United Scientific and American Scientificare recalling various magnets because they have high levels of lead on them.
Archive for May, 2008
Magnets shelved due to lead hazards
Friday, May 23rd, 2008Gel candles causing more fires
Friday, May 23rd, 2008A previous recall of gel candles is being repeated because of more incidents involving fires and burns.
The candles were recalled initially because their flames burn far higher than normal.
Details and a photo are here.
Shaker music makers have lead content
Friday, May 23rd, 2008Shaker-style musical instruments made by West Music are being recalled because of excessive lead levels.
Learn more here.
Gas fireplace valves are faulty
Thursday, May 22nd, 2008American Flame is recalling about 12,000 gas fireplace valves because they don’t shut off properly, raising the risk of fire or explosion. The valves are in fireplaces with a variety of brand names.
For photos of the valve and a list of fireplace products they are in, click here.
Kids drowning more in pools, spas
Wednesday, May 21st, 2008A new federal report says kids are drowning in pools and spas more than in the past.
Details are here.
It bears repeating — buy gas now!
Wednesday, May 21st, 2008With price trends these days, it bears repeating that you have to view gasoline purchases as an investment in the future. Today’s price might make you angry, but chances are it’s cheaper than what you’ll pay in the near future.
Four factors make buying gas in the next day or so a smart move:
1. Prices have dropped a few cents at area pumps in the last few days.
2. The price of a barrel of oil recently hit another high, which means more future increases are likely.
3. Prices always go up just before the Memorial Day holiday, widely seen as the start of the summer driving and vacation season.
4. Stations in Southeast Michigan are required to start selling reformulated gasoline starting June 1 as part of a regional plan to reduce summer air pollution. The more highly refined fuel usually costs at least a couple cents a gallon more.
At Monroe County stations today, the average price was $3.89 a gallon, up a penny from yesterday and and now ranging from $3.83 to $4.08.
A month ago, the average price was $3.48 a gallon.
Scammers getting more sophisticated
Wednesday, May 21st, 2008The FBI reports that it and other agencies have cracked a global ring of scammers who stole personal information and then created debit and ATM cards using the data.
Details are here.
Chinese quake scam on the rise
Tuesday, May 20th, 2008The FBI is warning that the Chinese earthquake disaster is generating aftershocks in the form of scam e-mail solicitations for donations.
Don’t fall for them. The FBI provides background and advice.
Feds launch telemarketing fraud sweep
Tuesday, May 20th, 2008Today’s not a good day to be in the fraud-by-phone business.
The Federal Trade Commission and various law enforcement agencies are launching a huge sweep designed to put scam telemarketing operations out of business.
Details are here.
Lil’ Snugglers can get a lil’ too snug
Tuesday, May 20th, 2008Lil’ Snugglers children’s blankets in the form of different animal shapes are being recalled because of a potential strangulation hazard.
That’s not the only reason they’re scary.
Click here for pictures and details.
Here comes the sun … yeow!
Tuesday, May 20th, 2008About 14,000 sun-shaped candleholders sold at Home Depot stores are being recalled because they’re a fire hazard.
But it has nothing to do with the candles they might hold.
Seems that sunlight passing through a glass portion of the candleholder can set stuff on fire.
Details are here.
Hopefully we won’t be using these
Tuesday, May 20th, 2008K2 is recalling some of its snowboard bindings because they’re defective.
Hopefully, we won’t be using them for a while anyway.
Click here for details.
Little Rider Toys recalled
Tuesday, May 20th, 2008Little Rider Toys, sold at dollar and discount stores nationwide, are being recalled because they have too much lead in their paint.
Details on the recall and a photo are here.
Buy gas now
Tuesday, May 20th, 2008With price trends these days, you have to view gasoline purchases as an investment in the future. The price at the pump today might make you angry, but chances are it’s cheaper than what you’ll pay in the days ahead.
Three factors make buying gas in the next day or so a smart move:
1. Prices have dropped a few cents at area pumps in the last few days.
2. The price of a barrel of oil recently hit another high, which means more future increases are likely.
3. Prices always go up just before the Memorial Day holiday, widely seen as the start of the summer driving and vacation season.
4. Stations in Southeast Michigan are required to start selling reformulated gasoline starting June 1 as part of a regional plan to reduce summer air pollution. The more highly refined fuel usually costs at least a couple cents a gallon more.
At Monroe County stations today, the average price was $3.88 a gallon, ranging from $3.79 to $3.95.
A month ago, the average price was $3.48 a gallon. That sounds like a deal now, doesn’t it?
Meat products tainted with bacteria
Sunday, May 18th, 2008Morreale Meat beef products, originating in Chicago, are being recalled because of contamination with the E. coli bacteria.
The products were sent in barrels to other meat processors including some in Michigan.
Details of the recall are here.