride through the state "Tipsy? Taxi!" campaign.

Just call 1-877-963-TAXI and Yellow Cab will provide you a free ride (worth up to $50) home. The rides will be offered from 10 p.m. Halloween night to 4 a.m. November 1. You have to be at least 21 to use the service and must have been drinking at a Baltimore City bar or restaurant.

Tipsy?Taxi! is a project with The Maryland Department of Transportation's State Highway Administration, AAA-MidAtlantic and Yellow Cab begun in 2006 to combat drunk driving on holidays associated with heavy alcohol consumption. More than 150 people died in drunk-driving related activities in Maryland last year.

Posted by Andrea Walker at 12:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Consumer safety
        

If you bought a Halloween-themed flashlight from Target to illuminate your trick-or-treating path, better bring it back to the store for a refund --- or risk spending Fright Night in the emergency room.

About 610,000 of mini-flashlights and flashlights with stencils were sold in August and September, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Since then, there have been eight reports of the lights overheating and melting, and one report  that someone's hand got burned.

For more information, check the Consumer Product Safety Commission's Web site or call Target at (800) 440-0680 between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. Central Time, Monday through Friday.

Posted by Liz Kay at 4:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Consumer safety, Recalls
        

You might have picked up a Handy Switch wireless light switch online, off an infomercial or at a CVS, Bed Bath & Beyond or some other store, but wherever you got yours, you should stop using it immediately.

About 1.3 million switches were sold by the Idea Village Product Corp. between March 2007 through July or August for about $10 to $15. Since then, the Consumer Product Safety Commission has received 14 reports of these switches overheating, and in nine cases they caused a fire. In five of those situations there was minor property damage (like burned curtains).

To be sure you're talking about the right product, check that is has the model number KS-080 on the back of the receiver.

After you unplug the white plastic switch, contact the company to receive a free remedy (a cap for the switch) in the mail. You could also call 1-888-655-4339 from 5:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (Pacific Time), Monday through Friday.

Here are details about how you can report product problems to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

(photo: Consumer Product Safety Commission)

Posted by Liz Kay at 9:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Consumer safety, Recalls
        

Target has agreed to pay $600,000 million in civil penalties for violations of the federal lead paint ban, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

The settlement resolves allegations that the retailer knowingly imported and sold toys with paint that exceeded federal limits on lead from May 2006 to April 2007. CSPC staff stated that Target didn't take adequate action to ensure that no toys or children’s products would bear lead-containing paint.

The company has admitted no wrongdoing, but had voluntarily recalled the toys at the time.

Posted by Liz Kay at 9:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Consumer safety, Naughty businesses/NBotW
        

Two Ace Hardware stores -- Waverly Ace Hardware and Federal Hill Ace Hardware -- will give away free smoke-alarm batteries in exchange for used ones next week.

The promotion, from October 4 through October 10, is part of National Fire Prevention Week.

The old batteries will be recycled through the Ace Hardware battery recycling program. Just bring each old battery (individually encased in a plastic bag) to any Ace Hardware location. The batteries will be recycled by AERC Recycling Solutions in southern Virginia.

Posted by Liz Kay at 8:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Cheap/Frugal, Consumer safety, Free
        

Being organized about your health care could save you from some potentially lethal side effects down the road.

Consumer Reports now offers My Medication Tracker, software you can download to your computer. Use it to enter info about your prescriptions, including when you started, the dosage and the price you paid for it. 

When it's time to visit your doctor, you can print out a list with all the information so you won't be fumbling for details when he or she asks for them. That way the physician will have a clear picture of what you're ingesting to avoid reducing the efficacy of any one drug or worse, a harmful drug interaction. Or, maybe it will prompt a discussion of whether all the prescriptions are even necessary.

Don't forget to add information about any over-the-counter medicines or supplements you are taking, too.

As the comments note ... 

Continue reading "Track your medicines: Consumer Web Site of the Week" »

Posted by Liz Kay at 9:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Consumer safety, Healthcare
        

Part of the problem with recalls is that few people hear about them. Whether we're talking about a snow globe that doubles as a firestarter or contaminated peanut products, getting the word out about potentially dangerous products has been a huge challenge.

Now, several federal agencies have combined their resources to redesign FoodSafety.gov, a one-stop shop for lots of information about recalls and alerts as well as how to handle food properly.

Check out the site to sign up for e-mail updates or RSS feeds about food recalls. You can also go to this centralized location to file complaints about potential health hazards in food, as well. 

Posted by Liz Kay at 11:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Consumer safety, Food
        

Megaretailer Walmart has extended its recall of its Durabrand DVD players to include not just the silver model but also the pink and purple versions sold at its stores from January 2006 to June 2009.

Here are the affected model numbers:

Silver: UPC 1799901002, Model No. 1002
Pink: UPC 1799934100, Model No. 1002 PINK
Purple: UPC 1799932100, Model No. 1002 PUR

There have been 14 reports of the DVD players overheating so far, with seven reported fires. No injuries have been reported yet, thank goodness.

This ups the number of recalled units to 4.2 million, so please check your kids' rooms and warn your friends. You should probably tell your enemies, too, but I'll leave that decision up to you.

But just in case you're in doubt, remember that Walmart will refund customers' money for the recalled DVD player without the original packaging or receipt, or even all the parts.

Posted by Liz Kay at 9:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Consumer safety
        

At least one reader told us he would never have found out about Walmart's recall of 1.5 million DVD players if he hadn't read it here at Consuming Interests. We're happy to provide this kind of information, and glad that Peter appreciated it.

But have you ever wondered how the Consumer Product Safety Commission finds out about dangerous products in the first place, whether they be bassinets that strangle babies or shoes with heels that fall off, posing a tripping hazard?

They find out about them from you! 

Consumers can report injury or death caused by products to the CPSC by filling out a report online. Physicians and emergency responders can also fill out a report.

Here's what's important to understand: sometimes other agencies regulate other products. For example, the Food and Drug Administration catalogs problems with food, medicines, medical devices and cosmetics. Check the CPSC's reporting Web site for more details.

Want to hear about the latest recalls? Sign up for the CPSC's recall e-mails. 

Posted by Liz Kay at 2:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Consumer Web Site of the Week, Consumer safety
        

Here's a happy ending to a frustrating situation!

I told you yesterday about the woman who couldn't get a Walmart in Hampstead to refund her money for a recalled DVD player because of a missing part.

Anne of Manchester, who first read about the recall of 1.5 million Durabrand DVD players sold at Walmart here at Consuming Interests, finally got her $29.99 back from Walmart on Tuesday, but it wasn't easy.

"No one at Walmart knows how to handle a defective return or recall, and the whole thing started over again today as it did yesterday," she wrote in an e-mail.

After talking with a series of managers and clerks at the Hampstead store who asked her for both the original receipt and the missing battery plate for the remote control, she convinced them to give her her money back.

They tried to give her a gift card, she said, but she said she told them "that in light of them already selling one defective piece, I am not buying another one from them, and they gave me the cash."

I e-mailed Walmart spokeswoman Melissa O'Brien about this encounter and she said staff at the Hampstead store were unaware of both the recall and Walmart's policies about them.

As she said yesterday, customers don't need all the parts, the original packaging or the receipt to return a recalled product to Walmart. 

Posted by Liz Kay at 12:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Consumer safety, Naughty businesses/NBotW
        

With the "Great Trade-In" at Toys "R" Us and Babies "R" Us stores, parents and families can swap old, hand-me-down baby products like cribs, car seats and play yards for lower prices on newer replacements.

Starting Friday, Aug. 28, customers can bring any used cribs, car seats, bassinets, strollers, travel systems, play yards and high chairs to stores. In exchange for each item, they will receive one 20-percent-off coupon to be used on products in similar categories by select manufacturers.

According to this Toys "R" Us story by the Los Angeles Times, company executives came up with the program as an attempt to roust potentially hazardous products from families' garages and attics, because many people don't check for recalls, safety standards change over time and the products themselves can also deteriorate for a variety of reasons.

For example, car seats might not have to be replaced on their expiration date, but should definitely be changed after an accident.

Also, it provides some incentive for frugal parents to buy new items rather than purchase used items through flea markets or garage sales that might have be unsafe.

Here's some more details on how it works:

Continue reading "Trade old baby stuff at Toys "R" Us, Babies "R" Us for savings" »

Posted by Liz Kay at 7:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Consumer safety
        

We told you last week that Walmart recalled 1.5 million Durabrand DVD players sold between January 2006 and July 2009 after several units overheated and some even caused fires. Customers were instructed to take the units back to Walmart for a refund as a result.

Several readers wrote to thank us about the post, including Anne from Manchester. Her DVD player wasn't working well so she was happy to hear the news:

"I have had trouble with mine since shortly after buying it and I tried to take it back to WalMart before, but lost the receipt.  When the thing heated up -- the picture would freeze.  Thank God I didn't have a fire.  WalMart told me they hadn't sold this in over two years, and couldn't take it back because they didn't know how much to refund me since it was out of their system, but now they HAVE TO TAKE IT BACK."

Except, that's not what she said happened when she arrived at the Walmart in Hampstead, with the DVD player in the original box, but without the small plastic plate that covers the batteries in the remote control:

Continue reading "Naughty Business of the Week: Walmart store refuses to refund recalled product" »

Posted by Liz Kay at 3:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Consumer safety, Naughty businesses/NBotW
        

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has received 12 reports of the portable players overheating, and five cases where the units have caused fires.

Walmart has issued a voluntary recall of these DVD players before anyone else gets burned. Don't take chances --- take this back to the store for a refund.

The units had remote controls and cost about $29.

For more information, call Walmart at (800) 925-6278 between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. Central  Monday through Friday.

Posted by Liz Kay at 2:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Consumer safety
        

Honda is expanding a recall on certain 2001 Honda Accords and Civics due to a potential defect in the airbags.

About 440,000 additional vehicles are included in the expanded recall, which was first announced in Nov. 2008. The recall requires the replacement of the driver's steering-wheel-mounted airbag inflator.

In some vehicles, airbag inflators can produce over-pressurization of the driver's (front) airbag inflator mechanism during airbag deployment. If an affected inflator deploys, the increased internal pressure may cause the inflator casing to rupture. Metal fragments could pass through the cloth airbag cushion material, possibly causing an injury or fatality to people in the car.

Affected consumers will get a recall notice in the mail over the next few months. The notice will include further instructions for scheduling a repair.

Owners may also confirm their vehicle's recall status by visiting the Honda "Owner Link" website at http://www.ahm-ownerlink.com/SEO/HondaRecall.asp or the Acura "My Acura" website at http://www.owners.acura.com/recalls.

Posted by Andrea Walker at 3:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Cars, Consumer safety, Recalls
        

On the heels of a recall of 400,000 Simplicity drop-side cribs, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced a voluntary recall of nearly 1 million play yards made by Kolcraft Enterprises, Inc.

The yards, which were sold under the brand names Kolcraft, Carter’s, Sesame Street, Jeep, Contours, Care Bear and Eric Carle, have side rails that can fail to latch properly, causing a fall hazard, according to the CPSC. There have been nearly 350 reports of this happening, with 21 injuries to children reported (including one concussion).

The model numbers and pictures of affected units are available on the CPSC's Kolcraft play yard recall Web site. They were sold at retailers and online from January 2000 through January 2009.

Some of the models have changing tables, vibrating areas or parent organizers. 

Continue reading "Recalls! Kolcraft play yards and Kidde smoke alarms" »

Posted by Liz Kay at 8:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Consumer safety, Recalls
        

UPDATED: Check this CPSC chart of Simplicity recalls to confirm whether your crib model is covered by the July 2009 recall. 

The Consumer Product Safety Commission announced the voluntary recall of 400,000 Simplicity Drop Side cribs sold between January 2005 and June 2009, according to the Associated Press.

As the picture from the CPSC shows, the drop side can detach when the hardware breaks, allowing a child to become trapped and potentially suffocate.

One child died as a result of entrapment, and there are 25 other reports of the drop side detatching, according to the CPSC.

Stores will provide refunds or store credit for the cribs. UPDATED: No receipt necessary! Thanks, Jolene, for the question.

Unfortunately, this is a familiar problem ...

Continue reading "Simplicity crib recall: spread the word" »

Posted by Liz Kay at 4:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)
Categories: Consumer safety, Recalls
        

How much is an investment in safety worth?

Because, even though you think you wouldn't leave an infant or a toddler locked in a car, it has already happened to 15 families. Tragically, 15 babies have died of hyperthermia in 2009 after being left in a car. An Ellicott City family's 23-month-old daughter died last week after she was locked in a car for nine hours.

I don't think any of the parents or caregivers would ever say they intended to do it. Safety experts and advocates say people get distracted and make a mistake.

Kids and Cars, a group which advocates for prevention of non-traffic related injuries to children by cars, has frightening statistics that lay out a pretty clear correlation about why it happens, though. After rules banned children riding in the front due to airbag injuries, deaths due to hyperthermia grew.

What does it take to prevent calamities such as these? Acknowledgment that it's possible, as Dr. Laura Jana, an Omaha-based pediatrician who speaks about injury prevention for the American Academy of Pediatrics, said:

"It's the last thing you ever want to imagine happening, and we push it away as if 'it could never happen to me,' said Jana, author of Heading Home With Your Newborn: From Birth to Reality and the mother of three.

"I don't think our brains want us to be able to imagine us doing something like that to our child," "Denial is a very powerful thing."

The pediatrician pointed out that we create failsafe measures to prevent ourselves from forgetting other important tasks. You wouldn't lock your car doors without checking to see if you have your car keys first ... so don't walk away from your car without looking at the front and back seat.

Parents could also leave a a reminder in the front seat to alert them that the child is present (diaper bag makes sense to me) or they could leave their purse or briefcase in the backseat to remind themselves to go back there, she said.

It's a no-brainer to advocate for these types of precautions ...

Continue reading "Kids in hot cars: balancing safety with reality" »

Posted by Liz Kay at 8:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Cars, Consumer safety
        

Supermarkets aren't the only place you have to watch out for expired products.

We told you last week about the Carney Safeway stocking expired yogurt. But in early June, a survey of 20 CVS stores in the Baltimore area showed that 15 of the 20 had some sort of out-of-date products on their shelves and available for sale, including dairy products, infant formula and over-the-counter medicine.

The survey was conducted by Change to Win, a coalition of unions and workers fighting for affordable health care and retirement benefits. The group held a rally in front of a Harford Road CVS today (the second in two months) to draw attention to the problem.

However, a CVS spokesman disputed the group's findings, saying they have no way of verifying that these expired products were in fact found on their shelves. The spokesman, Mike DeAngelis, said ...

Continue reading "Expired food and drugs: Naughty Business of the Week" »

Posted by Liz Kay at 1:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Cheap/Frugal, Consumer safety, Food
        

You may have heard that more than 130 Zicam nasal spray users had lost their sense of smell, according to the Associated Press. The Food and Drug Administration has recommended people stop using the product, which contains zinc. Zinc can cause temporary or permanent damage to nerves needed to smell, the store states.

Consumers might have missed the tiny "homeopathic" label on the packaging of the product, marketed as a cold remedy. But these and other homeopathic products are on pharmacy shelves without Food and Drug Administration testing for side effects or efficacy, according to the Associated Press.

The Associated Press analyzed FDA side effect reports and found more than 800 situations where people may have gotten ill from homeopathic remedies.

What are these products? According the AP story: 

Continue reading "Zicam users lose sense of smell: Naughty Business of the Week" »

Posted by Liz Kay at 9:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Consumer safety, Healthcare, Marketing/Advertising
        

After a woman suffered second-degree burns at a nail salon when a heated bowl of acetone caught on fire, both the Maryland Board of Cosmetologists as well as the Maryland Occupational Safety and Health program have launched investigations.

It's not clear whether there were any violations at the Nail Studio, in the 5400 block of Reisterstown Road --- a March inspection revealed no problems --- so let's reserve judgment on the business for the time being. The shop was apparently using a small appliance to heat the solvent to remove artificial nails, and other salons also heat acetone, according to one Twitter reader.

Still, be sure never to heat acetone in the microwave or put the container of acetone in a bowl of warm water, or, because it is very flammable. Some people cover fingertips with cotton balls soaked in acetone and wrap fingertips in aluminum foil to retain body heat to encourage the tips to come off using body heat alone, recommends Hannah Lee, editor of Nails magazine.

The incident is a good opportunity to review some basic salon safety tips:

Continue reading "Nail salon investigated after customer badly burned: Naughty Business of the Week?" »

Posted by Liz Kay at 6:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: Consumer safety, Naughty businesses/NBotW
        

The Pikesville Target was cleared to reopen Friday morning after Baltimore County environmental protection inspectors determined that the store had resolved a severe rodent infestation.

WBAL-TV reported Thursday that the Target had closed due to rodents.

Baltimore County environmental protection officials ordered the Reisterstown Road store to close Wednesday after an anonymous (anonymouse? hee) tip about the problem led them to discover rodent carcasses and droppings throughout the store, said Jonas Jacobson, the Baltimore County environmental protection director.  Pet and human food containers were also chewed open, he  said.

Continue reading "Pikesville Target to reopen after rodent infestation: update" »

Posted by Liz Kay at 10:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Consumer safety, Food, Naughty businesses/NBotW
        

Manufacturers of cleaning products have never been required to list their ingredients on the packaging, a fact that has troubled people with respiratory problems and rare allergies, or worse --- parents of children who have injested something potentially poisonous.

A 1976 New York state law does compel companies to file semi-annual reports about ingredients, although  manufacturers have never complied, according to environmental law firm Earthjustice. So, last month Earthjustice sued four companies, including Procter & Gamble and Colgate-Palmolive, to get them to 'fess up.

Other companies chose to cooperate with Earthjustice ...

Continue reading "What's inside your cleaning products? " »

Posted by Liz Kay at 6:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Cheap/Frugal, Consumer safety
        

We all know by now to pay our credit card bills on time to avoid the banks from jacking up our interest rate or changing the terms on your card.

But where you shop and the foreclosure rate in your neighborhood can also affect the terms on your card, according to CreditCards.com.

The group advises that you pay cash when shopping at discount stores.

“New projection models have banks analyzing where customers shop, as well as card users’ payment patterns. When shopping at dollar stores – especially if it isn’t your norm to do so – using your credit card may make banks wonder why you can’t afford to pay cash,” according to CreditCards.com.

Also, if you have lots of foreclosures in your area, expect higher rates.

“That's because foreclosures also damage the property values of homes around them, making all occupants of high-foreclosure areas less wealthy due to overall reduced home equity,” the group says.

What next?

Posted by Eileen Ambrose at 12:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Consumer safety
        

Don't fear that the recent bankruptcy filing of the Peanut Corp. of America, the Lynchburg, Va.-based company accused of distributing peanut products tainted with salmonella, will get away too easily.

Filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection may shield them from litigation from the families of the nine people who died as a result of the outbreak, or the hundreds others who became sick.

But there remain some tools in the arsenal ... 

Continue reading "Peanut butter contamination: Naughty Business of the Week" »

Posted by Liz Kay at 8:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Consumer safety, Naughty businesses/NBotW
        

Here's part two of the Naughty Business of the Week: doctors and other medical professionals disciplined by the Maryland Board of Physicians in December. 

(photo: Jed Kirschbaum/Baltimore Sun)

Continue reading "Naughty Business of the Week: disciplined doctors, December edition" »

Posted by Liz Kay at 11:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Consumer safety, Healthcare, Naughty businesses/NBotW
        

I've got doctor and health ratings on the brain this week. 

Last week I got to attend a health blogger summit at Consumer Reports, which has recently stepped up its Consumer Reports Health offerings with comparisons of the best diet tips to test results on the latest infomercial exercise equipment.

After all that discussion, it seemed timely to post the latest list of physicians and medical professionals sanctioned by the Maryland Board of Physicians. Check them out below: 

Continue reading "Naughty Business of the Week: disciplined doctors, November edition" »

Posted by Liz Kay at 8:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Consumer protection, Consumer safety, Healthcare, Naughty businesses/NBotW
        

Just FYI: yesterday's Naughty Business of the Week about contaminated peanut butter products came a little too early.

The state department of health and mental hygiene announced that three Marylanders --- including two children from Baltimore --- were among the more than 400 in 43 states who have gotten sick from the Salmonella Typhimurium infection first reported in the fall.

The three Maryland residents were affected before the end of 2008.

Again, the danger comes not from jarred peanut butter that you might have bought yourself but products made with the sticky stuff, such as cookies, cakes or ice cream. The FDA has a searchable database of peanut butter products with known problems, but when in doubt, throw it out. 

Salmonella infections can result in nausea and vomiting, leading to stomach pain and diarrhea, fever, chills and muscle pains lasting a few days to two weeks, according to the story by Frank Roylance. 

Posted by Liz Kay at 11:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Consumer safety, Naughty businesses/NBotW
        

Big Lots Stores Inc. and Dollar General Corporation have ceased selling Elmo's Take-Along Card Games, a card game and backpack set, in Maryland stores after a Maryland Attorney General's office investigation revealed high levels of lead paint.

The state department of the environment tested the toys and discovered the high lead paint levels, and Attorney General Douglas Gansler followed with a letter to the two companies.

Both stores agreed to stop selling the toys and to offer refunds to anyone who brings the toys back for a return, as well as post information in the store about the recall.

The Sesame Street toy was mentioned in several news reports last year about excessive lead paint levels in toys.

According to a 2007 Hartford Courant article, the toy contained almost 10,000 parts per million in the Red Elmo bag. The federal recall standard of 600 parts per million.

Update: the AG's office has also alerted the Consumer Product Safety Commission about their findings. 

Since these items showed up at the dollar store, it's all got to make you ask: what do people do with returned recalled toys?  

Continue reading "Md. stores stop selling Elmo toy due to excessive lead paint" »

Posted by Liz Kay at 3:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Consumer safety
        

If you're planning on celebrating in Baltimore on New Year's Eve, be sure to save this number in your phone first:  1-877-963-TAXI.

Once again, AAA Mid-Atlantic, the State Highway Administration's Safety Office and Yellow Cab have partnered to a free Tipsy?Taxi! service from 10 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31 until 4 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 1.

Call the toll-free number above for a free ride home from locations within Baltimore City ... up to $50. Passengers (ages 21 and over, please) must cover any additional cost.

And drivers can only take you to a residence --- no pretending you live at another bar!

Remember! Tipsy?Taxi! ... it's the only number you want to drunk dial.

Celebrating in Washington or the DC suburbs this year? Try calling SoberRide, at 800-200-TAXI instead.

Continue reading "Free stuff: free New Year's Eve/New Year's Day cab rides in Baltimore, Washington " »

Posted by Liz Kay at 11:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Cheap/Frugal, Consumer safety
        

See this jumbo snow globe on the left?

Sure it looks festive and harmless. Just look at the cute little flecks of fake snow flying about the snowman's glass belly.

But when exposed to sunlight, the snow globe's torso apparently becomes a powerful magnifying glass that can ignite nearby combustible materials. So says a recent warning from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, which issued a recall of the 7,000 units sold at Hallmark Gold Crown stores in October and November this year.

Apparently, Hallmark received two reports from consumers who claimed the jumbo snow globes ignited nearby materials. The firm then worked with the CPSC to announce a voluntary recall of the item.

The globe, which is made in China, can be returned to any Hallmark store for a full refund of the $100 it cost, the CPSC said.

On a side note, why does a snow globe cost $100? And who are these 7,000 people who actually shelled out 100 bucks for a snow globe?

Posted by Gus Sentementes at 1:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Consumer protection, Consumer safety, Recalls
        

Here's some good news if you're shopping for toys this year.

After recalling more than 21 million tainted toys last year, Mattel Inc. has agreed to a $12 million settlement with 39 states over lead contamination in toys made in China.

Maryland will receive nearly $235,000 as a result.

The toy company will also meet new federal lead standards early, before the regulations take effect next year. Mattel is lowering the acceptable level of lead from 600 parts per million to 90 parts per million.

How are you protecting yourself and your gift recipients from tainted toys this year? 

Continue reading "Naughty Business of the Week: Mattel settles with states over lead-tainted toys" »

Posted by Liz Kay at 11:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Consumer safety, Holiday shopping, Recalls, Shopping
        

Well kids, here goes my last Consumer Sundays post. I just handed in my paperwork at HR, got my boxes packed and am wrapping things up now on this here blog.

Tune in Sunday to find out why Eileen says, in her personal finance column, it's OK to embrace your inner tightwad in these hard economic times.

Liz's Watchdog column tackles a bus that doesn't stop at an unmarked bus stop in Canton.

And me? Well, just for giggles, I looked up the oldest article written by me that I could find in the Sun's archives. Here it is, a story that ran on 3B of the old Maryland section, when I was an intern in 1991:

Catrice Green, a student at Rosemont Elementary School, thought it was just great being a part of a stripe in the American flag."I feel like I am a star," said Shanee Monroe, a senior at City College and president of the student council who was one of the flag's stars. "To be any part of this celebration for the flag is a lifelong experience."

 

    An estimated 3,400 elementary and high school students agreed yesterday that being a part of a human flag was exciting, fun and quite a privilege.

 

Continue reading "Consumer Sundays: Thanks and Goodbye" »

Posted by Dan Thanh Dang at 3:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Complaints, Consumer protection, Consumer safety, Odds & Ends, Personal finance, Watchdog
        

Seriously. How many complaints from consumers need to be filed before the authorities shut down a troubled business?

We told you in February that the Federal Trade Commission reached a settlement with BlueHippo over allegations that it took consumers' money without providing the electronics purchased. BlueHippo didn’t admit to doing anything wrong, but agreed to pay $3.5 million to possibly $5 million to burned consumers. Then in May, I told you that complaints are still pouring in to Better Business Bureaus and AG Offices around the country about BlueHippo.

Continue reading "Tennessee AG Sues BlueHippo" »

Posted by Dan Thanh Dang at 4:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Complaints, Computers, Consumer protection, Consumer safety, Loans, Naughty businesses/NBotW
        

How can you avoid turning credit repair into credit despair? Here are a few suggestions from the Federal Trade Commission:

Avoid any company that wants you to pay for credit repair services before they provide any services. It is against the law.

Avoid any credit repair company that will not tell you your legal rights and what you can do, yourself, for free.

Avoid any credit repair company that tells you not to contact a credit reporting company directly.

Avoid any credit repair company that advises you to dispute all of the information in your credit report.

Avoid any company that suggests creating a 'new' credit identity - and then, a new credit report - by applying for an Employer Identification Number to use instead of your Social Security number. That is against the law. If you follow illegal advice and commit fraud, you also may be subject to prosecution.

Be safe out there.

Posted by Dan Thanh Dang at 9:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Consumer protection, Consumer safety, Credit reports, Debt, How To, Personal finance
        

Ever wonder if those TV ads claiming to help you repair your credit are legit?

Here's what the Federal Trade Commission and 24 state agencies said:

"Companies that promise they are able to scrub your credit reports of accurate, negative information for a fee are lying - plain and simple," said Lydia Parnes, Director of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection. "Under federal law, accurate, negative information can be reported for up to seven years, and some bankruptcies can be reported for up to 10 years."

Earlier this month, the FTC and the state agencies launched "Operation Clean Sweep" to go after 33 operations that deceptively claimed they can remove negative information from consumers' credit reports, even if that information is accurate and timely. The FTC sought to halt the companies' allegedly unlawful business practices, prohibit further violations, and make them pay consumer redress and give up their ill-gotten gains. The FTC said it received thousands of complaints from consumers. Keep reading for the list of companies that they took action against.

Continue reading "FTC Crackdown on 36 Credit "Repair" Companies" »

Posted by Dan Thanh Dang at 7:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Consumer protection, Consumer safety, Debt, Naughty businesses/NBotW, Personal finance, Scams
        

 Raise your hand if you've gotten an e-card in your e-mail Inbox, only to delete it because you're worried it could contain malicious software or other virus just waiting to muck up your computer?

I don't really know of anyone who sends e-cards, do you? I don't think I've ever opened one for fear of what might be in it.

Now if those e-greeting cards aren't bad enough, I just saw this U.S. News & World Report story online about a Web-based system that allows you to electronically tell people that they may have contracted a sexually-transmitted disease.

No. I am not kidding. Yes. It's true. Read about the you've-possibly-been-exposed-to-an-STD-e-card story here.

Imagine opening up a card that says:

Continue reading "An E-card You Might Not Want to See in Your InBox" »

Posted by Dan Thanh Dang at 11:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)
Categories: Consumer protection, Consumer safety, Healthcare, Technology
        

Anyone who knows me, knows that I have a fondness for watching cheezy infomercials.  They used to air late at night, but now there are entire channels devoted to them.

So I often find myself lingering far too long, when I'm channel surfing, on the dozens of client affirmations for Proactiv, Cindy Crawford's buy-these-beauty-products-and-never-age-like-me schtick, and that one doo-dad that makes hot pockets out of any kind of food you want to eat. I have just one word for that last infomercial: awesome.

One infomercial, however, drives me up the wall. Which one, you ask? Any infomercial that involves Kevin Trudeau and whatever book he's shilling on natural cures or weight loss. Why does this dude bother me?

Because a federal judge has banned Kevin Trudeau from infomercials in which he has an interest for three years. He's also been ordered to pay more than $5 million in profits from his book, "The Weight Loss Cure 'They' Don't Want You to Know About." This recent ruling in August confirms a 2004 contempt finding against Trudeau -- the second time he's been found in contempt of court in the past four years.

Judge Robert W. Gettleman of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois affirmed his 2007 ruling that Trudeau "clearly, and no doubt intentionally," violated a provision o a 2004 stipulated court order that prohibits him from misrepresenting the content of his books in his infomercials.

Continue reading "The 3-year FTC Ban that Kevin Trudeau Doesn't Want You to Know About" »

Posted by Dan Thanh Dang at 7:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Cable/Satellite/TV/Comcast/FiOS, Complaints, Consumer protection, Consumer safety, Healthcare, Marketing/Advertising, Naughty businesses/NBotW
        

A late, live post from roving tech reporter Gus, out and about on a Thursday night to keep you informed:

You, too, may one day own a paper shredder or a security tape dispenser designed by the National Security Agency -- our super-secret government agency known more for its ability to spy than to design office products.

Every year, I learned tonight at the Greater Baltimore Technology Council's TechNite , the NSA's super-smart folks are constantly taking out patents on the new things they create. Sometimes, these new things involve highly classified technology that never sees the light of day in the consumer market. Other times, the NSA folks are willing to share their unclassified patented creations with the public.

Luckily for us, their shredder and security tape dispenser may one day be a part of our lives.

Continue reading "GB Tech Co. Tech Nite: A Shredder, Tape Dispenser Designed By The NSA?" »

Posted by Dan Thanh Dang at 8:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Consumer safety, Technology
        

A decision earlier this week in a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Justice means that consumers will be able to find out if an automobile they want to purchase has been stolen or rebuilt after a wreck. U.S. Judge Marilyn Hall Patel ruled Monday that the DOJ has until Jan. 30 to make this information available to consumers in a national database.

Congress originally passed a law in 1992 to create such a database. It took a lawsuit filed in February by Public Citizen, Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety, and Consumer Action to make it happen.

The advocacy groups argued that the "agency's unlawful delay in implementing the database was putting consumers at risk. The National Motor Vehicle Title Information System will help consumers avoid purchasing a potentially dangerous used car by allowing them to instantly check the validity of the car’s title and mileage and learn whether it had been stolen or was a junk or salvage vehicle," said Deepak Gupta, attorney for Public Citizen.

Continue reading "A National Auto Fraud Database coming" »

Posted by Dan Thanh Dang at 7:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Cars, Complaints, Consumer protection, Consumer safety
        

If you're wondering which cleaning companies get good grades for telling you what kind of chemicals they put in the products you use to clean your house, well, wonder no more. The Women's Voices for the Earth just issued a report that five leading cleaning product manufacturers on toxic chemical and consumer right-to-know issues.

According to WVE, the companies were graded on things like toxic chemicals in products, responsiveness to consumer concerns, their toxic chemicals screening process and how well they inform consumers of ingredients contained in their products. All companies were given an opportunity to review their grades and provide feedback prior to the release of the report card.

WVE says it has been working to pressure companies into developing a formal policy on ingredient disclosure because “Every day, we are exposed to so many chemicals that are questionable in terms of safety,” says Alexandra Gorman Scranton, staff scientist at WVE.

“Since we don’t yet know the long-term, cumulative effects of being in close contact to these chemicals, many people are taking the precautionary approach by choosing their products more consciously, or making cleaners at home with non-toxic ingredients like vinegar and baking soda," Gorman Scranton says. "This precaution makes a lot of sense, especially for pregnant women or people with young children in the home.”

Three companies failed in certain categories:

Continue reading "Cleaning product companies get failing grades for toxicity" »

Posted by Dan Thanh Dang at 2:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Consumer protection, Consumer safety, Greenies
        

Remember the good old days when you'd eat just any old thing without worrying about what you were popping into your mouth? Ah. Ignorance was bliss, or so we thought until we realized what all that fat, salt, trans fat and calories we were ingesting was doing to our bodies.

How many of you out there read food labels more carefully now?

How many of you buy food based on whether it's organic, or trans fat-free, or natural? I'm betting a lot more people read food labels and worry more about where their food comes from than we used to.

Anyhoo, the Food and Drug Administration issued draft guidelines last week for approving genetically engineered (GE), sometimes referred to as genetically modified (GM), produced food.

As the FDA press release on GE food explains:

Genetic engineering generally refers to the use of recombinant DNA (rDNA) techniques to introduce new characteristics or traits into an organism. When scientists splice together pieces of DNA and introduce a spliced DNA segment into an organism to give the organism new properties, it's called rDNA technology. The spliced piece of DNA is called the rDNA construct. A GE animal is one that contains an rDNA construct intended to give the animal new characteristics or traits.

Continue reading "Food for thought: Frankenanimals" »

Posted by Dan Thanh Dang at 2:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Consumer protection, Consumer safety, Food, Healthcare, Marketing/Advertising, Technology
        

Have you been following the battle heating up over consumer plastics and whether a hormone-like chemical contained in those plastics are a health hazard?

USA Today is reporting that scientists and the Food and Drug Administration are fighting over whether bisphenol A, or BPA, should be taken out of food packaging. The FDA says it's not a danger at the level that people are commonly exposed to BPA. Scientists disagree.

BPA has been detected in the bodies of virtually all Americans tested, USA Today says.

The story also says:

The newest research — the first large study in humans — links BPA to both heart disease and diabetes in adults. Adults with the highest BPA levels in their urine were more than twice as likely to have heart disease or diabetes than those with the lowest levels, according to the study of 1,455 people, published online Tuesday in The Journal of the American Medical Association. The total number of people with these conditions was small: 79 had heart disease and 136 had diabetes.

Continue reading "Consumer plastics a health risk?" »

Posted by Dan Thanh Dang at 11:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Consumer protection, Consumer safety, Healthcare
        

A strain of Salmonella called Salmonella serotype Schwarzengrund has infected several brands and varieties of dry dog and cat food produced by Mars Petcare at its Everson, Pennsylvania plant between Feb. 18 and July 29, according to Consumer Reports safety blog.

The recall affects food distributed to 31 states and includes brands like Pedigree, Country Acres, Retriever, Doggy Bag, Members Mark, Natural, Ol' Roy, Special Kitty, Paws & Claws, Wegman's, Pet Pride, PMI Nutrition and Red Flannel.

Check out the full list of the tainted pet food brands at the Mars Petcare site here.

Continue reading "Argh. A Schwarzengrund recall" »

Posted by Dan Thanh Dang at 2:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Consumer safety, Food, Pets, Recalls
        

It's mid-September and we've already had news of three major data breaches.

Over at Forever 21, the discount clothing company for people who want to dress young (hey... I'm not judging, I buy pencil skirts from there once in awhile), the company just notified customers that their system "may have been illegally accessed to obtain customer payment card information."

According to Forever 21's press release, based on a Secret Service investigation, "we believe that the unauthorized persons accessed older credit and debit card transaction data for approximately 98,930 credit and debit card numbers. Approximately 20,500 of these numbers were obtained from the Fresno store transaction data."

La Liz told you over the weekend about BNY Mellon Shareholder Services, which "informed an additional 144,000 Maryland residents that their personal information - including names, addresses and Social Security numbers - may have been compromised in a data security breach."

Continue reading "Corporate data breaches continue: Forever 21, Countrywide and BNY Mellon" »

Posted by Dan Thanh Dang at 7:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Consumer protection, Consumer safety, Identity theft, Naughty businesses/NBotW
        

Consumers will be able to answer that question themselves, starting next month.

As of Sept. 30, mandatory "country of origin labeling" requirements go into effect for meats, fish, produce and peanuts, according to the Consumers Union, the nonprofit publisher of Consumer Reports.

According to a news release from CU, this is a great thing for consumers, because

"If a food safety problem is identified in a particular imported product, as happened with jalapeño and serrano peppers from Mexico earlier this year, then consumers will be able to avoid that product," said Jean Halloran, Director of Food Policy Initiatives for Consumers Union, nonprofit publisher of Consumer Reports.

"On the other hand, some people like to buy certain imported products, like New Zealand lamb or Holland tomatoes. Still others just want to buy local produce. Either way, the new labels will give consumers important new information."

The legislation was passed in 2002 but Congress put off implementation due to pressure from industry, according to Consumers Union.

And there are always exceptions.

Meat and poultry sold in butcher shops and fish sold in fish markets --- some 11 percent of all meat and fish --- are exempt because under the law, only businesses that sell a certain minimum amount of fresh produce have to comply.

And processed foods, such as ham or bacon or roasted peanuts or mixed frozen vegetables or trail mix do not have to be labeled, either.

To make things (a little bit) simpler, Consumers Union put together a COOl vs Not COOL guide to country-of-origin-labeling to help consumers figure out what must be labeled and what doesn't:

Continue reading "Where does your fresh food come from?" »

Posted by Liz Kay at 8:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Consumer safety, Food
        

Here's some disturbing news last month in case you missed it from NewsInferno.com:

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning to consumers who filled prescriptions at The Medicine Shoppe pharmacies located at 8035A Liberty Road and 5900 Reisterstown Road, both located in Baltimore, Maryland. The FDA is reporting that such consumers may have received defective drugs that were either expired or suspected counterfeit and is concerned because some of the drugs are for serious diseases and could have an adverse treatment effects. At this time, no other Medicine Shoppe pharmacies seem to be involved.

Because the safety and efficacy of the listed drugs has not been established, the FDA is strongly advising consumers “who filled prescriptions for these drugs at these two pharmacies to contact their prescribing physician immediately for new prescriptions. Additionally, consumers in possession of the above listed prescription drugs from these pharmacies should call FDA at 800-521-5783 for further information on how to dispose of the drugs.” The medications include:

Continue reading "Bad drugs sold in Baltimore" »

Posted by Dan Thanh Dang at 7:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Consumer protection, Consumer safety, Healthcare, Naughty businesses/NBotW
        

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued a final rule yesterday that won't protect manufacturers from lawsuits filed by families harmed by defective booster seats. An original draft of the rule barred families from taking such action.

The American Association for Justice (AAJ) filed comments in March discouraging NHTSA from issuing a rule that would preempt state law, effectively giving corporations complete immunity from lawsuits.

AAJ says that so far, seven federal agencies have issued over 56 rules with preemption language in the preamble to the rule. As a result of these preambles, states have had their authority curtailed by federal agencies.

Continue reading "No more federal immunity for manufacturers of child safety seats" »

Posted by Dan Thanh Dang at 2:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Cars, Consumer protection, Consumer safety
        

Now I can barely walk and chew gum at the same time so I'm kind of fascinated by the recent news that the American College of Emergency Physicians is worried about a dangerous rise in injuries and deaths related to sending text messages at inappropriate times, such as while walking, driving, biking and rollerblading.

“It’s tragic,” said Linda Lawrence, president of the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), who noted that her colleagues across the country are anecdotally reporting cases, “among teens and young adults, in particular, who are arriving in emergency departments with serious and sometimes fatal injuries because they were not paying attention while texting.”

“We see this every day, since we are [in] downtown Chicago, with lots of people walking around,” said James Adams, professor and chair of the department of emergency medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University. “People are texting and they trip and fall on their faces – usually people in their 20s. We see a lot of face, chin, mouth [and] eye injuries from falls.”

Even worse, they said, are injuries resulting from texting and colliding with bikers, rollerbladers and others.

Now before you laugh at the image of people falling while texting (I know. It made me giggle a little, too.), the emergency docs said that the injuries can be deadly.

Continue reading "Text messaging is hazardous to your health :)" »

Posted by Dan Thanh Dang at 2:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Cellular/Landline/Voice over Internet, Consumer safety, Technology
        

I mentioned this group the other day when I was telling you this is Auto Theft Awareness Month. What is the National Insurance Crime Bureau? It's a nonprofit organization that receives support from approximately 1,000 property/casualty insurance companies and works with law enforcement agencies to help identify, detect and prosecute insurance criminals (sounds sexy, doesn't it? like CSI for insurancegeeks).

The cool thing about this Web site is that you can tap into its database for vehicles that were stolen, but not recovered, or declared totaled by cooperating NICB members. Unlike other companies that charge you for this service, NICB offers it to you for free. We love free stuff here.

Continue reading "How to find out if the car you want was stolen" »

Posted by Dan Thanh Dang at 7:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Cars, Consumer Web Site of the Week, Consumer protection, Consumer safety, Insurance
        

I have a routine every night when I get home from work. I empty my car of any change, CDs or any personal items. Save for a doggy blanket, I pretty much empty my car every night and then put the club on and lock it. Why? Because I've had my car broken into four times in Baltimore.

Once, there was nothing in the car to steal so they took off with my car battery. That was lovely. But the one that left me pretty disturbed was when they tried to jimmy the ignition to steal it.

So why am I telling you all this? Because July is Auto theft Awareness Month and whether you want to prevent someone from swiping your car or just ransacking it, there are steps you can take that might help. The Insurance Information Institute says the number of cars stolen has decreased between 2004 and 2007, but drivers should remain vigilant because auto theft continues to be a major problem with a million vehicles stolen annually.

To prevent your car from being stolen the I.I.I. recommends taking the following precautions:

Continue reading "Auto Theft Awareness Month" »

Posted by Dan Thanh Dang at 11:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Consumer protection, Consumer safety
        

Planning to celebrate our nation's independence by imbibing at a Baltimore bar?

Do everyone a favor and program this number into your cell phone first: 1-877-963-TAXI.

AAA, Yellow Cab and the Maryland Department of Transportation have partnered for this year's Tipsy?Taxi! program, giving revelers a free cab ride home from bars this weekend ... up to $50. If you live farther away, you'll have to cover the remaining cost. 

Anyone 21 years or older can take advantage of the program for a ride home ONLY ... they won't take you to another party. Don't try to pretend you live at Mother's Federal Hill Grille!

The free rides are available from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. Thursday, July 3; from 4 p.m. to 4 a.m. Friday, July 4; and 4 p.m. to 4 a.m. July 5July 6.

Remember: Tipsy?Taxi! ... it's the only number you want to drunk dial.

(photo: Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun) 

Posted by Liz Kay at 12:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Cheap/Frugal, Consumer safety
        

Please please please verify IDs before you let anyone into your home or open the door to anyone asking to enter your home.

If you missed this little blurb yesterday, the Associated Press reported that three men posing as utility workers entered a home in Westminster yesterday and stole money and other items.

Maryland State Police said it occurred about 12:30 p.m. The men, who kept in contact with one another with portable radios, diverted the victims' attention to steal from them. Police said the men then fled in a minivan onto Route 140.

It's happening more and more. Baltimore County Police issued a warning on similar deception scams running in their jurisdiction recently.

Continue reading "Scam Watch: Thieves posing as utility workers" »

Posted by Dan Thanh Dang at 7:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Consumer protection, Consumer safety
        

The pen manager who oversaw some of the worst documented abuses of downed animals in the Hallmark Meat Company case pled guilty today to two counts of felony animal cruelty and two misdemeanor counts of cruelty to downed animals.

San Bernardino County District Attorney Michael A. Ramos charged Daniel Navarro with animal cruelty, which was uncovered by in an investigation by The Humane Society of the United States.

HSUS says that Hallmark principally slaughtered “spent” dairy cows for the Westland Meat Co., which was the nation’s No. 2 supplier of ground beef for the National School Lunch Program.

The HSUS investigation found that many of the animals were unable to stand and walk. An HSUS investigator filmed slaughter plant employees routinely beating cows to try to make them rise. Cows were repeatedly shocked in the face and eyes with electric prods, and even rammed with the blades of a forklift.

The mistreatment occurred just long enough to make the animals get up on their feet to be slaughtered — this, HSUS says, despite the known risks that such animals may be harboring foodborne pathogens such as E. coli 0157:H7 and Salmonella, or even infected with bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE, or “mad cow disease”).

Posted by Dan Thanh Dang at 4:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Consumer protection, Consumer safety, Food, Naughty businesses/NBotW
        

Remember when we told you that the Humane Society of the United States found downer cows at auctions in Maryland, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and Texas?

And then we told you that the Westminster Livestock Auction Market owner, James Horak, was charged with four counts of violating State Animal Health regulations?

Yesterday, the Maryland Department of Agriculture Secretary Roger Richardson said in response to those charges, Horak signed a consent agreement regarding violations of the Maryland Animal Health law at the auction on April 22 and 23.

“A very deliberate investigation has revealed that a ‘downer’ cow was not treated in a humane manner and the market was not prepared to handle downer animals that night,” said Agriculture Secretary Roger Richardson. “Under the terms of the consent agreement, Mr. Horak, while not admitting guilt, is not contesting the charges filed against him and has agreed to a number of actions to assure that animals in his custody will be treated humanely and in accordance with State law. Even before signing the agreement, Mr. Horak already had instituted a number of these actions.”

Continue reading "NBotW Update: Westminster Livestock Auction Operator Signs Consent Agreement" »

Posted by Dan Thanh Dang at 1:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Complaints, Consumer protection, Consumer safety, Food, Naughty businesses/NBotW
        

You say toMAYto, I say toMAHto... Either way, they're still yummy and a staple of my diet. Problem is, I was out grocery shopping on Sunday at the Shopper's Food on Eastern Avenue and searched high and low for some juicy red tomatoes. To my great disappointment, there wasn't a single tomato in the entire store. WTH? (er... that's the PG-version of WTF).

Now, don't scold me for not knowing about this sooner. I've already told you I don't go food shopping often. Also, on weekends, I will occasionally enforce a news blackout just so I can relax (hey, if you were a mathematician, you wouldn't want to solve math equations all weekend, would you?).

Anyhow, that's my sorry excuse for missing the fact that over the weekend, the Food and Drug Administration expanded its nationwide warning that a salmonellosis outbreak has been linked to consumption of certain raw red plum, red Roma, and red round tomatoes, and products containing these raw, red tomatoes.

The FDA recommends that consumers not eat raw red Roma, raw red plum, raw red round tomatoes, or products that contain these types of raw red tomatoes unless the tomatoes are from the sources listed below. If you're not sure where the tomatoes are grown or harvested, you should contact the store where the tomato purchase was made.

You can still eat cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, and tomatoes sold with the vine still attached, or tomatoes grown at home, the FDA says.

Continue reading "Tomato Warning from FDA" »

Posted by Dan Thanh Dang at 5:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Consumer protection, Consumer safety, Food
        

Don't wait until it's too late to take precautions to safeguard your computers and other electronic items from storm damage.

After the tornado watch and other foul weather yesterday, Tech Whiz Mike Himowitz has a very timely story today about protecting against power surges and other potential power mishaps.

According to him, you don't need to spend much to insure your hardware --- and the precious data stored within --- stays functioning through many a surge caused by weather or even the cycling of appliances within your home.

Surge protectors start at $8 and go way up from there, but just make sure you look for a few basic characteristics before you invest: 

Continue reading "Storm-proof your electronics" »

Posted by Liz Kay at 3:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Cable/Satellite/TV/Comcast/FiOS, Cellular/Landline/Voice over Internet, Cheap/Frugal, Computers, Consumer safety, Technology
        

Tuesday's column focused on the spread of Voice over Internet Protocol phone service, or VoIP as its better known, and the concerns behind relying on a telephone that you might not work when the power goes out or when your Internet service is interrupted.

While the popularity of VoIP has grown, I'm not altogether sure that consumers are aware of the possible drawbacks to using an Internet phone, which the column pointed out that calling emergency services can be problematic. Please remember that if you move your VoIP service, you must change your billing address AND your emergency address with your provider or your 911 call could get directed to the wrong emergency calling center.

Since I haven't tried to sign on for this service myself, I was really interested to hear from Frank Bonomo who told me about what he discovered when he jumped at a triple play offer:

Continue reading "Voice over Internet phone concerns" »

Posted by Dan Thanh Dang at 11:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Cable/Satellite/TV/Comcast/FiOS, Cellular/Landline/Voice over Internet, Consumer protection, Consumer safety, Energy/Utilities
        

At the rate we're going, we're probably going to exceed last year's record-setting number of product recalls, sez the Consumers Union, the non-profit publisher of Consumer Reports.

Thus far, the Consumer Product Safety Commission has had to call back nearly 10 million products in the first quarter of this year due to 121 recalls. If this trend continues, it will mean at least 800 total by year's end --- a 70 percent increase over 2007.

What's so offensive is that some of the products recalled violate laws that have been on the books for years. If manufacturers are flouting existing rules, how can regulators protect us against new threats posed by emerging technology?

Full text of the Consumers Union announcement below the jump: 

Continue reading "Recalls on pace to break last year's record" »

Posted by Liz Kay at 11:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Consumer protection, Consumer safety, Recalls
        

As promised, here's the undercover video from the Humane Society of the United States on downer cows at auctions in Maryland, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and Texas.

According to HSUS, the video of the downers was shot in April and May and shared with U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer last week at a face-to-face meeting. HSUS said that Schafer pledged to look into the issue.

This video isn't quite as gruesome as the one involving Westland/Hallmark where downer cows were being poked, prodded, pushed and pulled by forklift into pens for slaughter, but it does make you worry about what might be making it into our food supply.

Continue reading "Video of more downer cows in MD & three other states" »

Posted by Dan Thanh Dang at 1:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Consumer protection, Consumer safety, Food
        

In just a few minutes, the Humane Society of the United States will announce new finding of its next investigation into downer cows that are being mistreated at auctions in Maryland, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and Texas.

As you'll recall us telling you, HSUS undercover investigators documented earlier this year cows that were too sick or injured to stand or walk -- called "downers" by the industry (see the orginial downers video) -- being kicked, beaten, dragged with chains, shocked with electric prods, sprayed in the face with hoses, and rammed by forklifts in efforts to get them to their feet to pass USDA inspection.

The video led the recall of 143 million pounds of raw and frozen beef from California-based Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Co. That's the largest meat recall in U.S. history -- far surpassing 1999's 35 million pounds of ready-to-eat meat.

Continue reading "More downer cows making it into our food system?" »

Posted by Dan Thanh Dang at 1:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Consumer protection, Consumer safety, Food
        

A word to the wise: don't screw a compact fluorescent light bulb into a light fixture with a dimmer switch. Bad things will happen. Instead, procure a CFL that's been specially made for dimmers.

CUMBERLAND, Md. (AP) — A Cumberland family has lost their home to a fire caused by using a compact fluorescent light bulb in a lamp controlled by a dimmer switch.

The state fire marshal's office says such fires are rare, but they're a real danger that people should consider when replacing incandescent bulbs with the more efficient fluorescent type. Some fluorescent bulbs are specially designed to work with dimmers. Those that shouldn't be used with dimmer switches carry a warning label.

Truck driver Rick Jenkins says he didn't think to read the label before screwing in the bulb. The fire caused 165,000 dollars worth of damage to his home.

We've blogged before about the precautions necessary when disposing of these bulbs, but there are definitely benefits.

Continue reading "Don't dim these bulbs!" »

Posted by Liz Kay at 6:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Consumer safety
        

RadioJamaica reported this week that the Consumer Affairs Commission cautioned consumers to be on the look out for a toy labeled "Fart Bomb" that is packaged in aluminum foil.

On Tuesday, more than 30 children of the Bradford Preparatory School in Buff Bay, Portland were hospitalized after a dangerous chemical escaped in a classroom after a child reportedly opened the package. The students experienced vomiting, difficulty breathing and diarrhea as a result of the chemical, RadioJamaica said.

Follow the jump to see the directions on the fart toy.

Continue reading "Recalled: Stink Fart Bomb causes nausea and vomiting" »

Posted by Dan Thanh Dang at 11:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

This morning as I was driving on Falls Road, a woman in a minivan was riding up on my back bumper close enough that I thought she was about to climb right into my passenger seat. Of course, when I looked at her more closely (gosh, I probably could have whispered in her ear she was so close), she was yapping away on her phone.

It almost made me fully support the measure trying to ban cell phone use while driving.

But then I rememberd that Jonathan Adkins from the Governor's Highway Safety Association e-mailed and said, "These bans are popular with the public, but have little impact on safety. If your readers need a resource as to which states ban cell phones while driving, our website is current."

http://ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/laws/cellphone_laws.html

When I mentioned banning texting, he responded by saying: "We don't support the ban on texting either. Very difficult to enforce. That said, it's common sense that drivers shouldn't be texting and driving."

Ah. But see? He makes such a good point. I think he's convinced me. We shouldn't have to legislate common sense, but we sure do try don't we? (cough cough... trans fats anyone?).

Posted by Dan Thanh Dang at 6:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Cars, Cellular/Landline/Voice over Internet, Consumer safety
        

The issue has come before the General Assembly before and failed to pass. My colleague Tim reported yesterday that legislation to ban using a cell phone while driving once again ran into a bump in the road. Members of the  House Environmental Matters Committee raised skepticism about the bill that already cleared the Senate last week.

If passed, the measure would outlaw talking on a hand-held cell phone or text-messaging while driving. It would still allow, however, hands-free devices and speakerphones. Also, if you are penalized $50 for a first-time offense, you can have that waived if you purchase hands-free gear.

Will it pass? It's hard to say since it's got plenty of support and opposition. Keep in mind that other legislation introduced this year that would have banned text-messaging or forbidden school bus drivers from using cell phones has died in committee.

Depending on which side you support, there have been a lot of studies on the subject. Check out this Insurance Information Institute fact sheet. Some say banning talking while driving is good. Some challenge the theory that hands-free cell use is safer. Some found that drivers were far less distracted by cell phones than by other common activities like reaching for items on the seat or glove compartment or even just talking to other passengers. 

Continue reading "Texting and talking while driving: Yay or Nay?" »

Posted by Dan Thanh Dang at 5:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Cars, Cellular/Landline/Voice over Internet, Consumer protection, Consumer safety
        

Remember when we told you compact fluorescent lights won't kill you? We're still sticking to that story, BUT ace weatherman and science writer extraordinaire Frank Roylance had a really good story today about the hazards behind these popular energy-saving bulbs.

While it's still true that CFLs contain an average of 5 milligrams of mercry -- Frank says, that's about a speck that would barely cover the tip of a pen -- disposal of the bulbs can be hazardous if they break. And if enough people, we're talking the millions who have converted to CFLs from the old incandescents, just toss them in the trash then that's a whole lot of hazardous mercury in our landfills... which could eventually seep into the earth.

When you put it that way, it does make you think twice about CFLs. Yes, they're still great energy savers. But seriously, you have to be careful with CFLs when you're getting rid of them. As Frank's story says, the country needs to come up with better disposal methods for CFLs.

Here's how to do your part to protect yourself and the environment:

Continue reading "Fluorescent lights might kill you? Part II" »

Posted by Dan Thanh Dang at 12:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Consumer safety, Greenies, Technology
        

The Consumer Product Safety Commission issued three toy recalls this week for problems that sound awfully familiar.

Children could ingest or aspirate magnets from the 7,000 Battat Magnabild Magnetic Building Toys or Sets sold between 2005 and this year. To get a prepaid mailer to return the product, contact Battat Inc. at (800) 247-6144 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. or visit the firm’s Web site at www.battatco.com. 

Continue reading "More toy recalls" »

Posted by Liz Kay at 12:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

How many of you out there reach for your copy of Consumer Reports, or at least check them out on the Web, before you purchase anything? As a consumer columnist, I value them personally and professionally.

When I write a column, they are one of the sources I tap on subjects ranging from finance to consumer scams. Personally, I've used them in my research to figure out which car, computer or any other product I want to buy for myself. They're always one of the many sources I check for all my research. Between the Web's many offerings of consumer advocacy sites, the Attorney General's Office, the Better Business Bureau and CR, we consumers have a lot of help available at our fingertips.

It's not an easy job that CR does. I don't do reviews here because it takes too much time, money and expertise. Read this Wired story to find out how CR tells you which condom, car or ice cream to buy. Pretty cool, fascinating stuff.

Posted by Dan Thanh Dang at 8:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Consumer protection, Consumer safety, Shopping
        

You can spot them everywhere --- people strolling down streets and boarding public transportation with white headphones trailing from their ears, enjoying tunes or a podcast. Is it any wonder that criminals see iPods too?

That's the hypothesis of Washington-based think tank the Urban Institute, which has issued a report attributing a spike in robberies in 2005 and 2006 to the music players, which became ubiquitous right around the same time.  

The researchers surmise that iPods are "criminogenic," or have a number of "crime-causing" characteristics that make them attractive to thieves.

They're valuable status symbols, so they could be stolen for use as well as resale. They don't require passwords, subscriptions or contracts and don't come with any anti-theft protections. And the earbuds themselves reduce the user's awareness of their surroundings, assisting a would-be Fagin achieve his goal.

It's happened before, they say: 

Continue reading "iCrime wave?" »

Posted by Liz Kay at 7:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
        

Don't miss science reporter and weather blogger Frank Roylance's story about smoke detectors today.

Last year 23 people died in Baltimore due to fire --- more than any year since 2001. It's not clear whether there were working smoke detectors in many of these homes.

While fire officials emphasize that while any detector is better than none, some say ionizing alarms, the most common --- and cheapest --- variety of smoke detectors, are less likely to trigger during certain types of smoldering fires. Plus, they are more likely to sound due to cooking smoke, and as a result people often disable them ... so they're not functioning when fires actually occur.

"Every night before I fall asleep I say a prayer for the two or three people I know are going to die that night because they have the wrong smoke detector," said Deputy Chief Joseph M. Fleming of the Boston Fire Department.

Fleming is an outspoken advocate for alarms that use an alternative "photoelectric" technology to sense smoke. Photoelectrics cost slightly more, he said, but they're quicker to sense smoldering fires and less prone to nuisance alarms. Although ionization alarms are faster at detecting flaming fires, he said, the advantage is a small one. 

A dual alarm might be your best option, according to the Consumers Union, which publishes Consumer Reports.

Continue reading "Smoke detectors save lives" »

Posted by Liz Kay at 11:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Consumer safety, How To
        

The Humane Society of the United States filed suit today against the U.S. Department of Agriculture to close a loophole that the groups says contributed to the recent recall of 143 million pounds of beef -- the largest food recall in the country's history.

Remember when we told you about the video that led to the Westland/Hallmark recall last week?The HSUS investigation showed animals too sick or injured to stand or walk -- called "downers" by industry -- being kicked, beaten, dragged with chains, shocked with electric prods, sprayed in the face with hoses, and rammed by forklifts in efforts to get them to their feet to pass USDA inspection.

Well, HSUS says that the Westland/Hallmark incident was able to take place because in 2007, the USDA quietly reversed course on a 2004 emergency rule to prevent downed cattle from being slaughtered for human consumption. The reversal relaxed USDA rules to permit some crippled cows to be slaughted for our food system.

Continue reading "Humane Society sues over USDA loophole" »

Posted by Dan Thanh Dang at 7:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Consumer protection, Consumer safety, Food, Naughty businesses/NBotW, Recalls
        

What would you do if you got an e-mail that said one of your friends paid someone to kill you, but that you have a chance to stop your own murder? All you have to do is click a link and pay a ransom.

Would you click the link? Would you wonder who hates you enough to hire a hit man to kill you? Would you wonder which of your friends you wronged?

According to this WPost story, about a dozen residents in Fairfax and Stafford counties received e-mails telling them that they are about to be killed.

"The sender tells the receiver, 'I've been hired to kill you, it's one of your friends, I'm watching you. However . . . I don't believe you did what they said, and I'm going to give you a chance to pay me, and I won't kill you,' " Fairfax police spokeswoman Camille Neville told the Post.

Before you get paranoid and shut yourself off from friends, or worse, pay the hit man, police say this is just a scam!

Continue reading "Save your life, click this link now!" »

Posted by Dan Thanh Dang at 9:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

Sears, Roebuck & Co. has agreed to a $546 million recall that will fix household stoves that can tip over onto people, consumer advocacy groups Public Citizen and U.S.PIRG announced today.

Since 1980, at least 33 people have been killed and 84 have been injured in accidents involving unsecured stoves sold by retailers, which can crush, scald or burn children who tug on them or people who place heavy objects on open oven doors. (The settlement doesn't include people with potential claims against Sears for personal injury, wrongful death or property damage caused by stoves that tipped over.)

Under the terms of the settlement, consumers who purchased a range from Sears and had the company install it between July 2, 2000, and Sept. 18, 2007, are entitled to have a Sears technician install a range stability device. Or, they can choose to receive a $50 gift card that can be used toward the purchase of a new Sears range. People who installed brackets on their own are entitled to reimbursement up to $100, Public Citizen said.

In a press conference, the advocacy groups said that Sears, manufacturers and the government have known about this potential danger for more than 20 years, according to documents from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Apparently, manufacturers started using lighter-gauge steel in the early 80s to reduce costs. But the change resulted in a tendency for lighter-weight appliances to tip over when weight was placed on the oven door.

Continue reading "Sears to fix killer stoves" »

Posted by Dan Thanh Dang at 2:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Consumer protection, Consumer safety, Recalls
        

Although USDA officials say that health concerns in this situation aren't as serious, the recall action was taken due to "egregious violations to humane handling requirements and the prohibition of non-ambulatory disabled cattle from entering the food supply." By law, cattle that cannot walk are banned from the human meat supply. Also, the USDA says that "Plant employees are required to handle animals in a humane manner that minimizes excitement, discomfort and stress."

As you can see in this video, shot by the Humane Society of the United States, there were some pretty clear violations taking place. Hope you ate lunch already because there are some graphic and troubling images.

Continue reading "The video that led to Hallmark/Westland meat recall" »

Posted by Dan Thanh Dang at 1:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Consumer protection, Consumer safety, Food, Recalls
        

As promised, I've filed my column so here's the latest bit of news that's good to know. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission isn't a naughty business, but it is naughty, so says advocacy group Public Citizen.

A Public Citizen study of CPSC settlements published in the Federal Register showed that the agency "typically delays nearly seven months after learning of dangerous, defective products before telling the public" even though a law requires manufacturers to provide the CPSC with "immediate" notification.

Public Citizen says, shockingly, the CPSC then took an average of 209 additional days before disclosing the information to the public even though each case concerned a product defect so dangerous that the item was recalled.

Some of those products included:

Continue reading "CPSC dawdles on telling public about dangerous products" »

Posted by Dan Thanh Dang at 3:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Consumer protection, Consumer safety, Naughty businesses/NBotW