Since 1990, more than 800 children have died from heatstroke in hot cars, including nine children so far just this year. But despite the severity of this problem, technology that’s already available that can remind parents when their child is still in the back seat is not yet standard for all cars. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and parents who have experienced tragic losses want this to change. [More]
safety
Kawasaki To Pay $5.2M To Resolve Allegations It Didn’t Properly Report Defects, Injuries Related To Recall
By 6.2.17 — Updated: 6.9.17
Under federal law, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers are required to immediately report information regarding possible safety defects to the Consumer Product Safety Commission within 24 hours of obtaining reasonable supporting evidence. Kawasaki allegedly failed to do this with regard to defects in thousands of eventually recalled recreational off-highway vehicles (ROVs) and now the company has agreed to pay a $5.2 million penalty. [More]
Toyota Recalling 32,000 Tacoma Trucks That Could Unexpectedly Stall
By 6.2.17 — Updated: 6.9.17
Usually it’s a good thing when a piece of metal that could corrode over time comes covered with anti-corrosion coating. But the maker of some Toyota Tacoma parts was a bit too liberal in its application of the coating, resulting in trucks that could stall, prompting the recall of 32,000 Tacoma vehicles. [More]
Smuckers Recalls Three Brands Of Flour Over Possible E.Coli Contamination
By 6.1.17 — Updated: 6.9.17
The two-month-old recall of potentially E. coli-contaminated flour in Canada is makings its way across the border, as Smuckers announced the recall of three brands of flour shipped to the U.S. [More]
Dumpster Diving For Beauty Products: Is It Legal And Safe?
By 5.31.17
Sure, it’s always nice to get a great deal on beauty products, and what’s a better deal than 100% off? “Dumpster Diving” — the art of sourcing still-usable items from the trash — is nothing new, but there are growing reports from beauty bloggers and YouTubers claiming to score free lipsticks, nail polishes, eye shadows, and other items by sorting through the items that Ulta, Sephora, and others throw out. Is this legal, and if so, is it safe? [More]
Water Park Investigating After Boy Flies Off Giant Slide
By 5.30.17
Fun in the sun was cut short over Memorial Day weekend when a 10-year-old boy flew off a giant water slide at a park that just opened in California. [More]
New Baggage Scanners May Someday Let You Bring Liquids Through Airport Security
By 5.26.17
The Transportation Security Administration may be testing new ways to get travelers through security checkpoints more quickly and efficiently by having them remove additional items from their carry-on bags, but the companies that make these devices have developed technology that could eventually save you from having to take out your laptop at the checkpoint or guzzle that bottle of water before you’re forced to throw it out. [More]
How To Check Your Tires Before Heading Out On A Summer Road Trip
By 5.26.17
A tire check should be part of your pretrip routine because a basic inspection can improve your safety and even help boost your fuel economy. To remind motorists about performing this important review, the tire industry has designated May 28 to June 3 as National Tire Safety Week. [More]
BMW Recalls 45,500 Cars Over Doors That Could Open Unexpectedly
By 5.26.17
It’s one thing to feel the breeze through an open window or sunroof while driving down the road; it’s a very different experience when that fresh air comes from a door that opened on its own. [More]
“Herbal” Coffee Recalled For Containing Same Ingredients As Viagra, Cialis
By 5.26.17
A “natural” coffee promises to improve a drinker’s sexual desire and stamina through the use of three herbs. But it’s now being recalled after Food and Drug Administration tests found that the coffee — which has been linked to one death — actually contains the same active ingredients found in prescription erectile dysfunction drugs Viagra and Cialis. [More]
Graco Recalling 25,400 Carseats That May Not Properly Restrain Children In A Crash
By 5.24.17 — Updated: 5.25.17
If you tote your child from point A to point B in a Graco carseat, listen up: The company has recalled eight different carseat models after finding they may not adequately restrain a child. [More]
Justice Dept., EPA Sue Fiat Chrysler Over ‘Dirty Diesel’ Ram Trucks, Jeep Cherokees
By 5.23.17
Just as Volkswagen cleans up the remnants of its dirty diesel scandal, the folks at Fiat Chrysler find themselves on the receiving of a lawsuit brought by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Justice Department accusing the carmaker of rigging its own diesel engines to fool emissions tests. [More]
FDA, CDC Warn Families About Inaccurate Readings In Some Lead Tests
By 5.17.17
It’s easier than ever for parents (and parents-to-be) to get their lead levels tested, but federal officials are now warning American families that certain popular lead tests may provide inaccurate results, increasing the risk for lead poisoning in certain young children and adults. [More]
1.25 Million Ram Trucks Recalled For Software Error Linked To Fatal Crash
By 5.12.17
If you own a Ram pickup truck, pay attention: Fiat Chrysler is recalling more than one million Rams to address a software error that can affect the truck’s safety systems, and has already been linked to one crash-related death and two injuries. [More]
BMW Owners Say Their Parked Cars Are Going Up In Flames
By 5.11.17
When you park your car, turn the engine off, and walk away, you have a reasonable expectation that when you return the vehicle will be in the same spot and in the same condition as when you left. But some BMW owners say they’ve returned only to find their car in flames. Now, these owners and fire officials from across the country are asking why. [More]
400,000 Handheld Massagers Recalled After 15 Users Report Being Burned
By 5.2.17 — Updated: 5.9.17
A bit of heat usually feels nice when getting a massage; burns and shocks from exposed electrical wires, not so much. Just ask the 15 people (so far) who have complained about being burned by HoMedics hand massagers. [More]
Why Is Subaru Telling Me To Keep People Out Of The Passenger Seat For The Next Year?
By 5.1.17 — Updated: 5.9.17
For the better part of two years, carmakers have been notifying owners of vehicle included in the massive shrapnel-shooting Takata airbags recall. Given the sheer volume of and airbags involved, it’s understandable that not all repairs can be done right away, but some drivers are finding out that they may not only have to wait a year for the fix, they shouldn’t have anyone else in the front seat with them during that time. [More]
82,000 Osprey Baby Carriers Recalled After Reports Of Children Falling Through Leg Holes
By 4.28.17 — Updated: 5.9.17
Strapping on a baby carrier and toting around your child can make things a lot easier for a busy parent or caregiver. But before you hit the hiking trail, you might want to make sure your carrier isn’t one of the Osprey backpacks being recalled following reports of children falling out. [More]
