By Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist When my daughter and her family lived in Miami, I visited several times when there were hurricane warnings. After living through one, Francis I think, I remember reading an article in the Miami Herald about a family that had survived the hurricane, but experienced... Read more →
By Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist It was shocking to hear emergency workers tell people who didn't heed warnings to evacuate to put personal information in their left shoe to help emergency workers if they were injured or dead. It also was sad to learn that the first person who... Read more →
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration wants consumers and health professionals to know about serious health risks posed by the ShoulderFlex Massager. The FDA is aware of reports to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission of one death and one near-strangulation associated with the massager. The incidents occurred when a... Read more →
By Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist Which consumer happenings cheered you this week and which ones made you want to scream or weep? Here are my best and worst consumer experiences this week: My best: Enjoying an updated waterside walkway On Thursday, I joined 300 others in the Olympia, Wash.,... Read more →
If you’re going to be stuck in your home for days due to Hurricane Irene, be sure to think about food safety and the safe use of generators and camp stoves if the electricity goes out The risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and fire increases when people use gas-powered generators.... Read more →
Debt Relief USA has signed an agreement with the Federal Trade Commission to settled charges that it allegedly lured consumers nationwide into paying thousands of dollars in up-front fees, but in most cases failed to actually reduce their credit card debts, and in many cases left them deeper in debt.... Read more →
By Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist On Saturday, instead of a big banner headline on The Huffington Post screaming about political squabbles or the latest war report, baby boomers were featured. The article, “Boomers Will Be Pumping Billions Into Anti-Aging Industry,” said spending on anti-aging products would rise from $80... Read more →
Macy's Merchandising Group is recalling about 960,000 Martha Stewart Collection Enamel Cast Iron Casseroles. The enamel coating on the cast iron casseroles can crack or break during use, Macy’s and the U.S. Consumer Product Commission said in a statement. This can cause the enamel to crack and fly off as... Read more →
By Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist Which consumer happenings cheered you this week and which ones made you want to scream or weep? Here are my best and worst consumer experiences this week: My best: Having lunch at a sushi restaurant After a tiring morning at the Pike Place Market... Read more →
By Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist In mid-June, when I returned from my vacation in Spain, I planted my garden. It’s beginning to do well. I have kale and green beans that are ready to eat. My carrots are looking good. Hopefully, I'll have a lot of yellow zucchini. For... Read more →