Safety Alert Issued For Lifeline Pendant Personal Help Buttons

'Lifeline' could be deathline 

By James Limbach, ConsumerAffairs.com

The Food and Drug Administration today is warning people who wear personal emergency response buttons around the neck of a potential choking hazard.

The agency says it is aware of at least six reports between 1998 and 2009 of serious injury or death, including three deaths in the United States and one in Canada, from choking after the cord on the Philips Lifeline Personal Help Button became entangled on other objects worn around the neck.

More than 750,000 people use these devices in the United States and Canada. By pushing the "help" button on the device when in distress, users can call for emergency assistance to their home. Philips Lifeline says the device is used primarily by seniors living independently, who feel they are at risk for falls or other medical emergencies.

Read the entire article here.

Children's Tylenol Products Recalled

Manufacturing problems could cause contamination

By ConsumerAffairs.com 

McNeil Consumer Healthcare is recalling certain children's and infant's Tylenol products that were manufactured between April 2008 and June 2008. The company said potential manufacturing problems could result in bacterial contamination.

No contamination has been found in any finished product, McNeil Vice President Edwin D. Kuffner, M.D., said. He said Burkholderia cepacia (B. cepacia) was detected in some of the raw material used in the manufacture of children's Tylenol products but he emphasized that, so far, none has been found in finished products.

Read the entire article here.

Puzzles Of The Day

Recalls

Clarks Children's Shoes

Read the entire article here.

WoodMaster Outdoor Furnaces Recalled

Read the entire article here.

Trudeau Garlic Slicers Recalled

Read the entire article here.

Big Lots Recalls Wooden Bunk Beds

Read the entire article here.

Grand Trunk Recalls Parachute Hammocks

Read the entire article here.

Preparing For Flu Season

By Fred Cicetti, ConsumerAffairs.com 

Flu season in the northern hemisphere can range from as early as November to as late as May. The peak month usually is February.

However, this coming season is expected to be unpredictable because of the emergence of the H1N1 influenza virus or swine flu. The H1N1 has caused the first global outbreak—pandemic—of influenza in more than four decades.

There is concern that the 2009 H1N1 virus may make the season worse than a regular flu season. It is feared that there will be many more hospitalizations and fatalities this season. The 2009 H1N1 virus caused illness in the U.S. during the summer months when influenza is very uncommon.

The 2009-10 flu vaccine protects against the three main flu strains that research indicates will cause the most illness during the flu season. The seasonal vaccine is not expected to protect against the 2009 H1N1 virus. A vaccine for 2009 H1N1 is being produced and may be ready for the public in the fall.

Read the entire article here.

Report Finds Toxins Common in Products for Children, Pets

Car seats, backpacks, pet toys contaminated with lead, PVC, arsenic, other toxins

By Lisa Wade McCormick, ConsumerAffairs.com

Hundreds of common household products -- including children’s backpacks, car seats, and even pet products -- are tainted with lead, arsenic, and other toxins, according to test results released by a national environmental group.

Tests conducted by HealthyStuff.org -- part of the Michigan-based Ecology Center -- also found toxins in lunch boxes, pencil bags, purses, and several new and used vehicles.

The group tested the products for such chemicals as lead, brominated flame retardants (BFR), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), cadmium, arsenic and mercury, which studies have linked to birth defects, impaired learning, liver toxicity, and cancer.
Read the entire article here.

New Rogues

Every day we add hundreds of new consumer complaints and comments to our site. And each day sees the addition of companies and products that haven't previously appeared in our Rogues Gallery. Here are today's newcomers:

From ConsumerAffairs.com

Enlightened Wealth Institute
Valspar Paint
Intuit Payroll
Destinations Unlimited
Soul Planet Travel
AirTel Prepaid
Blue Casa Communications
Captains Cove Marina
Get Physical Software
Posh Pet Shop
Favor Warehouse
Exotic Tour and Travel
World Education Services
Healthsalesreps.com
National Employee Benefit Group
Global Relogistics
Global Contact Inc.
Allied Interstate
Boniva
Americas Servicing Company
Kemwel
Texas Workforce Commission
Conair
Nordyne
Market Reader Pro
DPI Energy
Plan 4 College
Universal City Nissan

We want to hear from you. If you've had a problem -- or a pleasant experience -- with a company, product or service, please let us know, using our secure complaint form.


~Sandy G.

Thank you!

First, I want to thank Jim Ames from UFOHQ.ORG.  He donated $20 to help me out and started a campaign for me! 

I also want to thank everyone that has kept me in their prayers and thoughts. It worked! I got the job. It isn't full-time, but it's a job and has the potential for more hours eventually.

I don't know if it is going to help in time to keep my Internet going without interruption, but at least I know I won't be down for long if it does happen. So please don't give up on me if I do disappear for a while.

Love and BIG hugs to everyone!


~Sandy G.

FDA Warns Against Use Of Stolen Inhalation Meds

 

Consumers cautioned about Albuterol and Ipratropium solutions 

By James Limbach, ConsumerAffairs.com

The Food and Drug Administration is advising consumers not to use certain respiratory medications purchased after Sept. 8, 2009 and manufactured by Dey L.P., a subsidiary of Mylan Inc., because the medications might have been part of a shipment being transported on a tractor-trailer stolen in Tampa, Fla., on Sept. 8, 2009.

The respiratory medications, Ipratropium Bromide Inhalation Solution, 0.02%, and Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Solution, 0.083%, unit-dose vials, have not been recovered and may be dangerous to use because the drugs may not have been stored and handled properly.

FOR COMPLETE STORY, PLEASE CLICK HERE. 



~Sandy G.

California Firm Recalls Beef and Bean Burritos for Possible Listeria Contamination

Windsor Foods, a Riverside, Calif., establishment, is recalling approximately 2,268 pounds of beef and bean burrito products that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.


~Sandy G.

Quorn Foods Sued For Not Disclosing Potential Allergic Reactions

Vat-grown mold tastes like chicken but allegedly makes some violently ill

By James Limbach, ConsumerAffairs.com

An Arizona woman has filed a class action lawsuit accusing Quorn Foods of not disclosing on labels the fact that some people have serious allergic reactions to the main ingredient in its Quorn line of meat substitutes.

That ingredient happens to be a fungus-mold, actually-discovered in the 1960s in a British dirt sample. The company grows the fungus in vats and processes it into a fibrous, proteinaceous paste.

But more than a thousand people have reported to the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) that they have suffered adverse reactions, including nausea, violent vomiting, uncontrollable diarrhea, and even life-threatening anaphylactic reactions after eating the patties, cutlets, tenders and other products made with Quorn's fungus.

FOR COMPLETE STORY, PLEASE CLICK HERE.



~Sandy G.

Study: Common Pain Cream Could Protect Heart During Attack

Researchers compare treatment to acupuncture effect

By James Limbach, ConsumerAffairs.com

New research from the University of Cincinnati shows that a common, over-the-counter pain salve rubbed on the skin during a heart attack could prevent or reduce damage to the heart while treatment is administered.

Keith Jones, PhD, a researcher in the department of pharmacology and cell biophysics, and scientists in his lab have found that applying capsaicin to specific skin locations in mice caused sensory nerves in the skin to trigger signals in the nervous system. These signals activate cellular "pro-survival" pathways in the heart, which protect the muscle.

Capsaicin is the main component of chili peppers and produces a hot sensation. It is also the active ingredient in several topical medications used for temporary pain relief.

FOR COMPLETE STORY, PLEASE CLICK HERE.


~Sandy G.

Levaquin Manufacturer Hit With Three More Suits

Claims allege permanent tendon damage

By Jon Hood, ConsumerAffairs.com  

The manufacturer of Levaquin is facing three lawsuits from consumers who claim the medication caused them permanent tendon injuries. The actions follow a similar lawsuit filed two weeks ago.

The latest suits were filed by Illinois residents who took the drug and say they suffered serious tendon damage as a result. All three groups are represented by Corey & Danis and the Lowe Law Firm, which also brought the earlier suit.

The plaintiffs allege that they were unaware of the increased risk of tendon rupture for patients over 60 or those who are on corticosteroid therapy, which uses steroids to fight osteoporosis, arthritis, and a number of other ailments.

FOR COMPLETE STORY, PLEASE CLICK HERE.


~Sandy G.

Puzzles Of The Day

~Sandy G.

Feds Unveil New Food Safety Web Site

New site features latest government food safety and recall information

By James Limbach, ConsumerAffairs.com

The government has a new food safety Web site for consumers up and running.

Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack say the site, www.foodsafety.gov, is designed to help families get all the latest information on food safety and recalls in one convenient place.

The new site will feature information from all the agencies across the federal government that deal with critical food and food safety information, including preventive tips about how to handle food safely, alerts on life-saving food recalls, and the latest news from the key agencies.

Consumers can sign up in one easy place to receive email and RSS alerts on recalled or potentially unsafe food and hear from the top scientific experts across the government on food safety. Later phases of the site to be launched will include recall feeds for texting and mobile phones.

FOR COMPLETE STORY, PLEASE CLICK HERE.



~Sandy G.

Recalls

SRAM Recalls Bicycle Chains, Links

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Grizzly Recalls Bandsaws

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Children's Animal Masks, Pendants

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.



~Sandy G.

Puzzles Of The Day

~Sandy G.

Recalls

Baby Jogger Recalls City Mini Strollers

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Frigidaire, Kenmore Smoothtop Electric Ranges Recalled

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

OfficeMax Recalls Office Chairs

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Wal-Mart Expands Durabrand DVD Players Recall

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Pirelli Recalls Pzero Corsa Tires

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Toyota Recalls Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Scion XD & Pontiac Vibe

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.


~Sandy G.

New Internet Scam Targets Yahoo! Users

WSLS News Staff, news@wsls.com
A new internet scam is making its way through Southwest Virginia.

The Tazewell Co. Sheriff’s Office says the scammers are targeting Yahoo! account holders.

Investigators say the scam works by sending a request to the Yahoo! user to update their Yahoo! account. When the user does this, the scammers then gain access to the Yahoo! account holder’s e-mail contacts.

FOR COMPLETE STORY, PLEASE CLICK HERE.


~Sandy G.

How Much Radiation Does Your Cell Phone Emit??

Cellphone radiation levels vary widely, watchdog report says

By Leslie Cauley, USA TODAY

Some cellphones emit several times more radiation than others, the Environmental Working Group found in one of the most exhaustive studies of its kind.

The government watchdog group on Wednesday releases a list ranking cellphones in terms of radiation. The free listing of more than 1,000 devices can be viewed here.

Concerns about radiation and cellphones have swirled for years. Scientific evidence to date has not been able to make a hard link between cancer and cellphones. But recent studies "are showing increased risk for brain and mouth tumors for people who have used cellphones for at least 10 years," says Jane Houlihan, senior vice president of research at the Washington-based group.

FOR COMPLETE STORY, PLEASE CLICK HERE.



~Sandy G.