November 28, 2018
Pond Lehocky’s Tips for a Safe and Secure Holiday Season
As the holiday season comes to a close, follow these safety tips when opening, reviewing, and returning gifts.
Products Liability and Risks
With so much shopping, it is possible that a product you purchase has a dangerous defect, putting you or your loved ones at risk. The product could have a faulty design, a production flaw or provide ambiguous or confusing instructions for use.
While governmental agencies like the Food and Drug Administration and the Consumer Product Safety Commission do provide some regulation to help keep your family secure, they have proven to be insufficient. Many products that hit the market can still harm you and your loved ones.
For example, one issue in the news this holiday season is the presence of talcum powder in certain products. Talc, used in a variety of personal hygiene products like baby powder, has been found to contain asbestos and has been linked to ovarian cancer. Talc is. However, it is also often used in makeup and cosmetics.
Defective Products and Tips
The best way to ensure you don’t unwittingly purchase a defective product, here are some tips:
- Do some research! As Sam Pond says, “Knowledge empowers. Knowledge takes away fear. Don’t be ignorant. Don’t lack knowledge.” Know the ingredients in the products you purchase. Review the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s list of recalled products.
- Use online product reviews to identify potential hazards. Review information provided by consumer watchdog groups like World Against Toys Causing Harm Inc. (W.A.T.C.H.), which publishes a list of the most dangerous toys annually.
Cyber Security and Identity Theft
Criminal opportunists are a threat online, too, especially in this increased online shopping age. Take the following steps to protect yourself:
- Know the seller and research the website.
- Make sure the seller is reputable by checking online feedback.
- Keep an eye out for grammatical mistakes, misspellings and broken links, all of which are signs the website may be less than trustworthy.
- Make sure the website’s URL is spelled correctly and begins with “https.”
- Monitor your credit card transactions.
- Check credit and debit card sales and return receipts against your monthly bills and statements.
- Report any problems to the credit card issuer promptly.
We Can Help.
Pond Lehocky wishes you and yours a joyful—and safe—holiday season and New Year. If you have questions or should need legal help, contact us for a free consultation.