Q. I’m looking at basement dehumidifiers to buy, but I’m worried. One model I am considering has a continuously running fan. Does that increase the possibility of overheating?—Maureen Gavin, Portland, ME

A. A continuously running fan, found in some of the new models we’ve recently begun testing, isn’t considered dangerous. It helps to cool the compressor, the part of the dehumidifier that gets the hottest when the appliance is in use. You may have read that dehumidifiers from 13 brands (including six Danby models) were recalled because of a fire hazard last year; those products are no longer on the market. The models that remain in our Ratings should be safe.

For related information, check our dehumidifier buying guide and Ratings.

Send your questions to ConsumerReports.org/askourexperts.

This article also appeared in the February 2015 issue of Consumer Reports magazine.

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

Q. Do the sunroofs and moonroofs in cars provide UVA and UVB protection, or should people with skin cancer stay away from them?—Michael Zamm, New York, NY

A. In the United States, automotive glass must meet certain federal standards, such as allowing the maximum amount of light for driver visibility. But there are no such standards for sun protection, which varies by vehicle—and even by window. Windshields provide the most sun protection, but sunroofs are often made to block about 90 percent of UV rays. (That protection also keeps the car—and you—cool.) Even so, the bottom line is that if you have a car with a sunroof, you’re best protected by applying a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher a half-hour before you drive. (Make sure that the product covers your face, neck, arms, and hands.) If you have thinning hair, wear a hat to protect your scalp.

For more information on sun protection, check our sunscreen buying guide and Ratings.

Send your questions to ConsumerReports.org/askourexperts.

This article also appeared in the February 2015 issue of Consumer Reports magazine.

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

Wearing a properly fitted bicycle helmet is the “single most effective way to prevent head injury resulting from a bicycle crash,” according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. But in order for a helmet to protect you, it has to perform the way it’s designed to. In recent Consumer Reports’ bike helmet tests, one manufacturer’s helmet failed a crucial part of our safety evaluation, and we are concerned it might not reliably protect cyclists in the event of an accident.

The buckle on the chinstrap of the Cannondale Teramo helmet ($120) snapped off or broke into pieces with four out of the five samples we evaluated during one of our routine bike helmet tests. The Cannondale Teramo was the only one helmet that failed out of the 14 helmets that we put through the same test. We’ve rated the Cannondale Teramo a Don’t Buy: Safety Risk.

“When you hit the ground, your helmet needs to be in place—not just on—to protect your head,” says Randy Swart, director of the non-profit Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute in Arlington, Virginia. “If the chinstrap breaks, all bets are off. The helmet could fly off and allow your head to hit the pavement and cause serious injury.”

Before a bike helmet can be sold in the U.S., the Consumer Product Safety Commission requires that it pass a test to evaluate the strength and holding power of the chinstrap (called the dynamic strength of retention system test). Consumer Reports’ chinstrap test is modeled after, but not identical to, the CPSC's standard. We put all helmets through the same chinstrap test: We drop an 8³/₄-pound weight 2 feet. The weight pulls on the strap to simulate the force that might occur in a accident. In this part of our testing, we check to see whether the strap stretches too much or breaks or comes loose where it is attached to the helmet, and if the clasp or buckle remains intact.

We are not aware of any injuries related to chinstrap performance on the Cannondale Teramo and have not found mentions of problems with this particular chinstrap in user reviews on various websites or on the CPSC's SaferProducts.gov website. Nevertheless, when Consumer Reports discovers a potential safety risk during product testing, we report our findings to consumers and to the CPSC. The agency told us in an e-mail statement: “We are taking the issue seriously and following up on the information provided.”

When we contacted Cannondale and shared our test results, the company disputed our findings and said “we stand by our third-party independent test results.” Cannondale also said their helmets are “tested in accordance with the required [CPSC] protocol and have passed all testing" and that it had not received any reports of injuries.

We also inspected (but did not test) several other Cannondale models. It appeared that the chinstrap buckle on the Cypher was of similar design, and therefore that raises the concern that it could pose the same safety risk. Cannondale confirmed that the Cypher uses the same buckle as the Teramo, and said that their “independent third-party test lab batch tested the buckles” from the Cypher (also a CPSC test) and that “it has passed every test.”

When we asked Cannondale whether the company would consider giving Teramo owners a refund or credit for the helmet, it said “no issues with buckles or breakages exist.” Still, if you have concerns, we suggest you contact the company at 800-245-3872 or on its website. 

Bottom line: Consumer Reports’ recommends that you don’t buy the Cannondale Teramo. However it is vital that you always wear a helmet when riding a bike. If you already own this helmet, stop using it as soon as it's practical to do so. In our last test of bicycle helmets in 2012, we recommended the Bell Array ($80). We will be releasing the full results of our new bicycle helmet tests next spring.

—Consumer Reports

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

Ceaseless cold, merciless ice, sleet, and snow—if you loved last winter, get ready for the sequel. To beat it, in America’s most-frigid states, you’ll want a snow blower, a snow shovel, and ice melt. Why all three? Even the best snow blowers can’t reach everywhere and may leave behind a thin layer of snow that’s likely to turn into ice. For areas that get less-than-epic snowfall, you can get by with just a shovel and the appropriate ice melt.  

When choosing a snow blower, the amount and type of snow you’ll be clearing will determine the right machine for you. So let the history of local snowfalls be your guide. Remember, though, that what falls from the sky is not the worst snow—it’s what plows leave at the end of your driveway that’s the highest and densest.

If you generally expect to deal with a foot or less of snow, you’ll probably want a compact, single-stage model that runs on gas and costs around $400 to $600. But for up to 18 inches? Consider a compact, two-stage unit. And if you want to be ready for anything, shell out $1,500 for the beefiest two-stage you can buy.

Clear winners

Two-stage gas blowers have some clear advantages. They add an impeller to the usual auger to outdo their single-stage siblings with faster clearing, farther throwing, and more muscle for heavier, wetter snow. But for all of their power, two-stage models leave behind slightly more snow than single-stage snow blowers, are heavier and bigger, and take up more storage space.

You also need to think about the width of the blower’s intake. Opting for a blower that can clear the widest-possible path sounds like a good idea, but bigger isn’t necessarily better: The engine needs to be strong enough to power the wider clearing path. We tested three Power Smart models of varying path widths; all came with the same 208-cubic-centimeter engine. That engine in the 22-inch-wide Power Smart DB7659-22, $500, gave it great throwing distance. But the same engine in the 28-inch Power Smart DB7651A-28, $745, threw the wet sawdust we use to simulate heavy snow only a few feet during our plow-pile test.

Corded-electric snow blowers are really for only the lightest powdery snow. Their one advantage over gas-powered snow blowers is that they make less noise—though that’s changing. The new gas-powered Craftsman 88694, $900, has a muffling design that reduced noise significantly in our tests. Like the 26-inch Toro Power Max 726 OE37771, $900, the 26-inch Craftsman doesn’t require the operator to wear hearing protection for safety. But the Craftsman is significantly better overall and is the quietest gas model we’ve tested.

Top-rated snow blowers

If you're shopping for a snow blower, here are the top three from Consumer Reports' tests of two-stage and single-stage gasoline models. None of the electric models in our tests made our top-picks list.

Two-stage gas

• Cub Cadet 31AH57S, $1,500
  
• Troy-Bilt Vortex 2890 31AH55Q, $1,300
  
• Cub Cadet 930SWE 31AH95SU, $1,600

Compact two-stage gas

• Troy-Bilt Vortex 2490 31AH54Q, $1,100
  
• Craftsman 88173, $680
  
• Toro Power Max 724 OE 37770, $800

Single-stage gas

• Toro Power Clear 721E, $570
  
• Toro Power Clear 621 38458, $650
  
• Cub Cadet 221 LHP 31AM2T6D, $550

—Ed Perratore (@EdPerratore on Twitter)

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

Heating air dries it out—humidity levels indoors can drop to as low as 10 percent—causing itchy eyes, scratchy throats, cracks in furniture, and loads of static electricity. Low humidity levels can even increase your risk of infection. Humidifiers can moisten the air and make your home more comfortable. But without routine cleaning, the devices can harbor mold and bacteria.

That’s where the newest humidifier designs come in. More models are touting antimicrobial features that help their tanks resist bacteria and mold growth. Consumer Reports is testing the effŽectiveness of the claims, so look for an update soon. Until then, we recommend changing the water daily and disinfecting the unit weekly. (Check the owner's manual.)

Our tests found humidfiers starting at $30 that offer easy use and antimicrobial features while supplying enough mist to maintain optimal indoor humidity levels of 30 to 50 percent. Most we’ve tested and recommend are ultrasonic models, which use a vibrating nebulizer to emit mist. On average, they are also the quietest.

For bedrooms

All of these humidifiers are very quiet, even at their highest settings, so they won’t disturb your sleep. The HoMedics UHE-CM25, $55, and HoMedics UHE-CM45, $60, are great for small bedrooms, and their plastic tanks have an integrated anti-mold treatment. If your bedroom is medium-sized, consider the SPT SU-9210, $80. It’s an evaporative model with a fan that blows air over a wet wick. All work well with hard or soft water.

For kids’ rooms

The Crane Owl, $45, is a fun, bird-shaped unit that doesn’t sacrifice performance and is quiet. It isn’t claimed to have antimicrobial features, but that isn’t a problem if you empty it daily and disinfect it weekly. It’s also available in other animal shapes, including a dog, duck, frog, and monkey.

For living or family rooms

The SPT SU-4010 and Crane Germ Defense EE-8065 produce either warm or cool mist, and the Crane Germ Defense has silver particles embedded in the plastic of the tank and basin for claimed resistance to bacteria, viruses, and mold. We’re testing that claim and will report back with our findings. The warm-mist Honeywell HWM-340 is a vaporizer, which uses a heating element to produce steam. The downside: Like all warm-mist models, it costs almost 15 times more to operate than most ultra­sonics, and warm-mist models can pose a burn hazard. All work well with either hard or soft water.

—Ed Perratore (@EdPerratore on Twitter)

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

Last-minute Christmas gifts from the supermarket are surprisingly easy to find if you're willing to be creative. Pluses: Your supermarket gift is likely to be consumed quickly. You don't have to worry about it being the right size for the recipient. And in most cases, you don't have to worry about it matching the decor. 

If you have large supermarket nearby, chances are that it has an aisle or two devoted to toys and last-minute, as-seen-on-TV items that you can grab and go. But even a small, local market is likely to have a few items that you can gather in a basket or box wrapped in colorful paper and deliver with pride. Here are some ideas to spark your imagination: 

• Gourmet beverages. Grab three or four bags of gourmet coffee and place in a box along with filters, flavored creamers, a variety of teas, hot chocolate, and maybe some fancy turbinado sugar. Check in the housewares aisle for a couple of mugs, maybe a nice tea pot, and some colorful tea towels. If you've purchased loose tea, add a tea strainer. 

• Pastas and sauces. Who doesn't like putting together an easy, cozy Italian meal on a weekday night? Gather a couple jars of gourmet pasta sauce, a few different types of pasta (gluten-free, if you must), a hunk of parmagiano-reggiano (parmesan) cheese, a jar of pesto and another of fancy olives, a fancy bottle of extra-virgin olive oil, whole peppercorns (best in a container with a built-in grinder), and maybe even a hard sausage. In the housewares aisle, pick up a hand grater for the cheese, and a metal colander or hefty pasta pot. Arranging the items in the colander or pot makes for a charming display.

• Beauty items. Depending on where you shop, you may find some nicely packaged soaps and fragrances that can be easily wrapped for gifting. The other day at a Whole Foods store, for instance, I found fragrant soaps—three for $6—that could be nicely mixed and matched. I'll be giving those to a couple of friends.

Check out our Ratings of batteries, prepaid cards, and supermarkets, as well as our extensive holiday gift ideas & guide.

• Batteries. This isn't a glamorous gift, but you can be sure that extra batteries will be very well appreciated throughout the year. In my house, we're always searching for AA's and C's, and you can be sure at least one child's gift at your holiday gathering will come without batteries included. Add a couple of flashlights and a package of candles to turn this into a gift home-emergency kit.

• Magazine subscription. My sister came up with this winning suggestion. Buy a magazine you know the recipient will read, and wrap with a note saying you've arranged for a gift subscription. Of course, you'd better follow through!

• Prepaid cards. They may seem uncreative, but prepaid gift cards are popular items that don't necessarily scream "last minute." 

Just a couple reminders: With any food gift, read food labels to ensure you're mindful of your recipients' food allergies and preferences. (Just to be on the safe side, avoid anything with nuts.) And be sure to pick up wrapping paper, ribbon, tape, cards, and scissors, if you need them. In my family's routine, I'm often wrapping last-minute gifts in the passenger seat while my husband is driving to the holiday event. It's not a pretty scene, but the recipients never know. 

—Tobie Stanger

Visit our Holiday Gift Ideas page throughout the season to find the best deals, time-saving advice, and much more.

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

Want to know who the real Scrooges are this time of year? It's the bands of organized retail criminals who go on shoplifting sprees, then brazenly try to return the stolen goods for cash or credit. In a new survey by the National Retail Federation, 78 percent of merchants say they’ve been victimized by such crooks in the past year, up from 60 percent the previous year. All told, the NRF expects return fraud to cost businesses $3.6 billion this holiday season. As a result, you need to play by the rules because many retailers are being quite strict.

We know, because shoppers themselves say so. In the latest Consumer Reports Holiday Poll*, 43 percent of Americans said they tried returning an item in the past six months. Twenty-three percent couldn’t get their money back, only store credit. No doubt part of the problem was self-inflicted. Nineteen percent of respondents who attempted to return a purchase lacked a receipt. The complete list of return frustrations is below. Read on for our tips to many happy holiday gift returns.

You’ve got time

In general, expect most retailers and websites to waive their usual deadline for product returns, typically a week to 30 days, and give you until the end of January to seek a refund. Amazon.com, for example, has extended to Jan. 31 the time frame for products purchased as early as Nov. 1 and as late as Dec. 31. At Walmart, the return clock for items bought between Nov. 1 and Dec. 24 (that have a normal return policy of 14, 15, or 30 days) doesn’t start ticking until Dec. 26. If you’re unsure of a specific store policy, examine the bottom of your receipt or check the store’s website.

Receipts are critical

Despite longer grace periods, many retailers are tightening return policies. Merchants have in the past been fairly generous in taking back goods without a store or gift receipt, offering shoppers who can’t produce documentation at least store credit for the lowest price the item sold for. Though it’s rare for companies to have a blunt no-receipt, no-return rule, the lack of receipt puts you on shaky ground, especially for cash purchases because there's no way to look up the purchase.

• Sears and Kmart, which share the same corporate ownership, are two of the few chains with an outright ban: “REFUNDS AND EXCHANGES WILL NOT BE GIVEN WITHOUT RECEIPT,” Sears’ policy screams in bold type.
• Barnes & Noble doesn’t address receipt-less returns to its stores at all on the company website, indicating to contact your local store for more information.
• And Target says returns or exchanges sought without a receipt may be limited or subject to other restrictions.

You're being watched

Fraud has prompted some major retailers to implement computerized return authorization systems to help them track your return activity, and possibly even deny a return. The systems take into account factors such as how much time has elapsed since your last return, the number of items you’re returning, the dollar value of the goods, as well as your overall return history, whether you have provided receipts in the past, and the number of stores you’ve sought returns from. Separately, some merchants may ask to see, scan, and store data from your driver’s license or other official photo ID, in their computer systems. JCPenney, for instance, requires an ID only if want to make a return without a receipt; Best Buy requires it for all returns. 

Our earlier polls this holiday season looked at the state of the American shopper, Black Friday crowds, and the worst holiday gifts. And find out which companies offer great guarantees.

Think twice before opening that package

Merchants can’t resell as new any item after the box has been opened, so they penalize you for doing so when you make holiday gift returns. Such policies for electronics gear like TVs, digital cameras, and computers have been around for a long time, and typically range from 10 to 15 percent of the purchase price. Such policies also may apply to furniture. Special orders, if they can be returned at all, may also be subject to restocking fees. Our advice: Don’t open the package if you don’t want what’s inside. Items like computer software, music CDs and movie DVDs aren’t generally returnable for another title after the seal has been broken. Some stores, though, will give a partial refund.

Know where to return it

If you bought an item online and the merchant has a brick-and-mortar counterpart, check the website to see whether you can take back the merchandise to the store and avoid repackaging, a trip to the post office, and shipping fees. Usually you can. But read the fine print. For instance, items bought at a regular Gap, Banana Republic, or Old Navy store (or website) can’t be returned to the chains' factory or outlet stores.

—Tod Marks

Visit our Holiday Gift Ideas page throughout the season to find the best deals, time-saving advice, and much more.

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

As 2014 skids to a stop, any major purchase we wanted to make—but didn't get around to—tends to top the wish list for the coming year. That often includes items we need for occasional events such as power outages, blizzards, and fallen trees. Here are some generators, snow blowers, chain saws and other gear from Consumer Reorts' top picks that you can check out first thing in 2015.

Generators

The inverter-type, gasoline-powered Honda EU7000is, $4,000, topped our generator Ratings due to its especially quiet running, but for $3,000 less the 6,800-watt Ridgid RD906812B also provided ample power, cleanly and consistently. You get a number of helpful features for the price, including electric start, low-oil shutoff (which protects the engine from overheating if the oil level dips too low), and fuel shutoff, which prevents leaks and keeps gas from getting trapped in the fuel system and spoiling during storage. You also get a low-oil light to tell you why it shut down in that instance.

You might well prefer a generator that kicks in automatically when the power goes out. So-called stationary (or standby) generators check themselves routinely and display a notice or  can text or email you when there’s a problem. The Kohler 8.5 RES-QS7, $3,200 before installation, delivered 7,000 watts of smooth, steady power using natural gas and 1,500 more using propane. It was also among the quietest of the stationary models we tested, and it shuts down automatically if the engine-oil level gets low. An add-on module, $475, lets you monitor your generator’s status from anywhere using a Windows PC.

Snow blowers

The hands-down winner from our snow-blower tests is the gasoline-powered Cub Cadet 31AH57S, $1,500, which uses a novel second impeller to give this 30-inch, two-stage Cub Cadet super-fast clearing. That plus enough throwing distance for wide driveways are the major perks, along with easy steering and slick controls. The price includes electric starting and a headlight. It's the perfect pick for large driveways, consistently heavy snows up to about 24 inches—or occasional winter dumpings where you want the ultimate in clearing speed.

Our snow blower Ratings also include more compact gasoline-powered models such as the 24-inch Craftsman 88173, $680, but for lighter snowfalls in a gas-powered unit plus the easiest storage, consider the single-stage Toro Power Clear 721E, $570. The 21-inch unit was powerful enough for moderate-size snowfall, yet light enough to lift onto a porch or deck, with removal speed and plow-pile performance that were tops in this group.

Chain saws

For a fine, all-around performer, it’s hard to beat the Stihl MS 180 C-BE, $230. While most of the lighter-duty gas-powered chain saws tested by Consumer Reports cost under $200, ultrafast cutting and relatively light weight help justify this 16-inch saw’s higher price. As do a chain brake and tool-free chain adjustment, along with a durable blade cover.

Should you prefer a chain saw for infrequent cutting of fallen branches and other light work, consider a corded-electric saw such as the $100 Worx WG303.1. Besides being faster and better balanced than its larger 18-inch sibling, the Worx WG304.1, this saw had cutting speed on a par with the fastest light-duty gas saws we tested. Other pluses include a chain brake, tool-free chain adjustment, and a durable bar cover for safe storage. But as with other plug-in saws, you'll need to work within 100 feet of an outlet. One caveat: There's no vibration dampening.

Don’t hurry out to buy any emergency gear unless you think you'll need it. Our buying guides for generators, snow blowers, and chain saws will help bring you up to speed before you settle on a purchase.

—Ed Perratore (@EdPerratore on Twitter)

How much fuel do you need to run a generator?

5 must-have generator features

How to choose the right snow blower

What size snow blower do you need?

Cordless outdoor yard gear gets a power makeover

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

Buying interior paint should be easy but walk into any home center or paint store and you’ll see just how confusing the choices can be. Brand lines keep expanding and as the price jumps $5 to $10 a gallon a superlative is tacked on—ultra, premium plus, premium plus ultra. It doesn’t help that all paint cans look alike, but inside those cans? Here’s a look at the best interior paints from Consumer Reports’ latest tests.

Picking a color is where many people start, but who wants a beautiful shade of mediocre paint? Color-matching systems have improved so that you can get within a percent or two of the color you crave, but keep in mind that sheen varies by brand and affects your perception of color. So choose the color you love then find the best paint for the job.

Our interior paint Ratings tell you how well a paint hides what’s underneath it and how smooth it goes on. You’ll find out how well the paint resists stains, scrubbing, gloss change, sticking, mildew, and fading. Our tests found that a brand line’s flat, eggshell, and semi-gloss performed similarly overall so we’ve combined the scores to make it easier for you to choose. The interior paint Ratings include 23 brand lines, from Walmart’s Color Place at $17 a gallon to Farrow & Ball, an import from England that’s $105 a gallon.

Best from our tests

All of our top picks are self-priming and low in volatile organic compounds or lack VOCs, some of the noxious chemicals that can make paint smell, cause headaches and dizziness, and are linked to smog and respiratory problems. 

Behr Marquee Interior, $43 per gallon. This top-rated paint from Home Depot was superb at hiding old paint and impressive at resisting stains, but not as smooth as some. The paint withstands scrubbing, but aggressive cleaning will change the sheen.

Valspar Reserve, $44. Superb at hiding old paint and impressive at resisting stains, but not as smooth as some. This Lowe's paint withstands scrubbing and aggressive cleaning didn't change the sheen.

Behr Premium Plus Ultra, $34. A Home Depot paint, it was excellent at hiding old paint and left a smooth finish, but wasn't great at resisting stains. The paint withstands scrubbing and aggressive cleaning didn't change the sheen much.

Clark+Kensington Enamel, $32. Impressive at hiding old paint, it left a smooth finish but wasn't great at resisting stains. The paint withstands scrubbing but aggressive cleaning changes the sheen. You’ll find it at Ace Hardware.

Benjamin Moore Aura, $54. The most expensive of the top picks, it was excellent at hiding old paint and left a smooth finish, but weren't great at resisting stains. The paint withstands scrubbing but aggressive cleaning causes the paint to lose much of its sheen.

Valspar Signature, $34. Impressive at hiding old paint, but not as smooth as some and not great at resisting stains. The paint withstands scrubbing but aggressive cleaning causes the paint to lose sheen. It’s sold at Lowe’s.

Valspar Ultra, $29. This Lowe’s paint was impressive at hiding old paint, but not as smooth as some and it wasn't great at resisting stains. The paint withstands scrubbing but aggressive cleaning causes the paint to lose much of its sheen.

Behr Premium Plus Enamel, $28. Another Home Depot paint, it was impressive at hiding old paint and left a smooth surface. But wasn’t great at resisting stains. The paint withstands scrubbing and aggressive cleaning didn't change the sheen much.

Our interior paint Ratings tell you the full story and you might be surprised to see what paint is near the bottom.

—Kimberly Janeway 

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

While LG and Samsung battle it out for the washers with the largest capacity, Whirlpool is challenging its overseas competition on another front: Ease of use. The company is also one of several we’ve seen at CES 2015 to integrate products with the Nest thermostat, for better or worse.

Typical washing machines have you select options such as desired cycle, load size, soil level, wash/rinse temperatures, and more. The Whirlpool Cabrio WTW8700EC top-load washer, expected to sell for about $1,300, groups its wash settings into two simple considerations on its touchscreen display: What to Wash and How to Wash. From there, claims the manufacturer, sensors determine the needs of the load and adjust water temperature, levels, and more. A matching dryer, the electric Whirlpool Cabrio WED8700EC and gas Whirlpool Cabrio WGD8700EC, both about $1,300 each, will also be available.

The washer’s Nest thermostat integration, however, comes on a number of new Whirlpool washers, including the already available Whirlpool Duet WFL98HEBU front-load washer and its matching electric dryer, the Whirlpool Duet WEL98HEBU, $1,500 each. With all three washers, the Nest device signals to the washer that nobody is home. The washer subsequently can tumble finished clothes in fresh air, perhaps drying small loads. Until the Nest says you’re back home, the dryer can tumble clothes after a cycle is over to keep them from getting wrinkled.

If you participate in Nest Rush Hour Rewards, you can also have your Nest thermostat set the appliances to run only when energy rates or demand—as determined by your local utility—are lowest. Of course, most of us want our clothes clean when we need them. Having your Nest delay a washer or dryer cycle’s cycle until late in the evening might not be welcome in a busy household with lots of dirty laundry.

As with many new washers, Whirlpool’s accompanying app lets you download new cycles as needed. And should you need service, a diagnostic tool helps you resolve the issue—without a service call if possible.

The Whirlpool Cabrio WTW8700EC is expected to be available in April; we’ve already tested the front-load Whirlpool Duet WFL98HEBU and its matching Whirlpool Duet WEL98HEBU dryer. If  you're replacing your washer and dryer now, see the results of our tests of the best matching washers and dryers, and check out our free buying guides for washers and dryers. Then check our Ratings of 135 top- and front-load washers and more than 275 dryers.

—Ed Perratore (@EdPerratore on Twitter)

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

Washers have changed quite a bit since the late 18th century, but you might think by now that most of the best new advances are years behind us. LG and Samsung, however, have other ideas—including two washer innovations among a bevy of other CES 2015 product announcements.

Take the pedestal available for most front-load washers, which typically serves only as support to keep whoever’s doing the laundry from having to bend to add or remove their laundry. We’ve seen better uses for the space, such as GE’s SmartDispense pedestal, which dispenses detergent and fabric softener and stores six months’ worth of both. But LG has gone one better: A Mini Washer.

LG Mini Washer

LG says this little top-loading washer drawer, called the Twin wash system when purchased with a washer, lets you run two loads at once. The pedestal can be installed beneath any full-size LG front-loading washer, and its 1.0-cubic-foot capacity makes it useful for small, delicate loads. It also matches the overall design of the main washer, so there’s little difference in appearance. There's also no creative plumbing required to install it—just T-fittings for the hot and cold lines.

The Mini Washer has six specialized cycles, and the control panel is tilted upward so you can check remaining cycle time. We’ll be checking LG’s claims that users save energy as well as time, but we’re not worried about reliability; LG is among the more reliable brands of front-loading washers in Consumer Reports' tests. One question remains—whether washer owners who want a pedestal to avoid bending want to bend to open a washer drawer that's mere inches from the floor.

Expected on the market this May at LG retailers, the Mini Washer model WD100CV is expected to sell for $500 whether or not you buy a washer at the same time. LG is backing up the product with a 10-year warranty.

Samsung Activewash laundry machine

Samsung’s announcement harkens back to one of the earliest methods of washing—rubbing clothes on rocks in a stream, which later gave way to rubbing them against ribbed washboards. Samsung's innovation removes the need to pre-soak, hand-wash, or pre-treat items in a separate sink or other basin—through a tray built into the top-loading washers’ opening. There's a water jet, and the surface of the tub is ribbed for easy scrubbing. Among cycle options is a 36-minute cycle Samsung has dubbed "SuperSpeed" technology.

The company says the integrated “sink” adds convenience and avoids dripping water while transferring items to the washer. And when you’re through with any initial process, you can drop whatever goes into the next cycle by overturning the little tub.

Washers offering this feature range from the Samsung WA7700J, about $900, to the Samsung WA8700J, about $1,200. While we don’t have enough data to know for sure about the reliability of Samsung top-loaders, both Samsung and LG are among the more promising brands of top-loaders in terms of reliability.

Need a washer in a hurry? These LG and Samsung models should be in stores by the spring, but you’ll want to see our washing machine Ratings of 135 top- and front-loading washers. Check out our buying guide for washers if you haven’t shopped in some years, and don't miss this piece about the best matching washers and dryers.

—Ed Perratore (@EdPerratore on Twitter)

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

With today's tendency to buy staples in bulk, refrigerators have been getting bigger and bigger. And the models Consumer Reports has seen at CES 2015 this week are no exception. On display are refirgerators from some of the top names in appliances including large capacity refrigerators from LG, Samsung, and Whirlpool. All are 36-inch models and should be in stores sometime this spring.

LG double door-in-door “mega-capacity” refrigerator

Both LG and Samsung announced last year refrigerators with so-called door-in-door, a design that offers a small compartment that lets you reach often-used items, such as beverages and condiments, without opening the refrigerator's main chamber. This year the LG LPXS34886C offers this feature on both sides. LG says that by using the door-in-door option instead of opening the entire refrigerator you can reduce cold-air loss by up to 47 percent.

Features and finishes. With a claimed 34 cubic feet of space, the refrigerator offers LED interior lighting, bins that let users adjust the height of the internal compartments, and a finish LG calls Contour Glass.

Samsung counter-depth T9000

Back in 2013, Samsung announced what was then among the first truly four-door refrigerators, the Samsung T9000 French-door refrigerator. The company this week announced a counter-depth version of the same refrigerator that gives it a look that’s more in harmony with modern kitchen cabinets. As with the prior model, the $4,000 Samsung RF22H9010SR’s lower right cavity is especially flexible and can be used for kids’ snacks, as a prep zone for a special meal, or additional freezer space.

Features and finishes. With about 22 cubic feet overall, the Samsung RF22H9010SR has two compressors, three evaporators, and various sensors designed to keep food fresh by maintaining even humidity levels. Among other features are slide-in/flip-up shelves and two crisper drawers. It comes in stainless steel.

Whirlpool double-drawer French-door refrigerator

Consumer Reports has tested many four-door, French-drawer bottom freezers. But Whirlpool’s 26-cubic-foot, double-drawer French-door refrigerator splits what’s typically a short horizontal drawer between the refrigerator and freezer into two separate drawers. The right-hand one is intended for produce that doesn’t fit in the upper compartment; it’s cooled from above with no other settings. The left drawer, however, has a choice of five independent temperature settings.

Features and finishes. The icemaker is built into the left door and takes no space from the left inside compartment. Certain models, still to be specified, might add a second icemaker with an ice bin replacing the left-hand storage. There’s more to like: soft-close drawers, under-lit shelves, frozen-casserole and pizza drawers within the freezer drawer, and gallon-size door bins. It’s expected to start at about $3,200 and come in two finishes: monochromatic stainless steel (Whirlpool WRV996FDEM) and black ice (Whirlpool WRV996FDEE). One caveat: Whirlpool is among the more repair-prone brands of bottom-freezer refrigerators with icemakers.

Need a refrigerator now? Check out our refrigerator buying guide before viewing the results of our tests of almost 300 top- and bottom-freezer, side-by-side, built-in, and compact refrigerators.

—Ed Perratore (@EdPerratore on Twitter)

Click on the image above to find all of Consumer Reports' coverage from CES 2015.

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

Time is a precious commodity—and it’s one that Americans are willing to pay for. In fact, when Consumer Reports asked more than 4,000 readers if they would shell out more for the best time-saving appliances and electronics—such as speedier dishwashers, washers, and dryers—25 percent of the appliance owners said yes. (About one-third of that group said they would pay an extra $100 or more.)

Manufacturers are aware of that need for speed. Induction ranges and cooktops are growing ever more popular, single-serve coffeemakers are crowding store shelves, and faster settings are being built into washers and dishwashers. Buyers of electronics have a different definition of fast; they want devices that stream, process, and download swiftly. Whatever the product category, all of that clock-watching can pay real dividends: 15 minutes here, an hour there. If you owned one of each type of product on these pages, you could save more than two hours per day. Just think of what you could do with that!

The two recent innovations that have trimmed kitchen time the most are induction cooking and pod coffeemakers. Induction rangetops and cooktops hold the speed record in Consumer Reports' tests, often heating a large pot of water 20 to 25 percent faster than a regular electric smoothtop. They’re even faster when compared with gas models. That’s because a magnetic field directly heats pans, offering precise simmering and control. And cleaning spills quickly is easier because the induction surface is much cooler than a smoothtop’s during cooking and after. Prices for induction appliances have come down, but most still cost more than electric or gas. As for pod coffeemakers, though they have a downside—limited coffee choices, less-than-top-shelf taste—there’s no denying that they’re easy and speedy.

Ranges
 

Coffeemakers
 

Induction cooktops
 

Washing machines
 

Dishwashers
 

Modern life may be moving at warp speed, but many new appliances we like actually take longer than their predecessors to do their tasks. That’s because other things we prize—such as great performance, energy efficiency, and water conservation—mean longer cycles. Today’s most efficient front-loaders, for example, cost about $1,400 less to run over 10 years compared with most top-loaders with an agitator. Want speed and efficiency? Try these tips:

Dishwashers

• Run the hot water. It’s faster to heat water at a faucet than for a dishwasher to heat it.

Washers

• Fill ’er up. Larger capacities mean fewer loads.
• Measure detergent. Use too much and it can prolong the rinse cycle.
• Pick the right setting. The heavy-soil option adds time, so use it only when needed.
• Understand speedy settings. Quick-wash cycles are only for two to four lightly soiled items. Other fast settings, such as GE’s Time Saver, Kenmore’s Accela-Wash, LG’s TurboWash, and Samsung’s SuperSpeed, cleaned well and shaved off 15 to 20 minutes in our tests using full loads of dirty laundry.

Dryers

• Clean filters. Do it after each load to keep air flowing freely. If laundry is taking longer to dry, clean the exhaust vent.

You can save time, effort, or money in the long run by taking more time up front. Here are some ways to do that:

All-purpose cleaners. Ignore claims about just spraying and wiping; let the cleaner sit for a minute (5 minutes for products that disinfect). We did and got better cleaning power in our tests. Pine-Sol Original liquid was the best; it’s a CR Best Buy. Among sprays, Seventh Generation All-Purpose natural cleaner was tops but no match for the Pine-Sol.

Heavily soiled or stained items. The sooner you tackle stains, the better your results. Help lift them by soaking garments overnight or for at least two hours in oxygen bleach, which brightens colors without fading. but don’t soak silk or fabrics that “bleed,” and follow directions on the container. And don’t toss an item in the dryer until the stains are out or the heat will set them.

Slow cookers. Chop and stir your ingredients in the morning, then do the other tasks on your list—or put your feet up—while the slow cooker makes dinner. That not only saves time but can also save money. That’s because cheaper, tougher cuts of meat are better for slow cookers than expensive cuts. Our tests have found little difference between slow cookers. All of the 6- to 7-quart models turned out tasty spare ribs, pulled pork, honey chicken wings, and apple brown Betty.

This article also appeared in the February 2015 issue of Consumer Reports magazine.

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

The CES 2015 techfest is wrapping up in Las Vegas and consumer drones, wearable technology, and smart home appliances created buzz, again. But Consumer Reports' experts spotted some tech-free tweaks and it looks like doors may be the next big thing.

Dryer doors, your way

LG’s EasyLoad door works two ways and is meant to make loading and unloading laundry easier. For loading the dryer you open the door from the top and pull it toward you. For unloading just open the door to its side—the way a dryer door normally works. A door on the dryer top opens upward and reveals storage space for dryer sheets and your collection of orphaned socks. The LG DLE7700VE electric dryer will be in stores this spring. Gas model is the LG  DLGX7701VE. LG hasn't set a price yet.
Dryers, a sequel. Of the 104 dryers in Consumer Reports' tests all have conventional doors. The top-rated Samsung DV56H9100ED has a jumbo capacity and was excellent at drying. But it’s $1,520. Check our dryer Ratings and you'll see models that cost $800 or less, like the Samsung DV42H5000EW, $600, Kenmore 81382, $800, and the LG DLE1001W, $650.

Dual oven doors, sort of

So what’s the big deal about a range door? It matters if you like to cook and bake, all at once. Samsung introduced a $1,900 Samsung Flex Duo Dual Door electric smoothtop range at CES. It has a partition that divides the oven into two cavities with separate temperature controls, but this time there are two oven doors integrated into one, so you have the option of opening just the upper door if you need to check on that cake.
The backstory. When we tested the $1,800 Samsung NE58F9710WS electric smoothtop slide-in range and the $1,500 Samsung FE710DRS freestanding range we noted that while each has a slide-in partition that converts the cavity into two ovens with separate temperature controls, there’s only one oven door so when you open it to check your roast in the bottom oven you’re letting hot air out of the top oven, interrupting the baking cake and extending baking time.

More and more refrigerator doors

Two years ago it was big news when Samsung introduced its first four-door refrigerator, the Samsung T9000, our top-rated four-door. This year it introduced a counter-depth version of the popular model, which sits flush with your cabinets. But Whirlpool did Samsung one better with its new French-door split-drawer model with a bottom freezer—so technically five doors. It will come in two finishes and cost $3,200.
The back story. What's cool about the Samsung T9000 is that you can adjust the overall refrigerator-to-freezer ratio in the bottom compartments if you need more or less space in the freezer or refrigerator. In the Whirlpool, the right-hand side of the split drawer can be used to store extra produce while the left-hand side has five temperature settings.

—Kimberly Janeway 

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

Sales of wine chillers, also known as wine refrigerators, wine coolers, and wine cellars, have been growing as Americans drink more vino. To find the best for your bottles, Consumer Reports tested 10 undercounter and four freestanding models with capacities of 28 to 60 standard bottles. Despite their small size—undercounter wine chillers are generally 34 inches high by 24 inches wide; freestanding models are narrower—some cost about as much as a full-sized refrigerator. And some of them consume a lot of power. But most excelled at maintaining uniform temperatures, which is essential for keeping your favorite wine in tip-top condition. Here’s how to choose.

Pay attention to uniformity
Uniform temperatures are essential for wine storage because wine can degrade if it’s stored in a place with wide temperature swings.

Take a close look at shelving
The most convenient models have wire-coated racks and fully extendable shelves. Some also have removable shelves that allow you to create storage compartments for larger bottles.

Weigh noise and energy use
A noisy wine chiller can be a concern if it’s placed near living areas. And wine chillers aren’t particularly efficient; they’re not in the federal government’s Energy Star program. The most efficient model we tested cost about $9.61 to run a year based on an average cost of 11.84 cents per kilowatt-hour in the U.S. The least efficient model used more energy than twice as much as some other models—almost as much as an 18-cu.-ft. refrigerator.

Consider conveniences
Many models offer digital temperature controls that you can access without opening the door, which helps keep temperatures consistent. And look for integrated locks to prevent theft, tinted glass doors that filter UV light, and interior lighting. Some models have wooden shelf edges you can stain to match your cabinets; others accept a custom frame.

Top wine chillers from Consumer Reports’ tests

Frigidaire FFWC42F5LS, $400, sold at Lowe’s
Type: Freestanding
Capacity: 45 750-ml wine bottles
A one-zone model, this very quiet unit provides good temperature performance and energy efficiency, and cost $17 a year to run. It has tinted glass and a door lock.
But: It lacks pullout shelves.

Electrolux IQ-Touch EI24WC65GS, $1,530
Type: Undercounter
Capacity: 46 750-ml bottles
This one-zone model provides very good temperature performance and energy efficiency; noise was rated good. It cost about $7 a year in energy. Temperature controls are on the front of the unit, and it features tinted glass, full-extension ball-bearing glides, and shelf stops.
But: It lacks a door lock.

Haier WC200GS, $980, a CR Best Buy
Type: Undercounter
Capacity: 42 750-ml bottles
A two-zone model with tinted glass, it provides very good temperature performance but only fair energy efficiency. Noise was rated good. It cost about $14 a year in energy. It has shelf stops and partial-extension ball-bearing guides.
But: It lacks a door lock.

Vinotemp VT-46TS-2Z, $1,000
Type: Undercounter
Capacity: 46 750-ml bottles
This two-zone model provides very good temperature performance. Noise was rated good but energy efficiency was only fair. It cost $27 a year to run. It has tinted glass, shelf stops, a door lock, and a child lock for the controls, which are on the front of the unit.

For more choices see our full wine chiller Ratings and recommendations.

—Adapted from The Best for Your Kitchen + Home

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

Remodeling projects, like travel, have off-seasons. Winter is prime time for heating and insulation pros. But you can take advantage of the lull other contractors experience during the winter to get better deals on these home-remodeling projects that are more commonly considered in warmer weather. Here are three projects to consider.

Replacing windows

Unlike old-fashioned all-wood windows, most modern windows are made of, or covered by, tough, water-resistant materials like fiberglass, vinyl, or aluminum. So they don’t need a coat of paint to protect them from the elements and can be installed no matter the time of year. Andersen 400 Series wood double-hung and wood casement windows did well in Consumer Reports' tests, as did Simonton Pro-Finish Contractor vinyl double-hung windows. Just be sure the window installer measures each new window before taking out the old one and that each new window is put in immediately after the old one is removed. That way you only have your home open to the elements for a short time.

For more replacement window recommendations, see our full window Ratings and recommendations.

Pruning trees

With the leaves fallen, there’s less debris to cart away. And it’s often easier to see the outline of the tree and which branches need to be removed or pruned back. Shade trees can be pruned every 3 to 5 years, but over-pruning can damage or weaken the tree. Though you can do some work yourself, branches that have to be reached via a ladder, are near power lines or overhanging a house, or limbs that are large or heavy are best left to the pros.

Installing central air

When it’s cold outside, the last thing on your mind is probably upgrading or adding central air conditioning. That’s why cooling contractors aren’t busy. So they’re more likely to return your calls and arrive on time for estimates. They’re also eager to schedule work and may offer better deals as they trudge through the snow and consider the quiet months ahead of them before summer (when everyone else is thinking about AC and prices are likely to rise). New central air conditioners are 20 to 40 percent more efficient than minimum efficiency models made as little as 10 years ago. But some of those savings can easily be eaten away by service calls if you buy an unreliable brand.

--Celia Kuperszmid Lehrman (@cklehrman on Twitter)

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

The convenience of single-serve pod coffeemakers has made them among the fastest-growing small appliance. One downside to the devices is the loss of counter space, especially for consumers with compact kitchens. Here comes GE with a solution: the first-ever refrigerator with a built-in single-cup coffee brewer from Keurig. The feature will be available on GE Cafe Series French-door bottom-freezers, models GE CFE28USHSS and GE CYE22USHSS, in the third quarter of 2015 for $3,300.   

The built-in coffee machine is the latest in a string of innovations to hit refrigerator water dispensers. A couple years back, GE launched the first hot-water dispenser, intended for tea, hot soup, and the like. Samsung answered around the same time with a sparkling water dispenser from Sodastream. Neither feature caught on in a huge way. GE hopes the broad appeal of single-serve coffee will give its new feature a bigger boost.

“Over the last couple years, GE surveyed Café French door refrigerator consumers who have the hot water feature; they asked us, ‘When can we have a refrigerator that dispenses coffee or tea?’ In fact, two-thirds said they’d be interested in a single-serve hot beverage dispenser,” said Dan Goldstein, refrigeration marketing manager for GE Appliances, in the news release.

GE is touting several other benefits of the coffee dispenser, including the fact that it uses an advanced water filtration system that's been tested by an independent third party to remove 98 percent of five trace pharmaceuticals from water. The dispenser is also Wi-Fi enabled, meaning you can preset the brew time via your smart phone so that water in the reservoir will be hot when you're ready for your morning cup.

We look forward to testing the new coffee-dispensing GE Cafe Series French-door bottom-freezer when it hits stores. If you can't wait that long, check our Ratings of refrigerators and coffeemakers for models that aced our tough tests—albeit not at the same time.

—Daniel DiClerico (@dandiclerico on Twitter)

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

There’s little more infuriating than going to a store, buying a product and then seeing it on sale the next day or learning that you could have bought the same thing cheaper elsewhere. Unfortunately, your old-school shopper’s intuition and instincts are no longer all you need to find the best deal, especially as more retail stores and online merchants employ sophisticated price-optimization software that tracks competitors’ prices and then adjusts their own.

To get an idea of just how hard it is to get the best price on a product consider this: Amazon.com, the mega-retailer, makes as many as 2.5 million price changes per day on its tens of thousands of products.

The upside to these practices is that you’re more likely to get a better, more competitive price, especially on products that aren’t selling well. The downside is that it’s hard to know if you’re getting the best price possible, or only the best price at any given moment in time.

Use these 9 free apps that will help you snag discounts and deals.

Retailers are doing more than just changing prices. They are also using software to examine your shopping habits to figure out if you’re a casual shopper or a serious bargain hunter. If your shopping habits and behaviors red-flag you as a smart shopper, the retailer might target you to receive special prices and promotions in your email or right on your smart phone while you’re standing in an aisle making your purchase decision. If you’re a casual shopper who isn’t necessarily looking for the best deal, there is a greater chance that you would be willing to pay top dollar, and the store’s pricing strategy will take full advantage of that.

The goal of all this is not only to maximize sales, but also to wed you to the store brand. If you’re a tough cookie who demands the best price and you trust that a particular store is consistently competitive in terms of prices, you’ll be “less likely to shop around for a deal,” according to Planet Retail, a market research consulting firm. If you value convenience over price, you’ll buy a bargain if you see it, but at times, also accept a higher price.

To be a smart shopper, you should sharpen your high-tech shopping skills polish your image as a demanding, price-conscious customer so all of those computer-tracking programs treat you accordingly. Here’s how:

Preshop

Before setting foot in any store, shop online to see the range of prices for the items you know you want to buy. Use comparison-shopping engines such Google Shopping and PriceGrabber, which did well in a ShopSmart magazine evaluation earlier this year. These search engines aggregate product information in a standard format and show prices from multiple retailers, and they ultimately link you to the merchant’s website if you want to close the sale. Others include Bing, Shopping.com, and the advertised search results on Amazon. The Price and Shop function on ConsumerReports.org also allows you to comparison price shop while researching.

Price-shopping online is also a good way to check what the stores around town are charging because “prices on the retailer’s websites often match their store prices more than they used to,” says Mary Weinstein, content director at CPC Strategy, a digital marketing firm in San Diego.

While price shopping, become familiar with the key features of the product you are considering, compare the value of items, and assess whether a favorite brand is really the best deal. Check Consumer Reports’ Ratings on products of interest that we’ve tested independently.

Consider closing the sale online

Because of the stalled economy and Internet-savvy shoppers, competition is intense, so you might find the lowest prices at an online merchant. If your preshopping gives you sufficient information about prices at physical stores, you might have enough information to decide to buy online and save a trip.

Don’t forget online shipping costs. To properly compare online and in-store prices, add any package delivery service costs to the Internet price. Look for free shipping, of course. FreeShipping.org offers coupons that do what its name implies. Many retailers, including Best Buy, Macy’s, and Walmart, also allow you to order online and pick up your purchases at a local store.

Plug into technology

Sign up for your favorite retailers’ e-mail newsletters, coupons, and special sale alerts. Check for coupons and coupon codes for hundreds of retailers on sites such as Coupons.com,DealScience.com, and RetailMeNot.com. Ibotta, a leading mobile shopping app, will deliver cash-back offers to your cell phone when you’re near specific products that analytics have determined are of interest to you in more than 175,000 store locations.

And put your smart phone to work to compare prices offered by competitors on Amazon, Overstock, Zappos, and your favorite shopping search engines while you’re in a store considering a purchase. Many consumers already do this, but “the majority of shoppers are still coming in with the paper coupons that retailers like Macy’s sent them in the mail,” says Candace Corlett, president of WSL Strategic Retail, a retailing consulting firm.

Be vigilant after the sale

Because prices can drop after you make a purchase, keep your receipts. If you see a price reduction on something you’ve bought, get evidence of the competing lower price, ask the original seller to match it and refund the difference, or return the item and buy it cheaper at the other store. And, of course, sharpen your haggling skills, and always be ready to bargain for a better deal.

—Jeff Blyskal (@JeffBlyskal on Twitter)

This article also appeared in the December 2014 issue of Consumer Reports Money Adviser.

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

Consumer Reports provides you with authoritative information on important consumer issues, including your health, your money, and your well-being. A key element in the information we offer revolves around the work we do in the area of product safety.

In July 2013, for example, our testers found a safety hazard with the Calphalon XL blender. Blades in three of these blenders broke when our testers put them through our standard blender durability test. We subsequently named the blender a Don't Buy: Safety Risk and promptly alerted the manufacturer and the Consumer Product Safety Commission. In October 2013, a recall was issued for the Calphalon XL blender.

Consumer Reports is always looking out for consumers' safety, exposing potential issues regardless of others' influence or inaction.

Over the last six years we've contributed to the recall of at least 14 products, many of them products made for children, including strollers, high chairs, and car seats.

In Feburary 2013, for example, our testers discovered a potential strangulation hazard with the Babyhome Eat high chair. The high chair, which passed voluntary industry safety standards, lacked a passive crotch restraint to prevent the child from slipping down—especially if the baby is not properly harnessed—and becoming trapped between the seat and feeding tray. Once notified of the flaw, the manufacturer worked with the CPSC to recall the Babyhome Eat high chair to provide the proper remedy.

You can help report an unsafe product to the CPSC through SaferProducts.gov. (Vehicle-safety issues should be brought to the attention of the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration through SaferCar.gov.)

You can also help by telling us about safety problems you encounter or concerns that arise with the products you use. When you contact us, please include the following:

• Your name and contact information, including e-mail address.
  
• Information on the product involved, including name and/or type of product, its approximate age, model number, and where and when purchased it.
  
• A detailed description of your safety-related issue.
  

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

With an estimated 58 million vehicles recalled so far this year, 2014 has been dubbed the worst year for auto recalls in U.S. history.

In recent recall news, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration is urging the owners of nearly 8 million vehicles to act immediately on a recall notice to replace potentially defective air bags manufactured by auto-parts maker Takata. The recall in the U.S. covers dozens of models sold by 10 different automakers. (Read our report on the Takata recall.)

Takata air bags have reportedly been linked to more than 100 injuries and four deaths. The air bag inflators might rupture and send shards of metal at high speeds at the driver or passengers.

At Consumers Union, the policy and advocacy arm of Consumer Reports, we are raising concerns with the federal government about how safety regulators, car companies, and Takata have handled this recall and what they are doing to help consumers.

The recall has been aimed primarily at cars registered in areas with “high absolute humidity,” because humidity is suspected to be a contributing factor to the problem. That government’s response is a limited approach to a national problem because the potential dangers could be much broader. A person whose car is registered in Colorado but who drives it in Florida, for instance, wouldn’t necessarily be notified about the recall. Plus, cities all over the country experience periods of high humidity.

As the number of recalled cars continues to climb, consumers need greater assurances that NHTSA has an accurate count of the affected vehicles. The agency recently apologized for network problems with its SaferCar.gov website, which prevented some people from being able to look up whether their vehicle was recalled.

While the recall list and NHTSA’s response evolve, all options to ensure maximum safety must be considered as quickly as possible. We are troubled by reports of potentially months-long backlogs for safe replacement parts.

Toyota, for one, has announced that while it waits for replacement parts, it is disabling the air bags and advising car owners not to drive with passengers in the front seat. But this is not a very feasible alternative for consumers who regularly use all the seats in their cars.

As the story unfolds, we are also asking the government, automakers, and Takata to consider alternatives for consumers, including loaner vehicles and vouchers for rental cars. And we want to know what regulators are doing to get the car companies, Takata, and possibly other suppliers to expedite the manufacture and supply of safe replacement parts for all cars that need them.

Consumers deserve better. We’ll keep pressing to get the answers and clarity consumers need to ensure their cars are safe.

If you’re wondering whether your vehicle is affected by the recall, use the Vehicle Identification Number locator at SaferCar.gov.

You’ll find the VIN in several places on your car, including on the inside of the driver-side door, the bottom of the windshield, or your insurance card.

If your car has been recalled, contact your dealer immediately. Keep in mind that the Takta recall list has been changed and expanded, so check back every few days to see whether your car has been added to the list.

This feature is part of a regular series by Consumers Union, the policy and advocacy arm of Consumer Reports. The nonprofit organization advocates for product safety, financial reform, safer food, health reform, and other consumer issues in Washington, D.C., the states, and in the marketplace.

Read other installments of our Policy & Action feature.

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.