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.

What are you optimistic about on July Fourth this year?

On the Fourth of July, I often write about the importance of our democracy and the ways we can work to ensure its health and vitality. However, this year, in the era of the coronavirus pandemic, I’m extremely concerned.

More than 132,000 people have died of covid-19 in the United States so far. Our federal government, under the Trump administration, has bungled our nation’s management of the coronavirus pandemic. At first, President Trump called it a “hoax,” then he said it will “go away,” a comment he’s repeated 12 times in recent months.

At first, people seemed concerned and stayed home. Then the right decided to make a fuss about being told to stay home and wear face masks. Huge crowds began swarming into state capitals without face masks and social distancing, shouting it was their right to go out in crowds and not wear face masks.

President can fire head of consumer financial bureau, Supreme Court rules, but says actions of agency stand

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Monday that a law protecting the director of the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau from being fired for any reason by the president is unconstitutional. The court, however, rejected arguments that actions taken by the CFPB must be undone as a result.

Instead, the court “severed” the protection provision from other laws governing the agency and declared that it’s unenforceable. As a result, the president now has the power to fire the CFPB’s director whenever he or she wants.

Public Citizen, along with Americans for Financial Reform Education Fund, the Consumer Federation of America, Consumer Reports, the National Association of Consumer Advocates, Tzedek DC, and the U.S. Public Interest Research Group Education Fund, filed an amicus brief defending the agency.

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:

Make sure a scammer isn't getting employment benefits in your name

In Washington state where I live, scammers have stolen hundreds of millions of dollars in employment benefits. The state, in a hurry to get payments to people needing funds during the pandemic, didn't have adequate safeguards in place to stop crooks. Now, the process has been slowed down to do more checking.

How are scammers doing this? They're filing claims for unemployment benefits, using the names and personal information of people who haven't filed claims. People learn about the fraud when they get a notice from their state unemployment benefits office or their employer about their supposed application for benefits.

If this happens to you, it means someone is misusing your personal information, including your Social Security number and birth date, said Seena Gressin, attorney for the Federal Trade Commission's Division of Consumer and Business Education. Gressin said to act fast using these steps to help protect your finances and credit:

Safety ropes are being recalled by DICK’S Sporting Goods due to fall and injury hazards

DICK’S Sporting Goods is recalling about 63,000 Field & Stream safety ropes.

The ropes can fail when used in freezing conditions, posing fall and injury hazards.

The firm has received one report of the safety rope failing when used during freezing weather, resulting in a concussion and knee injury.