What is a product recall?

When a company or manufacturer issues a product recall, they are basically altering the public to possible safety issues found in the recalled product. When an item is recalled, the maker first has to notify the public and other authorities as to the nature of the recall. This included providing serial or batch numbers of the product as well as establishing lines of communication for consumers to learn more about the particular safety issues suspected. Once the word is out, consumers are advised to return recalled products for a refund or replacement. Retailers are required to remove recalled items from their stock to prevent unsuspecting consumers from buying the items.

Tips To Keep Your Family Safe.

Your best defense to avoid using recalled products is by paying attention to product recalls. The following tips can help you avoid using or buying recalled products.

• Pay attention. With so many recalls happening these days it is possible to begin to “tune out” the information. Just because you have never had a problem with recalled items, that does not mean you don’t have something that is potentially dangerous sitting in your garage or pantry. Whenever you hear about a recall, take the time to go through your household items to ensure you are not exposing your family to unsafe products. Recalls are often issued years after the product hit the shelves, therefore you may not remember making the purchase yet the danger is still there.
• Use caution when buying second hand items. Yard sales and consignment stores are a great way to find good deals and are becoming increasingly popular as consumers try to save more money. Pay special attention to the products you buy (or bought) second hand as the seller may have been unaware of the recall at the time of purchase.
• Discard recalled items properly. It is not only important to keep recalled items out of your home, but the homes of others as well. Do your part and make sure that any item that you have that has been recalled is returned to the manufacturer for proper disposal. It is not uncommon for consumers to simply throw away a recalled item versus going through the process of getting a refund or replacement. Doing this increases the chances that someone else might end up with the recalled product, in turn putting another family at risk. Do not sell or give recalled products away.

While it is costly and sometimes damaging to the company that issues a recall, the purpose is to prevent injury or death from using potentially dangerous products. You can stay atop product recalls by visiting consumer or government websites that provide up to date information on product safety.

Consumers Confidence Shaken By Recalls was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Food Safety Tips

The same techniques that you normally follow are all that is needed to ensure proper food handling. Basic reminders include:

• Hand washing. It is always important to thoroughly wash your hands with soap and warm water before and after handling raw meat, poultry or eggs.
• Fruits and vegetables should be rinsed before eating.
• Cook burgers to at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure bacteria is no longer present.
• Hot foods should be kept hot and cold foods cold.
• Make sure raw and uncooked meat does not come in contact with other foods. Use separate plates for raw and cooked meats.
• Foods that contain eggs, meat, milk and other dairy products should not be un-refrigerated for longer than an hour.
• Make sure you know and are able to recognize the signs of food poisoning. They include severe cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain. These symptoms can appear within half an hour of eating contaminated food. People who suspect they have food poisoning  should seek medical treatment if the symptoms become severe or last longer than two days.

Alcohol Safety Tips

Beer, wine and other alcoholic beverages are often found at Memorial Day celebrations. Just like any other time of the year, certain precautions must be taken if you or someone you know is going to be drinking alcohol.

• It is illegal for people under the age of 21 to consume alcoholic beverages. There are no exceptions made for family picnics, parties or celebrations regardless of the adult supervision in place. In fact if you provide alcohol or even allow a person under age to consume alcohol at a party both the adult and minor can face legal consequences.
• Never drink and drive. Again, this is common sense advice that is necessary all year long to ensure the safety of everyone involved. If you are hosting a party, make sure anyone who is drinking has a designated driver or be willing to let them stay until they are able to drive.
• Moderation is key. There are many celebrations which have a bad ending due to excessive consumption of alcohol. There is nothing wrong with having a few drinks and having fun with friends. People drinking alcohol may find it difficult to know when the line has been crossed, so it is important to have someone responsible for “keeping an eye” out for potential problems.

Always make sure there is an adult or parent responsible for watching their children. Accidents are always a possibility and it only takes one second for a party to turn into a tragedy if children are left unattended.

Have a great time and enjoy getting together with friends and family this weekend, and remember to pay your respects to those who have given so much so that we can enjoy the liberties we have today.

Memorial Day Safety Tips was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

There is a study out which tells a bleak story concerning a less than enthusiastic attitude towards food safety. This study from Rutgers University on consumer behavior about safety issues suggests that many shoppers choose to ignore warnings about tainted food and continue to eat items that have been recalled.

The obvious red flag here about eating bad food is startling enough. Yet there is also the other side of this in that financially, not heeding these warnings can cause a serious financial risk as well. When people get sick, they kick in their use of the health care system (which they should – that is why it exists) which causes spikes in the costs associated with the illness.

The most disturbing part of this study shows that most people do not think that the recalls are applicable to them, but for others to heed. Could this be the same attitude that affects consumers in their lack of action on their financial picture as well?

Refusing to do anything about money issues is one thing, but to put oneself at risk from a health standpoint is unthinkable. Here are a set of tips that can apply to either situation.

Change priorities

A shift in priorities needs to take place in the minds of those who have these attitudes. Seeing oneself as insulated from the effects money or health issues provides no motivation to make positive changes. A healthy dissatisfaction with present circumstances and attitudes is the beginning of a pathway to a better life. At that point, actions can be taken to correct issues and avoid problems.

Monitor always

There is no reason not to be aware of what is happening in either the world of finances or health concerns. Money issues have always been at the forefront of news reports as are health concerns. Everyone should not only be listening, but talking in their communities about the rising threats that need to be dealt with decisively.

Take action

Once a prescribed path is established, action can be taken to fix problems or avoid them all together. With food it is simply to heed warnings and get rid of anything that is even suggested there might be a health risk associated. On the money side, the course of action might be to begin to take steps to improve your credit score or pay down debt, etc.

Your health and finances are two of the most important issues in your life. Take time to review your attitudes and make changes today that will help make a better life for you. It could be the difference between life and death.

Few Americans See Food Safety as an Important Issue was created by and is property of American Consumer News.