SunVilla Corp. is recalling about 400,000 10-foot Solar LED Market umbrellas in the United States and about 33,000 in Canada. The lithium-ion batteries in the umbrella’s solar panels can overheat, posing fire and burn hazards. The firm has received six reports of the lithium-ion batteries overheating.
When a consumer product goes bad – whether it’s a motor vehicle, home appliance, or something else – and it’s under warranty, you may want to take it to where you purchased it for repair. Or, you may choose an independent repair shop or a do-it-yourself solution.
After raising prices five times in the past year, General Mills, a corporate giant that manufacturers and markets packaged foods, saw its fourth quarter profits jump 97 percent to $823 million. For its 2022 fiscal year, the company’s profits rose 16 percent to $2.7 billion.
ShelterLogic Group is recalling about 786,000 RIO-branded swinging hammock chairs. Improper insertion of the pins provided for assembly can cause the chair’s legs to collapse, posing an injury risk to the user. ShelterLogic Group has received 24 reports of incidents that resulted in injuries.
With the arrival of summer, consumers are headed to the nearest swimming pools and beaches, and they’re firing up grills for picnics and barbecues. The CPSC is urging people to be vigilant about safety as they return to summer activities. It encourages people to prevent injuries before they happen.
Over the years, I’ve written many times about kids getting their hands blown off from fireworks. It’s already happened in my state this year. A 14-year-old lost his left hand and injured his other hand while reportedly playing with fireworks in Federal Way, Washington. A firework had blown up in the teen’s hand.
In states that allow high-cost loans, excessive interest rates can trap borrowers in a cycle of debt. Caps on interest rates and loan fees are the main way states can protect consumers from predatory lending. Forty-five states cap interest rates and loan fees for some consumer installment loans, depending on the loan size.
Sienhua Group is recalling about 580,000 WarmWave and Hunter oscillating ceramic tower heaters in the United States and about 37,580 in Canada. The ceramic tower heater’s cord and plug can overheat when in use, posing fire and burn risks. The firm has received eight customer reports of fire at the plug or cord.
Only a small number of funeral homes allow consumers to look at their price lists on their websites so they can compare prices. Just 191 of 1,046 funeral homes or 18 percent in a survey posted their prices online, according to a report by the Funeral Consumers Alliance and Consumer Federation of America.
