Recently, I stayed with my daughter and her family at an Airbnb in Seattle. After we were there a while, I saw a big safety hazard: dishwasher pods were stored in an attractive glass container and placed on the kitchen counter. Dishwasher pods are dangerous for children and seniors who may think that they’re candy or some treat to eat.
Consumers are in a poor position in the economy, because corporations spend so much on advertising and they donate billions of dollars to influence government to do their bidding making products and services more expensive and less safe. Now, the U.S. Supreme Court has made another decision that will reduce consumer “power” even more.
Another huge recall deserves your attention. MM Products is recalling about 580,000 JoyJolt brand glass coffee mugs. The glass mugs, which are clear with a handle, can break and crack when filled with hot liquids, posing burn and laceration hazards. There have been 103 incidents of the coffee glasses breaking at the base, resulting in 56 injuries.
It seems today that writing about extreme heat is strange. This weekend, I was so cold when I did yard work here in the Seattle area that I wore my extra-sweater-and-leggings outfit I wear for winter gardening. And, although everyone is warning about not to avoid heat exhaustion and even death, I’m going to write about it, too.
When I’ve had a consumer complaint recently, several times the customer service representative has said to me “I’m sorry that you feel that way.” The “sorry,” but I’m not sorry response it like getting an emotional slap in the face. One time it happened when I didn’t get information about a credit union fee, and I also mentioned lacking customer service at a local branch.
The Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial beginning of summer, and as the weather gets warmer, so do the number of meals served outside. Whether you’re at the beach or barbecuing, food should be served safely to avoid food poisoning. The bacteria that cause foodborne illness love the summertime because they thrive and multiply quickly in warmer temperatures.
Memorial Day is a day to honor Americans who have died in service to their country. Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. Many Americans attend parades and visit cemeteries to place flowers on the graves of loved ones. Barbecues and trips also are popular.
Kitchen ranges that were manufactured between 2001 and 2009 continue to pose an injury risk to consumers, so they’re being recalled again. The Electrolux Group is recalling about 203,000 smooth top ranges, which were previously recalled in August 2009. The surface heating elements can turn off, fail to turn off, or heat to different temperatures than selected.
Today, I hope you’re having a great celebration with your mom or are remembering her if she is no longer with us. My mom, Ruth L. Slingsby, photo at left, was a hard-working, supportive mom. I miss her every day. She passed away in 2005 at the age of 89. Here are some facts and figures for Mother’s Day 2024:
