Yonkers, NY – Consumer Reports today released its latest Ratings of LCD and plasma televisions just in time for Super Bowl Sunday, when many Americans consider purchasing a new set. Those who are in the market will find a whole host of exciting features such as built-in Internet browsers, 3D, remotes with more interactivity, and bigger and wider screens to choose from.

“Although many TVs now come with the latest technologies, prices have still fallen considerably, making them an attractive purchase,” said Jim Willcox, Senior Editor for Electronics at Consumer Reports. “Shoppers who plan to purchase a new TV now, or in the next month or two, should expect to get a lot for their money.”

In the latest Consumer Reports Ratings of LCD and plasma TVs, there are 10 models with 60-inch or larger screens, including a 70-inch Sharp LCD TV. Additionally, the ranks of 3D-capable sets have grown, so too have models with full 1080p resolution and LCD TVs with 120Hz or higher refresh rates designed to reduce motion blur. And very good or excellent picture quality is nearly a given, with 135 of the 142 models tested by Consumer Reports achieving that level – even secondary brand models with relative low price points

The full report, which features Ratings of 142 LCD and plasma TVs, can be found at www.ConsumerReports.org.

LCD or plasma?

Both LCD and plasma TVs can offer top performance, but they have different characteristics that consumers should weigh. There’s a greater variety of brands and screen sizes to choose from with LCD models, and most have ultra-thin designs and tend to be better in very sunny rooms. However, they do have limited viewing angles, which might concern people who like to watch anyplace but front and center.

Plasma TVs, on the other hand, only come in sizes 42 inches and up – and they typically give consumers more screen for their money. They also offer unlimited viewing angles and blur-free motion with more movie-like picture quality. And both plasma and LCD models should deliver years of good service.

3D or not 3D?

Even if consumers don’t envision themselves using the 3D feature now, there are still good reasons to consider investing in a 3D-capable TV. Many of the 3D TVs in Consumer Reports’ latest Ratings are among the highest-scoring sets it’s ever tested, and many of them are top-notch for regular HD, too. Furthermore, they often have other attractive features such as Internet access and Wi-Fi. Internet-connected TVs significantly expand the viewing possibilities available to consumers.

Even more technology on the horizon

Perhaps the most important development that TV makers have in the works is OLED. It’s a new technology designed to combine the best attributes of LCD and plasma TVs: ultra-slim designs, vibrant colors, wide viewing angles, great energy efficiency and very deep blacks. Samsung and LG have announced 55-inch 3D OLED TVs, which are expected to cost upwards of $8,000, making them unlikely to be mainstream until their prices fall.

Ultra-definition (UD) TVs are also coming soon, with resolutions of 4K, or four times that of 1080p models. 4K could ultimately contribute to what many consider to be the ultimate, glasses-free 3D viewing experience. However, there’s virtually no UD content to watch at home as of now.

Tips on getting the right TV for the Big Game

Consumers who are shopping for a new TV for the Super Bowl should keep the following tips in mind:

• Go bigger. A big game deserves a big screen, especially when watching it with a crowd. The good news is that price drops have been greatest on larger screen sizes.
• Get 1080p resolution. Unlike smaller sets, a TV with a big screen will benefit from “full-HD” 1080p resolution. Viewers will not only be able to see the difference in fine details—say, the textures in players’ uniforms or individual blades of grass—they’ll also avoid the “screen-door effect” that comes when you sit close to a TV, especially a very big TV.
• Go wide when it comes to viewing angles. While plasma TVs offer virtually unlimited viewing angles, the picture quality of many LCD sets starts to suffer if viewers move off-angle—something to consider for those who will have the gang over to watch the game.
• Don’t blur the action. Some LCD TVs can blur during fast-moving scenes, such as those in many sports games. Sets with 120Hz or 240Hz technologies, which speed up the TV’s frame rate, can help. Motion blur typically isn’t an issue with plasma TVs.

More tips on getting the right TV for the big game can be found at www.ConsumerReports.org.

About Consumer Reports

Consumer Reports is the world’s largest independent product-testing organization. Using its more than 50 labs, auto test center, and survey research center, the nonprofit rates thousands of products and services annually. Founded in 1936, Consumer Reports has over 8 million subscribers to its magazine, website and other publications. Its advocacy division, Consumers Union, works for health reform, food and product safety, financial reform, and other consumer issues in Washington, D.C., the states, and in the marketplace.

It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

HP Fax 1040 recalled due to fire and burn hazards.

Product Information

Name of Product: HP fax 1040 and 1050 machines

Units: About 928,000 in the U.S. and 240,000 in Canada and Mexico

Importer: Hewlett-Packard Co., of Palo Alto, CA.

Hazard: The fax machines can overheat due to an internal electrical component failure, posing fire and burn hazards.

Incidents/Injuries: Hewlett-Packard is aware of seven reports of fax machines overheating and catching fire, resulting in property damage, including one instance of significant property damage and one instance of a minor burn injury to a consumer’s finger. Six incidents were reported in the U.S. and one in Canada.

Description: This recall involves HP Fax 1040 and 1050 models. The HP logo and the model number are printed on the front of the fax machine. The fax machines are dark gray and measure about 11 inches high x 14 1/2 inches wide.

Sold at: Electronics, computer and camera stores nationwide, and online at www.shopping.hp.com and other websites from November 2004 through December 2011 for between $90.00 and $120.00. Some of the recalled fax machines were replacement units for a previous recall involving HP fax model 1010 in June 2008.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled fax machines, disconnect them from the electrical outlet and contact HP for a rebate on the purchase of an authorized replacement HP fax machine or a partial rebate of certain HP ink jet printers.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact HP toll-free at 888.654.9296 between 6:00am and 6:00pm MT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s website at http://www.hp.com/go/faxrecall/US-en

HP Fax 1050 recalled due to fire and burn hazards.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about your experience with the product on www.saferproducts.gov

CPSC is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of the thousands of consumer products under the agency’s jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $900 billion annually. CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. CPSC’s work to ensure the safety of consumer products – such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals – contributed to a decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.

Under federal law, it is illegal to attempt to sell or resell this or any other recalled product.

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, go online to: www.saferproducts.gov, call CPSC’s Hotline at 800.638.2772 or teletypewriter at 800.638.8270 for the hearing impaired. Consumers can obtain this news release and product safety information at www.cpsc.gov. To join a free e-mail subscription list, please go to https://www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx.

Knoxville, TN – Earning certification to prepare, manufacture and sell certain foods from a home kitchen is now more convenient for Tennesseans thanks to a new online training module from University of Tennessee Extension.

Domestic Kitchen Food Safety Training, which launched Wednesday, February 1st, provides instruction centered around the state’s Domestic Kitchen Rule. The rule allows people to commercially prepare, manufacture and sell non-potentially hazardous foods in the home while ensuring the public’s health is protected.

Examples of non-potentially hazardous foods include jams, jellies, candies and certain baked goods.

“We think that bringing the Domestic Kitchen Food Safety training online will improve accessibility to the required training for entrepreneurs who wish to produce non-potentially hazardous foods in their domestic kitchen,” said Dr. Faith Critzer, an assistant professor in the UT Department of Food Science and Technology and a UT Extension specialist.

Critzer — along with Dr. P. Michael Davidson, professor and head of UT’s Department of Food Science and Technology, and John Sanford, Tennessee Department of Agriculture administrator for food manufacturing — will teach the course.

Richard Karel with UT’s Office of Information Technology helped Critzer and Davidson transform the course from a traditional classroom format to the new online version. For those who prefer face-to-face training, Critzer and Davidson will continue to lead the course in a traditional classroom setting several times per year.

Participants who successfully complete the program earn certification from the University of Tennessee Food Science and Technology Extension program. Certification is the first step toward meeting requirements to manufacture non-potentially hazardous foods in a domestic kitchen.

Foods are considered non-potentially hazardous if they do not consist mainly of meat, poultry, liquid eggs, partially cooked egg products, fish, milk and milk products, shellfish, partially cooked bakery products, or other ingredients susceptible to the rapid growth of microorganisms when stored out of recommended temperature ranges for cold or hot foods.

Other prohibited foods include low-acid canned vegetables and acidified foods such as salsa or pickled vegetables.

Individuals interested in forming a catering business (made-to-order birthday cakes, wedding cakes, etc.) are not required to take the course and should contact a local health department for information regarding regulations.
In addition, individuals with an inside pet of any kind will not qualify as a food manufacturer under the Domestic Kitchen Rule.

Tennessee residents seeking the online certification should visit the UT Extension Online Learning website at http://tiny.utk.edu/kitchencert beginning February 1st. The course fee is $75.00, which is payable online. First-time site users must create an account.

For more information, contact Nancy Austin in the Department of Food Science and Technology at 865.974.7717 or naustin@utk.edu.

About the UT Extension Office

UT Extension provides a gateway to the University of Tennessee as the outreach unit of the Institute of Agriculture. With an office in every Tennessee county, UT Extension delivers educational programs and research-based information to citizens throughout the state. In cooperation with Tennessee State University, UT Extension works with farmers, families, youth and communities to improve lives by addressing problems and issues at the local, state and national levels.

The cost is $20.00 per person and includes lunch. Early registration is $15.00 through February 6th. Reservations can be made until February 13th, by calling the Golden Pond Visitor Center at 270.924.2233. For questions or additional information, call 270.924.2000, or visit www.lbl.org and click on Alerts & Notices.Topics presented at the seminar will include the importance of a solid marketing plan, small business credit initiatives, and understanding key aspects of operating a business during an economic downturn. Presenters include experts from the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, EntrePaducah, U.S. Small Business Administration, Murray State University Small Business Development Center, and Tennessee Department of Tourist Development.

“At Land Between The Lakes, we understand how important small businesses are to the local economy. To give back to our communities, we want to provide business owners with tools they can use to improve their current business strategies. It can be surprising how a small change in a business plan will often produce positive results, especially during a down economy,” said LBL Business Performance Manager, Scott Turner. Turner explained that, “people who attended our last seminar will want to attend.”

Come Outside and Play at Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area. Managed by the Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Land Between The Lakes provides outdoor recreation and environmental education for the public to enjoy. We encourage visitors to review LBL’s official website at www.lbl.org often for our Calendar of Events, updates on programs and policies, safety information, maps, and temporary trail and road closures.

Follow us on Twitter @LBLScreechOwl and on our blog at http://landbetweenthelakes.blogspot.com/. Additional LBL information can be found on our website or by calling 1.800.LBL.7077 or 270.924.2000.

It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Travelin' Chef Expandable Thermal Food Carrier recalled.

Product Information

Name of Product: Travelin’ Chef Expandable Thermal Food Carrier

Units: About 55,000

Importer: California Innovations Inc., of Toronto, Canada

Hazard: Gel that contains diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol can leak out of damaged freezer gel packs, posing a poisoning hazard if ingested by children or adults.

Incidents/Injuries: None

Description: The recalled product is a four-piece food carrier set, which includes a light blue thermal carrier with black carrying handles, a medium plastic food container, a large plastic food container and a freezer gel pack. The recalled thermal carrier has the code “1-38018-69-07″ printed on a white label on the inside of the main compartment on the left hand side. The thermal carrier is 18 inches wide, 10.5 inches deep and 4.7 inches high and made of vinyl and polyester. The medium food container measures 9.75 inches by 6.25 inches by 3.5 inches. The large food container measures 11.75 inches by 8.75 inches by 3.5 inches. The gel pack is an 8.5-inch by 8-inch, opaque blue plastic pouch filled with liquid gel. The words “Cryofreeze” and “Ice Pack/Hot Pack” are printed in white letters on the front of the pouch.

Sold at: Walmart between August 2008 to December 2011 for about $22.00.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the gel packs and dispose of them according to federal, state and/or local regulations. It is recommended that consumers contact their local waste disposal authority for instructions. Consumers may return the gel pack to Walmart for a refund of $6.00 or contact California Innovations customer service at 800.722.2545 for the same refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, call California Innovations at 800.722.2545 between 9:00am and 5:00pm ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s website at www.californiainnovations.com

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about your experience with the product on www.saferproducts.gov

About the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

CPSC is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of the thousands of consumer products under the agency’s jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $900 billion annually. CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. CPSC’s work to ensure the safety of consumer products – such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals – contributed to a decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.

Under federal law, it is illegal to attempt to sell or resell this or any other recalled product.

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, go online to: www.saferproducts.gov, call CPSC’s Hotline at 800.638.2772 or teletypewriter at 800.638.8270 for the hearing impaired. Consumers can obtain this news release and product safety information at www.cpsc.gov. To join a free e-mail subscription list, please go to https://www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx.

The USDA Forest Service manages two herds of American Bison at LBL. Due to annual reproduction, there is a need to remove surplus bison from each herd. Thinning of the herd is necessary to sustain optimal habitat conditions and animal health.

Bison at Land Between the Lakes.

The bison auction will occur at one location this year. Bison at the South Bison Range (SBR) will be auctioned at the SBR Corral beginning at 9:00am CST. If heavy rain or snowfall prohibits an on-site auction, the auction will be held across the road at The Homeplace picnic shelter. Bid packages and viewing will be available the morning of the auction beginning at 8:00am.

Approximately 31 bison will be sold at this year’s auction. An tentative list of animals includes: 6 yearling heifers (born 2010), 2 bulls (born 2009), 5 yearling bulls (born 2010), and a mix of 18 bull and heifer calves (born 2011).

Bison must be paid for in full on the day of the auction. All animals will be tested for TB and Brucellosis, and certified by a licensed veterinarian. Buyers have the option of vaccinating bison prior to loading by an on-site veterinarian for the following: Leptospirosis, Blackleg, Pinkeye, respiratory viruses, and worms. The buyer will be required to pay the cost of these vaccinations.

Specific details on the age, sex, and weight of all animals to be sold may be obtained after January 23rd, 2012, by calling 270.924.2065. A final list of sale animals will also be provided at time of sale that will include age, sex, and weight for each respective bison.

All buyers are required to load bison on the day of the auction. Bison may not be loaded into open-top trailers. The Forest Service will assist the buyer in loading their bison, but once bison step off the loading chute and into the buyer’s trailer, they become the property of the buyer and the Forest Service assumes no further responsibility for the animals. For additional information regarding the bison auction, please contact Curtis Fowler at 270-924-2061.

About Land Between the Lakes

Come Outside and Play at Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area, managed by the Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, in partnership with “Friends of LBL,” to provide public lands outdoor recreation and environmental education. We encourage visitors to review LBL’s official website at www.lbl.org each season, and throughout the season, for our Calendar of Events, updates on programs and policies, safety information, maps, and temporary trail and road closures.

Follow us on Twitter @LBLScreechOwl and on our blog at http://landbetweenthelakes.blogspot.com/. Additional LBL and “Friends of LBL” information is available on our website or by calling 1.800.LBL.7077 or 270.924.2000.

LBL’s Educational Field Trip Grant is available to public school districts within 100 miles of LBL. The grant assists schools in covering costs for transportation, facility admission fees, program costs, and dorm rental during the 2012-2013 school year. The grant amount awarded to schools is based on the school’s matching funds, number of students, and LBL programs the school plans to participate in.

LBL programs are designed to support the Kentucky and Tennessee State K-12 curriculum guidelines for science, social studies, and arts and humanities. “The programs offer students a hands-on experience to connect with nature, the stars, and history,” said Richard Lomax, LBL Environmental Education Specialist. “An LBL field trip is an excellent opportunity for students to gain an understanding of and appreciation for science and history, as well as the outdoors. It is an experience that will last a lifetime!”

The grant program is sponsored by USDA Forest Service, “Friends of LBL,” Swift & Staley, Calloway County Homemakers, and the Johnston-Hanson Foundation. For more information about LBL’s Educational Field Trip Grant, visit www.friendsoflbl.org and click on Education Resources or call 270.924.2038. Results will be posted by June 30th, 2012.

About Land Between the Lakes

Come Outside and Play at Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area, managed by the Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, in partnership with “Friends of LBL,” to provide public lands outdoor recreation and environmental education. We encourage visitors to review LBL’s official website at www.lbl.org each season, and throughout the season, for our Calendar of Events, updates on programs and policies, safety information, maps, and temporary trail and road closures.

Follow us on Twitter @LBLScreechOwl and on our blog at http://landbetweenthelakes.blogspot.com/. Additional LBL and “Friends of LBL” information is available on our website or by calling 1.800.LBL.7077 or 270.924.2000.

Yonkers, NY – January’s Consumer Reports Index, a measure of overall consumer financial health, showed that the consumer’s outlook is improving. Sentiment and employment numbers have climbed, stress levels have diminished, financial difficulties have moderated compared to past months, and the strong retail performance of the holiday season is an important marker that Americans may be willing to engage and spend once again.

January’s Consumer Reports Sentiment Index, which measures how consumers are doing financially versus a year ago, was up from last month (45.4) to 48.2. The most optimistic consumers were ages 18 to 34, and households earning $100,000 or more. The most pessimistic consumers were those in households earning less than $50,000 and people ages 65 and older.

The Consumer Reports Employment Index moved back into positive territory, recovering to 50.6 from 49.6 last month, with past 30-day job gains (6.1%) outpacing job losses (4.8%). However, the improvements in employment were not broad-based. Women, those over the age of 34, and lower-income Americans, in households earning less than $50,000, have lost more jobs than they have gained.

The Consumer Reports Trouble Tracker Index addresses both the proportion of consumers that have faced difficulties, as well as the number of hurdles they have encountered. This Index has remained virtually unchanged for the fourth straight month registering at 50.4 compared to 49.9 in December. Despite stability in the index overall, compared to last month, the proportion of Americans reporting that they have been unable to afford medical bills or medications in the past 30 days was up substantially to 15.7% from 12.8% last month.

“Despite a better economic outlook overall, the strong retail activity this holiday season may lead to a January hangover, with planned spending down from last year,” said Ed Farrell, director of the Consumer Reports National Research Center. “Though retail was strong this holiday season, December was a disappointment, with activity lagging last year. The early start of the season by retailers stole December sales and moved them into November.”

The Past 30-Day Retail Index for January, reflecting December activity, was 15.0, up from 13.9 last month and on par with this time a year ago. The Next 30-Day Retail Index, reflecting planned spending for January was down to 7.9 compared to 12.7 last month due to the post-holiday slump. December’s retail growth was led by strong sales in personal electronics at 35.8%, up from 31.4% last month.

The Consumer Reports Index report, available at www.ConsumerReports.org, comprises five key indices: the Sentiment Index, the Trouble Tracker Index, the Stress Index, the Retail Index and the Employment Index. Here are the key findings:

Consumer Reports Sentiment Index: 48.2*

• Consumer Reports Sentiment Index for January (48.2) was up from last month (45.4). Though still in negative territory, there is reason to believe with continued improvement in employment that it will break through to positive territory (above 50) within the next couple of months.
• Respondents age 18-34 and households with income of $100K or more remained the most optimistic consumers, while the most pessimistic consumers were households with income less than $50,000 and respondents age 65 and older.
  • Ages 18-34 were up slightly (55.2) from the previous month (54.5).
  • Households with income of $100,000 or more (57.9) were up for a second straight month from 56.1 in December and 52.8 in November.
  • Households with income less than $50,000 (42.9) rose from 40.3 the prior month.
  • Those who are age 65 and older (40.9) were up from 36.3 in December.

* The Consumer Reports Sentiment Index captures respondents’ attitudes regarding their financial situation, asking them if they are feeling better or worse off than a year ago. When the index is greater than 50, more consumers are feeling positive about their situation. When it is below 50, more consumers are feeling worse. The Sentiment Index can vary from a high of 100 to a low of 0.

Consumer Reports Trouble Tracker Index: 50.4*

• The Consumer Reports Trouble Tracker Index at 50.4 remained virtually unchanged from 49.9 the prior month. Despite the stability in the index overall compared to last month, the proportion of Americans reporting they have been unable to afford medical bills or medications in the past 30 days was up substantially to 15.7% from 12.8% last month, which in turn was the most prevalent consumer trouble in January.
• Lower-income households, earning less than $50,000 a year, have been disproportionately affected. In the past 30 days: 22.7% were unable to afford medical bills or medications; 15.0% missed payment on a major bill (not a mortgage); and, 11.9% lost or reduced health-care coverage.

* The Consumer Reports Trouble Tracker Index focuses on both the proportion of consumers that have faced difficulties as well as the number of negative events they have encountered. The negative events include: the inability to pay medical bills or afford medication, missed mortgage payments, home foreclosure, interest-rate increase, penalty fees, reduced lines of credit or other changes in credit-card terms, job loss or layoffs, reduced health-care coverage or the denial of personal loans. The Consumer Reports Trouble Tracker Index is then calculated as the proportion of consumers that have experienced at least one of the negative events comprising the index multiplied by the average number of events encountered.

Consumer Reports Retail Index: Past 30-Day – 15.0, Next 30-Day – 7.9*

• Due to holiday spending, retail activity increased again over the past 30 days, while projected spending over the next 30 days is down, reflecting the post-holiday slump. The Consumer Reports Past 30-Day Retail Index*, reflecting December activity, was 15.0, up from 13.9 the prior month but was flat compared to last year. The Consumer Reports Next 30-Day Retail Index*, reflecting planned purchasing in January, decreased to 7.9 from 12.7 in December.
• Taking a detailed look at the Consumer Reports Past 30-Day Retail Index, December’s gain in spending was driven by an increase in personal electronics (35.8%), up from 31.4% last month.
• At 7.9, the Consumer Reports Next 30-Day Retail Index was down from last month (12.7), but was on par with last January (8.3). The January slump reflects declines across all categories, but most notably personal electronics, dropping to 16.3% from 31.5% a month earlier.
• Among non-index categories, past 30-day purchases, reflecting December activity, were flat versus last month for new cars at 2.6%, used cars at 4.5% and home purchasing at 2.4%.
• Purchasing over the next 30 days, reflecting planned January activity, remained unchanged for new cars (1.8%), used cars (3.3%), and homes (1.1%).

* The Consumer Reports Retail Index looks at consumer purchases in the past 30 days as well as the outlook for planned purchases in the next 30 days across several categories. The Consumer Reports Retail Index represents the proportion of respondents that made a purchase in the following categories: major home appliances, small home appliances, major home electronics, personal electronics, and major yard and garden equipment. The Retail Index is a weighted calculation. For example, a major appliance is of greater value than a small appliance. Because of their size and frequency, car and home purchases are tracked separately.

Consumer Reports Employment Index: 50.6*

• The Consumer Reports Employment Index moved back into positive territory this month to 50.6, with the past 30-day job gains (6.1%) outpacing job losses (4.8%).
• The Employment Index posted its strongest advances in the North Central and West regions, but did not change in the South or North East.

* The Consumer Reports Employment Index examines the change in employment of those that reported starting a new job versus those that have lost their job or were laid off in the past 30 days. An index below 50 indicates more jobs were lost than gained, while a score more than 50 indicates more jobs were gained than lost in the past 30 days.

Consumer Reports Stress Index: 56.0*

• The level of stress that consumers feel was down this month and is at its lowest level of the past year. This month’s Stress Index dropped to 56.0 from 61.6 in December. Those feeling the most stress were women (58.4), those in households earning less than $50,000 (57.5), and those living in the North East (58.1).

* The Consumer Reports Stress Index captures attitudes regarding the amount of stress consumers feel compared to a year ago. It asks whether they are feeling more stressed or less stressed. When the Stress Index is more than 50, consumers are feeling more stress and when it is below 50 they are feeling less stress compared to a year ago. The index can vary from 100 (Total Stress) to a low of 0 (No Stress).

For more information regarding the Consumer Reports Index, visit www.ConsumerReports.org.

The Consumer Reports Index, conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center, is a monthly telephone and cell phone poll of a nationally representative probability sample of American adults. A total of 1,014 interviews were completed (764 telephone and 250 cell phone) among adults aged 18+. Interviewing took place between January 5th and January 8th. The margin of error is +/- 3.2 percentage points at a 95% confidence level.

Washington, D.C. – A new study released by the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) found that hospital employees are only reporting fourteen percent of all medical errors and usually don’t change their practices to prevent future harm to patients.

The study was based on an independent review of patient records. Federal regulations require hospitals to track all medical errors and adverse events that harm patients and to implement preventive measures to protect patients. Only five of the 293 reported cases of medical errors reviewed by federal investigators led to changes in policies or practices by hospitals to prevent harm to patients.

“One in four hospital patients are harmed by medical errors and infections, which translates to about 9 million people each year,” said Lisa McGiffert, Director of Consumers Union’s Safe Patient Project. “The report confirms what many other studies have already documented. Hospitals are doing a poor job of tracking preventable infections and medical errors and making the changes necessary to keep patients safe. It’s time that hospitals make patient safety a higher priority.”

The OIG report recommends that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) provide hospitals with a standard list of medical errors that should be tracked and reported to the agency. But Consumers Union noted that public reporting of medical errors is critical to driving improvement in patient safety.

“Hospitals should be pushed to do a better job at tracking medical harm, but public reporting is what drives change and the public should have access to this critical information,” said McGiffert. “The solutions arrived at in this report take us down the tired and worn out path of secret reporting of medical harm.”

A previous 2010 study by the OIG estimated that an estimated 15,000 Medicare patients experienced medical errors in the hospital that contributed to their deaths each month. That amounts to about 180,000 patients annually. The OIG calculated that Medicare patients harmed during that month required an additional $324 million in hospital care. The study estimated the annual cost for these events in hospital care alone at $4.4 billion.

It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Product Information

Name of Product: Honeywell Surround Select Portable Electric Heaters

Units: About 19,000

Distributor: Kaz USA Inc., of Southborough, Mass.

Manufacturer: Ningbo Honecho Industry Co., Ltd. of China

Hazard: The heater’s internal housing, including the fan, heating element and circuitry, can detach, posing a burn hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported

Description: This recall includes Honeywell Surround Select Series portable electric heaters with model numbers HZ-420, HZ-430, and HZ-440 and five-digit date codes that have 11 as the last two digits. The heaters are black or white cylinders with a handle on top. The model number is stamped into the plastic on the bottom of the heater. The date code is located on the metal prongs of the heater’s electrical plug. “Honeywell” and “Surround Heat” are printed on the front of the heaters. This heater was distributed by Kaz USA under license from Honeywell.

Sold at: Best Buy, Meijer and Walmart stores nationwide from July 2011 through December 2011 for between $50.00 and $70.00.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately unplug and stop using the heaters and contact Kaz for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Kaz at 800.370.8137 from 8:30am to 5:00pm ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s website at www.kaz.com/recall

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The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about your experience with the product on www.saferproducts.gov

About the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

CPSC is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of the thousands of consumer products under the agency’s jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $900 billion annually. CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. CPSC’s work to ensure the safety of consumer products – such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals – contributed to a decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.

Under federal law, it is illegal to attempt to sell or resell this or any other recalled product.

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, go online to: www.saferproducts.gov, call CPSC’s Hotline at 800.638.2772 or teletypewriter at 800.638.8270 for the hearing impaired. Consumers can obtain this news release and product safety information at www.cpsc.gov. To join a free e-mail subscription list, please go to https://www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx.