The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide

Recall of the Week: Blair expands chenille robe recall, additional deaths reported

If you have an elderly mom, take the time to check her chenille bathrobes and jackets to make sure they aren’t the ones subject to recent recalls.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the retailer Blair LLC, of Warren, Pa., are expanding Blair’s voluntary recall of women’s full-length chenille robes to include additional chenille robes and three other chenille products all manufactured by A-One Textile & Towel.

The commission and Blair also are re-announcing the earlier recall of women’s robes.

In April 2009, Blair recalled 162,000 chenille robes after it learned of three robes catching on fire, including one report of second-degree burns.

Blair then received several reports of deaths allegedly due to robes catching fire. This prompted a second news release in June 2009 to again alert consumers to the burn hazard for the chenille robes.

After this re-announcement, Blair received four additional reports of deaths allegedly due to the robes catching fire. Three of these victims were cooking and a fourth was tending a pellet stove; three of the four victims were in their 80s and one was in her 70s.

All nine reported deaths occurred prior to the April 2009 announcement of the recall.

Blair has received one report involving one of the additional garments described below catching fire; no injuries have been reported related to these garments. Blair decided to expand the recall to include all women’s chenille wearing apparel manufactured by A-One Textile & Towel, the commission reports.

About 138,000 Full Length Women’s Chenille Robes, Women’s Chenille Jacket, Women’s Chenille Lounge Jacket, and Women’s Chenille Top are being recalled; 162,000 items were previously recalled in April 2009.

See the commission’s announcement for a description of these garments, the item numbers, and the colors.

A-One Textile & Towel, of Karachi, Pakistan, manufactured all of the products recalled in April 2009. Blair is expanding its recall to all women’s chenille wearing apparel manufactured by A-One.

Some of the apparel fails to meet the federal flammability standard and presents a risk of serious burns to consumers if the garments are exposed to an open flame, the commission reports.

The garments were sold in Blair’s catalogs, on its Web site, and in Blair stores in Warren, Pa., Grove City, Pa., and Wilmington, Del., from July 2000 through April 2007, at the following prices:

• Full Length Women’s Chenille Robes for about $30 to $40.

• Women’s Chenille Jacket, about $25 to $29.

• Women’s Chenille Lounge Jacket, about $20 to $23.

• Women’s Chenille Top, about $20 to $23.

Consumers are urged to stop wearing the garments immediately, the commission advises. Contact Blair LLC for information on returning the products and to receive a refund or a $50 gift card for Blair merchandise.

For more information, call Blair toll-free at 877-392-7095 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. ET Monday through Saturday, visit the firm’s Web site at www.blair.com/recall, or contact the firm by e-mail at blairproductrecall@blair.com.

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Facts and figures on Halloween 2009

The observance of Halloween, which dates back to Celtic rituals thousands of years ago, has long been associated with images of witches, ghosts, devils, and hobgoblins.

Over the years, Halloween customs and rituals have changed dramatically. When I was young, we made costumes out things we had around the house. Pirates, gypsies, and ghosts were some of our creations. Sometimes, since we did a lot of sewing in those days, we’d make special costumes.

When my kids were young, boxed Halloween costumes began to appear. They were made of thin, cheap material, but they expanded the costume possibilities significantly.

About the same time, rubber masks that looked like famous people were being sold. I remember seeing the masks of presidents Carter and Reagan and being amused.

Today, costumes are better quality and cost more. And the types and kinds available are astounding.

This year, consumers plan to spend an average of $21 on costumes, which includes children’s and pets’ costumes, reports a National Retail Federation survey. They’ll also spend $18 on candy, $15 on decorations, and $3 on greeting cards.

In total, consumers are expected to spend an average of $56 on Halloween, down from $67 last year. Total spending on the holiday is expected to reach $4.75 billion.

 Nearly one in three – 29.6 percent – consumers say the state of the U.S. economy will impact their Halloween spending plans.

Of those who will be affected, the largest majority – 88 percent – plans to spend less overall. Others say they'll be buying less candy – 46.5 percent; using last year’s decorations without buying new ones – 35.4 percent; making costumes instead of purchasing them – 16.8 percent; reusing last year’s costumes – 15.8 percent; and not participating in as many Halloween activities such as haunted houses or fall festivals – 26.4 percent.

Here are other facts and figures on Halloween 2009 from the U.S. Census Bureau

Trick or treat

36 million

The estimated number of potential trick-or-treaters in 2008 – children 5 to 13 – across the United States. This number is up about 65,000 from a year earlier.

111.4 million


Number of occupied housing units across the nation in 2008 – all potential stops for trick-or-treaters.

93%


Percentage of households with residents who consider their neighborhood safe, according to a U.S. Census Bureau Extended Measures of Well-Being: Living Conditions in the United States survey. In addition, 78 percent said there was no place within a mile of their homes where they would be afraid to walk alone at night. 


Jack-o’-lanterns and pumpkin pies

1.1 billion pounds

Total production of pumpkins by major pumpkin-producing states in 2008. Illinois led the country by producing 496 million pounds of the vined, orange gourd. Pumpkin patches in California, Pennsylvania, and New York also provided lots of pumpkins: Each state produced at least 100 million pounds. The value of all pumpkins produced by major pumpkin-producing states was $141 million.

Where to spend Halloween

Some places around the country that may put you in the Halloween mood are:

• Transylvania County, N.C. – 30,187 residents

• Tombstone, Ariz. – population 1,566

• Pumpkin Center, N.C. – population 2,228

• Pumpkin Bend, Ark. – population 307

• Cape Fear in New Hanover County, N.C. – 15,711 residents

• Cape Fear in Chatham County, N.C. – 1,170 residents

• Skull Creek, Neb. – population 271


Candy and costumes

1,233

Number of U.S. manufacturing establishments that produced chocolate and cocoa products in 2007, employing 38,794 people, and shipping $13.2 billion worth of goods. California led the nation in the number of chocolate and cocoa manufacturing establishments, with 143, followed by Pennsylvania, with 115.

466


Number of U.S. establishments that manufactured nonchocolate confectionery products in 2007. These establishments employed 18,250 people and shipped $6.6 billion worth of goods that year. California led the nation in this category, with 70 establishments.

23.8 pounds


Per capita consumption of candy by Americans in 2008.

2,011


Number of costume rental and formal wear establishments across the nation in 2007.

I hope Halloween 2009 is one of your best ever. Good luck in buying or creating a great costume, if you're going to a party or if you plan to entertain trick-or-treaters.

My next post will be on "What Do You Like to Serve for a Halloween Party."

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

What are the most popular Halloween costumes this year?

When it comes to Halloween costumes, vampires, princesses, police officers, and pirates are in, while politicians, nurses, and Batman are out, reports the National Retail Federation.

About 47 million adults and 58 million children across the country plan to dress up for Halloween this year. 

Once again, witches take the top spot for adult costumes – 18.1 percent. Vampire costumes jumped to the number two spot – 4.2 percent – from third last year.

For children, princess takes the top spot for the fifth year in a row, and 4.5 million children are expected to wear princess costumes on Halloween. An estimated two million witches, 1.3 million Spidermen, and a million pirates, pumpkins, and vampires also are expected.

Top adult costumes

1. Witch
2. Vampire
3. Pirate
4. Clown
5. Wench/tart/vixen
6. Cat
7. Devil
8. Scary costume/mask
9. Athlete
10. Police officer

Top kids costumes

1. Princess
2. Witch
3. Spider-Man
4. Pirate
5. Pumpkin
6. Vampire
7. Disney princess
8. Star Wars character
9. Tinker Bell
10. Batman

See the article “The Most Inappropriate Halloween Costumer Possible (Photos)” on The Huffington Post Web site for the latest in costumes you want to avoid.

My next post will be on "Tips for Halloween Safety."

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

What were the best and worst consumer experiences you had this week?

Recently, I launched a best and worst consumer experience feature on The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide.

I think looking weekly at these experiences helps us learn from our successes and mistakes.

Here are my most and least successful consumer transactions for this week:

My best consumer experience: Getting a good price on a new blazer

 

When I went shopping at the Gap with my daughter, I didn’t expect to buy anything for myself. However, I need some new blazers. So when I saw one I liked, I slipped it on. It fit, but the price was too much – $99.

My daughter mentioned she had a special card from the Gap that gave her 30 percent off for items not on sale and an additional 15 per cent off for sale items. That would make the blazer $70. That sounded better.

We found out when the blazer was rung up that it was on sale. With the additional 15 percent off, the price was $45. A real deal. I was happy.

My worst consumer experience: Confusion at the movie theater

My daughter and I arrived right on time for the movie at 10:45 a.m. However, no one was available to take the money for our tickets. An employee was fooling around with the design of the straps on post that show people where to line up.

After about five minutes, six people went inside to the customer service desk to buy tickets. I followed them. After a few minutes, my daughter came in, too. Then the employee who has been unhurriedly messing around went to open a ticket window. The family behind us in line at customer service dashed ahead of my daughter before she could get back to the ticket window.

Then as we approached the ticket taker inside, the first in a group of about a dozen kids got ahead of us. 

We skipped the popcorn, so we made it in time to see most of the previews and the opening of the movie.

It certainly was a strange experience to not have an employee ready to take your money at movie time.

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Tips for saving more money in tough economic times

Want to know how to cut your spending?

An article "How to Get Everything for Less" in the October issue of Good Housekeeping caught my eye. It offers five helpful suggestions for consumers.

The tips offered include:

1. Stack discounts and store sales.

Look for Web coupons, Web codes, and other discounts to use when you buy items on sale. Get on the frequent-shopper mailing and e-mail lists of stores you shop in frequently.

2. Shop in high-income zip codes.

Check out the second hand stores in these areas.

3. Learn the sales cycle.

Ask at stores what day of the week new merchandise is put out and older items marked down.

4. Weigh how to pay.

Pay in cash at thrift stores, and use a credit card for liquidators and other stores where sales are final.

5. Do some post-purchase research.

Sign up for price drop alerts, at sites such as priceprotectr.com, after you’ve made a major purchase.

For details on these money saving suggestions, get a copy October’s Good Housekeeping at your local newsstand, supermarket, or bookstore, or check your local library for a copy.

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

What were the best and worst consumer experiences you had this week?

Recently, I launched a best and worst consumer experience feature on The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide.

I think looking weekly at our best and worse experiences as consumers will help us learn from our successes and mistakes.

Each week, we have dozens of consumer happenings, some good and some bad.
Here’s one each of mine for this week:

My best consumer experience: Shopping at a 50 percent off sale

Thursday I went to Bellingham to shop at Diva Boutique, my niece Suzi’s dress shop. She was having a half-off, 10th Anniversary Sale.

It enjoyed myself tremendously. Suzi served champagne and cake. I bought a new pair of black pants and a black skirt at bargain prices.

An added bonus: I was able to visit with Suzi and her family that evening. Tyler is 5 years old and Savanah is 3. What fun.

My worst consumer experience: Spoiled dried mangoes from Safeway

Before my trip to Bellingham, I went to Safeway to buy organic nuts. I found some and also picked out a package of dried mangoes.

The Brazil nuts were old and not very tasty. However, the Tree of Life mangoes were terrible. They were fermented and smelly. I couldn’t eat them.

When I returned the mangoes, I asked to see the manager of the Safeway store. I told him that the Tree of Life nuts and dried fruit needed to be rotated more frequently.

He said nothing could be done about it. The mangoes and Brazil nuts were about two days from the expiration date.

I asked him to let the company know that I had made the complaint and that I was an unhappy customer.

I was able to obtain a refund, but the Safeway managers certainly need better customer service training. They should say, “Thank you for letting us know about this. We’ll let the company know about your complaint.”

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

What animals chew clothes?

To get the chemicals out of new clothes, I hang them outside before I wear them.

Yesterday, when I looked at a pair of capri pants I’d hung outside, I was extremely surprised to find an animal had significantly chewed one leg.

I don’t have pets. What animal would chew my clothes?

I have cats, raccoons, possums, moles, and squirrels in my yard. Dogs also may come into my yard, and last year, my neighbors saw rats.

The article “Pet Training and Behavior Topics” offers these reasons why animals chew:

• Teething: trying to relieve the gums.

• Established habit: developed over time and usually triggered by teething or other reasons.

• Boredom: the animal finds this a suitable occupation.

• Anxiety: a stress releaser.

• Curiosity or exploration: young animals explore with their mouths.

• Generalization or training by accident: inappropriate guidance or learning, sometimes generalized from the wrong toys.

• Breed predisposition: animals that are more mouthy.

• Nutritional or dietary deficiency: ingestion or chewing of odd items, sometimes known as pica.

• Mimicry: learned from others.

I found articles on the Internet that mentioned that the following animals chew on clothing: rats, dogs, raccoons, rabbits, cats, sheep, squirrels, and mice.

The teeth of rabbits and squirrels are always growing, so they chew all the time, I also learned.

I paid $10 for the capri pants on sale, so I’m not out a lot of money.

I’ll be sure anything else I hang outside is a long way from the ground.

Or, I could wear the capri pants as they are for the distressed look.

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

What to buy a baby boomer dad for father’s day

About 17 million baby boomers are fathers.

I e-mailed six boomer dads and asked what they’d like to receive for a Father’s Day present.

Computer gadgets and a Sirius satellite radio were two of the requests.

Another boomer dad wants Bill O'Reilly’s newest book, a stainless steel sauté pan, a new putter, and a barbecue with his two daughters.

One dad said it would be great if his two sons volunteered to work for three days on clean up activities for the family’s vacation cabin.

A boomer dad with young children wistfully envisions a nice quiet day with a tasty steak and cold beer at the end of the day.

Similarly, another boomer dad wants a day at the beach on his Hobie Cat 17 sailboat, good winds, a great lunch, lots of sun, and no work.

More gift ideas

Amazon.com suggests giving your dad CDs from the 1960s and 70s. Their Web page Great Gifts for Your Baby Boomer Dad also recommends books including “How to Retire Early and Live Well With Less Than a Million Dollars” and “Eight Weeks to Optimum Health: A Proven Program for Taking Full Advantage of Your Body’s Natural Healing Power.” A Canon PowerShot S100 2MP Digital ELPH Camera Kit w/ 2x Optical Zoom is another suggestion.

You can also choose from books on a list of Books for Grownups recommended by AARP and Publishers Weekly. Among the offerings are “Do-Over: In Which a Forty-Eight-Year-Old Father of Three Returns to Kindergarten, Summer Camp, the Prom, and Other Embarrassments” and “Closing Time: A Memoir.”

If you want to give your dad electronic gadgets, the article “11 Affordable Father’s Day Gifts Dads Will Want” on mint.com offers suggestions for under $100.

A different kind of gift

Probably the most unusual gift suggestion I came across in my consumer research is from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In its article, “Top Five Father’s Tips From USDA,” the department recommends giving your dad a food thermometer to make sure food is safe.

Other Father’s Day suggestions the department offers are: visit a local farmers’ market, explore a local forest or park, plant your own garden, and cook a healthy meal with dad.

Father's Day spending

Americans are expected to spend an average of $91 on gifts for dad, down slightly from $95 last year. Total spending is expected to reach $9.4 billion, the Nation Retail Federation reports. 

Other highlights from the federation’s annual survey include:

• Consumers will spend the most – $1.9 billion – on a special outing such as a dinner or a sporting event. 

• Clothing still ranks high among gift givers who are expected to spend $1.3 billion on new socks, slacks, and ties.

• Others will treat dad to a gift card – $1.2 billion; electronics – $1 billion; books or CDs – $548 million; home improvement items – $522 million; and sporting goods – $502 million.

More Father's Day gift resources for consumers

“Perfect Father’s Day Gifts for Baby Boomers” – Associated Content

"Father’s Day Gifts Under $50” – NBC Philadelphia

“Father’s Day Gift the Cheapskate Can Endorse” – The Cheapskate Blog on Time

Best wishes with your search for a present for your dad and your Father's Day activities. I hope you'll be able to visit with or talk with your dad on Father's Day.

My next post will be "A Tribute to My Dad on Father's Day."

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide Recall of the Week: Blair chenille robes

The recall of about 162,000 women’s full length Blair chenille robes is being re-announced, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports.

Since the recall was originally announced in April 2009, six deaths due to the robes catching on fire have been reported to Blair LLC, of Warren, Pa.

Five of the six victims were female, and all five were cooking at the time of the incidents. Three of the victims were in their 80s.

The commission and Blair announced the recall for the robes after Blair learned of three robes catching on fire, including one report of second-degree burns. Later, Blair was made aware of the fatalities after the recall was announced and after Blair had sent letters of the recall to consumers who purchased the robes.

The women’s chenille robes have the following item numbers: 3093111, 3093112, 3093113, 3093114, 3093115, and 3093116. The item number is identified on a label in the garment’s neckline.

The robe is a one-piece garment made of plush sculpted chenille, a shaped stand collar, and horizontal chenille front and back yolks and cuffs. It has a full-button front with seven matching button closures, long sleeves with self-cuffs, a straight bottom with self-hem, and two side seam pockets.

The robe’s sewn in label states: “100% Cotton, RN 81700, Made in Pakistan.”

The robes were sold in Blair catalogs, on the Blair Web site, and in Blair stores in Warren, Pa., Grove City, Pa., and Wilmington, Del., from January 2003 through March 2009 from about $20 to $40.

The commission and Blair urge consumers to stop wearing the garments immediately and contact Blair LLC for information on returning the robe and to receive a refund or a $50 gift card for Blair merchandise.

Contact Blair toll-free at 877-392-7095 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. ET Monday through Saturday, visit the firm’s Web site at www.blair.com/recall, or contact the firm by e-mail at blairproductrecall@blair.com.

For information on other recent recalls, see www.Recalls.gov.

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Memories of my mom and Mother’s Day

I have many fond memories of my mom, Ruth L. Slingsby.

She helped me to love school and develop a keen interest in learning. Research and writing are among my favorite things in life.

My mom was a great cook. We lived on apple ranches, and my mom grew great gardens and prepared wonderful meals. Fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn on the cob, pancakes, apple pie, lemon meringue pie. All delicious.

As she grew older, my mom admitted she was tired of cooking. However, she continued to bake bread and make the meals that my dad loved.

My mom made most of the clothes for my two sisters and me, until we were old enough to learn to sew ourselves.

I remember a wonderful black-and-white dress she made for me. The front of the top was white, and she appliquéd a black-and-white tulip on it that matched the skirt. I received many compliments on it and was so proud of it.

She made cross-stitch skirts for my sisters and me. One was blue, one was pink, and one was yellow. They all had black cross-stitch just above the hem. We wore them with black vests that she made.

My mom was a fast sewer. She didn’t take time to pin the patterns to the material. She used glasses from the kitchen to hold the patterns in place while she cut them out.

Growing flowers was a joy for my mom. I wondered when I was growing up why she took the time to do it. She had so much work to do as a farm wife and mother. Flower gardens brought her much happiness. They also helped to make our homes look attractive.

My mom liked to read magazines. When the Saturday Evening Post came in the mail, she would go to the bedroom and read it. She also liked to buy home and garden magazines. She'd get ideas for decorating the houses we lived in, which were nicely done.

Playing Pinochle was a fun activity for my mom, especially during in the winter when the farm activity slowed down. I’ve been missing her recently, and decided I’m going to have a Pinochle Party. She and my dad enjoyed going to them so much when we were growing up.

To celebrate Mother’s Day after I left home, I sent my mom cards and presents. Since my family and I lived a three-and-a-half-hour drive away, I was able to go to visit her frequently on Mother’s Day.

But the Mother’s Days I remember the most are those as she grew older. She appreciated seeing me so much. I’d bring her rhododendrons from my yard in Olympia, Wash.

She’d want a report on everyone in the family. If I didn’t know how someone was doing, I’d have to call them and get a report to give to her.

The photo above is of my mom, dad, and me in the late 1980s, just before my dad was diagnosed as having cancer.

After my dad passed away in 1990, my mom, a diabetic, lived by herself in her Wenatchee, Wash., home until she had a heart attack in 1997. After that, she spent eight years in a nursing home.

My mom passed away on July 14, 2005. I miss her very much, and I’ll be thinking about the good times we shared Sunday on Mother’s Day.

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist