ATYOURSERVICEATYOURSERVICEProviding links to websites, free programs, and other stuff. Articles
DOCTORS ISSUE WARNING ON SKIN-ALTERING PRODUCTS
2008-02-22 18:13:00 Lightening creams linked to dangerous medical conditionsFairer skin, for some, is associated with attractiveness. So much so, that in many parts of the world, companies will use fair-skinned models for product placements, or even acting roles on the silver screen.Not to mention the countless ads that run in magazines around the world, promotin various kinds of potions that can enhance one's look and seemingly make you more fairer than you actually are.Doctors in England are issuing a warning that using any type of skin-lightening product, a la Michael Jackson, can be dangerous, even deadly. The warning was issued in the wake of a case in which a woman fell sick from using a product laced with a powerful steroid.Link to complete story: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/200 8/02/skin_lightener.html~Sandy G. More About: Products , Skin , Warning , Issue
RECALLS
2008-02-22 00:17:00 Aloha Housewares Recalls Portable HeatersAloha Housewares is recalling about 152,000 portable heaters. They can overheat and melt plastic parts, posing a fire hazard to consumers.Aloha Housewares has received 29 reports of the heaters melting, smoking or catching fire, including 18 reports of property damage. One consumer reported minor burns to the hands and feet.This recall involves electric oscillating tower heaters with the name “Aloha Breeze” printed on the top. The white heaters have model number 02044 and dates codes 06/06, 06/07, 06/08 or 06/09. Model numbers and date codes are printed on the silver label located on the back of the heater, near the bottom.The heaters were sold at Wal-mart and small retail chain stores nationwide from August 2006 through November 2007 for between $35 and $45. They were made in China.Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled heaters and contact Aloha Housewares to receive a replacement product.Consumer Contact: For additional in...
RECALLS
2008-02-20 13:29:00 Bassettbaby Drop-Side Cribs RecalledBassettbaby is recalling its 'Wendy Bellissimo Hidden Hills Collection' drop-side cribs. Spindles on the drop-side of the crib could loosen creating a gap that poses an entrapment and strangulation hazard.Bassettbaby has received three reports of spindles coming loose. No injuries have been reported.This recall involves a full-size, drop-side crib from the Wendy Bellissimo Hidden Hills collection, model number 5446-0504. The model number is located on the bottom rail of the headboard. The crib was sold in a Navajo Pine finish. No other models are included in this recall.The cribs were sold at Babies "R" Us stores nationwide from November 2007 through January 2008 for about $400. They were made in China.Consumers should stop using the crib immediately and contact Bassettbaby for a free replacement or a full refund. The firm has contacted consumers directly.Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Bassettbaby toll-free at (800) 308-74...
ATV DEATHS, INJURIES CLIMBING
2008-02-20 12:56:00 After 20 years, feds no closer to a solutionAt least 555 people including 111 children, died riding all-terrain vehicles in 2006, according to a government report released today and the agency charged with protecting consumers appears nowhere close to making the dangerous vehicles any safer.The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) expects the casualty figures to rise as more hospitals and coroners submit data to the agency.In the last year alone, the CPSC added 199 deaths to the 2005 total, raising it to 666. The agency also estimates every year that the figures are much higher than reported. While the 2006 death estimates were not included in the report, the agency estimates 870 people actually died since many deaths are not properly reported.Of the 555 deaths in 2006, 20 percent -- or 111 -- were children younger than 16. Fifty were younger than 12.Aside from deaths, the CPSC estimates that the total number of ATV-related injuries in 2006 is 146,600, the highest total yet and... More About: Injuries , Deaths , Climbing
HAIR LOSS AFFECTS OLDER WOMEN TOO
2008-02-19 14:25:00 Q. I’ve been losing some hair, which is no surprise for an old lady, but I was wondering if there’s anything I can do to hold onto what I have.A. Alopecia is the medical term for hair loss. Androgenetic Alopecia, or pattern baldness, is the most common type of alopecia; it affects about one-third of us. I’m in that third with you.Men start to get pattern baldness at the hairline and crown. This can lead to complete baldness. Women ’s hair loss is usually limited to thinning; they rarely go totally bald.There are a few steps you can take to preserve your hair:1. Avoid tight hairstyles that pull on the hair. So, forget braids, ponytails, cornrows and tight hair rollers. The pulling causes some hair loss, especially along the sides of the scalp. This type of hair loss is called traction alopecia. If the pulling scars the scalp, it can cause permanent hair loss.2. Brushing or combing too much can break hair, so keep them to a minimum. Use combs with wide teeth and brushes with sm... More About: Hair , Loss
FDA ISSUES BOTOX WARNING
2008-02-19 14:11:00 Complications and deaths noted, especially in childrenThe company that produces America's most popular quick-fix for facial wrinkles is now a target of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). FDA announced late Friday it was conducting a safety review of Allergan Inc.'s Botox and a similar product, Myobloc, after receiving reports of deaths and breathing problems in some patients who were injected with Botox syringes.According to the FDA, Botox is being injected at an alarming rate among children, especially those who are being treated for cerebral palsy-associated limb spasticity. Neither product is approved for such use in the U.S. and there have been deaths associated with the usage of the two treatments among children.However, as bizarre it may sound, the FDA says there were no reports of deaths in adults, and some of the adverse reactions may have been related to an overdose of the products.Russell Katz, director of the FDA's division of neurology products, said no deat... More About: Issues , Warning
HEPARIN LINKED TO SEVERE ALLERGIC REACTIONS
2008-02-18 14:25:00 FDA advises caution til problem is resolvedBaxter Healthcare Corporation has temporarily stopped manufacturing multiple-dose vials of the injectable blood-thinning drug heparin due to reports of serious allergic reactions and hypotension (low blood pressure) in patients who receive high "bolus" doses of the drug.Serious reactions to the drug have included difficulty breathing, nausea, vomiting, excessive sweating, and rapidly falling blood pressure that can lead to life-threatening shock. Four people have died after receiving heparin, although the relationship to the drug is unclear.Heparin sodium is derived from pig intestines and has been marketed in the United States since the 1930s. Millions of patients benefit from the intravenous administration of this drug every year to avoid potentially life-threatening blood clots in the veins, arteries, and lungs."FDA concurs with Baxter's decision to halt manufacture of heparin sodium in multiple-dose vials," said Janet Woodcock, M.D., t...
RECALL
2008-02-17 16:00:00 Pokemon Valentine's Day Lollipop Recall edA Maryland-based candymaker who says he imported a Valentine's Day lollilop named after Pokemon is recalling the treats after metal fragments were said to have been found in at least two lollipops sold in Central Florida.Sherwood Brands of Maryland said it is recalling all of its Pokemon Valentine Cards and Pops, which have been pulled from the shelves of thousands of stores across the country.A law enforcement official in Florida said roughly 20 lollipos were seized from Kathleen Elementary School in Lakeland, Fla. but only one lolliop definitely had metal, which appeared to be a staple, which had been baked inside the lollipop.A woman claimed that a lollilop she purchased from the same brand had a metal that resembled parts of a razor blade.While the Food and Drug Administration is looking into the matter, wire reports said that a dollar store chain which has more than 8,000 stores nationwide, Dollar General, was pulling the lollilops fro...
IF YOU USE GOOGLE ADSENSE, WATCH OUT!
2008-02-17 01:57:00 I just want to warn everyone about Google 's Ad-Sense. I had heard all kinds of complaints about them closing people's accounts right after they reach the $100 point needed to receive payment and now they have done exactly that to me!!!It has taken me months to reach that point and just before I would have received my first payment they notify me that my account has been closed due to click fraud. Bull!!!!!! They get free advertising then claim you've had illegal click activity and close your account so they don't have to pay you anything! They keep what you have rightfully earned.I hope everyone that reads this drops Google ads if they are running them on their sites.~Sandy G. More About: Watch , Adsense , Google Adsense
HOW MUCH SODIUM IS TOO MUCH? IT DEPENDS
2008-02-16 18:12:00 Salt in the diet can cause blood pressure problemsWhile on a business visit to the office of ConsumerAffairs.com's health adviser, Dr. Henry Fishman last summer, I spied a blood pressure cuff on a nearby table.I had battled high blood pressure for years, but nothing I did resulted in acceptable readings. I had lost weight, started exercising, but wasn't yet on any medication."Hey, would you take my blood pressure?" I asked.He applied the cuff to my left arm and squeezed the bulb, forcing air into it. As the air slowly escaped, he looked me in the eye and spoke, both as a doctor and a longtime friend."Do you have a will?" he asked.I must have looked startled because he added, "look, you can do something about this or you can die of a heart attack in five years, it's up to you."Lethal levelMy blood pressure, he told me, was 160/101 – a level he called "lethal." I took his advice and saw my doctor, who agreed I needed to do something and prescribed 40 minutes of exercise four days... More About: Sodium
RECALLS
2008-02-15 13:58:00 Netshops Recalls Children's Table and Chair SetsNetshops is recalling children's table and chair sets because they contain lead paint.The recalled table and chair sets are natural colored. The table is either round or rectangular, has a shelf under the table and includes two chairs. Model number ALZ024-3 or ALZ023-3 is printed on the packaging.The tables were sold by Netshops.com from November 2007 through December 2007 for between $100 and $130. They were made in China.Consumers should immediately take the table and chair set away from children. Netshops is offering consumers a full refund. Netshops has directly contacted consumers who purchased the table and chairsets.Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Netshops toll-free at (866) 558-9485 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site, http://www.netshops.com/.http://www.consu meraffairs.com/recalls04/2008/netshops_ta ble.htmlChristmas Tree Shops Recalls Tea Light CandlesChrist...
GREAT LAKES REGION A POTENTIAL GRAVEYARD
2008-02-15 13:45:00 Report: Government blocking study that could save millionsIf you live in any of the eight Great Lakes states, you may be facing serious health risks.The Center for Public Integrity, a non-profit Washington, D.C. investigative organization, says it has access to explosive government research, hitherto unknown, that more than nine million people who live in the more than two dozen Great Lakes states —including such major metropolitan areas as Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, and Milwaukee — may face elevated health risks from being exposed to dioxin, PCBs, pesticides, lead, mercury, or six other hazardous pollutants.The group cites a 400-plus-page study, Public Health Implications of Hazardous Substances in the Twenty-Six U.S. Great Lakes Areas of Concern, which was undertaken by a division of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at the request of the International Joint Commission, an independent bilateral organization that advises the U.S. and Canadian governments on the u... More About: Graveyard , Region
BOTULISM RECALL EXPANDED AGAIN
2008-02-15 13:22:00 Risk of botulism from additional canned New Era productsNew Era Canning Company, New Era, Mich., is broadening its nationwide recall of canned vegetable products for a third time because of the potential for its foods to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum (C. botulinum).C. botulinum produces the toxin that causes botulism and can cause life-threatening illness or death. The affected New Era products are large institutional-sized cans, weighing between six and seven pounds, of various types of beans, blackeye peas, and asparagus.To date, no illnesses have been reported to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). However, consumers should not consume these products, even if they appear to be normal, because of the potential serious risk to health.Consumers who have the affected products, or who have used them in recipes, should immediately throw the cans and food away.The potentially contaminated products are marketed under ten different brand names:• Classic Sysco• Code•... More About: Recall
GROUPS WARN BABY BOTTLES LEACH TOXIC SUBSTANCE
2008-02-15 13:02:00 BPA leaches from plastic bottles when heated, report arguesDozens of state and national environmental health organizations in the U.S. and Canada are calling for an immediate moratorium on the use of bisphenol A (BPA) in baby bottles and other food and beverage containers, based on the results of a new study that they say demonstrates the toxic chemical BPA leaches from popular plastic baby bottles when heated.BPA, a synthetic sex hormone that mimics estrogen, is used to make hard polycarbonate plastic. Ninety-five percent of all baby bottles on the market are made with BP, according to the study.The results of the U.S. study show that, when new bottles are heated, those manufactured by Avent, Evenflo, Dr. Brown's and Disney/First Years leached between 4.7 - 8.3 parts per billion of BPA.Recent research on animals shows that BPA can be harmful by disrupting development at doses below these levels. The bottles were purchased at retailers across the country in nine states: Babies"R"Us... More About: Baby , Groups , Toxic , Bottles
WEB SURFERS SEEK JUSTICE ONLINE
2008-02-14 14:10:00 Dispute resolution Web sites offer quick settlementsShakespeare wasn't thinking of the Internet when he suggested killing all the lawyers. But the bard's idea has staying power and some Web surfers are coming up with novel ways to seek justice -- without ever having to drag themselves to the steps of a courthouse with a pricey lawyer in tow.Ironically, it was a retired judge in suburban Maryland who dreamed up a way for warring factions to resolve their petty issues online. The judge started what he calls VirtualCourthouse.com, a Web site that allows parties to work out their differences online with an arbitrator or mediator. You might call it "Judge Judy.com."The judge estimates that about 70 percent of civil cases can be resolved this way, in less time and at lower cost than traditional litigation.Link to complete story: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/200 8/02/courthouse.html~Sandy G. More About: Justice , Online , Seek
STUDY: LARGE-BREASTED WOMEN MORE DIABETES-PRONE
2008-02-13 15:24:00 Researchers advise against preventive surgeryA new study in the Canadian Medical Association Journal claims that women with larger breasts have a 68 percent higher chance of developing diabetes by middle age than their small-breasted counterparts.The study was conducted among female nurses in the United States over 10 years. The goal was to examine whether there was a link between breast development and diabetes among women.The study claims that women who develop big breasts by the age of 20 are at 68 percent higher risk of developing the disease in later years.Dr. Joel Ray, professor of medicine at the University of Toronto and a clinician-scientist at the local St Michael's Hospital, said this was "the broad conclusion" of his research team on the basis on the study that was published on Tuesday.Link to complete story: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/200 8/01/diabetes_breast_size.html~Sandy G. More About: Women , Study , Diabetes , Large , Breasted
STUDY FINDS DRUG NAME MIX-UPS COMMON
2008-02-13 15:06:00 Top 10 drugs all make the mix-up listThe rate of drug name mix-ups has more than doubled since 2004, according to a new report from the US Pharmacopeia.The group, which regulates the generic names of drugs and advises pharmaceutical companies, reviewed more than 26,000 records and identified 1,470 unique drugs involved in errors due to similar brand or generic names."Together, these drug names contributed to more than 3,170 pairs — nearly double the 1,750 product pairs appearing on USP's 2004 list," the organization said in a statement."According to this report's findings, 1.4% of the errors resulted in patient harm, including seven that may have caused or contributed to patient deaths."The top 10 drugs sold in the US in 2006 all made the mix-up list, including cholesterol drug Lipitor, heart drugs Toprol and Norvasc, antidepressant Lexapro, stomach acid pill Nexium and asthma drug Singulair. The USP researchers said 519 facilities reported on 176,409 errors in 2006."The percent... More About: Study , Common , Drug
NEW YORK TOPS ANIMAL CRUELTY LIST
2008-02-13 14:15:00 Report ranks labs that inflict pain on research animalsAn animal rights group ranks New York , Iowa and Maryland as the states whose research labs inflict the most pain on animals.Stop Animal Exploitation Now (SAEN) said its list is incomplete because labs routinely lie to regulators about what goes on behind closed doors."Supposedly reputable facilities are simply lying to both the federal government and the American people," said Michael A. Budkie, A.H.T., Executive Director of SAEN. "Experiments which subject animals to extreme confinement, electric shocks or severe hunger and thirst are often not counted as causing pain or distress."Based on USDA information for unrelieved pain in experimental animals, here is the ranking and the number of animals who were caused pain in labs:1. NY - 13,1742. IA - 12,0883. MD - 7,2824. MI - 6,0655. GA - 5,4416. TX - 3,4827. UT - 2,9888. MO - 3,2119. NJ - 2,85710. MA - 2,510 These statistics are based on the recently-posted USDA Animal Welfare Enf... More About: Tops , List
BLOOD PRESSURE: WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW CAN KILL YOU
2008-02-13 14:02:00 Millions aren't aware of link to heart attack and stroke Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is called "the silent killer." There are no obvious symptoms, but millions of people have it. Many eventually die of a heart attack or stroke.While most people are aware that high blood pressure is not healthy, a new survey by the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors has found only 50 percent are aware of the association with heart attack and stroke.The survey found that 72 percent of Americans are aware of the multiple factors contributing to high blood pressure, including obesity, lack of exercise, salt intake and alcohol consumption. Yet, only 42 percent associate high blood pressure with stroke and heart attack.High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease, but it can be controlled through medication, diet and exercise, according to the American Heart Association.The survey also found that 76 percent of Americans are not worried about getting high blood pre... More About: Blood , Kill , Blood pressure
FDA ISSUES WARNING ABOUT EPILEPSY DRUGS
2008-02-13 13:49:00 Risk of suicidal thoughts found in numerous drugsThe U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning that patients who take drugs called antiepileptics to treat epilepsy, bipolar disorder, migraine headaches, and other conditions run an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors."We want health care professionals to have the most up to date drug safety information," said Russell Katz, M.D., director of the Division of Neurology Products in FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.An FDA analysis of suicidality reports from placebo-controlled studies of 11 antiepileptic drugs shows that patients taking these drugs have about twice the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors (0.43 percent), compared with patients receiving placebo (0.22 percent).Patients who are currently taking antiepileptic medicines should not make any changes without first talking to their health care provider.Health care providers should notify patients, their families, and caregivers of the potential f... More About: Drugs , Issues , Warning , Epilepsy
ON DEMAND, ON TIME AND FOR A FEE, AN ARMY OF TUTORS APPEARS
2008-02-13 13:08:00 JEN cut her pie into 12 pieces and ate 9, and then Louisa cut her pie into 8 pieces and ate 6, which for some reason prompted me to open a bottle of white wine and drink two glasses.Fifth-grade homework is killing me. I had hoped to get better at it by the time my third child turned 10. Instead, as my daughter Clementine pulled out a worksheet the other day, I started to squirm resentfully.“Trevor and Philip like pie, too,” Clementine informed me, reading aloud. “Trevor ate three-fourths of an apple pie, one-eighth of a pumpkin pie, five-eighths of a blueberry pie and — Mom, are you paying attention?”Not really. I hate math. And Trevor is a little glutton who’s headed for a stomachache and possibly obesity.But I couldn’t say so. Clementine already complains that she’s not good at math. If I don’t pretend to enjoy these pie-eating antics, how can I get her to believe that converting fractions to percentages is fun?“Let’s take a five-minute break,” Clementine s... More About: Time , Army , Demand , On Demand
ART PRIZE AND AWARD
2008-02-12 15:30:00 This was given to me by Tammy from Mom Knows Everything. Thank you Tammy!I have copied and pasted the following instructions and explanation from Mom Knows Everything:Art Prize and Award "This prize has arisen from the daily visits that I dedicate to many blogs which nourish me and enrich me with creativity. In them I see dedication, creativity, care, comradeship, but mainly, ART, much art. I want to share this prize with all those bloggers that entertain me day to day and to share this prize with those who enrich me every day. Doubtlessly, there are many and it will be hard to pick just a few, the people I will name today deserve this prize, as do the very long serious list of bloggers I also enjoy to read, but I will name the first 10 and will leave the rest of the work to all the bloggers that visit other's blogs and are nourished by them."The rules of passing on this award are as follows:- post award in your own blog: Jaye and Robyn- indicate its origin and a link to the sight: ...
CAUTION: SCAM WARNING IS A SCAM
2008-02-12 15:16:00 'Warning ' asks bank customers to call a toll-free numberYou've got to hand it to those identity thieves – they're usually a step ahead of the banks whose customers are their primary targets.When a spam email went out last month, disguised as a message from Valley National Bank's security department, the bank quickly responded, posting a warning on its Web site."A fraudulent e-mail has circulated to some Valley customers claiming that the bank has temporarily suspended their account due to "Billing Failure," the warning states. "This e-mail also provides a link to click on in order to complete an account update to unlock their account."The bank, which has 175 branches in New York and New Jersey, says the e-mails are not legitimate and says they should be deleted. It points out that clicking on the link will take victims to a bogus site where they will be asked to reveal username, password, and other sensitive data.Link to complete story: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2.. . More About: Scam
LOVE BUG HITS THE INTERNET
2008-02-12 15:00:00 Those seeking love online may wind up with a virus insteadAnti-virus authorities in China have warned computer users worldwide to beware of Valentine's Day computer viruses.Valentine's Day computer viruses, especially “Vbs_Valentin.A,” spread chiefly through emails or online chat systems; Xinhua quoted China National Computer Virus Emergency Response Center experts, as saying.According to experts, other viruses like “Worm-blebla.B” and “VBS-ILove you” are also likely to attack computers if users open emails or attachments disguised with Valentine blessings for February 14.The W32.Yaha.K@mm virus is also known as the Valentine's Day virus. W32.Yaha.K@mm is the latest in a long string W32.Yaha virus that have been discovered over the last year. The latest version may include a payload (i.e. attachment) of a screensaver that is named Valentin.scr. Unfortunately, the message it delivers is not warm-fuzzies from a loved one, but pain and suffering from a virus author.W32.Ya... More About: Internet , Hits , The Internet
HAZARDS OF RENT-A-CAR CHILD SAFETY SEATS
2008-02-12 14:42:00 Consumer makes noise about illegal, unsafe seats; gets resultsParents traveling with young children face more challenges than they used to. When they rent a car, for example, they also have to rent a child safety seat. They depend on the car rental agency to offer a safe and reliable seat, but shouldn't just assume they'll get one, as consumer Debbie Dubrow discovered.Dubrow, her husband and two small children flew from Seattle to San Diego in December, renting a car and two child safety seats from Advantage Rent A Car. The seats, she says, had obvious problems."Some seats were obviously missing parts. Some were obviously very old," she told ConsumerAffairs.com. "We installed two of the better looking seats thinking that they were okay only to find that they were not working."One was missing the top part of the harness that would secure the child in a crash, the other had a seatbelt that wouldn't tighten enough to secure our child. It took us quite some time to find working seats... More About: Safety , Child Safety , Child , Rent-a-car
ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS LINKED TO WEIGHT GAIN
2008-02-12 14:27:00 Cutting the connection between sweets and calories may confuse the bodyWant to lose weight? It might help to pour that diet soft drink down the drain.A study appearing in the February issue of Behavioral Neuroscience cites laboratory evidence that the widespread use of no-calorie sweeteners may actually make it harder for people to control their intake and body weight.Psychologists at Purdue University’s Ingestive Behavior Research Center reported that compared with rats that ate yogurt sweetened with sugar, those given yogurt sweetened with zero-calorie saccharin later consumed more calories, gained more weight, put on more body fat, and didn’t make up for it by cutting back later.Authors Susan Swithers, PhD, and Terry Davidson, PhD, theorize that by breaking the connection between a sweet sensation and high-calorie food, the use of saccharin changes the body’s ability to regulate intake. That change depends on experience.Problems with self-regulation might explain in part wh... More About: Weight
FORD RECALLS 57,000 MORE TRUCKS, SUVS FOR FIRE HAZARD
2008-02-12 14:13:00 Latest recall unrelated to other fire-related Ford recallsFord Motor Co. is recalling another 57,199 trucks and SUVs warning that the vehicles might catch fire because of a design flaw.The latest Ford fire recall covers 2006 and 2007 trucks and SUV equipped with the 5.4 liter engine. They are the 2006-2007 E-150, E-250, E-350 trucks and the 2007 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator.The fire hazard in the Ford vehicles is caused by the fuel rail cross-over hose, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).NHTSA reports that the hose may crack, which could cause a fuel odor or a fuel leak. “Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire,” NHTSA warns.The recall is the latest in a lengthy series of Ford recalls to repair engineering errors that could cause a car or truck to catch fire. Ford has recalled almost 11 million vehicles beginning with the 1992 model year to repair fire hazard flaws in the cruise control system and an... More About: Trucks , Fire , Hazard
RECALLS
2008-02-12 13:58:00 GE Recalls Gas Dryers Due to Shock HazardGE is recalling about 2,100 GE gas clothes dryers. A short circuit in the dryer's wiring poses a shock hazard to consumers with ungrounded dryers.The recalled gas dryers are 42 inches tall (back with backsplash) and 27 inches wide, and were sold in white. GE gas dryers model number DWXR463GGWW with serial numbers starting with AM, TL, SL, VL, and ZL are included in this recall. To find the model and serial numbers, open the dryer door and look in the upper right corner, in the area that was covered by the door.The dryers, made in Canada, were sold by retail stores and authorized builder distributors nationwide from September 2006 through October 2007 for about $440.Consumers should stop using the recalled dryers immediately, unplug the dryer, and contact GE for further instructions and to schedule a free, in-home inspection and repair. GE is directly contacting consumers who purchased the recalled dryers.For additional information, contact G...
AIR PURIFIERS UNDER SCRUTINY AGAIN
More articles from this author:2008-02-11 15:15:00 Ozone-emitting devices may be a health hazardSounds strange but the very device you put in your master bedroom to clear the air may in fact be creating more pollution.The Wall Street Journal reports in today's editions that air purifiers may produce a highly-reactive ozone gas, that while being beneficial as a filter of harmful ultra-violet rays, may also be serving as a pollutant on the ground.Air purifiers have been a source of controversy for years. In 2005, Consumer Reports magazine said that even the best air cleaner can be a frivolous investment and said there was little evidence that the devices will reduce the effect of indoor pollutants for those with asthma or allergies."Ozone is considered a toxic gas by the EPA, and its adverse effects include lung damage, exacerbated asthma symptoms and, at high levels of exposure, an increased risk of death," said the WSJ report.Consumer Reports has reported previously that people with asthma or respiratory allergies are especially se... More About: Scrutiny 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
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