Consumer News

Consumer Consumer Reports puts gas grills to the test (Video)

By Consumer Reports Published: May 6, 2013 at 6:08 PM PDT Last Updated: May 6, 2013 at 6:25 PM PDT

Some grills do more than the basics, including one with a rotisserie that also has a side burner, perfect for keeping a pot boiling.

Consumer Do you have a separate flood insurance policy?

By Herb Weisbaum Published: May 6, 2013 at 7:01 AM PDT Last Updated: May 6, 2013 at 8:12 AM PDT

Flooding, the most common natural disaster in this country is not covered by your homeowners or renters insurance. You need to buy a separate policy for that.

Consumer Paying with your smart phone (Video)

By Consumer Reports Published: May 3, 2013 at 9:28 PM PDT Last Updated: May 3, 2013 at 9:28 PM PDT

Over the last year, people are starting to pay for stuff by waving sliding, or tapping their smart phones.

Consumer Bluapple Produce Preserver: Does it work? (Video)

By Connie Thompson Published: May 2, 2013 at 6:53 PM PDT Last Updated: May 2, 2013 at 6:53 PM PDT

It's estimated the average household of four throws away as much as 600 dollars worth of produce a year because it goes bad.

Consumer Securing your smart phone

By Consumer Reports Published: May 2, 2013 at 6:57 PM PDT Last Updated: May 2, 2013 at 6:57 PM PDT

If you store sensitive information on your smart phone, losing track of it could spell disaster. A just-released survey by Consumer Reports projects more than 7 million smart-phone owners had a phone that was lost, stolen, or ruined in the last year.

Consumer Is anti-bacterial soap safe? FDA takes 40 years to decide

By MATTHEW PERRONE AP Health Writer Published: May 2, 2013 at 12:40 PM PDT Last Updated: May 3, 2013 at 10:43 AM PDT

Federal health regulators are just now deciding whether triclosan — the germ-killing ingredient found in an estimated 75 percent of anti-bacterial liquid soaps and body washes sold in the U.S. — is ineffective, or worse, harmful.

Consumer Manufacturers disclose toxic chemicals in kids products (Video)

By Connie Thompson Published: May 1, 2013 at 6:27 PM PDT Last Updated: May 3, 2013 at 8:59 AM PDT

New reports filed with the state Department of Ecology show manufacturers continue to use toxic materials in products intended for kids.

Consumer Study finds bacteria in turkey products; industry disputes findings (Video)

By Consumer Reports and Connie Thompson Published: Apr 30, 2013 at 5:08 PM PDT Last Updated: Apr 30, 2013 at 6:00 PM PDT

A just-released Consumer Reports investigation reveals that turkey can be a breeding ground for antibiotic-resistant bacteria. But the National Turkey Federation says it strongly disputes Consumer Reports’ findings and calls the study alarmist and misleading.

Consumer Pharmacy prices vary widely for same big-name generics

By Consumer Reports Published: Apr 29, 2013 at 5:53 PM PDT Last Updated: Apr 30, 2013 at 11:55 AM PDT

Atorvastatin, the generic for Lipitor, is now widely prescribed to combat high cholesterol. Consumer Reports checked out prices of atorvastatin at more than 200 pharmacies, including Walgreens, CVS, Target, Walmart, and Costco, as well as independent and supermarket pharmacies and online.

Consumer Flood insurance: Are you prepared for possible damage?

By Herb Weisbaum Published: May 6, 2013 at 5:00 AM PDT Last Updated: Apr 29, 2013 at 2:37 PM PDT

Flooding, the most common natural disaster in this country, is not covered by your homeowners or renters insurance. You need to buy a separate policy for that.

Most people know this, but only 13 percent of the American homeowners have flood insurance.

Consumer 5 Seattle restaurants with lines out the door

By Herb Weisbaum Published: Apr 30, 2013 at 11:10 AM PDT Last Updated: Apr 30, 2013 at 12:19 PM PDT

Consumer Optimize your pet's health with exericise

By Herb Weisbaum Published: May 5, 2013 at 5:00 AM PDT Last Updated: Apr 29, 2013 at 2:23 PM PDT

You need exercise. So do your pets, especially your pooch. They need it for both physical and mental well-being.

Consumer Preventing ladder injuries one step at a time

By Herb Weisbaum Published: May 2, 2013 at 5:00 AM PDT Last Updated: May 2, 2013 at 8:21 AM PDT

There are all sorts of ways to hurt yourself on a ladder.

"The thing to remember with ladders is one step at a time, two hands at a time," says John Drengenberg, consumer safety director at Underwriters Labs.

Consumer Are generic drugs as safe and effective as brand name drugs?

By Herb Weisbaum Published: May 1, 2013 at 5:00 AM PDT Last Updated: May 1, 2013 at 9:33 AM PDT

You've heard it many times before: Generics are as safe and effective as the original brand name drugs they copy.

Consumer Make your home offer irresistible to sellers

By Herb Weisbaum Published: May 3, 2013 at 5:00 AM PDT Last Updated: May 7, 2013 at 8:27 AM PDT

It's a seller’s market again in many parts of the country. With houses in short supply, we're seeing bidding wars on some properties.