All Topics

• Profits Drive Lead Paint Use by Manufacturers

  Claude Wyle | September 13, 2007 2:49 PM | 0 CommentsSan Francisco, CA

  When Mattell announced its third recall in six weeks because of toxic levels of lead paint in toys, as well as 16 other recent recalls, we said that this was because of China and money. All the dangerous products were made in China. So why would the Chines manufacturers use lead paint in children's' toys?The simplest answer is price. Paint with higher levels of lead often sells for a third of...

• Faulty Spindle-Back Chairs Linked to Whiplash

  Claude Wyle | September 12, 2007 3:50 PM | 0 CommentsSan Francisco, CA

  The title of this blog is not a typo. Unfortunately, it is true that at least one consumer did suffer whiplash after the wooden chair he purchased at J.C. Penney collapsed beneath him. Other consumers suffered bruising and other injuries from similar accidents. Consumers may contact J.C. Penny for a full refund.For more information on this subject matter, please refer to our section on...

• Teen Texting and Driving Ban Proposed by Lawmaker

  Claude Wyle | September 10, 2007 7:54 PM | 0 CommentsSan Francisco, CA

  Doesn't texting require both hands? Yes, and this is exactly why Senator Joe Simitian proposed legislation to ban all 16- and 17-year-old drivers from texting, and using other electronic devices, while driving. If this bill passes, fatal highway accidents like the one in the Finger Lakes region of New York earlier this summer may be prevented. Five teens lost their lives this June when,...

• Tragic Train Accident Takes Life of Young Woman

  Claude Wyle | September 10, 2007 3:44 PM | 0 CommentsSan Francisco, CA

  Our hearts go out to the family of Britta Aker. At the young age of 27, her life was prematurely taken early yesterday morning as she walked over Union Pacific Railroad tracks in Newark, California. Unfortunately, it will be a tough task for her family to persuade a court to permit recovery for civil damages. This is so because California courts tend to hold that railroad tracks alone are a...

• Children's Clothing Poses "Entrapment" Hazard

  Claude Wyle | September 07, 2007 8:40 AM | 0 CommentsSan Francisco, CA

  Children decked out in Kmart's Basic Edition Girls' Clothing Sets may be risking more than just bad fashion. Some shirts in this line have especially dangerous drawstrings at the waist, which can pry loose and become entangled in a vehicle door, creating a risk of death or serious injury. Kmart recommends removing the string from the waist to reduce the risk of injury. For more information...

• Dangerous Outdoor Candles Recalled

  Claude Wyle | September 06, 2007 5:27 PM | 0 CommentsSan Francisco, CA

  Hayes, a manufacture of outdoor products, is recalling three styles of their "Avant Yarde" outdoor citronella candles. These candles burn at such high temperatures, the wax catches fire and transforms these outdoor candles into dangerous torches. The recall was announced after the company received reports of consumers suffering burns.For more information on this subject matter, please refer to...

• More Toys Full of Lead

  Claude Wyle | September 06, 2007 4:05 PM | 0 CommentsSan Francisco, CA

  In its 3rd Recall, Mattel Announces More Toys Include Lead. Mattel issued another global recall, this time of 848,000 toys last night, the toy company's third recent recall because of dangerous levels of lead paint on toys. This latest recall includes 3 toys sold by Fisher-Price and 8 Barbie accessories, though no Barbie dolls. According to Mattel, most of the recalled toys are Barbie...

• Traumatic Brain Injuries From Car And Motorcycle Accidents

  Claude Wyle | September 05, 2007 4:27 PM | 0 CommentsSan Francisco, CA

  Astoundingly, 1.5-2 million people a year sustain traumatic brain injury (TBI) from motor vehicle accidents such as automobile accidents and motorcycle accidents, as well as bicycle accidents and pedestrian accidents and falls, sport injuries, and other traumatic events. 500,000 of these TBIs are severe enough to require hospitalization, and 50,000 people die from complications of head...

• Five Dead From Motor Vehicle Accidents in San Francisco Bay Area Over Weekend

  Claude Wyle | September 04, 2007 3:59 PM | 0 CommentsSan Francisco, CA

  Even before the Labor Day weekend was half over, it proved deadly for several people traveling on San Francisco Bay Area roads and highways. By Saturday night, a 61 year old man died in a motorcycle crash in Concord, when he rode into the Kohl's department store. On Highway 4, a motorcyclist was killed when he was thrown from his bike, landing inside the gates of a nearby storage facility. A 47...

• Pedestrian Attorneys Seek Accountability From Muni

  Claude Wyle | September 03, 2007 4:46 PM | 0 CommentsSan Francisco, CA

  In SAN FRANCISCO, the fourth victim of a Muni-involved pedestrian crash in two weeks was struck by a Muni train Tuesday. According to the Muni's own spokesperson, as of last week, San Francisco Muni vehicles had been involved in 956 accidents this year alone, 39 with pedestrians, five of which were fatal. San Francisco pedestrians are being run over at an astoundingly high rate, and The City...