Recalls this week include childrens toys, kitchen appliances, household ladders, and even wireless power banks

Childrens Spiral Tower Toys

• Hazard: Contains small balls, violating the small ball ban for under-threes; choking hazard.

• Remedy: Refund.

• Units: ~260.

• Details: Sold on Shein.com in May 2025 for about $3. Toy includes three levels, a basketball hoop face, and three yellow balls.

• Incidents: None reported.

• Contact: STWUQIKONG at STWUQIKONG_RECALL@hotmail.com.

• Recall No.: 25-433.

ESR HaloLock Wireless Power Banks

• Hazard: Lithium-ion battery can overheat and ignite, posing fire and burn hazards.

• Remedy: Refund.

• Units: ~24,000 (plus ~9,900 in Canada).

• Details: Models 2G520, 2G505B, 2G512B in multiple colors; LED display lights on one side.

• Incidents: 9 fires reported, $20,000 in property damage; no injuries.

• Sold At: Amazon, Home Depot, ESRTech.com (20232025, $32$40).

• Contact: Waymeet at 888-990-0280 or support@esrtech.com.

• Recall No.: 25-437.

Wolfgang Puck Stainless Steel Petite Tea Kettles

• Hazard: Loose infuser basket lid can fall off, causing burns and scalds.

• Remedy: Repair (free replacement lid).

• Units: ~40,000.

• Details: 14 oz. stainless kettles sold in beige, black, pink, and red. Lot codes: 022020032023.

• Incidents: 10 reports, 5 burn injuries.

• Sold At: HSN.com & HSN TV (20202025, ~$20).

• Contact: Synergy Housewares at 855-837-4111 or claims.synergyhousewares.com/recall.

• Recall No.: 25-432.

Drinkmate 1L Carbonation Bottles

• Hazard: Bottles can explode, causing laceration, impact, and hearing injuries.

• Remedy: Free replacement bottle.

• Units: ~106,200 (plus 5,000 in Canada).

• Details: PET bottles with caps/bases in red, blue, white, black. Expiration dates 01/202610/2026.

• Incidents: 8 explosions, 4 injuries.

• Sold At: iDrinkProducts.com, Amazon, Walmart, Target, Home Depot (20232024, ~$20 or $130 with OmniFizz kit).

• Contact: Drinkmate at 844-812-6241 or idrinkproducts.com.

• Recall No.: 25-435.

Firefly Safe & Green 32 oz. Fuel Bottles

• Hazard: Nozzle applicator not child-resistant; poisoning hazard to children. Also mislabeled Non-Toxic.

• Remedy: Repair (corrected label + child-resistant lid).

• SUnits: ~11,275.

• Details: Clear bottles with Safe & Green label; sold online 20192025 (~$20).

• Incidents: None reported.

• Contact: Firefly Fuel at 888-472-6740 or fireflyfuel.com.

• Recall No.: 25-434.

Werner Multi-Max Pro Ladders (20 and 24)

• Hazard: Locking mechanism can jam, ladder may collapse; fall hazard.

• Remedy: Refund.

• Units: ~122,250.

• Details: Silver ladders with blue tops; models ALMP-20IAA and ALMP-24IAA.

• Incidents: 18 falls, 14 injuries (bruises, lacerations, fractures).

• Sold At: Home Depot stores and online (20212024, $200$281).

• Contact: Werner at 888-624-1907 or wernerco.com/recalls.

• Recall No.: 25-431.

Viewrail Floating Stair/Rail LED Modules

• Hazard: Modules can overheat and melt, posing fire hazard.

• Remedy: Free replacement or refund.

• Units: ~2,720.

• Details: Model E2-WR, rectangular white modules inside stair stringers.S

• Incidents: 20 reports of overheating; no injuries.

• Sold At: Viewrail.com (20232025, ~$80).

• Contact: Viewrail at 888-500-2151 or viewrail.com/recall.

• Recall No.: 25-436.

Remington Hair Dryers (Model D3190DCDN)

• Hazard: Lack of immersion protection; risk of electrocution if dropped in water.

• Remedy: Refund.

• Units: ~56,300.

• Details: Purple/black hair dryers with Remington logo.

• Incidents: None reported.

• Sold At: Walmart, Target, Amazon marketplaces (20242025, $25$32).

• Contact: Empower Brands at 1-844-695-2134 or remingtonproducts.com/product-recalls.

• Recall No.: 25-430.

Safety Tip of the Week: Never dispose of recalled lithium-ion batteries (like the ESR HaloLock power banks) in household trash or curbside recycling. Contact your local hazardous waste collection center for safe disposal.

Check back every Friday for the latest safety recalls. For complete recall details, visit the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission at www.cpsc.gov.

Updated guideline shifts the focus toward early action, brain health, pregnancy care, and personalized risk tools

• Nearly half of U.S. adults have high blood pressure and the new 2025 AHA/ACC guideline is here to help manage it with a fresh, early-action approach.

• Smart tools and tests, including the new PREVENT calculator and expanded lab screenings, help tailor care to each persons needs.

• Lifestyle habits still matter, with stronger emphasis on diet, exercise, stress management, and special attention to blood pressure during and after pregnancy.

Nearly half of all adults in the U.S. are dealing with high blood pressure (defined as 130/80 mm Hg or higher), and its the leading and preventable killer when it comes to heart attacks, strokes, kidney troubles, and even cognitive decline or dementia.

The American Heart Association (AHA) and American College of Cardiology (ACC) has released new blood pressure guidelines for 2025, tackling this issue with a prevention-first, act-sooner motto thats built for todays needs.

High blood pressure is the most common and most modifiable risk factor for heart disease, Chair of the guideline writing committee Daniel W. Jones, M.D., FAHA, said in a news release.

By addressing individual risks earlier and offering more tailored strategies across the lifespan, the 2025 guideline aims to aid clinicians in helping more people manage their blood pressure and reduce the toll of heart disease, kidney disease, Type 2 diabetes, and dementia.

Early treatment & personalized tools

This guideline encourages acting early before problems escalate.

A major tool? The brand-new PREVENT risk calculator, developed by the AHA in 2023. It estimates your 10- and 30-year risk of heart attack, stroke, or heart failure, and smartly factors in things like your ZIP code to account for social health drivers.

On the diagnostic side, there are two upgrades:

• Urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio is now recommended for all people with high blood pressure to more accurately check kidney health.

• Aldosterone-to-renin ratio testing is expanded to help detect a condition called primary aldosteronism in more people especially those with stage 2 hypertension or sleep apnea.
  

Lifestyle still leadsbut with new precision

As ever, healthy habits remain the foundation of good blood pressure control. Things like balanced eating, regular movement, and stress relief are key for consumers heart health. However, this time, the guidelines get more specific:

• Sodium cap lowered: Aim for under 2,300 mg per day and ideally get closer to 1,500 mg especially in packaged or restaurant foods.

• Alcohol balance: Limit to no alcohol or, at most, two drinks per day for men and one for women.

• Stress relief: Consider meditation, breathing techniques, or yoga and regular exercise that moves, strengthens, and centers you.

• Weight goals: For those who are overweight or obese, even a modest 5% weight reduction can have a big impact.

• Healthy eating patterns: Follow plans like the DASH diet packed with vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, legumes, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy.

• Move more: Aim for 75150 minutes per week of aerobic work and/or strength training.

• Track at home: Home blood pressure monitoring is encouraged to confirm office readings and guide treatment.
  

Protecting your brain & pregnancy health

This guideline puts fresh shine on two key life areas:

• Your brain matters: High blood pressure isnt just a heart threat it can damage tiny vessels in your brain, nudging toward memory loss or dementia. Thats why the target is now under 130 mm Hg (systolic) early on, to help safeguard cognitive health.

• Pregnancy care refined: High blood pressure before, during, or after pregnancy is now handled with more urgency. The guideline recommends counseling on low-dose aspirin for preeclampsia prevention, starting medication when pressures reach 140/90 mm Hg or higher even early in pregnancy and continued postpartum monitoring, since risks can linger.
  

What this means for consumers

The 2025 AHA/ACC guideline isnt just a repeat it's a sharper, earlier, brain-thinking, personalized-care playbook. It empowers both patients and health care teams with practical tools, solid testing updates, lifestyle support, and sensitive care for brain and pregnancy health.

It is important for people to be aware of the recommended blood pressure goals and understand how healthy lifestyle behaviors and appropriate medication use can help them achieve and maintain optimal blood pressure, Dr. Jones said.

Prevention, early detection and management of high blood pressure are critical to long-term heart and brain health, which means longer, healthier lives.

The FDA-approved nasal-spray flu vaccine now arrives at your door

• FLUMIST, AstraZenecas FDA-approved flu nasal vaccine, can now be ordered and used at home with zero needles or clinic hassle.

• Adults can self-spray, and kids aged 217 can be helped by a caregiver; 100% of users in studies administered it correctly.

• FLUMIST is available now for home delivery in 34 states (covering ~80% of eligible people) for the 2025-26 flu season.
  

Imagine skipping the waiting room, sidestepping the needle, and still getting your flu protection.

With AstraZenecas FLUMIST, you can get exactly that.

Following FDA approval in September 2024, FLUMIST, the only nasal-spray flu vaccine approved in the U.S., can now be ordered and used in the comfort of your own home for the upcoming flu season.

The launch of FluMist Home is a transformational moment in the evolution of influenza protection, bringing a simple and accessible option directly into the hands of consumers, Joris Silon, US Country President and Senior Vice President, AstraZeneca said in a news release.

FluMist Home reflects the growing importance of direct-to-consumer offerings and underscores our commitment to continuous innovation, making it easier for people to get vaccinated and stay protected.

How it works

Heres how simple it is:

1. Go to FluMist.com.

2. Fill out a quick health screening.

3. A licensed provider reviews your eligibility and insurance.

4. If approved, the vaccine is shipped on your chosen delivery date with clear instructions, storage tips, and disposal steps.
   

Who can use it?

• Adults (1849 years) can self-administer.

• Kids (217 years) can receive a dose from a parent or caregiver.

• FLUMIST was originally FDA-approved in 2003, but only recently greenlit for home use after studies showed 100% of trial users successfully administered a full dose, matching clinic-level safety and effectiveness.
  

Why it matters

Last flu season the most severe since the 2009 swine flu led to hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations and tens of thousands of deaths.

With vaccination rates slipping, especially among younger groups, an easy, needle-free option might be just what families need. Experts say this could nudge up protection levels and strengthen overall immunity.

What about your state?

For 2025-26, FluMist Home is rolling out to 34 states, covering about 80% of eligible people. It isnt available everywhere yet AstraZeneca hopes to expand to all 48 contiguous states in future flu seasons.

However, its important to note that traditional clinic- and pharmacy-administered FLUMIST is available nationwide.

Like any other medical-related product, consumers should always check with their health care providers before ordering and administering FLUMIST.

For the first time, consumers can receive and administer an influenza vaccine entirely at home marking a historic shift in how preventive care is delivered, Ami Patel, Executive Vice President, Hub Operations, ASPN Pharmacies, LLC, said in the news release.

Through FluMist Home were seeing a new model of care that puts consumers in control, offering a seamless, end-to-end experience, from determining eligibility to convenient home-delivery and administration. This milestone not only redefines convenience in vaccine delivery, but also sets the stage for a more accessible, patient-centered future in health care."

No age validation required at sign-up and 40% of users are 12 or younger, state alleges

By Truman Lewis of ConsumerAffairs

• Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill sues Roblox, alleging the platform facilitates child exploitation and lacks basic safety controls.

• The state accuses Roblox of prioritizing growth and profit over child protection.

• Lawsuit seeks injunction, restitution, penalties, and barred claims about safety features.

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill filed a lawsuit in the 21st Judicial District Court today, accusing Roblox one of the most popular online gaming platforms among children and teens of knowingly facilitating child sexual exploitation and distributing illicit content.

Murrill charges that Roblox has failed to implement age verification measures, neglected parental notice requirements, and allowed predators to prey on children via the platforms unfiltered chat and suspicious user-generated content.

Due to Robloxs lack of safety protocols, it endangers the safety of the children of Louisiana, she said. Roblox is overrun with harmful content and child predators because it prioritizes user growth, revenue, and profits over child safety. She called on parents to be aware of the clear and present danger posed by the platform.

The state's complaint highlights that children and predators alike can misrepresent their age, and names problematic user-created experiences like Escape to Epstein Island, Diddy Party, and Public Bathroom Simulator Vibe, which featured sexually explicit or predatory content. It also references a recent case in Livingston Parish where a suspect allegedly used voice-altering software to impersonate a young girl to lure minors through Roblox.

Legal relief sought by Louisiana includes:

• A permanent injunction barring Roblox from making misleading safety claims and engaging in unfair trade practices under state law.

• Restitution to the state, attorney fees, civil penalties, and all other allowable damages.

Although Roblox Corp. (NYSE: RBLX) shares have surged over 115% year-to-date, the lawsuit underscores significant tension between rapid platform growth and user safety.

What Parents Should Know

What Roblox Has Said (So Far)

While the company has not issued a statement directly addressing Louisianas lawsuit, media report the following public responses:

• Roblox emphasizes its zerotolerance policy for the exploitation of minors.

• It has recently begun piloting facial age estimation and videoselfie verification for users aged 1317 in private, unfiltered chats.

• The company states it deployed an AI moderation system to detect suspicious behavior, submitting around 1,200 potential exploitation cases to authorities in the first half of 2025.

• A spokesperson added that Roblox dedicates substantial resources, including advanced technology and 24/7 human moderation, to help detect and prevent inappropriate content and behavior.

Despite these efforts, Louisiana contends they fall short and fail to address systemic vulnerabilities.

Trump's comment goes viral, infects news sites with hallucinatory reports

• President Trump suggests Americans could see rebate checks from tariff revenue, though details are still unclear.

• Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) introduces the American Worker Rebate Act of 2025 to send checks to taxpayers.

• IRS confirms deadlines for past stimulus payments have passed, and warns against misinformation about a fourth stimulus.

As Americans continue to feel the effects of inflation and look ahead to tax season, many are wondering whether new relief checks are on the way. While rumors of a fourth stimulus check continue to spread online, the reality is more complicated. Instead of another pandemic-style payment, Washington is now focused on rebate proposals tied to tariffs and new legislation.

But, to put it plainly, despite a torrent of Google queries for "1390stimulus checks" and any number of online news stories saying that the IRS "reportedly confirms"the refunds, it is what might be called "fake news" at this point. The rumors are apparently based on comments from President Trump and pending but not enacted legislation.

Trumps Tariff Rebate Idea

On July 25, President Donald Trump said the federal government has seen a surge in revenue from new tariffs. He suggested that some of that money could be returned directly to taxpayers.

We have so much money coming in, were thinking about a little rebate, Trump said. But the big thing we want to do is pay down debt. But were thinking about a rebate.

So far, the White House has not released details about eligibility, income thresholds, or how much such a rebate could be worth.

Hawleys American Worker Rebate Act

Just days after Trump's comment, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) introduced the American Worker Rebate Act of 2025, which aims to send checks to working Americans. While the bill signals strong interest among Republicans in delivering direct financial relief, it is still in the early stages of the legislative process. No payment schedule has been set.

In other words, despite viral posts claiming a new $2,000 check is on the way, Congress and the IRS have made no such announcement.

• The first three stimulus checks were sent between 2020 and 2021, with maximum amounts of $1,200, $600, and $1,400.

• The IRS says the window to file for missing payments has closed. The deadline for claiming the third and final Recovery Rebate Credit of $1,400 was April 15, 2025.

• Any unclaimed payments are now the property of the U.S. Treasury.

If you missed out on a payment, unfortunately, there is no appeals process or extension available.

State-Level Inflation Relief

While a new federal stimulus remains uncertain, some states are offering inflation rebate checks in 2025:

• New York: up to $200 for individuals earning under $75,000; up to $400 for married couples under $150,000.

• Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Colorado: have issued property-tax or inflation-related rebates, with varying criteria.

Amounts and qualifications differ by state, so its best to check your states Department of Revenue website for updates.

Rebate vs. Stimulus: Whats the Difference?

• Stimulus checks: Direct payments designed to boost consumer spending and stabilize the economy.

• Rebates: Partial refunds tied to specific revenue sources (like tariffs or state tax collections). They function more like a payback or refund than a broad economic stimulus.

How to Track Refunds or Payments

If you have filed your income tax return and have a refund coming, that's entirely separate from any stimulus that may, or may not, eventually be enacted. Here's how to check on your refund if you haven't received it yet:

• Federal refunds: Use the IRS Wheres My Refund? tool at irs.gov.

• State refunds: Visit your states revenue or taxation department website.

• Avoid : The IRS does not email, text, or call to request personal or banking information for refunds or stimulus payments. Be wary of websites or social media accounts promising instant stimulus checks.

Whats Next?

President Trump has also floated another idea a $5,000 DOGE dividend based on savings identified by Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency. However, no official plan has been released, and experts caution it could remain just a talking point. The fact that someone, even a high official, says something doesn't mean it's real.

Checklist: How to Know If Youre Eligible for Relief

1. Federal stimulus/rebate checks

   • No new stimulus check has been approved.

   • Watch for updates on Trumps tariff rebate or Hawleys Rebate Act through official government announcements.

2. Past stimulus payments

   • The filing deadline for the third stimulus check expired on April 15, 2025.

   • If you missed it, there is no further action you can take.

3. State-level relief

   • Check your states Department of Revenue or taxation website.

   • Look for programs labeled inflation rebate, tax refund, or relief check.

4. Tracking your refund or rebate

   • Use the IRS Wheres My Refund? tool atirs.govfor federal refunds.

   • Use your states refund tracker for state rebates or tax refunds.

5. Avoid

   • The IRS never asks for banking details by phone, email, or text.

   • Rely only on official .gov websites or trusted tax professionals.

Quick Comparison: Federal vs. State Relief