Thousands of Texas residents have been displaced following Hurricane Harvey’s landfall over the weekend. While many of these people no doubt traveled to stay with friends and family outside of the affected areas, others don’t have those options. Instead, they’ve sought refuge from rising flood waters at community centers, shelters… and furniture stores. [More]
Quality & Safety
Owner Of Houston Furniture Stores Turns Them Into Shelters For Residents Stranded By Hurricane
By 8.28.17
Dr. Martens Recalled Over Chemical Exposure Hazard
By 8.28.17
When you think of products that can lead to chemical exposure, your first thought probably doesn’t involve the shoes on your feet. Yet, that’s apparently an issue for about 30,000 pairs of Dr. Martens’ vegan boots now being recalled. [More]
Here’s What To Do With Gators Displaced By Hurricane Flooding
By 8.25.17
With Hurricane Harvey barreling toward the coast of Texas, the state’s residents have no doubt been busy preparing for any havoc the storm may wreak, including extreme flooding. But beyond the potential damage those rising waters could do to homes and property there’s another eventuality Texans should be ready to handle: Displaced alligators. [More]
Chicken Skewers Sold At Costco Recalled Over Listeria Concerns
By 8.24.17
If your dinner plans include enjoying those chicken skewers you grabbed at Costco, you might want to go with plan B: More than 20,000 pounds of chicken skewers have been recalled over listeria contamination concerns. [More]
With Galaxy Note 8 Nearing Launch, Samsung Focuses On Battery Safety
By 8.23.17
A year after Samsung recalled and eventually discontinued the Galaxy Note 7 after several of the devices’ batteries overheated and exploded or caught fire, the tech company is prepping the release of its next version of the smartphone, the Galaxy Note 8. [More]
Owners Of Spark Drones Face Grounding If They Don’t Install Fix That Keeps Devices From Losing Power
By 8.23.17
The fun part about drones? The way they zip through the sky. Not so fun? If they come crashing to the ground unexpectedly. That’s why the maker of popular Spark drones is telling owners they’ll have to install an update that keeps their aircraft aloft — or face grounding. [More]
FDA Sprout Study Finds Bacterial Contamination, But You Can Still Eat Sprouts
By 8.22.17
How do you keep contaminated food from reaching consumers? The Food and Drug Administration recently set out on a project to test fresh foods that are often the subject of recalls, hoping to learn how common bacterial contamination is and how to prevent these foods from making people sick. This week, it released its report on sprouts, a fresh salad topping that makes people sick surprisingly often. [More]
Panera’s Cups Will Now Tell You How Much Sugar Is In That Fountain Drink
By 8.22.17
Panera Bread’s health crusade continues apace this week: After launching a new “clean” beverage line and posting calorie and added sugars information for its drinks in its stores, Panera will be rolling out new cups that list nutritional information for every beverage it sells. [More]
Trump Administration Halts Study On Health Risks Associated With Coal Mining
By 8.22.17
A federal study examining the potential health risks of living near surface coal mining sites in Appalachia has been put on hold by the White House as it reviews its grant and agreements. [More]
Jury Awards Woman $417M In Johnson & Johnson Talcum Powder Lawsuit
By 8.21.17
Three months after a Missouri jury ordered Johnson & Johnson to pay a record-setting $110.5 million to a Virginia woman who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer linked to the company’s talcum-based products, another jury in California has dwarfed that judgment, handing down a $417 million verdict in a similar suit. [More]
Elon Musk, AI Experts From Around The World Call For Ban On Killer Robots
By 8.21.17
While there are many benefits to artificial intelligence and robots that can do just about anything humans can do, technology leaders from around the globe are urging the United Nations to ban lethal autonomous weapon systems, which “threaten to become the third revolution in warfare.” [More]
Uber Driver Accused Of Locking Passenger In Car, Demanding Sex
By 8.21.17
A Chicago Uber driver has been charged with unlawful restraint after he was accused of locking a passenger in his car and demanding that she have sex with him. [More]
Science Says Whiskey Tastes Better With A Little Water — Here’s Why
By and 8.17.17
For many whiskey connoisseurs, enjoying their favorite brown alcohol any other way than neat is bordering on sacrilegious. But according to science, a bit of water makes the libation taste even better. [More]
10,200 Refurbished Samsung Galaxy Note 4 Batteries Recalled Over Burn, Fire Risks
By 8.16.17 — Updated: 8.17.17
Nearly a year after Samsung recalled and discontinued its Galaxy Note 7 smartphones after the devices were found to overheat and explode, another phone in the company’s lineup is under recall: 10,000 Galaxy Note 4 devices have been recalled amid concerns they could overheat, posing a risk of fire or burns to users. [More]
FDA Warns: Don’t Use These Potentially Contaminated Liquid Supplements And Medications
By 8.11.17
The Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers and medical professionals not to use liquid supplements and medications made by Pharmatech, including some products marketed for use by babies and small children. These products — distributed under multiple brand names, including Rugby, Major, and Leader — may be contaminated with potentially dangerous bacteria. [More]
J.P. O’Reilly’s Burgers Recalled Because They’re Secretly Bacon Cheeseburgers
By 8.11.17
Many people like bacon and cheese on their burgers, but for whatever reason — allergy, religion, taste — plenty more don’t. And so the company behind the J.P. O’Reilly’s brand is recalling two tons of surprise! bacon cheeseburgers in six states for “misbranding.” [More]
At Least 230 Cases Of Norovirus Linked To Doughnut Shop
By 8.10.17
Hundreds of people in Ohio have been sick this week — and they can blame doughnuts: Officials have linked at least 230 reports of norovirus to one local doughnut shop. [More]
Panera Workers Break Into Car To Rescue Two Dogs Inside
By 8.10.17
It might seem like a quick trip to you, but even if you don’t think you’ll be gone very long it’s always important to remember: Do not leave any living thing in a car with the windows up and no air conditioning on a hot day. If you do, you may find a few broken windows when you return, like the dog owner who left his two pooches in a hot car. [More]
