The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide

Pressure washers recalled by STILH due to injury hazard

STIHL is recalling about 16,400 RE 90 pressure washers.

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 Thompson’s Co. recalls aerosol cans of wood and masonry protector due to fire hazard

The Thompson’s Co. is recalling about 852,000 Thompson’s waterseal waterproofing wood protector and masonry protector in aerosol cans.

The contents of the cans can react with the package, causing rust to form along the can seam, which could spread to other areas of the can and create pinhole leaks. Leaking propellant poses a fire hazard when it comes into contact with sources of ignition. Leaking sealer can also cause property damage. 

The Thompson’s Co. received about 18 reports of leaking cans from retailers. No injuries, fires, or property damage were reported.

Residential fires: The main causes and tips to prevent them

By Cristina Miguelez, Remodeling Specialist, Fixr.com

Guest Blogger

Each year, an estimated 371,000 residential fires occur in the United States. These fires result in more than 2,000 deaths, 10,000 injuries, and more than 7 billion dollars in damages. And while the total number of fires per year has decreased very slightly since 2008, this is still far too many, especially when combined with the total of deaths.

Thankfully, there are steps that people can take to help prevent fires in the future. The key is understanding the most common causes, so you can be better equipped to avoid them.

The graphic above shows the impact of residential fires over the last decade, as well as the most common causes of fire in residential settings.

Understand the most common causes of residential fires

While residential fires can be caused by a variety of issues, cooking fires are far and away the most common cause. More than 50 percent of all fires over the last decade have been started in the kitchen by someone cooking. Other causes include heating systems, 9 percent; open flames, 4 percent; electrical malfunctions, 6 percent; and carelessness, 7 percent. However, all of these totaled don’t equal the same threat that cooking carries with it.

Tips for shopping on Cyber Monday

Cyber Monday has a reputation for being the leftovers from Black Friday. However, it can actually have the better deals. Americans spent an estimated 27 percent more money online on Cyber Monday than on Black Friday last year. One reason is probably it’s more convenient to order deals on Cyber Monday than fight the Black Friday crowds.

Tips for shopping on Cyber Monday include:

Make a plan. You need to have a holiday budget for spending. Don’t let possible deals on Cyber Monday lead you to overspent.

Do research. Know what the prices are for the items on your list. That way, you won’t be fooled by deals that really aren’t deals.

Wooden hammers are being recalled by Stanley Black & Decker due to injury hazard

Stanley Black & Decker is recalling about 211,000 Stanley brand 16 oz. wooden handle nailing hammers.

The molded grip on the hammer can come loose, posing an injury hazard to consumers.

Stanley Black & Decker has received one report of a hammer grip detaching. No injuries have been reported.

Best places to shop on Black Friday 2019

I gave up on Black Friday years ago. I went with my daughter in Sacramento. It was my idea to go to the mall and get some great deals. However, we didn’t do any research, so we didn’t “happen into” anything great. I told her on my next visits, I’d rather go for a hike than go shopping again.

However, you can score deals if plan ahead. See my article “Get Prepared for Black Friday With This Strategy Guide” for tips.

Another source of information is “2019’s Best Places to Shop on Black Friday” by Wallethub analysts.

The following is a list of the best places to shop for Black Friday:

Top 10 tips for saving energy and money

The cold of fall is beginning to grip most areas of the country and winter will be here soon. If you’re thinking about your energy bills that go up every winter, it’s time to take action.

The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that the average household spends at least $2,200 on energy, and that at least half of that is for heating and cooling their home.

The Consumer Federation of America offers the following tips to help people reduce energy costs this winter and throughout the year:

What to look for in Columbus Day-Indigenous Peoples Day sales

Before Black Friday, Indigenous Peoples Day and Columbus Day sales are occurring, and some of them are worth shopping.

However, the last couple of years, DealNews, a comparison shopping website, has seen a downturn in Columbus Day-Indigenous Peoples Day sales. In 2018, it listed only 22 Columbus-Indigenous-branded sales between October 1 and October 13. However, within that same time frame, DealNews listed 161 sales total. Aside from the Columbus-Indigenous branding, it saw many clearance, friends and family, fall, and harvest events, and even a "Rediscover America" sale.

These alternate names could be due to the controversy surrounding Columbus Day, according to DealNews. However, it's also possible that many retailers don't want to add another sale to their lineup so close to Black Friday.

DealNews offers these tips for Columbus Day-Indigenous Peoples Day sales:

Utility bars are being recalled by DeWALT due to injury hazard

DeWALT is recalling about 145,000 multi-functional utility bars.

The utility bar can break while being used for prying, posing an injury hazard to the user.

DeWALT has received at least 56 reports of the utility bars breaking, including four reports of injured users.

Mowing heads recalled by STIHL due to injury hazard

STIHL is recalling bout 73,000 polycut mowing heads.

The bolts connecting the plastic blades and holding the mowing head together can come loose and the mowing head can come apart, posing a risk of injury to the user or bystanders.

STIHL Inc. has received 28 reports of loose bolts or mowing heads coming apart, including two reports of injuries.