Water Tests and Go-Karts

If you receive an offer to test your water for free, check it out first. The Federal Trade Commission says not all offers are legitimate. Many salesmen just want to sell you a water treatment device

Thursday, August 17th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

If you receive an offer to test your water for free, check it out first. The Federal Trade Commission says not all offers are legitimate. Many salesmen just want to sell you a water treatment device that you may not need. Some companies use the tests as a prize or promotion and ask for a credit card number for identification. Never give out the number, and be wary of any government approval claims.
The government does not endorse water treatment products.

Recent accidents involving go-karts have prompted Manco products to recall 91,000 of them. Long hair and loose clothing can get caught in the rotating components behind the driver's seat. A teenage girl in Idaho died after her hair was stuck in the sprocket and drive chain while she was driving her go-kart. Other girls have also been injured. The brands involved are Manco, Coyote, Fox, Phoenix and Ratter. Call Manco at 1-800-293-0795 for a repair kit.

Bunk beds can be fun, but also dangerous. In the last decade, nearly 100 children were killed because of unsafe beds. Furtniture companies recalled more than 600,000 beds. Now the government is cracking down on manufacturers. In June, they began requiring companies to post detailed labels on all new beds, with a company address and phone number. All newly-manufactured beds must meet safety requirements.

To reduce accidents, make sure the ladder is attached securely to the top of the bunk. The top edge of the guardrail should be at least 5 inches above the mattress surface. The gap between the bottom edge of the guardrail and the top of the bed frame should be 3 1/2 inches or less. And place a full-length guardrail on each end of the bed.

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