consumer safety

Fireworks: Family Fun or Safety Hazard?

Fireworks are erupting in Ohio—political fireworks, that is. In recent years, state legislators have been hearing from advocates on both sides of the fireworks debate. Some feel that fireworks are too dangerous, and cite their life-altering impact on consumers, including severe eye injuries, loss of limbs, and even death. Manufacturers, on the other hand,...

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Airbags Exploding Like IEDs – Car Occupants Hit with Shrapnel

In an urgent message to consumers, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has recalled millions of vehicles due to defective airbags, which can spontaneously explode and seriously harm passengers. According to government officials, owners of affected Toyota, Honda, Mazda, BMW, Nissan, Ford, Chrysler, Mitsubishi, Subaru and General Motors vehicles should take “immediate action”...

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Is Your Doctor Giving You Fake Drugs?

It seems that even doctors can fall prey to the same counterfeit drug scams that have plagued consumers. We received an email today, which announced the FDA has launched a new website, warning health care professionals about a growing trend: Fake drug distributors. “There is a growing network of rogue wholesale drug distributors selling...

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Grill Safely this Summer

Whether you like burgers and dogs, barbecue chicken or even grilled veggies, please remember to grill safely! Safety Tips Always read the owner’s manual before using the grill. Don’t assume a new grill works the way your old one did! Propane and charcoal grills should only be used outdoors Place the grill well away...

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Hidden Ingredients in Food and Weight Loss Supplements

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is advising consumers not to purchase or use several weight loss products sold on various websites and in some retail stores. These fraudulent products can cause serious injury or even death. “These products are masquerading as dietary supplements—they may look like dietary supplements but they are not legal...

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Use Caution When Buying Fireworks

If you’re thinking about buying fireworks to add some excitement to your 4th of July celebration in Ohio, think again. First and foremost, aside from sparklers and other small novelty items, fireworks are illegal for personal use in Ohio. While you can buy other types of fireworks in Ohio, all fireworks must be transported...

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Vehicle Recalls Abound

Recently, General Motors has been the subject of extensive media attention and congressional hearings amid allegations the car manufacturer covered up a dangerous ignition switch defect that has been linked to 31 crashes and 13 deaths. However, GM isn’t the only auto manufacturer experiencing problems. The Motley Fool writes: “Meanwhile, competitors in the automotive...

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Death of 2 Children Renews Storage Chest Concerns

Officials warn of dangers associated with storage, cedar, hope and toy chests It seems you can’t go more than a few days without hearing about the recall of a car, toy, or other product, and it may be a bit overwhelming. However, here at Elk & Elk, we post news of numerous recalls in...

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Your Halloween contact lenses may be scarier than you think

(Updated 10/15/2015) – Those eerie contact lenses you saw online might seem like the perfect addition to your Halloween costume, but decorative contact lenses may limit your vision and can cause permanent damage to your eyes. Also known as cosmetic or theatrical lenses, decorative contact lenses are used to change the look of your...

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Toyota Recall Due to Spiders?

Toyota is recalling over 800,000 vehicles worldwide because of electrical issues that may cause problems with airbag deployment. In a press release, Toyota announced a recall of the 2012 and 2013 model years of the Camry, Camry Hybrid, Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, and Venza due to a problem with the air conditioning condenser unit housing....

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