The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide

How to prevent burns in the kitchen

 
  
This morning when I was cooking cream of rice cereal, the mixture bubbled up and splashed on my finger, resulting in a burn.

The remedy? Stir food you’re cooking with a long-handled spoon. I was using a large spoon, but it wasn’t long enough to keep my hand out of harm’s way.

A number of things can be done to prevent t burns in the kitchen, reports the article "Making the Kitchen Safe and Accessible: Preventing Burns and Falls" on the Washington State University Extension Web site. Tips for consumers include:

• Make certain the range is located so that curtains can’t fall onto the burner.

• Don’t hang towels on oven handles close to a burner.

• Turn pan handles away from other burners and the edge of the range when you cook.

• Don’t wear garments with long, loose sleeves when cooking. Roll back your sleeves or use a rubber band to keep sleeves from dropping down on hot surfaces or flames.

• Don’t store cooking utensils above the range, as you’ll have to reach over flames or hot burners to retrieve them.

• Keep hot pads and pan holders near the range.

• Use a safety hook to slide the baking rack out in order to retrieve hot foods so you don’t burn yourself.

• Operate the microwave only when food is in it.

• Unplug small appliances when not in use.

• Keep a fire extinguisher near the stove. Make sure you know how to use it and that it’s properly charged.

• Cover any exposed hot water pipes under the sink.

• Make sure the smoke alarms in your home work. To help remember to keep fresh batteries, mark replacement dates on your calendar yearly. Many people change batteries on the day daylight savings time begins each spring.

Remember, safety first when you’re cooking in the kitchen.

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Recall of the Week: Paula Deen cast iron cookware

 

About 51,000 Paula Deen® hammered cast iron pans and griddles are being recalled, reports the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Manufactured in China, distributed by Meyer Trading Co. Ltd., of Hong Kong, and sold by retailer QVC Inc., of West Chester, Pa., the recalled cookware can crack or shatter, posing burn and laceration hazards to consumers, according to the commission.

QVC and Meyer Trading have received 79 reports of the cookware cracking or shattering while heated. One consumer reported a minor burn injury to an arm.

The recall involves the Paula Deen® 11-inch cast iron grill pans and griddles. They were sold as QVC item numbers K14984, K11970, and K135024. The black cookware has the Paula Deen® logo and the product size engraved on the bottom.

No other Paula Deen® cookware is involved in this recall.

The recalled cookware was sold through QVC’s televised shopping programs, its Web site www.qvc.com, and QVC retail and employee stores from October 2007 through July 2009 for between $35 and $55.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled cookware, the commission advises. Known purchasers were mailed instructions for obtaining a full refund. Consumers who purchased the cookware at a QVC store should return it to any QVC store for a full refund.

For additional information, contact QVC at 800-367-9444 between 7 a.m. and 1 a.m. ET any day, or visit the company’s Web site at www.qvc.com.

To learn more about recalled products, see www.recalls.gov.

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Secure furniture, TVs, and appliances to prevent tip-over injuries and deaths to children

Parents and grandparents need to take simple steps to make sure that furniture, television sets, and appliances are secured to prevent injuries and deaths when these items fall on children.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that in 2006, 16,300 children 5 years old and younger were treated in emergency rooms because of injuries associated with television, furniture, and appliance tip-overs. Between 2000 and 2006, the commission received reports of 134 tip-over related deaths.

In addition, there have been at least 30 media reports of tip-over deaths since January 2007 involving this same age group.

"Many parents are unaware of the deadly danger of this hidden hazard," said commission Chairman Inez Tenenbaum in announcing the agency’s tip-over prevention campaign. "I urge parents to include securing televisions, furniture, and appliances in their childproofing efforts. Taking a few moments now can prevent a tip-over tragedy later."

"You may think your home is safe, but everyday things like a television can hurt your child," said Sylvia Santiago, of West Haven, Conn., who lost her two-year old daughter in 2008. "I was right there, and it happened."

Injuries and deaths occur when children climb onto, fall against, or pull themselves up on TV stands, shelves, bookcases, dressers, desks, chests, and appliances. In some cases, televisions placed on top of furniture tip over and cause a child to suffer traumatic and sometimes fatal injuries.

"The most devastating injuries that we see resulting from furniture tipping on children are injuries to the brain and when a child is trapped under a heavy piece of furniture and suffocates," said Gary Smith, MD, DrPH, director of the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.

Recent revisions to the voluntary safety standards for clothes storage units provide for the inclusion of warning labels and additional hardware to secure the furniture to the floor or wall, reports the commission.

To help prevent tip-over hazards, the agency offers the following safety tips:

Furniture should be stable on its own. For added security, anchor chests or dressers, TV stands, bookcases, and entertainment units to the floor or attach them to a wall.

• Place TVs on a sturdy, low-rise base. Avoid flimsy shelves.

• Push the TV as far back as possible.

• Place electrical cords out of a child’s reach, and teach kids not to play with them.

• Keep remote controls and other attractive items off the TV stand so kids won’t be tempted to grab for them and risk knocking the television over.

• Make sure free-standing ranges and stoves are installed with anti-tip brackets.

Be sure to add these important steps to your childproofing efforts. It may take an hour or two and cost money for straps and brackets, but it’s worth it to prevent an injury or save a child’s life.

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide Recall of the Week: Frigidaire and Kenmore elite smoothtop electric ranges

 

About 200,000 Frigidaire and Kenmore Elite smoothtop electric ranges are being recalled, reports the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Manufactured by Frigidaire, a division of Electrolux Home Products Inc., of Augusta, Ga., the surface heating elements can:

• Turn on spontaneously without being switched on.

• Fail to turn off after being switched off.

• Heat to different temperatures than selected.

These failures pose a fire and burn hazard to consumers, according to the commission.

Frigidaire has received 126 reports of incidents, including four reports of minor burns and two reports of minor property damage.

The recall involves Frigidaire, Frigidaire Gallery, Frigidaire Professional, and Kenmore Elite smoothtop electric ranges with rotary knobs and digital displays. See the commission’s news release for the model and serial numbers that are included in the recall.

The model and serial number can be found by opening the range drawer at the base of the unit.

Manufactured in the United States, the ranges were sold at Sears and other national chain and independent retailers nationwide from June 2001 through August 2009 for between $1,000 and $2,500.

Consumers should stop using the recalled ranges immediately and contact Frigidaire or Sears to schedule a free repair, the commission advises.

For additional information, contact Frigidaire at 800-449-9812 between 8 a.m. and midnight ET Monday through Saturday or visit the firm’s recall Web site at www.smoothtoprangerecall.com.

Consumers who purchased their products at Sears should call Sears at 800-449-9810 between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. ET Monday through Saturday.

To find out about other recalls, see www.recalls.gov.

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide Recall of the Week: Crosley, Frigidaire, Kelvinator, Kenmore, Wascomat, and White-Westinghouse clothes washers

About 35,000 Crosley, Frigidaire, Kelvinator, Kenmore, Wascomat, and White-Westinghouse clothes washers are being recalled, reports the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Manufactured in the United States and distributed by Frigidaire, of Cleveland, Ohio, the washer’s pump has an internal defect that can cause heat to build up, posing a fire hazard to the consumer.

No incidents or injuries have been reported.

This recall involves the Crosley, Frigidaire, Kelvinator, Kenmore, Wascomat, and White-Westinghouse top load washers, 3.1 cubic foot front-load washers and laundry centers.

Click here for information on model and serial numbers.

Model and serial numbers can be located as follows:

Top load washer: open the product’s lid, and the model and serial number are located inside the product’s lid, on the top, right hand corner.

Front-load washer: open the door, and the model and serial number are located with other information at the top, center.

Laundry center: open the door to the dryer, and the model and serial number are located on the outer edge of the door nearest the door’s handle.

The washers and laundry centers were sold at Sears and other retailers nationwide from February 2009 through May 2009 for between $300 and $1,100.

Consumers should immediately unplug and stop using the machine, advises the commission. Consumers should contact Frigidaire or Sears – if unit was purchased there – to schedule a free repair.

For additional information, contact Frigidaire at 800-734-4519 between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m. ET Monday through Saturday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.laundrypumprecall.com.

For consumers who purchased their product at Sears, call Sears’ toll free at 888-549-5870 between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. ET Monday through Saturday, or visit Sears’ Web site at www.sears.com.

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Where to buy appliances

Should consumers go to an independent appliance retailer, a big box, a department store, or a warehouse club to buy a new appliance?

Consumer Reports surveyed about 25,000 subscribers about their latest experiences buying large and small appliances.

It came up with these tips:

• Start the search online. Many of the consumers surveyed had success buying small appliances using the Internet.

• Keep pace with the promos. Watch for sales in the newspaper and sign up for e-mail alerts and on manufacturers’ Web sites.

• Don’t be shy about haggling. Only 10 percent of consumers buying small appliances and 33 percent of those buying large appliances tried to negotiate the price. About 75 percent of consumers who tried succeeded.

• Beware of the trade-offs. Consumers surveyed reported problems at Wal-Mart with narrow aisles, missing price tags, and long checkout lines and at Costco with limited service, selection, and checkout.

• Skip the extended warranties. Most appliances don’t break down during the extended warranty period, according to Consumer Reports.

For information on which appliance to buy, see the August 2009 issue of Consumer Reports for ratings on ranges, cooktops, wall ovens, refrigerators, microwaves, dishwashers, garbage disposers, showerheads, and toilets. Copies are available at libraries and newsstands. Or subscribe to the magazine's online service at ConsumerReports.org.

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide Recall of the Week: Intermatic In-wall Electronic Timers

About 240,000 Intermatic Model ST01 and EI600 In-wall Electronic Timers are being recalled.

Manufactured in Mexico by Intermatic Inc., of Spring Grove, Ill., the timers pose a shock hazard to consumers, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports.

When consumers trying to replace the timer’s battery place a metal object through the battery tray slot, the object can reach internal metal contacts, and a shock could occur.

The firm has received 12 reports of consumers receiving a minor shock while changing the timer’s battery.

This recall involves the Intermatic In-wall Electronic Timers with model numbers ST01, ST01C, ST01AC, ST01AC70, ST01C70, ST01CL, EI600C, EI600LAC, EI600LAC8, EI600WC, and EI600WC8.

The timer is a lamp and appliance timer, and it usually takes the place of a standard wall switch. The timer is white, off-white, or almond and measures 2 1/2 inches high by 1 3/4 inches wide.

Model numbers can be found on the packaging and on the instructions. In-wall timers are included in this recall if:

• The brand name “Intermatic” is molded on the front of the timer cover door.

• The timer has only four keypad buttons.

• There is no 3-digit date code, for example, “04C,” stamped on the inside of the timer cover door. Timers with a 3-digit date code stamped on the inside of the timer cover door aren’t included in this recall.

The recalled timers were sold at retailers and electrical distributors nationwide from March 2007 through June 2009 for between $25 and $45.

Consumers shouldn’t attempt to change the in-wall timer’s battery until they receive a free repair kit, the commission advises. Consumers need to contact Intermatic to obtain the kit with installation instructions.

For information on how to obtain the kit, call Intermatic toll-free at 877-417-4316 anytime or visit the firm’s Web site at www.intermatic.com.

For more information on recent recalls, see www.recalls.gov.

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Do you save money shopping at Costco or another warehouse club?

Last year, I joined Costco because an article in Consumer Reports suggested you might be able to get a good deal on a computer.

This year I joined again because I wanted to see if I could get a low price on eyeglasses.

So now that I have a membership, what should I do with it? I have a small family, so buying huge containers of food isn’t a practical consumer choice.

The Consumer Reports article, “Costco vs. Sam’s Club: New Reasons to Join or Switch” on ConsumerReports.org was helpful.

It said warehouse clubs make their money on memberships and have a lower mark up than other stores. However, you may find better deals at supermarkets on specials because they’re sold at a loss to attract consumers.

Costco and Sam’s Club buy items directly from the manufacturer to get cheaper prices. That means you won’t find wide variety of brands, for example, there may only be one brand of raisin bran cereal.

Although you may find large ticket items such as sofas and appliances, you can’t count on finding them in the store the next time you shop.

These practices can lead consumers to overspend, the article states.

If you control the urge to spend, the article says, club membership can pay off. Here are tips to help you shop at warehouse clubs:

• Make a list and stick to it.

• Know how to identify super-bargains. At Costco, “.97” at the end of a price generally indicates discontinued or slow-moving products. At Sam’s, a “C” at the end of the item number denotes a canceled item.

• Compare the club’s unit prices to those at your supermarket for heavily discounted staples. Supermarkets might be less expensive.

• For big-ticket items, compare the club price to that of other retailers by going to sites such as PriceGrabber.com or BizRate.

• Consider splitting large buys with friends. Otherwise, don’t buy in bulk perishables or medications with a short shelf life – check the expiration dates. You’ll end up tossing a lot away.

• Try unfamiliar products judiciously. You don’t want to get stuck with, say, a gallon of Brand X Vidalia onion salad dressing.

• Pay with cash; it’s a reality check on how much you’re spending.

• Shop on weekdays, preferably when the store opens or in midafternoon. That’s when crowds tend to be lighter.

• Not sure about joining? In many states you can request a day pass at Sam's Club and pay a surcharge, typically 10 percent over what members pay. Costco used to have a similar program, but discontinued it. Now, only members can purchase there.

Here are other articles to help you evaluate warehouse clubs:

“Does Costco Make Your Wallet Look Fat?” – KOMONews.com

“Buying Bargains in Bulk, Without Breaking the Bank” – The Seattle Times

“Five Ways to Whip Inflation When You Shop at a Warehouse Club” – Kiplinger.com

“A Comparison of Sam’s Club and Costco” – Associated Content.com

“Are Warehouse Clubs Like Costco or Sam’s Club Worth It?” – My Money Blog

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide Recall of the Week: Black & Decker brand Spacemaker™ coffeemakers

About 584,000 Black & Decker brand Spacemaker™ coffeemakers are being recalled.

Manufactured in China and distributed by Applica Consumer Products Inc., of Miramar, Fla., the brew basket of the coffeemaker can shift out of alignment allowing hot water to overflow, reports U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. This poses a scalding and burn hazard to consumers.

The firm has received 235 reports of hot water overflowing and contacting consumers, including 10 reports of second-degree burns.

The Black & Decker brand Spacemaker™ coffeemaker has an under-cabinet mount, programmable digital clock/timer, removable water reservoir, and either a 12-cup glass carafe or an 8-cup thermal carafe.

Model numbers ODC440, ODC440B, ODC450, and ODC460 are included in the recall. The model number can be located on the back of the coffeemaker.

The coffeemaker was sold at major retailers nationwide, including K-Mart, Kohl’s, Target, Wal-Mart, Bed, Bath & Beyond, and Amazon.com from March 2006 through March 2009 for between $60 and $70.

Consumers should stop using the recalled coffeemaker immediately and contact Applica for a free replacement brew basket, the commission advises.

For additional information, consumers should contact Applica toll-free at 866-668-4442 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm's Web site at www.acprecall.com.

For more information on recalls, see www.Recalls.gov.

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

How did you do in the switch to digital TV?

Since I signed up for Comcast last year, I wasn’t affected by change from analog signals to digital TV or DTV on June 12.

However, I have an old TV set. The Comcast technician hooked me up through my DVD player because my TV didn’t have the right plug ins. I’m not able to watch DVDs now, so I need to call about how to get that fixed.

I may need to buy a new TV set.

The switch to digital TV on Friday went off without any major hitches, the Federal Communications Commission reported in the article “Switch to Digital Television (DTV) Went Remarkably Well” on GovCentral.com.

More than 900 full-power TV stations shut down their analog signals on Friday, and they now broadcast only digital signals.

The analog shutdown affected 20 million TV households in the U.S. that received signals over the air, not via cable or satellite.

Acting Federal Communications Commission Chairman Michael Copps described the handling of the transition as a major success for the government, which has been planning the switch for more than a decade.

“For TV broadcasting, it was a final farewell to the Dinosaur Age and the dawn of the Digital Age,” Copps said in a prepared statement.

However, ConsumerAffairs.com said millions of taxpayers fumed as the 60-year era of high-powered, free, over-the-air television faded abruptly to black or, in some cases, broke up into tiny digital fractals.

The commission received nearly 800,000 calls from citizens complaining they had lost their free TV signals as the nation's TV broadcasters switched to digital transmission on a different set of frequencies than those that have been in use since the early days of commercial television.

The largest volume of calls per TV household among markets registering 1,000 or more calls came from the Chicago media market, followed by the Dallas-Fort Worth, New York, Philadelphia, and Baltimore markets.

While the focus has been on the analog-to-digital transition, the change in frequency bands is a more significant contributor to the problem, according to ConsumerAffairs.com. Hundreds of broadcasters had to move because the federal government auctioned off the frequencies formerly used by VHF broadcasters for several billion dollars a few years ago.

The new frequency band assigned to TV broadcasters doesn't have the power the old one did. Therefore, those in the far reaches of suburbia are suddenly finding they can't get a decent signal.

Many close-in urban dwellers have for years been able to get by with a set of "rabbit ears," inside antennas that can pull in a strong local signal. But the new frequencies don't penetrate buildings as well as the old ones, so the rabbit ears no longer "hear" anything.

Even though D-Day for DTV has occurred, the government still is offering two $40 coupons per household for converter boxes. But you have to act fast because the coupon program is ending on July 31.

For more information you can contact the FCC’s hotline: 888-CALL-FCC or go to www.dtv.gov.

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist