Consumer Protection

Recall of the Week: Hamilton Beach toasters due to fire hazard

Rita R. Robison / July 4, 2011

By Rita R. Robison Hamilton Beach Brands Inc. is recalling about 300,000 Hamilton Beach classic chrome 2-slice toasters. The toaster’s […]

Fireworks large and small can cause devastating injuries, death

Rita R. Robison / July 1, 2011

By Rita R. Robison With its jaunty, patriotic music, the fireworks safety video begins, it seems, with a

Long-awaited, tougher crib standards finally adopted

Rita R. Robison / June 29, 2011

Yesterday, new crib standards went into effect that will help protect children from injuries and death. All importers, distributors, manufacturers,

Watch out for fake e-mails saying they’re from the FDIC

Rita R. Robison / June 27, 2011

By Rita R. Robison The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation has received many reports of fraudulent e-mails that say they’re from

Recall of the Week: Pourable NAPAfire and FIREGEL Gel Fuel bottles and jugs

Rita R. Robison / June 26, 2011

By Rita R. Robison About 460,000 Pourable NAPAfire and FIREGEL Gel Fuel bottles and jugs distributed by Napa Home &

Recall of the Week: Calphalon Contemporary Cutlery Knife Sets due to laceration hazard

Rita R. Robison / June 20, 2011

By Rita R. Robison Calphalon Corp. is recalling about 217,000 Calphalon Contemporary Cutlery Knife Sets in the United States and

American Girl Crafts Pearly Beads & Ribbon Bracelets kits are being recalled due to violation of lead paint standard

Rita R. Robison / June 12, 2011

Distributor EKSuccess Brands, a division of Wilton Brands Inc., is recalling about 75,000 American Girl Crafts Pearly Beads & Ribbon

Recall of the Week: Bell Sports bicycle helmets due to head injury hazard

Rita R. Robison / June 5, 2011

By Rita R. Robison Bell Sports is recalling about 31,100 bicycle helmets in the United States and about 2,500 in

Recall of the Week: STIHL power yard tools due to burn and fire hazards

Rita R. Robison / May 29, 2011

By Rita R. Robison STIHL Inc. is recalling about 2.3 million gas powered trimmers, brushcutters, KombiMotors, hedge trimmers, edgers, clearing

This week's top 10 money tips

1. Take a look at this list of unique Father’s Day deals.

2. Be sure to take the time to check out the new requirements for student loan borrowers before July 1, 2026.

3. Save money on tomatoes – which have gone up 40 percent over the last year – by shopping local, comparing tomato varieties, using canned for cooking, and stocking up when prices drop.

4. Look at Costco for recent price cuts on some of its Kirkland products.

5. Use of cash or a debit card rather than a credit card results in higher costs for those consumers unlike credit card users who get rewards to offset the increased prices companies need to charge to pay for credit card swipe fees.

6. Get three written estimates, ask for itemized pricing, and do minor plumbing fixes yourself to keep plumbing costs down.

7. Check out these recommendations on what not to keep in your purse or wallet to avoid financial loss and identity theft.

8. Watch out for mortgage assistance relief companies who mislead consumers into paying unlawful upfront fees and don’t help with mortgage problems.

9. Compare mortgage rates when you buy a home so you don’t make a $62,000 mistake – the cost of not comparing mortgage rates.

10. Check out this list of items not to put in your will.

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June 11, 2026