Wize Blog

Strollers Highlighted at Consumer Reports

Yesterday, Consumer Reports came out with an article about what to look for when selecting a stroller.

Strollers come in many shapes and sizes, like the one pictured on the right, an Orbit Baby Infant System Black Stroller rated 99 at wize.com.

There's a great video about the features of strollers that comes with the Consumer Reports article.

They tested for 5 features including the restraint system, the wheels, the brakes, the canopy and the storage basket.

They recommend you buy your stroller in a store as it's easy to test it on your own there.

Wize.com Top 5 Thanksgiving Gadgets

This Thanksgiving you deserve to splurge on the following gadgets that will make you both happy and thankful.

1.      

1.  To take pictures of your crazy Uncle Larry Wize recommends the Canon PowerShot SD950 IS Digital Camera

2. When still photos might not catch all that this Thanksgiving has in store, Wize recommends the Canon DC50 DVD Camcorder

3. Whether you are looking forward to the Parade, or Thanksgiving football everything will look better on the Panasonic TH-42PX77U Television

4. This Thanksgiving don’t argue with your significant other on how to get to the grandparents house, get the Gamin nvi 350 GPS Receiver. It will save you time and will prevent you from pulling your hair out, both of which are things to be thankful for this holiday.

5. And for the newest member of the family spoil him or her with the Peg Perego Prima Pappa Multiposition Highchair Marble so that they, too can join in the dinner festivities

6. If you are ready to take dinner to the next level, instead of buying your bread at the grocery store, how about making your own with the highly rated Zojirushi BBCC-X20 Home Bakery Supreme Bread Maker, and if you are cutting down on carbs (don’t ask me why you would want to do that on Thanksgiving), at least your home will smell delicious.

7. You can tell, I love espresso, because I am recommending two. The Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machine or the Gaggia Titanium Espresso Machine. The Rancilio will suffice for the amateur espresso enthusiast, but if you are looking for a top of the line machine that will replace Starbucks or Peet’s from your routine, and can afford the wallet dent, make a statement with the Gaggia Titanium. With either one, guests will surely be impressed.

8. Pie dough, mashed potatoes, stuffing, the Cuisinart DFP-14BC Custom 14 Cups Food Processor can do it all and more.  It is a must have kitchen tool for Thanksgiving. 

9. Need a Microwave upgrade before the holiday? The Panasonic Panasonic NN-SD967S 2.2 cft, 1250 Watts, Sensor, Stainless Steel Face, Pop-Out Dial Microwave just hit stores this past summer and is the sleekest most stylish microwave that will match the rest of your Stainless Steel appliances.

10. If you are cooking for a large family and need a second gadget that goes along with the Cuisinart Food Processor, pick up the KitchenAid 350 Watts KP50PS Professional 5 Series Stand Mixer

 

With these top WizeRanked products you are sure to have a fun and festive holiday season. 

 

Wize Recall Report: 1 Million Baby Seats Recalled Due to Head Injury

One Million Foam baby seats sold at Target and Walmart have been recalled due to head injuries. 

According to the US Product Safety Commission, this latest recall, (http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08046.html) comes after 28 reports of injuries were brought to light detailing young children whom had accidentally fallen from the seat.  Three of the incidents mentioned caused skull fractures on the infants when the chairs were placed on tables. 

The Bumbo baby seat was sold between 2003 and 2007 for approximately $40.  Additional retailers, Kmart, USA Babies, Toys "R" Us, and Sears Holding also periodically stocked and sold the Bumbo Baby Seat. 

Consumers should contact Bumbo to obtain new warning label stickers and instructions for the recalled baby seats and should never use the infant seat on a table, countertop, chair or other elevated surface, the agency said. 

On its Web site, Bumbo said it temporarily stopped selling the baby seat until safety packaging can be updated. "The Bumbo Baby Seat is safe when used properly, but we have voluntarily agreed to update the packaging to ensure there is no confusion about the safe, proper use of the Bumbo Baby Seat," the company said.

NettoCollection Cribs Recall due to Entrapment and Strangulation Hazard

Wize.com has learned that the U.S. Comsumer Product Safety Commission announced a voluntary recall on behalf of NettoCollection "Moderne" and "Loft" Cribs.  Included in the recall are cribs with model numbers NC-137 and NC-140 and date codes 9/03 and 02/04.  These were sold between October 2003 through June 2005.   

The recall goes on to state that the hazard involves the crib slats which can separate from the side rails, posing an entrapment and strangulation hazard to young children.

For more information, and to receive two replacement side rails, which is the suggested remedy contact NettoCollection toll-free at (866) 996-3886 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday. 

1 Million Graco and Simplicity Cribs Recalled

1 million Graco and Simplicity cribs that were made in China are being recalled after 3 babies die. 

A 9-month old baby named Liam was found suffocated when the drop side of his crib became loose and he got stuck between it and his mattress.  It took two additional deaths to set forth the largest recall in the CPSC's (Consumer Product Safety Commission) history. 

In addition, the CPSC is reporting that seven additional infants have been entrapped in the Graco Simplicity cribs, and 55 reports have been filed detailing the drop sides detaching and/or the hardware failing to support the side to the crib.  Because of this the recall was set forth on December 21, 2005, but today was updated because of an additonal death.

These cribs sold nationwide, under the Graco or Simplicity brand, were sold from January 1998 through May 2007. 

Scary, yes.  Preventable, perhaps it was. 

While this news came out in the last couple of days, peaking today, doing just a bit of research, I saw user reviews and reports dating back to 2005 about this issue on various websites.  This reminds of one thing: the value of user comments and reviews, and the power of sharing sentiment online about purchases.  In one quick search I found a couple different reviews which state, "Cons: Sliding side not working properly. Poorly made."  Also, I learned, these cribs, especially the Aspen 4 in 1 which is specifically mentioned in the recall, were the subject of a previous recall in which the manufacturer suggested for consumers to send a note, and in reposnse would send a "repair kit". 

What is even more surprising, is that after the death of Liam which occurred in April 2005, the recalled cribs continued to be sold online and in stores for the next 2 years, and still continue to this day.  Because of this, a lawsuit was filed today stating that the manufacturers allegedly should have warned consumers about the dangers of the cribs or stopped the selling them completely.  Simplicity and Graco did neither.   

It is the little reminders like this one, which reiterate the value of aggregating both user and expert reviews in one single place.  At Wize.com the overall purpose is to prevent instances like this, to increase consumers understanding of a particular product prior to purchase that fits their own, personal needs, so that they may make the best decisions possible.  Let's face it, none of us have so much expendable time to research every single product we are thinking of buying, to the extent that perhaps we should.  There are reviews and sentiment out there that we may miss.  Parents may not see the Graco and Simplicity recall, but having a site like Wize.com which has the sole purpose of protecting and informing consumers about products, we all should be able to sleep a little better each night.