Consumer Reports Magazine

Mondo Times editors    Boulder, Colorado USA

Posted at 1:00pm on Monday, August 10th, 2009

As the U.S. prepares for a possible second wave of H1N1 or swine flu, as well as for the annual scourge of seasonal flu and colds, a new report from Consumer Reports helps households prepare for, prevent, and treat cold and flu symptoms safely and effectively, including recommendations for what to pack in an emergency kit for a flu outbreak.

The report is available in the September 2009 issue of Consumer Reports magazine, and online at the magazine website.

In case the second wave of swine flu is severe enough to warrant home confinement, consumers should pack an emergency kit in advance. You will need:

-- A two-week supply of food and water.

-- Fever reducers, such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen.

-- Cough and cold medications containing chlorpheniramine, diphenhydramine, oxymetazoline, and pseudoephedrine and lozenges with dyclonine, glycerin, or honey can help ease symptoms.

-- Electrolyte drinks, such as Gatorade or Powerade, to keep you hydrated.

-- Hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol, such as Purell, to kill viruses when soap and water aren't available.

-- Surgical masks with an FDA rating of at least N-95 to help prevent spreading the flu. Masks need to be replaced often and disposed of after use.

For all emergencies, Consumer Reports recommends packing at least three days' worth of nonperishable food; at least one gallon of water per person, per day; a first-aid kit that includes any prescription or over-the-counter medications your family might need; as well as antihistamines for allergic reactions, pain relievers, stomach and antidiarrhea remedies, and antacids.

The government is currently preparing a vaccine against the swine flu that will likely be recommended for school-age children and other high-risk individuals, such as pregnant women, those with chronic illness, and those who live or work with infants, preschoolers, or older adults. In the meantime, Consumer Reports recommends that everyone -- but especially high-risk people -- get vaccinated against regular, seasonal flu before December when that infection usually arrives.

Mondo Times editors    Boulder, Colorado USA

Posted at 5:48pm on Tuesday, June 30th, 2009

The August issue of Consumer Reports magazine features top kitchen and bath products ranging from refrigerators, cooking appliances, dishwashers, to flooring, countertops, toilets and showerheads. Consumers can find top-performing products that fit within their budget without sacrificing style.

"In our latest testing we found that products are living up to today's standards of style, performance, and price," says Bob Markovich, senior home editor at Consumer Reports. "If consumers are going to spend, we recommend it be on products you will interact with every day, starting with appliances."

Mondo Times editors    Boulder, Colorado USA

Posted at 12:49pm on Monday, January 5th, 2009

On December 28, 2008, Consumers Union announced that it will acquire Gawker Media's Consumerist.com, a consumer watchdog blog:

Yonkers, NY—Consumers Union (CU), the highly trusted, independent publisher of Consumer Reports magazine and ConsumerReports.org, has purchased Consumerist.com from Gawker Media. The popular consumer watchdog blog will operate independently of Consumer Reports publications and be the first property housed under a new non-profit entity called Consumer Media LLC. The change in ownership will be in effect as of January 1, 2009.

“We’re delighted to add this vibrant site to our portfolio of information products,” said Jim Guest, President and CEO of Consumers Union. “The Consumerist community is passionate about fair retail practices, truth in advertising, product safety, and other topics that Consumer Reports has championed for more than 70 years. The site is a perfect fit for advancing our mission of creating a fair, safe, and just marketplace.”

Gawker Media launched Consumerist.com three years ago. Its monthly traffic of more than 10 million page views exceeds the web sites operated by many daily newspapers. “We are thrilled to join the Consumers Union family, where Consumerist.com will benefit from an incredibly powerful and iconic brand, while maintaining autonomy housed under a separate division. Consumerist.com is now assured of a strong, healthy future,” said Ben Popken, Editor of Consumerist.com.

Consumer Reports was launched in 1936, and does not accept advertising so as to maintain its independence from the products and services it rates. Starting immediately Consumerist.com will no longer accept ads. “The continuous growth and success Consumer Reports enjoys is proof that there is strong appetite for high-quality, unbiased content,” said John Sateja, Executive Vice President of Consumers Union. “Consumerist.com, with its history of building community, shining a light on unfriendly consumer behavior, and having a little fun while they’re at it, is a natural complement to our growing organization.”

Mondo Times editors    Boulder, Colorado USA

Posted at 3:43pm on Tuesday, November 25th, 2008

Consumer Reports is published by the nonprofit Consumers Union, based in Yonkers, New York.

The magazine has grown considerably over the last five years, according to the publisher. Newsstand sales reached 190,000 in 2008, up from 83,845 in 2002. Subscriptions in 2008 were 4.3 million, up 12 percent from 3.9 million in 2002.

The magazine web site has 3.2 million paying subscribers, making it the largest paid subscriber site in the world, according to the publisher.