In the Seattle area, we mostly have rain storms. However, Saturday – Christmas Day – it started snowing. It snowed and stopped, snowed and stopped, and on and on. By Monday, we had a lot of snow. What do you need to be ready for a snow storm? Read more →

 Daylight Saving Time ended today, and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission offers it’s yearly reminder about replacing the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. With people at home more during the pandemic, fuel-burning heaters and appliances putting in extra work. Read more →

Following Hurricane Ida, flooding in Tennessee and on the East Coast, the wildfires in the West, and other natural disasters scammers are on the scene preying on people who are trying to recover. Tips on ways you can avoid common post-disaster scams are: Read more →

Twenty years ago, on Sept. 11, I was just beginning a vacation in Spain and Portugal with my daughters. It was frightening to be so far from home and not know what was happening. Here’s the account of my vacation that appeared in The Tacoma (Washington) News Tribune on Oct. 3, 2001: Read more →

Generac is recalling about 321,160 Generac and DR 6500 Watt and 8000 Watt portable generators in the United States and 4,575 in Canada. An unlocked handle can pinch consumers’ fingers against the generator frame when the generator is moved, posing finger amputation and crushing hazards. Read more →

It isn’t over yet, so keep wearing masks and social distancing. It’s worrisome that people are rushing to go to activities again. While it’s exciting that millions of people are being vaccinated, kids are back in school, and the cases and deaths from coronavirus went down and are now plateauing, this is far from over. Read more →

Winter can bring Arctic blasts, burst pipes, power outages, and icicles. When the weather turns cold, and especially when big storms occur, scammers aren’t far behind. Scammers know severe weather may shut off your electricity, heat, and water, and they might pose as your utility company. Read more →

Although half of U.S. adults plan to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year, less than one-quarter of them plan to go out for dinner, down from previous years. However, a survey reported that 41 percent said they’d plan a special dinner or celebration at home. Read more →

Walter Kidde Portable Equipment will pay $12 million to settle charges that the company failed to inform the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in a timely manner about problems with fire extinguishers made by the company. Read more →

Government officials are predicting covid-19 vaccines will be available by the end of the year. However, plans for distribution are still being developed. Two vaccine manufacturers have submitted applications to the FDA. Read more →