Every year I write about children’s toys to avoid, according to W.A.T.C.H., World Against Toys Causing Harm, a group that helps raise awareness about the dangers in toys, children’s products, and recreational activities. W.A.T.C.H.’s list of nominees for the “10 Worst Toys” of 2022 includes: Read more →

Fortunately, I was able to get a great deal on Black Friday. I need a new Apple iMac because I can no longer get updates for mine. It’s 12 years old. I’ve been watching the prices for the Apple 27” iMac with Retina 5K display for months. Finally, for Black Friday, Apple reduced the price $600. Read more →

If you’re going to shop for deals on Black Friday – the sales are now available earlier, stick around longer, and are increasingly moving online – be sure to keep comparing prices. Sometimes prices are marked way up then marked way down. During my journalism career, I’ve written articles on items likely to be on sale each month during the year. Read more →

Do you know what a toy gel gun is? They shoot gellets, small, colorful water-hydrated balls that pop on contact and immediately begin to disintegrate, leaving no stain, no mess, and no clean up. Toy gels guns are being used for games like paintball and have gained popularity because they make less mess.   Read more →

Babies are among the most precious things in the world. I was fortunate to have two wonderful daughters, and luckily, they survived childhood although not as much was known back then on child safety. Here are 10 top tips that parents, grandparents, and caregivers need to follow to keep babies safe: Read more →

To reduce the risk of children and teens suffering serious, even life-threatening injuries from swallowing small, high-powered magnets, the CPSC voted Wednesday to approve a federal safety standard for magnets. When these magnets are swallowed, they can attract to each other through body tissue causing injuries. Read more →

Pediatric battery-related emergency room visits increased significantly from 2010 to 2017, with children aged 5 years and younger having the highest rates. An estimated 7,032 battery-related emergency room visits occurred annually in children under 18 from 2010 to 2019, more than twice the number from 1990 to 2009. Read more →

What are your plans for Easter? Eighty percent of consumers plan to celebrate Easter this year and will spend an average $169.79, according to the National Retail Federation. Total spending for the holiday is estimated to be $20.8 billion, down slightly from last year's forecast of $21.6 billion. Read more →

Since I wrote an article recently on the top consumer and personal finance stories of 2021, I was interested in a list offered by U.S. PIRG on the progress made in health, climate, and consumer issues in 2021. U.S. PIRG, a public interest research group, and its state partners worked on or supported many of these issues. Read more →

Just like deals started early for Black Friday 2021, the same is true for Cyber Monday. Americans are expected to spend $10.2 to $11.3 billion on Cyber Monday this year, according to Adobe Analytics, a number that could beat Black Friday sales. Read more →