Current Events in September 2017

Whether they’re at the other end of a leash or sitting beside you on the couch, man’s best friend undoubtedly provides stellar companionship. But should the family pet be given the green light to snooze alongside its owner?

The question of whether or not to allow pets in the bed has long been a topic of debate among pet owners. Now, researchers from the Mayo Clinic say they’ve got an answer.

Sleeping with your pet in the same bedroom is fine, but letting your pooch curl up in the same bed as you may affect your sleep quality, according to a new study.

Helps some adults sleep better

The study evaluated the sleep of 40 healthy adults without sleeping disorders and their dogs. Activity trackers were used to monitor the sleeping habits of both the participant and the dog for seven consecutive nights.

The verdict: the presence of dog actually helped some people sleep better. However, this benefit was only seen when pets were simply in the bedroom, not on the owner’s bed. Adults who allowed their pups to hop up on the bed at night sacrificed quality sleep.

“Humans with a single dog in their bedroom maintained good sleep efficiency; however, the dog’s position on/off the bed made a difference,” the researchers concluded.

Lower sleep efficiency

While having a dog in the bedroom often translated to a more blissful night’s sleep, participants’ sleep quality took a hit when they allowed their dog on the bed or under the covers.

Still, a dog’s presence in the bedroom “may not be disruptive to human sleep, as was previously suspected,” the study's authors said. 

“We found that many people actually find comfort and a sense of security from sleeping with their pets," said lead author Lois Krahn from Mayo Clinic's Arizona campus.

Dr. Krahn noted that “the relationship between people and their pets has changed over time, which is likely why many people in fact do sleep with their pets in the bedroom.”

In the bedroom, not on the bed

Today, almost all pet owners (95 percent) consider their pets to be members of the family. But since most people can’t stay home with their furry companion all day, many pet owners might want to make up for lost quality time by allowing their pet to sleep nearby.

Dr. Krahn acknowledged this, noting that “many pet owners are away from their pets for much of the day, so they want to maximize their time with them when they are home.”

“Having them in the bedroom at night is an easy way to do that,” she said. “And, now, pet owners can find comfort knowing it won't negatively impact their sleep.”  

The study, titled "The Effect of Dogs on Human Sleep in the Home Sleep Environment," has been published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings.

Ford Motor Company is recalling recalling model year 2015-2017 F-150, and model year 2017 F-250 and F-350 trucks equipped with crew cabs.

The left rear inflatable seat belt buckle assembly may be inadequately attached to its mounting bracket.

As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."

If the left rear inflatable seat belt buckle separates from it's mounting bracket, the seat occupant may not be adequately restrained, increasing their risk of injury.

What to do

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat belt assembly, replacing the attaching rivet as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin October 16, 2017.

Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17C12.

The magnitude of the Equifax data breach becomes more apparent by the hour.

While 143 million potentially compromised credit files is a big number, it was apparent how big when millions of consumers tried accessing the special Equifax website set up to reveal who was potentially at risk. According to some consumers, the amount of traffic going to the site created problems with access.

There was a spillover effect to the government's annualcreditreport.com site, where consumers may download their credit reports from the three credit reporting agencies once a year at no charge. So many people were doing so Friday afternoon that the site displayed a message saying the credit agency systems couldn't handle the traffic.

Equifax is offering those who are at risk a package of protection and monitoring services. Consumers may sign up for free credit file monitoring and identity theft protection. The service, TrustedID Premier, includes monitoring of credit reports on Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. It also includes full access to Equifax credit reports and the ability to lock and unlock those reports – controlling who can access them.

Keep in mind, one of the conditions to receive this free service may be to waive your right to be party to a class action suit against Equifax, something some consumers might not want to trade. But it's clear that consumers need to do something in the short run and a growing number of security experts say monitoring is not enough.

Make freezes easier

Joe Levy, chief technology officer at Sophos, a security software firm, says the safest thing consumers can do is place a freeze on their credit reports. That way no one can access your credit report without your permission. But writing on Sophos' company blog, “Naked Security,” he notes it's not an easy process.

“After this incident, it’s time for the reporting agencies to step up and make freezing and thawing effortless,” Levy writes. “How about an app that operates like today’s easy-to-use push notification multi-factor authentication systems? I’d forgo my participation in the coming class-action suit if they would instead agree to that.”

Here are the steps you need to take in order to freeze your credit. They have to be done with each individual credit reporting agency, and keep in mind there is a fee that must be paid, which varies state to state.

Equifax

Go to this website to create a personal ID that will allow you to start the process. For more information, go here. You can also call 1-800-685-1111 (NY residents 1-800-349-9960), but don't expect to talk to a human being.

Experian

To freeze your Experian credit file, go here and complete much the same information you supplied to Equifax.

TransUnion

The process is similar at TransUnion. Go here to create a personal ID and follow the directions for freezing your credit.

Our friends at Consumers Union have compiled this list of state-by-state fees. Remember, there's a fee every time you freeze and unfreeze your credit. Also, a freeze isn't permanent, it must be renewed from time to time.

New Orleans is a city that draws tourists all year round, but the fall is probably the best time to visit.

For starters, the weather is more likely to be hospitable. It will still be muggy with the city's infamous humidity, but it's a far cry from the summer months. Being outside and enjoying what the Big Easy has to offer is a lot more pleasant.

Live like a local

Part of the fun of visiting New Orleans is to live like a local. That means passing up one of the famous hotels in the French Quarter and renting a house for the week. If there are several people in your party, it will work out to be a lot less expensive. But it also immerses you in one of the city's unique neighborhoods.

Search online for "New Orleans vacation rentals" and you'll come up with sites like VRBO, with properties available in a variety of sizes and locations. We found a 700 square foot cottage in the Uptown section of the city that sleeps four and runs around $115 a night.

Or you can rent a condo in the city's downtown commercial district, which is within walking distance to the French Quarter. We found one on VRBO that sleeps four and averages around $159 a night.

Take in a festival

Another way to feel like a local is to attend one of the many neighborhood festivals. Mardi Gras may be the ultimate festival, but Autumn weekends have one or more festivals celebrating everything from mac and cheese to seafood.

September 23 is NOLA On Tap, a celebration of beer. This year's event will be held in City Park and is the official countdown to Octoberfest. You can find details here.

One of the biggest fall festivals is the Louisiana Seafood Festival, October 27-29 on the New Orleans river front. A wide range of Louisiana vendors will be there with every type of seafood cuisine, including oysters, crawfish, shrimp, and crabs. Chefs from some of the city's most famous restaurants also take part.

You can find a complete line-up of New Orleans festivals here.

Explore the city by bicycle

Take advantage of the cooler weather to get around town on two wheels instead of four. The terrain in New Orleans, being five feet below sea level, tends to be flat, making peddling easy no matter what your biking skill level.

There are several easy-to-follow bike routes you can find here. The St. Charles Avenue route, at less than five miles, is not that taxing and takes you past some remarkable architecture. The route takes you through both the Arts District and the Garden District, running parallel to the famous street car line.

Enjoy some jazz

Yes, you really should join all the other tourists by visiting Preservation Hall. It's a must-do part of a first visit to the Crescent City. But there are other jazz venues as well where you can blend in with the locals.

Every Thursday during the fall there's Jazz in the Park, in Louis Armstrong Park. The series hosts a live concert series every Thursday evening, featuring local bands, live painting and art displays, and of course food vendors. Best of all, it's a free slice of authentic New Orleans.

Trick or Treat

If you time your visit to the end of October, you get to enjoy a New Orleans Halloween, perhaps just a notch below Mardi Gras, but still with outrageous costumes. The Krewe of Boo stages a French Quarter Halloween parade each year -- this year it's the Saturday before Halloween.

The Voodoo Music + Arts Experience takes place on Halloween weekend and has turned into one of the city's largest music festivals. The event attracts some of the best known artists across a wide range of music genres.

Meanwhile, there are smaller Halloween celebrations all over town as the city's residents get into the spirit of the holiday.

It's definitely not a good way to start your morning by learning that you are among 143 million consumers whose sensitive information may have been stolen in the Equifax data breach.

Equifax has made it easy to find out. You simply go to www.equifaxsecurity2017.com and enter your last name and the last six digits of your Social Security number. Equifax will then instantly tell you if your information may have been compromised.

There it was in digital black and white. I am potentially at risk and, as such, can sign up for free credit file monitoring and identity theft protection from Equifax.

The service, TrustedID Premier, includes monitoring of credit reports on Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. It also includes full access to Equifax credit reports and the ability to lock and unlock those reports – controlling who can access them. The service lasts for 12 months.

Advice from experts

All well and good, but is there anything else I should be doing? Fortunately, some of my sources in the financial world have been sending me advice.

The folks at personal finance site WalletHub say I should sign up for 24/7 credit monitoring. That way I'll be alerted if someone tries to open any kind of account in my name.

They also suggest enabling what's called “two-factor authentication.” It uses your cellphone as a way to send you a unique code to log into email and other accounts.

I should also consider placing a “freeze” on my credit reports. Maybe it isn't necessary in this case, since Equifax is already providing some protection, but I can freeze my credit reports so that no one can access them without my permission.

Credit freezes

Our friends at NerdWallet also have some advice. Liz Weston, one of the site's personal finance experts, says I definitely should consider freezing my credit report at all three credit bureaus.

“But it's not always the best solution because credit freezes involve costs and hassle,” she said in an email to ConsumerAffairs. “If you apply for credit, you'll have to get the freeze temporarily lifted. Credit freezes typically cost $3 to $10 per bureau to place and remove.”

And those fees can add up if you open new credit, bank, or brokerage accounts, or need to apply for a job, an apartment, cell phone service, utilities, or insurance. All of those things can involve a credit check.

Finally, Weston says everyone should read the fine print carefully before accepting the preventive services Equifax is offering to make sure we are not giving up any legal rights.

Finally, Matt Shultz at CreditCards.com says it pays to be diligent. That means checking bank statements and online accounts frequently, looking for unauthorized activity.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps, is a federal program that is meant to help low-income consumers purchase nutritious foods. But a new study suggests that its current allotment may still lead to high costs for consumers.

Researchers from North Carolina State University have found that the program only covers 43-60 percent of what it costs to consume a diet that is consistent with federal dietary guidelines. They say that as a result, low-income households would still need to pay hundreds of dollars to follow a healthy diet.

"Even though SNAP is not designed to cover all of the cost of food -- it's meant to be a supplemental food program -- this study makes it clear that there would be many low-income households that would not be able to cover the gap needed to eat a diet consistent with federal dietary guidelines," said study co-author Lindsey Haynes-Maslow.

Not enough to meet standards

The researchers came to their conclusions after examining the costs of following the federal dietary guidelines. The team used monthly retail price data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to determine the costs of fruits, vegetables, grains, protein, and dairy.

After analyzing their findings, the researchers found that a family of four would still need to spend around $200-$300 on top of their SNAP benefits in order to follow federal dietary guidelines. However, those costs could rise even more depending on other dietary requirements.

"We found significant variability in the costs associated with following federal dietary guidelines. For example, it was most expensive to consume only fresh produce, and it was least expensive to consume a vegetarian diet," said Haynes-Maslow. "Many low-income households simply don't have an additional $500 or $600 to spend on food in their monthly budget.”

Informing policymakers

The researchers conclude that SNAP benefits are currently sufficient to meet the dietary needs of children under the age of 8 and women over the age of 51, but that they are insufficient for older children, younger women, and men of any age. They say that policymakers should examine the most recent data on SNAP before making decisions to further trim its budget.

“Current federal proposed budget cuts to SNAP program decrease the amount of benefits available for food purchases and fewer people would have access to the program. An analysis using the most current data is needed to inform policy makers regarding the true costs of healthy eating so that they have up-to-date research when making policy decisions,” the researchers said.

The full study has been published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior.

When major disease epidemics strike, airlines are often forced to shut down travel between countries to stop outbreaks from spreading. But a recent study by Florida State University (FSU) researchers shows that changing boarding procedures could drastically reduce transmissions rates.

Ashok Srinivasan, a computer science associate professor, and his team found that the current zoned boarding procedures used by many airlines plays a major role in the spread of disease. To fix the problem, Srinivasan suggests sacrificing some efficiency to reduce clustered contact between passengers.

"There's been a lot of boarding and deplaning research framed in terms of speed and efficiency, but we aren't looking for efficiency. We're looking to decrease the spread of disease," he said. "It turns out that procedures that are generally good at getting people onto a plane very fast are also very bad at preventing infection."

Reducing spread of infection

Using sophisticated computer simulations and algorithms, the researchers analyzed how airline travel procedures affected the spread of infection for major diseases. They found that deplaning tended to be much less dangerous than boarding because passengers weren’t forced to congregate in large groups.

"While deplaning is a fairly fast and efficient process in terms of avoiding the spread of infection, our model shows that boarding the plane is the big problem. When you have many zones, people in the same zone tend to come very close to each other, close enough to easily transmit infections," said Srinivasan.

So, how can we avoid spreading diseases during the boarding process? The researchers suggest that airlines adopt a two-zone system that divides the plane lengthwise and lets passengers board randomly. Doing so, they say, would help reduce the amount of time that travelers are in contact with each other and cut transmission rates.

Worth the wait

In a model of the system, the researchers found that the probability of an Ebola outbreak spreading to 20 new people per month was reduced from 67% under the currently used system to 13% under the suggested system.

"When you have passengers board randomly, people are less likely to spend extended periods of time close to each other," Srinivasan said. "On the whole, random boarding does take longer, but if passengers had to choose between getting Ebola and being seated a few minutes later, we suspect they'd prefer the latter."

"When outbreaks occur, there are often calls for wholesale flight cancellations, but this can harm countries that are already reeling under the onslaught of an epidemic," he continued. "Our research provides insight on the tradeoffs involved in the different policy options. Decision makers need to consider which policies are best, the practical steps that need to be taken and which tradeoffs they're willing to make."

The full study has been published in Physical Review.

If you are a military veteran, you may have been receiving solicitations to refinance your VA loan. After all, interest rates have been falling lately.

But the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) reports its complaint volume about VA loans and other financial products has steadily risen between 2011 and 2014.

Jim Nutter, Jr., President and CEO of James B. Nutter & Company, a Kansas City-based mortgage lender, cautions veterans to carefully scrutinize any refinancing offers.

“Last year, a record number of America's veterans took advantage of the VA loan program and either purchased a new home or refinanced," Nutter said.

Targeting veterans

While that may be a positive development, Nutter says a “significant” number of lenders are targeting veterans with refinance offers that carry high interest rates and closing costs.

“It's absolutely reprehensible, but unfortunately we're seeing more and more of this activity," Nutter said.

A VA loan is a mortgage that is guaranteed by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Much like an FHA loan, it can be issued by qualified lenders. The idea behind the VA loan is to provide a financial benefit to military veterans, making it easier for them to purchase homes.

Because the government is guaranteeing a large portion of the loan, lenders usually offer the borrower an attractive interest rate. But Nutter says there have been recent cases where just the opposite was true.

"To give you just one example, our company recently reviewed a loan estimate for one veteran in which they were not only being charged excessive discount points for a VA streamline refinance, but the interest rate they were getting was a full 1% higher than the prevailing market rate,” Nutter said.

VA loan refinancing

Veterans refinancing VA mortgages to get a lower interest rate should know that no appraisal or credit underwriting package is required when applying for what's known as an interest rate reduction loan (IRRRL). The VA says an IRRRL may be done with "no money out of pocket" by including all costs in the new loan.

But the VA says there are cases where a refinanced VA loan will result in a higher interest rate. That can happen when the lender agrees to pay all or some of the buyer's closing costs or when an existing VA adjustable rate mortgage is refinanced at a fixed rate.

Like shopping for any mortgage, veterans considering a VA mortgage refinance should seek proposals from more than one lender.

Financing a home purchase continues to be more economical with the rate for the 30-year fixed rate mortgage (FRM) at a year-to-date low for the third straight week.

According to Freddie Mac, the 30-year (FRM) averaged 3.78% with an average of 0.5 point for the week ending September 7, down four basis points from last week when it was 3.82%. A year ago at this time, it was 3.44%.

The 15-year FRM averaged 3.08% with an average 0.5 point, versus the previous week's average of 3.12% and 2.76% a year earlier.

The five-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) inched up one basis point from the week before to 3.15% week with an average 0.4 point. A year ago at this time, the 5-year ARM averaged 2.81%.

Bankrate

Bankrate.com's weekly national survey also found the 30-year FRM dropping to a fresh 10-month low -- 3.95%, down two basis points from the week before.

At the current rate of 3.95%, the monthly payment for a $200,000 loan is $949.07.

The larger jumbo 30-year FRM was unchanged at 3.99%, while the 15-year FRM fell 3.17% -- a new 10-month low. ARM were slightly lower, with the 5-year ARM ticking at 3.45% and the 7-year ARM at 3.63%.

Renewed tensions surrounding North Korea and its nuclear activities spurred a selloff on Wall Street at the beginning of the week, according to analysts at Bankrate, with money moving from stocks to bonds.

Mortgage rates are closely related to the yields on long-term government bonds.

Additionally potential economic fallout from Hurricanes Harvey and Irma are helping keep bond yields and mortgage rates at low levels. 

Volkswagen Group of America is recalling 8,383 model year 2017-2018 Audi A3 Cabriolets and A3 Sedans.

The Engine Control Unit (ECU) software may misinterpret the flywheel rotation on engine start-up as a "knocking" condition, and the adjusted air/fuel mixture may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

Audi will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the ECU software, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin September 29, 2017.

Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 24DF.

With Hurricane Irma bearing down on Florida, the dangers to people in the path of the storm are evident.

Forecasters think the storm surge could be as high as 10 feet and the winds have been clocked at 185 miles per hours, making it a monstrous Category 5 hurricane.

But the storm may also pose threats to people outside its direct path, since powerful winds are likely to extend well inland. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) says it's not only dangerous when the storm hits, but afterward too.

The CPSC says there are four main hazards that consumers should be mindful of after Hurricane Irma moves on.

Carbon monoxide

In the wake of the hurricane there will be wide areas without electricity. Consumers may fire up portable generators for lights and charcoal grills for cooking.

That's fine, as long as both are kept outdoors and away from enclosed spaces. In fact, the agency says portable generators should be kept at least 20 feet from the house since exhaust fumes can seep through windows and vents.

Never use a charcoal grill or butane camp stove inside a house. Both will produce dangerous carbon monoxide.

Live wires

Hurricanes tend to knock down power lines. On the ground, it's hard to tell whether they are still live or not.

Assume that they are and keep your distance. Electricity and water have always veen a bad combination. If appliances or circuit breakers in your home have gotten wet, have an electrician check them out before using them again.

Candles

When a hurricane knocks out power, some people light candles to provide some light at night. Candles may be romantic, but they can also be dangerous, especially when you have a lot of them lit at the same time.

Instead of using candles for light, use battery powered electric lamps available at most discount or camping stores. They provide more light than a candle and they're safer.

Gas leaks

High winds and flood waters can cause structural damage to a building, and when things are moving around, sometimes there is a break in the gas line.

If that happens, you're likely to smell it pretty quickly. If you do, don't flip a light switch or even use your cell phone. Once you are out of the house and at a safe distance, call 911 to report it.

While it's always important to safeguard your financial records, with Hurricane Irma heading toward Florida and other areas of the east coast, doing so takes on added urgency.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the Ready Campaign offer the following advice and tips for preparing for disaster and emergency situations:

Create electronic copies of key documents

Keep a duplicate set of key documents, including bank statements, tax returns, identifications, and insurance policies in a safe place. Store them in a waterproof container and away from the original set.

It's easy to do now that many financial institutions provide statements and documents electronically, and much financial information is available on the internet. Even if the original documents are only provided on paper, you can scan them into an electronic format. This way, you can download them to a storage device such as an external hard drive or USB flash drive, or burn them to a CD or DVD.

Document valuables

Photograph or videotape the contents of your home -- especially items of higher value. Documenting these items ahead of time will make it easier to claim any available insurance and tax benefits after the disaster strikes. The IRS has a disaster loss workbook, Publication 584, which can help taxpayers compile a room-by-room list of belongings.

Photos can help prove the fair market value of items for insurance and casualty loss claims. Ideally, they should be stored with a friend or family member who lives outside the area.

Fiduciary bonds and IRS assistance

Employers who use payroll service providers should ask the provider if it has a fiduciary bond in place. The bond could protect the employer in the event of default by the payroll service provider.

If a federal disaster is declared, you can call 866-562-5227 to speak with an IRS specialist trained to handle disaster-related issues.

You can request back copies of previously-filed tax returns and all attachments, including Forms W-2, by filing Form 4506, Request for Copy of Tax Return. Alternatively, transcripts showing most line items on these returns can be ordered through the Get Transcript link on IRS.gov, by calling 800-908-9946 or using Form 4506T-EZ, Short Form Request for Individual Tax Return Transcript, or Form 4506-T, Request for Transcript of Tax Return.

One by one, restaurants and food producers have adopted more humane standards for how chickens are kept.

Now, the National Chicken Council (NCC), the oldest and largest organization representing the U.S. broiler chicken industry, is weighing in.

NCC has released a set of industry-wide standards for the welfare of broiler chickens. The standards are part of the group's informational resource for consumers who want to know more about the food they are eating, such as where it came from and how it was raised.

"NCC and its members remain wholly committed to advancing chicken welfare, continuous improvement and consumer choice," said Ashley Peterson, NCC senior vice president of scientific and regulatory affairs.

Peterson says food labels are now mostly filled with negatives -- no this or that. The standards, she says, will set out baseline principals that are uniform across the industry.

The standards

The standards say that the majority of broiler chickens in the U.S. are raised in a cage-free environment and that they are free of added hormones and steroids. Broiler flocks are monitored by licensed veterinarians and raised by farmers trained in animal welfare.

"In addition to the industry's comprehensive chicken welfare guidelines that chicken producers use and are audited against, and other available welfare programs, the Chicken Guarantees are a simple set of baseline welfare standards that people can expect and understand when they buy and eat any chicken," Peterson said.

She said the standards will extend across all classifications of chicken products, whether the birds were raised conventionally, organically, without antibiotics, or free range.

"We support choices in the meat case for consumers, but the data clearly show that with so many options, consumers can become confused," Peterson said. "We believe that by providing our consumers with facts about chicken care, their choices can become easier."

Recent reports have suggested that high school female athletes are more prone to concussions, a fact that many experts have been privy to for years. But a new study suggests that they may also experience symptoms differently and take longer to recover from these injuries.

Dr. Mayumi Prins, a professor of neurosurgery at UCLA and director of the UCLA Brain Injury Research Center education program, says that relatively little research has focused exclusively on women and that her team’s work aims to change that.

"Most of the research in the past has focused on males, and there's been little basic science research done on adolescents, females and concussions," Prins says, adding that this lack of study has led to many unanswered questions about why concussions affect women differently than men.

During the study, the research team found several reasons that might explain these inconsistencies between the sexes. They say that females are more likely to suffer from hormonal issues after a concussion, have muscles in the neck that react differently after collisions, and are more likely to disclose concussion-related symptoms such as headaches, diminished social interaction, and depression when compared to men.

Weighing the risks

Prins points out that while the majority of females will recover from concussion symptoms, there is a chance that these injuries could adversely affect development over a longer period of time.

"If you break a foot and are in a cast, everyone sees that and understands," Prins says. "But if you have a head injury, people may just look at you and pick up on some different behaviors and say 'What's wrong with you?' That can produce some social alienation, particularly in female athletes."

However, Prins also says that participation in sports and athletic activities can have several positive effects on development when young women stay safe, including improved body image, increased bone density, and psychological benefits. She advises parents to consider the relative risk of concussion when compared to other activities before pulling their child from sports.

“There are other things besides concussion that children and young adults are at greater risk for,” she said.

Got a bathroom that could use a little updating, but a budget that won’t allow for expensive improvements? Consider swapping out your bathroom’s fixtures, faucets, and accessories.

Small changes like these play an instant role in changing the feel of a bathroom, say the folks at Brandpoint. Here’s how to use accessories and fixtures to refresh the look of your bathroom on a modest budget.

Add a new faucet

Widespread faucets, which are named for having two handles and spanning an impressive 8 to 16 inches after installation, make a bold statement and can easily fit into a variety of styles. Whether your style is traditional or contemporary, a widespread faucet can fit in while making a big impact.

If you’ve got a vessel sink, you may be better off opting for a taller faucet with a single handle. Single-handle faucets can have just as big of a design impact as large faucets in some environments, experts say.

Coordinate your faucet color and finish with the rest of the fixtures and accessories in your bathroom.

Switch up accessories

Contrary to what you might think, robe hooks, towel bars, and other accessories are an important element of a bathroom’s decor. Bring in towel rings, paper holders, and other accessories that complement faucets and fixtures.

Adding an aesthetically pleasing toilet can also enhance the look of your space. “Pretty toilet” might seem like an oxymoron, but toilets with concealed trapways have become increasingly popular in recent years due to their attractiveness and ease of cleaning.

If you are updating your whole vanity, consider adding intrigue by way of an under-counter sink with a little shape. Shape options include square, rectangular, oval, or circular. Under-counter style sinks can help keep the area looking clean and seamless.

Uncovering top trends

Top 20 toys

• 3-in-1 Sports Zone from Little Tikes
• Baby So Sweet Nursery Doll from Toys “R” Us
• Disney Junior Doc McStuffins All-in-One Nursery from Just Play
• Fingerlings from WowWee
• Furreal Roarin’ Ivory, the Playful Tiger Pet from Hasbro
• Glimmies Glimtern from Just Play
• Hatchimals Surprise from Spin Master
• Imaginext DC Super Friends Batbot Xtreme from Fisher-Price
• L.O.L Surprise Big Surprise from MGA Entertainment
• Nerf Rival Nemesis MXVII-10K Blaster from Hasbro
• Nintendo Switch with Neon Blue and Neon Red Joy-Con
• Of Dragons, Fairies, and Wizards Magical Fairy Wand from Cepia LLC
• Oonies Mega Starter Pack from Moose Toys
• PAW Patrol Sea Patroller from Spin Master
• Pikmi Pops Surprise! Jumbo Packs from Moose Toys
• Power Wheels Boomerang from Fisher-Price
• Coco Interactive Guitar from Mattel
• Power Rangers Ninja Steel Lion Fire Fortress Zord from Bandai
• Project Mc2 Smart Pixel Purse from MGA Entertainment
• Shimmer and Shine Magical Light-Up Genie Palace from Fisher-Price

An international study has claimed that 83% of tap water samples tested contained tiny particles of plastic.

The study, published by Orb Media, says the health implications are not clear, but probably aren't good. It notes that microplastics -- the name given to these tiny particles -- have been shown to absorb toxic chemicals linked to cancer and other illnesses, and then release them when consumed by fish and mammals.

While the world-wide average of water samples containing plastic was more than 80%, the U.S. and Lebanon had the highest rate -- 94%. Europe was among the lowest, at 72%.

How it gets in the water

So, how does this plastic get into our water? The authors say it's not that surprising, given how prevalent plastic is in the world. They say synthetic clothing like fleece, acrylic, and polyester shed thousands of microfibers with every wash. An estimated million tons of these microfibers are discharged into waste water each year, the authors contend, making their way into the environment.

And that's just one source. The researchers say styrene butadiene dust from rubber tires are constantly released into the environment as cars and trucks are driven. There are even microplastics in paint.

And then there is all the plastic that is simply discarded. Plastic doesn't degrade but it does get smaller and, over time, can break down into smaller and smaller particles. The authors contend the world has produced more plastic in the last ten years than in the entire 20th century.

Orb Media describes itself as an organization that produces journalism covering eight core issues, many of which are environmental in nature.