2013

When the temperatures get low, the chances of a fire breaking out go up.  That’s because citizens tend to plug in space heaters, stoke fires, and turn on their furnaces, all of which could lead to a fire if the resident isn’t careful.  Fireplaces are particularly hazardous under the right conditions.  One estimate pegs the… read more

Followers of this blog and recall news in general may remember a series of recalls issued throughout the summer in conjunction with cantaloupes that may have been contaminated by Salmonella.  From July through September, an estimated 261 people across the country reportedly became sick, exhibiting such symptoms as diarrhea, fever, and nausea.  94 of those… read more

All recalls are disappointing because they signify a safety issue that could potentially imperil the safety of consumers.  But when the recall pertains to an item that could be dangerous when not used properly anyway, consumer should definitely take note.  This next recall affects a component of a crossbow, something that consumers should seek to… read more

In most cases where a recall is issued by an automobile company, the recall pertains specifically to the number of vehicles suggested by the announcement.  However, in this next case, although hundreds of thousands of vehicles are being recalled, slightly less than 54,000 of those vehicles might suffer from the issue. This particular recall affects… read more

The state of Nevada has a ban on cellphone usage at the wheel in place, and the Nevada Highway Patrol has issued a number of citations for the offense throughout 2012.  Almost 12,000 tickets were reportedly issued to persons who texted or talked on their phone while driving.  The money from those tickets goes to… read more

Scams can affect anyone, but older citizens throughout the country are particularly at risk of being victims of financial fraud.  A new report out of Los Angeles details some tips from Consumer Reports which can be followed by persons looking to prevent financial elder abuse.  For one thing, an effort should be made to set… read more

Recently, the Consumer Product Safety Commission sought to halt the sale of Nap Nanny infant recliners by filing an administrative complaint that would make a recall of such items mandatory.  Baby Matters, the company behind the product, is going head to head with the agency in a bid to get that complaint rescinded.  They argue… read more

2013 is finally here, and the coming of January typically brings cold and snowy weather to large swaths of the country.  Certain parts of California are certainly no strangers to these types of conditions.  With kids out of school, parents have to be especially vigilant that safety will remain at the forefront of winter activities. … read more

The University of Iowa has made a concerted effort to understand citizen behavior in the midst of traffic.  They’ve done so not only with a vehicle driving simulator, but with a bicycle simulator as well.  A new report takes a look at the latter. The bike simulator was designed to help researchers get a handle… read more

Energy drink makers have long claimed that their products offer an energy boost produced by way of a scientific formula.  Rather than rely on extolling the virtues of one ingredient, marketing materials typically tout a combination of ingredients working in concert to give energy to the consumer.  But a new article looks into these marketing… read more

Perhaps because we’re now one week removed from Christmas, residents across the Los Angeles area have experienced an uptick in home burglaries.  The Sheriff’s Department of Los Angeles County is thus providing people throughout the area with a number of tips designed to help residents mitigate the chance that a burglary will be committed at… read more

Beginning in 2002, lawmakers in the Florida legislature have been attempting to enact some sort of ban on cellphone usage behind the wheel.  However, those efforts have come to nought thus far, in part because of a House Speaker who repeatedly blocked any attempt to get the ban passed.  But that Speaker is no longer… read more