Let’s be clear: if you buy a set of bookshelves or a substantial piece of furniture, consider installing wall anchors to the furniture. Wall anchors can help prevent heavy furniture from falling over onto young kids, which can be deadly. The problem is that anchoring...
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Defective Products
Are booster seats safe? Investigations say testing was faulty
In February 2020, the nonprofit newsroom ProPublica published an investigation into whether Evenflo, a major manufacturer of child booster seats for cars, had falsely claimed that its products were safety tested. ProPublica found that Evenflo’s “Big Kid Booster” seat...
Report: Diabetes testing devices can fail, causing injury or death
Insulin pumps, blood glucose monitors and even diabetic testing strips can fail, causing inaccurate readings or even delivering the wrong amount of insulin. When they do, the results can be tragic. According to an investigation by Consumer Reports, diabetes devices...
NHTSA: Repair your vehicle’s safety recalls now
Every year, there are hundreds of safety recalls involving motor vehicles. Yet many people never make the required repairs, even though they are free. They may not know their vehicles are subject to recalls because the auto maker's communication was insufficient. They...
Study finds lead contamination widespread in household water
It isn't just Flint, Michigan. While lead water pipes have been outlawed in homes, many still get water from systems with lead transmission lines. The lead from those lines can leach into the water delivered to the home. Your home. The contaminated water is then used...
Government issues warning: Don’t use nursing pillows for sleep
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has just issued a stark warning regarding nursing pillows, lounging pads and similar products. They pose a suffocation hazard for babies. While it is OK to use these products when the baby is awake, children have died from...
After a storm or disaster, be careful using portable generators
A portable generator can be a life-saver after a big storm, but it's crucial to use it correctly. The problem is generally carbon monoxide. This colorless, odorless gas can easily build up in enclosed spaces, and exposure to a high enough level can be fatal in...
When a dangerous or defective product gets sold on Amazon, who is liable?
Under products liability law, anyone involved in the sale or distribution of a dangerous or defective product may be considered strictly liable for any harm that product causes. "Strict liability" basically means that the injured person need not prove the company was...
Is ammonium nitrate safe to store?
Before a large amount of ammonium nitrate fertilizer exploded recently in Beirut, Lebanon, many people were unaware of how dangerous the compound can be. The fertilizer is an odorless, crystalline material that is also used as an industrial explosive.You may be...
Judge raises concerns about Bayer’s Roundup settlement scheme
Thousands of people have sued Bayer, which bought Monsanto, over the product Roundup. Most plaintiffs claim that routine use of Roundup, which contains the weed killer glyphosate, caused them to develop cancer.After several adverse verdicts, Bayer attempted to settle...