Only 25 percent of the sunscreens rated this year by the Environmental Working Group offer adequate protection and no worrisome ingredients such as oxybenzone. EWG researchers rated the safety and effectiveness of more than 1,800 products that advertise sun protection. Read more →

The U.S. CPSC is warning consumers about the danger of the Peloton Tread+ exercise machine after incidents of small children and a pet being injured beneath the machines. The CPSC has found that the public health and safety requires this notice to warn the public quickly about the hazard. Read more →

Consumer Reports is launching CR Recommended, a program to bring Consumer Reports recommendations easily to consumers before they buy autos and other products. When consumers shop online, at a dealership, or in a store, they’ll see a “CR Recommended” mark for products. Read more →

BATTOP is recalling about 5,000 foldable infant bath seats. The bath seats don’t meet the federal safety standard for infant bath seats, including requirements for stability, and can tip over while in use, posing a drowning hazard to babies. No incidents or injuries have been reported. Read more →

When I was writing my weekly Helpful Money Tips for You newsletter (see Newsletter heading above to subscribe), I ran across an article by a women who was upset because a new coffee shop in her area turned out to be secret “nutrition club,” a recruiting tool for Herbalife. Read more →

During the pandemic, more people are going to emergency rooms for injuries from some consumer products such as batteries, fireworks, all-terrain vehicles, and skateboards, although emergency room treatments for all product-related injuries decreased by 24 percent. Read more →

We all had hopes for 2020 being a better year. With a new president and vaccines to knock down the pandemic, things were looking positive. Then, last Wednesday, a group of Trump supporters stormed the national Capitol. Read more →

Since the pandemic began, I’ve cut my own hair twice. The first result was good; the second time, not so much. I don’t go out much. I order my groceries for pickup and don’t travel. No trips to Madrid or Sacramento where my daughters live this year. Read more →

Next week we’ll have Halloween, then a few days later, it’s finally Election Day. Halloween can be spooky. Let’s hope the election isn’t. Meanwhile, bloggers in our blogging group continue to write informative, thoughtful articles. They include: Read more →

Twenty-four toxic ingredients, including mercury and formaldehyde, are now banned from cosmetics and personal care products in California. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act on Wednesday. These ingredients are prohibited in cosmetics and personal care products in the European Union and other countries, but are still used in the U.S. Read more →