Articles Index - page 3
CPSC Issues Holiday 2004 Recalled Toy List
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued its 2004 holiday season list of recently recalled toys and children's products consumers may still find in stores.
USPS Mailing Tips for 2004 Holidays
According to the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), 20 billion pieces of mail are delivered between Thanksgiving Day and Christmas. Want your letter, card or package to be one of them? Here are the mailing guidelines for the 2004 holiday season from the USPS. Note that some of these are new this year.
Americans Enjoy Affordable Thanksgiving Feasts
A home-cooked, traditional Thanksgiving dinner – including turkey, stuffing, cranberries, pumpkin pie and all the trimmings - will cost an average of $3.57 this year, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation.
Dealing With the "Check 21" Banking Law
A sweeping new banking law known as “Check 21” will go into effect beginning October 28, speeding up check processing and putting consumers at risk for more bounced checks and fees, warns Consumers Union. The consumer group is advising consumers to keep a careful eye on their bank statements in the coming months and issued a set of tips to avoid some of the law’s potentially negative impacts.
Park Service Unveils Wheelchair-friendly Playgrounds
More children with physical disabilities will now be able to enjoy a wheelchair-friendly playground, thanks to researchers at U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service's Forest Products Laboratory.
CPSC Refutes Consumer Reports' Claims
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has defended itself against accusation leveled against them by Consumer Reports in its recent article entitled: "Hazard in aisle 5."
EPA - DOE Issue 2005 Vehicle Fuel Economy Ratings
The EPA and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) have released their 2005 Fuel Economy Guide for passenger cars, small trucks and SUVs.
Government Pays 17,600 Passengers for Damaged Bag Claims
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) confirms that it has agreed to pay damages to more than 17,600 airline passengers who filed claims for property damaged or lost when their checked baggage was screened for explosives. Read more and get tips on how to prevent damaged baggage.
U.S. Seatbelt Use Hits Record High
A record 80 percent of Americans wear their seatbelts while driving or riding in their vehicles, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta announced. According to Mineta, the number of Americans wearing their seatbelts has increased dramatically over the past few years.
No Postage Increase Until 2006, USPS Promises
Postage rates will not increase until 2006, promises Postmaster General John E. Potter, citing aggressive cost cutting efforts that allowed the U.S. Postal Service to save $8.3 billion over the last three years.
Child Drowning Dangers Never End, CPSC Warns
As part of Baby Safety Month, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is warning parents and caregivers about in-home drowning hazards. "Summer is over and many pools are now closed, but drowning dangers never end," said CPSC Chairman Hal Stratton. "Parents of young children need to know there are other drowning hazards in and around the home."
Transportation Fatalities Decreased in 2003
Transportation fatalities in the United States decreased in 2003. Preliminary figures released by the National Transportation Safety Board indicate that 44,888 overall transportation fatalities were reported in 2003, down from 45,311 fatalities reported in 2002 statistics.
US School Children At Risk from Heavy Backpacks
Parents take note -- when back to school shopping this year, there is one essential item that requires very special attention: your child's backpack.
US Loan Brings Beverage Manufacturing to Afghanistan
Thanks to a $9.2 million loan from a U.S. Government agency, Afghanistan will be able to establish its first locally manufactured beverage facility, helping the country both meet a strong demand for clean drinking water and continue its economic reconstruction.
Los Alamos Missing Plutonium for 150 Nuclear Bombs
The beleaguered Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is unable to account for 765 kilograms of plutonium -- enough to make 150 nuclear weapons -- according to a letter from nuclear watchdog groups to LANL Director G. Peter Nanos.
Consumer Group Warns of Growing Fake Check Scam
The National Consumers League (NCL) has joined with the American Bankers Association (ABA) in warning consumers of the growing problem of fake check scams. Consumers who reported fake check scams to NCL’s fraud programs between January 1 and June 30, 2004 lost an average of $5,000. In many cases, the contact is initiated by email.
Private California School Teaches of 53 U.S. States
California Attorney General Bill Lockyer has ordered a chain of private schools to stop handing out diplomas after officials learned that the school was teaching immigrants that there are 53 U.S. states, four branches of federal government and a plethora of other inaccurate information.
Wyoming Wild Horse Herd Faces Starvation
Citing the threat of imminent starvation, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management has announced an emergency removal of all wild horses from northwest Wyoming, according to documents released by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER).
CAMRA: A Study of Government Waste?
Sen. Joe Lieberman (D-Conn) has been named "Porker of the Month" by the Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) for his sponsorship of a bill that would spend $90 million to study the effects of television viewing and other media on children.
BBB Warns of Imposters Targeting Consumers and Businesses
The Better Business Bureau system has issued a national alert to warn consumers and businesses about two questionable operations that are falsely using the BBB name to trick victims.
Taking Vacation? Request to Have Your Mail Held Online
You spent months planning the perfect vacation and the time has finally come. The bags are packed, the car is loaded, and the dog's in the kennel. At the last minute you remember you haven't asked the Post Office to hold your mail while you're away. Well, just run back into the house, fire up your PC and get the job done. The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) now offers customers the option of requesting that their mail be held from 3 to 30 days quickly and easily online.
Community College Enrollment Soaring
Enrollment growth in America's community colleges outpaced all other major postsecondary institutions, according to a new issue brief released by the Center for Policy Analysis at the American Council on Education (ACE).[p]
FTC Offers Advice on Dealing With Rising Gas Prices
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued a Consumer Alert entitled, "Dubious ‘Gas-Saving’ Gadgets Can Drive You to Distraction," that informs consumers about both gas-saving devices with questionable benefit and "tried and true steps to deal with rising gas prices."
Dog, Cat Allergens Everywhere, Govt. Study Shows
Yes, you paid for it. A taxpayer-funded government study has found that levels of dog and cat allergens are higher in homes where dogs and cats live inside. Bet you didn't see that one coming.
API Mid-summer Updates on Gasoline Prices, Supplies
Although higher than a year ago, gasoline prices continue to drop nationwide, according to the American Petroleum Institute's mid-summer 2004 update to Congress on U.S. gasoline prices and supplies.