Despite U.S. PIRG Education Fund calling out Amazon and other online retailers for allowing price gouging in their online websites at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, a new analysis shows that the problem is still serious.
Six months later, U.S. PIRG Education Fund revisited whether Amazon had lived up to its promise of tackling price gouging. Its new analysis looked at 10 products found on many shopping lists during the covid-19 pandemic, including hand sanitizers, disinfectant wipes, and digital thermometers.
Of these items, options from Amazon were two to 14 times more expensive than the identical products sold at other retailers. Some examples include:
The WD-40 Co. is recalling about 130,000 bottles of WD-40 mildew stain remover.
Pressure can build up inside the bottle and cause it to fall over and leak, posing a risk of skin irritation.
No incidents or injuries have been reported.
This recall includes only the 16- and 32-ounce bottles of X-14 mildew stain remover. The recalled bottles have a lot code between 20052 O and 20127 O, which can be found on the back of the bottle.
Some people are using grocery delivery services to limit their exposure to the coronavirus. Consumer Reports recommends these steps whether you buy groceries yourself or if you have them delivered:
Wash nonporous containers.
Wash your hands, counter, and other surfaces you’ve touched after you put away the groceries.
Two weeks ago, I went to my local co-op to stock up on food due to the possible need to stay home due to the COVID-19 outbreak. I bought two weeks’ worth of food.
Then, I heard that older people may need to stay home for more than two weeks. So I set out for Costco for a shopping trip. I spent $262. Costco was out of hydrogen peroxide, which I use to wipe chemicals off things. In addition, it was out of medium-size disposable gloves, so I bought two boxes of large.
I bought eggs, chicken thighs to freeze, carrots, beets, cheese, pine nuts, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, and a large bag of “power” greens. Since I normally don’t buy Costco’s large sizes, I was looking around for something for dinner. I bought a large plastic container of shrimp. (Pretty exotic. I was able to eat it all and none spoiled.)
For some reason, the Super Bowl this year seemed to be so violent and sexist.
I'm not a football fan, but I watch the Super Bowl every year to comment on the ads to see if they continue to be violent, sexist, and ageist.
This year, the game itself and the ads this were so violent, with dozens of ads for violent TV shows and violent movies. It was discouraging. After being blasted with all the violent ads, it hard to even concentrate on the others to see if there was anything worthwhile.
I was also disappointed with the half time performance. When it came time for women can take part in the Super Bowl, we had scantily clad women singing and dancing. It was so discouraging that women's role in the Super Bowl and on TV continues to be as sex objects. As one of my friends said when I commented on this on Facebook, let's have a marching band.
However, I didn’t see any sexist or ageist ads, which is a big improvement from years past.
This year, the most expensive 30-second ads cost advertisers $5.6 million.
Best ads
Google: An older man asks Google to see photos of his late wife, Loretta.
Jeep Gladiator: An older Bill Murray, of “Groundhog Day” movie fame, finds an orange Jeep in downtown Punxsutawney, kidnaps the groundhog, and goes on a series of adventures, saying “No day is the same in a Jeep Gladiator.”
The pressure washer nozzle can disconnect from the spray wand when under pressure during use, posing an injury hazard.
STIHL has received seven reports of the nozzle detaching from the spray wand during use. No injuries have been reported.
This recall involves the spray wand supplied with STIHL RE 90 pressure washers. The pressure washer is gray and orange with “STIHL RE 90” printed on the front. The recalled spray wand is 15-inches long and attaches to the spray gun. Interchangeable nozzles connect to the spray wand.
The broom handles can break in half, exposing a metal inner rim, posing a laceration hazard to the user.
Norwex has received 41 reports of the broom handle breaking during use, including six reports of minor injuries to user hands or fingers.
This recall involves extendable indoor/outdoor white rubber brooms that adjust in height from 30.7 to 40.6 inches. The “Norwex” logo is located on the plastic head covering the rubber bristles. An embossed date stamp code of 18/9, 18/10, 18/11, or 18/12 is located on the screw joint and lock base.
With thousands of vehicles in a Monday storm, which released a month’s worth of rain in an hour, flood damaged vehicles in the Washington, D.C.-Maryland-Virginia area could run in the hundreds.
“While, hopefully, these vehicles will have their titles marked flood damaged and go to salvage yards, many will likely re-enter the market as used cars,” said Jack Gillis, the Consumer Federation of America’s executive director and author of “The Car Book.”
Because of the computerization, electronics, and sophisticated safety technology found in today’s vehicles, it’s critical that you avoid getting stuck with one of these lemons, Gillis said.
Do you want to have a Fourth of July that’s fun yet safe? Check out these tips from the Environmental Working Group.
Holiday barbecue
Before you head to the grocery store, check out the EWG’s resources on the healthiest foods, the cleanest produce, and the safest and most humanely produced meat and dairy. While you’re shopping, check out the hot dogs. To avoid nitrates and nitrites, which can cause cancer, choose natural hot dogs, or select a different protein. You can also make safe, healthy menu planning easier with EWG’s Healthy Living App, which lets you check in the store how well a product rates.
In addition, make sure you avoid charring meat to decrease your risk of cancer, and use a food thermometer to make sure it’s fully cooked so you can avoid food-borne illnesses such as E. coli.
As summer begins, millions of Americans are enjoying more outdoor activities. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission urges consumers to keep safety in mind around pools and at the beach, on the playground, when cooking on the grill, when mowing the lawn, and while riding on bikes, scooters, and ATVs or ROVs.
Pool safety
Drowning remains the leading cause of unintentional death among children ages one to four and the second leading cause among children ages five to 14. Drownings can be prevented by following some simple safety steps:
Never leave a child unattended in a pool or spa, and keep them away from drains.
Learn how to swim, and teach your child how to swim.
Ensure any pool and spa you use has drain covers that comply with federal safety standards. Children can get entrapped by the suction in older, non-compliant drain covers.
