One of my proudest moments as a consumer news producer was a story that prompted a national recall. A mother of a 20-month-old had called the TV station where I worked to report that she discovered her toddler had been playing with a dangerous toy. The stuffed bear had a wire protruding from its belly, and luckily, the mom noticed it before the child injured himself. She couldn’t believe the toy manufacturer could get away with selling unsafe stuffed bears nationwide at big retail outlets. Read more

Whether you’re preparing for an earthquake or the next wildfire season, part of your planning should include creating what safety experts call a “go bag.” My problem is that every time I start to prepare, I only get partway there and never complete the task. Sound familiar? Read more

I was sad to hear that a friend’s husband was recently taken for a ride by some guys wandering their neighborhood selling pressure washing services. All the red flags were there. Read more

A few weeks ago, I was walking down my street and stopped to talk with a neighbor. She was deeply worried. She just learned she was being sued by someone claiming they had been injured after tripping on a cracked portion of the sidewalk in front of her home. I looked at the sidewalk and saw that the county had placed some orange markers on either side of the cracked portion. This news was puzzling to me. The crack wasn’t especially large and had been there for years. It also made me think about all the cracked concrete in my backyard where someone could easily trip. I decided to learn more about homeowner liability regarding sidewalks and what options exist for concrete repair.  Read more

This year, more Bay Area residents than ever before will be staying home for the holidays. With COVID-19 numbers continuing to rise throughout the region, local officials are urging people to put off large family gatherings and celebrations. While festivities may be smaller this year, it’s still important to take steps to ensure the safety of your household. Read more

It’s that time of year again—time to deck the halls (or, more accurately, the walls of your home) with holiday lights and décor. While this is a great way to celebrate the season, it’s important to take precautions when decorating your home exterior. If you aren’t careful, you could potentially injure yourself or create unsafe conditions on your property. To avoid problems, follow these safety tips: Read more

Since California began its COVID-19 lockdown in March, many holidays and traditions have looked different this year. Graduation ceremonies were held online, Independence Day passed without local fireworks and baseball games were held in near-empty stadiums. Now, Halloween is just around the corner, and festivities promise to be more subdued than usual. While COVID-19 cases remain steady in California, they’re climbing rapidly in other parts of the country. State health officials still recommend wearing a mask when you’re outside your home, staying at least six feet away from others and washing your hands frequently. Read more