The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide

Residential boilers are being recalled by Lochinvar due to possible carbon monoxide poisoning

Lochinvar is recalling about 34,300 condensing residential boilers in the United States and about 3,642 units in Canada.

The boiler’s flue grommet can deteriorate and dislodge during use and allow the boiler to emit carbon monoxide, posing a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

The firm has received seven reports of boiler’s flue grommets deteriorating, including one report of two nonfatal injuries involving carbon monoxide poisoning, and two reports of carbon monoxide emission not involving an injury.

Facts and Figures for July Fourth 2020

It's an unusual year for the annual July 4th celebration in the United States. The coronavirus pandemic has changed everything, and now that cases throughout the nation are spiking, it's time to rethink things again.

The best plan for celebrating is to stay home. If you invite people for a barbecue, keep the number small and have them bring their own food and drinks. Set tables up in your yard with social distancing.

Hopefully, things will be better by next year.

Source: WalletHub

Copyright 2020, Rita R. Robison, Consumer and Personal Finance Journalist

Sign up for my newsletter and get 10 helpful financial tips each week

For several months now, I’ve been writing a weekly newsletter called “Helpful Money Tips for You.” If offers the latest information on how you can get what you want for your money.

This week, I came across a most helpful tip. It's to check your rewards cards, especially those related to travel since you might not be traveling now, and see what your balances are and what you can do about rewards.

I checked with one credit card, the one I usually use for airline tickets and travel. I only have about 1,700 points. The credit union redemption center said I’d need 2,500 points to get a $25 gift card. I’ll start using that card for groceries and other purchases to get the cash back. The points don’t expire until March 2022.

On my other card, I have about 36,000 points. That’s the one I’ve been charging my groceries and Amazon purchases on, a lot of Amazon shopping going on during Stay Home, Stay Healthy. It doesn’t have a cash back option. I can get three Visa gift cards for $100, costing 11,000 points each. Or, I can get gift cards for a specific store or Amazon, $350 for 36,000 points.

That’s exciting news. I’ll give some thought on what to spend $300 to $350 on because I’m not traveling to Spain (like in the photo above) and my daughter and her family won’t be coming this time of year to visit from Spain. And we won’t be going to Sacramento to visit my daughter and her family there in July, like we usually do.

So, this is the kind of helpful financial information you can get from my newsletter. Sign up by clicking on this link: eepurl.com/gkZ6JH. Or, fill out the form on the upper right of this page. Thanks. I look forward to getting your feedback.

Copyright 2020, Rita R. Robison, Consumer and Personal Finance Journalist

Bayer to pay more than $10 billion to settle cancer lawsuits

Bayer agreed to pay $10 billion over claims its herbicide Roundup causes cancer in people in a settlement announced Wednesday.

Most of the money will be sent to four leading plaintiffs’ law firms, who will distribute it to nearly 100,000 clients who were diagnosed with cancer after prolonged use of the weed killer. Bayer still faces at least 30,000 claims from plaintiffs who haven’t agreed to join the settlement.

The settlement also includes $1.25 billion for potential future claims from Roundup customers who may develop the form of cancer known as non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Individuals, depending on the strength of their cases, will receive payments of $5,000 to $250,000, according to a New York Times article.

Double strollers recalled by Costway due to fall, entrapment, and strangulation hazards

Costway is recalling about 16,000 double baby strollers.

The recalled strollers violate the Federal Standard for Carriages and Strollers. A child’s torso can pass through the opening between the activity tray and the seat bottom and his/her head can become entrapped, posing entrapment and strangulation hazards. The location of the crotch restraint creates a large opening between the seat bottom and the restraint, posing a fall hazard to children.

No incidents or injuries have been reported.

Watch out for phony offers for work-at-home jobs targeting college students

Students at colleges and universities are being targeted by a work-at-home employment scam through emails that appear to be sent from a college or university. The scammers obtain personal information from the student while posing as a college or university representative. They convince students to cash counterfeit checks and send them the money.

“Students who fall victim to this scam could face serious repercussions to their financial stability and credit record,” said Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody. “I am urging all students currently enrolled at Florida colleges and universities to take extra precaution when receiving online job offers.”

The scheme involves scammers sending online job advertisements offering college students an administrative position, tricking the student into believing the email is from a college or university representative by using an email address ending in “.edu.” As part of the scheme, the student receives counterfeit checks in the mail, or by email, and is instructed to deposit the checks into a personal checking account. The scammers then direct the student to withdraw the money and make a payment necessary for the job. Often, after the student sends the money, the checks are confirmed to be fraudulent by the bank.

FDA advises consumers not to use some hand sanitizers from Mexico

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is advising consumers not to use any hand sanitizer manufactured by Eskbiochem SA de CV in Mexico, due to the potential presence of methanol, wood alcohol, a substance that can be toxic when absorbed through the skin or ingested. The FDA has identified the following products manufactured by Eskbiochem:

• All-Clean Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-002-01)
• Esk Biochem Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-007-01)
• CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 75% Alcohol (NDC: 74589-008-04)
• Lavar 70 Gel Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-006-01)
• The Good Gel Antibacterial Gel Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-010-10)
• CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 80% Alcohol (NDC: 74589-005-03)
• CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 75% Alcohol (NDC: 74589-009-01)
• CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 80% Alcohol (NDC: 74589-003-01)
• Saniderm Advanced Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-001-01)

The FDA tested samples of Lavar Gel and CleanCare No Germ. Lavar Gel contains 81 percent methanol and no ethyl alcohol, and CleanCare No Germ contains 28 percent methanol. Methanol isn't an acceptable ingredient for hand sanitizers and shouldn't be used due to its toxic effects.

Heat detectors are being recalled by Edwards Fire Safety due to failure to alert to a fire

Edwards Fire Safety is recalling about 85,000 Edwards mechanical heat detectors.

The recalled heat detectors can fail to activate in reaction to rising temperatures, posing a risk of failure to alert consumers to a fire. No incidents or injuries have been reported.

This recall involves mechanical heat detectors used indoors to detect elevated temperatures as part of professionally installed fire detection systems for residential homes and businesses. In residences, the heat detector is installed in kitchens, attics, and garages. The recalled heat detectors don’t detect smoke or make an audible sound, but act as sensors that trigger fire alarms or security panels when elevated heat is detected. The heat detectors can be mounted to walls or ceilings and are labeled with “135F” and “NOT A LIFE SAFETY DEVICE.” The recalled units are as follows:

Facts and figures for Father’s Day 2020

The first Mother's Day was celebrated in 1914, but a holiday honoring fathers didn’t become official until 1966, when President Lyndon Johnson declared that the third Sunday in June would be Father's Day. President Richard Nixon made this proclamation permanent in 1972. However, Father’s Day was celebrated before then.

The idea for Father's Day is attributed to Sonora Dodd, who was raised by her father after her mother's death during childbirth. While listening to a sermon at church on Mother's Day, she thought about all her father had done for her and her siblings and decided fathers should have a day, too. Because Dodd's father was born in June, she encouraged churches in her area, Spokane, Washington, to honor fathers that month. The first Father's Day was celebrated in Spokane in 1910.

Over the years, the idea spread, and people lobbied Congress to establish the holiday.

Shopping

This year three-quarters of consumers say they plan to celebrate Father's Day, according to the annual survey conducted for the National Retail Federation. While fewer consumers expect to take their dads out for Father’s Day, they’re planning other ways to celebrate.

Tips for Father’s Day 2020

My dad was really good at guessing what was in his presents. One time, to fool him, I bought him a magazine subscription and I put it in a toy jack-in-the-box. When he turned the handle, boom. The clown delivered a note about the present. He was really surprised.

This year, in the midst of the covid-19 pandemic, a lot of the activities we’d usually do with our dads, wouldn’t be a good choice for this year. For example, getting on an airplane to visit your dad is risky. Also, going to a restaurant with a large group of people isn’t advisable. Nor or hugs, unless you’ve been staying at home together.

But, you can order a present and make plans for a get together later.

Some gift ideas include:

• Tech gadgets. Apple iPad, Kindle or Nook, digital camera.
• Tools. Drills, rakes, hoes.
• Clothing. Shirts, ties, t-shirts, jackets. (For some dads, but not others.)
• Sporting goods. Book on sports, sports paraphernalia, new gear.
• Books. Check AARP’s list of summer reads.
• Music. Smart speaker, Apple AirPods.
• Photos. Favorite family photos, digital photo frame, photo book.
• Gift basket. Golf, fishing, grilling, baseball, brewing, coffee, beer, wine.
• Gift card. O.K. if you’re out of ideas.
• Limited funds. Small pocket knife, coffee mug with your photo, framed photo of you and your dad.