Current Events in November 2017

As the Senate appears headed for a vote on the Republican-backed tax package, its fate remains uncertain. That uncertainty extends to the measure's impact on middle income consumers.

While the plan is still being tweaked to satisfy reluctant lawmakers, it also has a lot of moving parts. Economist Joel Naroff, of Naroff Economic Advisors, tells ConsumerAffairs that determining who wins and loses is not simple to calculate.

"Clearly, if you live in a high tax state, you may actually see a rise in taxes," he said.

State and local tax deduction

That's because the bill would eliminate the tax deduction for state and local taxes, a way middle class homeowners have been able to trim their tax bills for decades.

The higher the taxes in the state where you live, the more you are able to write off. If you are now unable to deduct thousands of dollars from your federal taxes, Naroff says your taxes might go up, even if the bill gave you some breaks in other areas.

Mark Hamrick, senior economic analyst at Bankrate, says eliminating deductions was supposed to be one way to simplify the tax code and make doing your taxes easier. To compensate for the loss of other deductions, the standard deduction for each taxpayer is nearly doubling.

"As the standard deductions rise, taxpayers will see differences in how their income taxes are calculated,” Hamrick told ConsumerAffairs. He said that’s especially true for consumers who took advantage of deductions for state and local taxes, mortgage interest, and student loan interest in the past.

Standard deduction nearly doubles

For taxpayers who do not itemize deductions, the standard deduction is a flat amount that can be deducted from incomes. It is currently set at $6,300 for individuals and $12,600 for married couples.

The tax bill would increase the standard deduction to $12,000 for individuals and $24,000 for couples. But there's still a way middle income taxpayers could lose.

The tax bill would also reduce the number of tax brackets from seven to four. So if you were currently in the lowest bracket -- 10 percent -- you could find yourself paying 12 percent, which is the lowest bracket in the proposed tax bill.

‘Biased toward upper income households’

Republicans have labeled the plan as a tax cut for the middle class, but Democrats have called it a tax cut for the rich. Who's right?

While there are ways many middle income consumers could see their taxes go down, Naroff says it's clear that the biggest breaks -- as much as 80 percent -- will go to upper income taxpayers, who typically pay the most in taxes.

"There are no analyses that argue differently, not even the Tax Foundation," Naroff said. "It is not just the bracket changes. Things such as the inheritance tax change is biased toward upper income households."

According to Naroff the average taxpayer would probably not see more than a one percent increase in after-tax income under the tax bill, in part because they currently pay little in income taxes.

Hamrick says in the near term, most Americans would probably pay less in federal income tax under the GOP proposal. But he notes that after 2025, tax bills could rise as many provisions expire.

Additionally, he points out that cutting taxes for individuals and corporations -- which the measure does -- will add more than $1 trillion to the nation's debt over 10 years.

New car sales dipped by an estimated one percent in November, according to Kelley Blue Book, which may explain why car companies are hoping more consumers will "subscribe" to a car.

Volvo recently launched Care by Volvo, a car subscription service where consumers pay a flat monthly fee for the use of a car when they need it.

If that sounds a lot like leasing, Scot Hall, CEO of Swapalease, admits there are a lot of similarities. In an interview with ConsumerAffairs, Hall said the concept is part of the sharing economy that is aimed at millennials who have been slow to purchase new cars.

"Most subscription-based set-ups don't require a lot of money upfront, there's usually a standard flat monthly rate that could go up or down, depending on usage," Hall said. "That's going to be an attractive feature from a budgeting standpoint."

What's the appeal?

The monthly fees aren't exactly cheap, but if you purchase a car, finance it, and pay for insurance and maintenance, you could come out close to even on a subscription. You avoid the hassles of owning a car and can have access to more than one vehicle, depending on the program.

"If you needed a car to drive to work, a small sedan or SUV would be a good choice," Hall said. "But perhaps you're taking a vacation and would like to use a larger, more comfortable vehicle for the trip. Maybe you have to move some furniture, so you would reserve a pickup or van."

Under the Volvo subscription, the company retains ownership of the vehicle and pays for the insurance and maintenance. Some subscription levels include being picked up at your doorstep and a concierge service.

In 2016, Ford purchased Canvas, a car subscription company serving San Francisco. This year the company expanded to Los Angeles. Porsche and Cadillac also launched luxury subscription services in 2017.

Links to ridesharing

Canvas acknowledges a link to ridesharing and other transportation services, saying it is trying to adapt car ownership to the changing needs of the modern consumer. Hall expects consumers who are frequent users of ridesharing apps like Uber and Lyft to be early adopters of subscription cars.

"My educated guess is the consumers who will be most interested in this service are the younger generation and millennials, whose members seem to be less interested in owning things," Hall said. "Also, I think it might depend on what area of the country these consumers are in. People in urban areas may be more receptive than consumers in small towns."

IHS Markit, a data analytics firm, predicts "mobility as a service," which includes ridesharing, will gain momentum as a trend and represent 10 million vehicles by 2040.

Part of that growth may be fueled by more companies getting into the car subscription business. Automotive News reports some dealers, auto lenders, and even startup companies are beginning to offer subscriptions as an alternative to owning a car.

The holiday season can be a stressful time, but many pet owners have found a way to combat holiday-related anxiety. Eighty-five percent of dog owners say their pooch helps them cope with stressful events during the holiday season, according to a new study by BarkBox (an Authorized Partner).

Almost half of pet parents said their furry sidekick helps them deal with being around difficult family members, 33 percent said their dog helps them cope with arguments among family, and nearly a quarter of respondents said their pup makes visiting extended family feel a little less stressful.

Whether it’s by taking a walk with their dog or playing with them, nearly half of dog parents (40 percent) admitted to using their pooch as a way to escape family during the holidays.

Humanization of pets

The study also found that a majority of dog people (90 percent) plan to include their dog in holiday celebrations in one way or another. From stockings and special meals to inclusion in family holiday photos, many pets are treated as if they were children.

Findings from the study suggest the trend of humanizing pets is still going strong, especially among millennials. In fact, more than half of millennial respondents said they get more excited to see their dog (or their family dog) during the holidays than their human family members.

One in six dog-owning millennials even admitted they’ve coordinated a matching outfit with their dog over the holidays.

“The Internet and social media have been like lighter fluid on a fire when it comes to the trend of humanizing pets,” Stacie Grissom, head of content for BarkBox (an Authorized Partner), tells ConsumerAffairs.

“Because we are sharing our dog stories, photos, and favorite products with each other more frequently on every platform, we're able to see that treating dogs like family isn't something that's a niche eccentricity -- it's becoming the new normal.”

Gifts for dogs

The millennial-driven trend of humanizing pets will likely affect holiday spending. The BarkBox (an Authorized Partner) study showed that 80% of dog parents will buy their dog a gift this holiday season, and 81 percent would be excited to receive a gift from someone else that is really meant for their dog.

“Consumer pet spending is growing every year and expected to break $69 billion this year,” Grissom said, adding that “the days of relegating pups to a tiny house in the backyard are gone.

Grissom also notes that 74 percent of dog parents across a broad spectrum of demographics (young and old, urban and suburban) now say that some of their most significant holiday memories involve their dog.  

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing is recalling 39,915 model year 2012-2015 Prius Plug-in Hybrids.

The hybrid battery contains an Electric Vehicle (EV) fuse that may fracture after repeated high-load driving conditions such as climbing long hills.

The failed fuse may cause the hybrid system to shut down resulting in the loss of power.

Loss of power while driving at higher speeds can increase the risk of a crash.

What to do

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EV fuse, free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin January 8, 2018.

Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is H0R.

If you did your holiday shopping early, it’s possible that you may have unwittingly purchased a recalled item for your child.

Recalled toys and garments can put your child at risk of being seriously injured. While you may not have intended to purchase an unsafe toy for your child, recalls happen all the time.

To help ensure the children on your holiday shopping list aren’t put in harm’s way while using a gift you purchased, it’s important to make sure you didn’t accidentally bring home a recalled item. Here are a few recent children’s product recalls consumers should be aware of.

Recently recalled children’s items

• Plantoys baby gyms. These baby gyms were sold from September 2016 through May 2017 at specialty toy and baby product stores nationwide, as well as online retailers including Diapers.com and Target.com. However, 500 were recalled because babies can strangle on the baby gym's side rope crossbars.

• Select brands of wind-up musical toy. Back in October, 587,000 wind-up musical plush toys from Carter’s, Child of Mine, Guess How Much I Love You, and Just One You were recalled. The metal post and/or handle of the wind-up mechanism can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.

• Toys “R” Us infant wiggle balls. Following six reports of the ball’s rubber knobs breaking off and four reports of pieces of the product found in children's mouths, Toys “R” Us recalled its infant wiggle balls. The recall also applied to Bruin Infant Wiggle Ball toys, also called a giggle ball.

• Little Mass children’s sleepwear. Although no incidents or injuries were reported, Little Mass recalled 2,300 children’s nightgowns and two-piece pajama sets (which were sold at Nordstrom and children’s boutiques nationwide) due to the fact that the garments fail to meet flammability standards for children’s sleepwear, posing a risk of burn injuries.

• OshKosh baby B’gosh quilted jackets. Back in November, 43,000 Baby B’gosh quilted jackets sold in the U.S. and Canada were recalled after the company received several reports of a snap detaching, including one report of a child putting a detached snap in her mouth. Due to the choking hazard, OshKosh recalled the products (in pink and gray).

Purchasing safe toys

Toy safety experts say vigilance is critical when buying toys for kids, even if the item hasn’t been recalled.

“Consumers need to be vigilant when buying toys and know what hazards to look out for,” Joan Siff, president of World Against Toys Causing Harm (or W.A.T.C.H.) told ConsumerAffairs.

To do so, she recommends becoming familiar with the categories of hazards that reappear year after year.

“Some of the recurring classic hazards we see include small detachable parts that can be easily removed on toys sold to young children, toys with warnings that may be impossible to follow in the real world and don't take into account how children play, and projectile or airborne toys that could lead to eye injuries,” she said.

Additionally, consumers should recognize that a toy’s safety isn’t guaranteed just because it’s popular or manufactured by a well-known company. The “10 Worst Toys” list recently released by W.A.T.C.H. is “by no means an exhaustive list of what to watch out for,” said Siff.

However, it’s “illustrative of the types of potential hazards parents and other toy shoppers may encounter this holiday season and year round,” she said, adding that it's always a good idea to inspect a toy and its packaging before giving it to a child.

Following reports of 68 pet illnesses and 15 deaths caused by bone treats, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USDA) is warning pet owners that bones can pose serious health risks to dogs.

While you may be aware that it’s not safe to give your dog a real bone (a pork or poultry bone, for instance), even store bought bone treats can be dangerous for dogs to chew on, the FDA says.

The agency said it received reports of moldy-looking treats and bone treats that splintered when chewed by the dog. A variety of bone treats -- including treats described as “Ham Bones,” “Pork Femur Bones,” “Rib Bones,” and “Smokey Knuckle Bones” -- were listed in the reports.

Potential risks

Unlike many butcher-type bones, “bone treats” are processed and packaged for sale as dog treats. Before hitting store shelves, the products may be dried through smoking or baking, and they may contain ingredients such as preservatives, seasonings, and smoke flavorings.

However, bone treats can cause potentially serious health consequences in dogs, including blockage in the digestive tract, choking, lacerations in the mouth or on the tonsils, vomiting, diarrhea, and bleeding from the rectum.

“Giving your dog a bone treat might lead to an unexpected trip to your veterinarian, a possible emergency surgery, or even death for your pet,” said Carmela Stamper, a veterinarian in the Center for Veterinary Medicine at the FDA.

A fully cooked large beef long bone comes with less risk, but your dog should be supervised and the bone taken away once it fragments,” Dr. Sarah Nold, staff veterinarian at Trupanion, added in an interview with ConsumerAffairs.

Keeping your dog safe

While pet experts don’t recommend stuffing your pet’s stocking with bone treats, there are other toys and treats that are safe for dogs to chew on; some even have the added benefit of helping with dental health, Nold explained. She recommends knowing what what kind of chewer your dog is before buying toys.

“If you know they rip apart stuffed toys, stay away from those so that your dog doesn’t ingest any stuffing,” she told ConsumerAffairs. “Toys made of harder material, like rubber, are great for dogs that like to chew.”

“These toys are less likely to break apart and splinter, making it easier for your pet to chew safely for a longer time. Small pieces should still ideally be taken away from your dog, unless it is a treat that is highly digestible.”

Another option, she says, is giving your dog a toy that allows you to hide an edible dog treat inside. To keep your pet from fracturing their teeth, make sure chews are soft enough to indent with your thumbnail.

For safety’s sake, always supervise your pet with any chew toy or treat. Additionally, be careful when throwing away bones -- especially if you’ve got a dog who might be tempted to nose through the trash can when you’re not looking. Pets who sneak bones from the trash could be put at risk.

The value of a single Bitcoin has moved past the $10,000 mark, representing a staggering 940 percent increase since the start of the year.

Market analysts and financial advisors are divided over whether this emerging digital currency run represents a classic bubble or the investment wave of the future.

As Bitcoin's rise accelerated two months ago, JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon warned investors to steer clear, calling it a fraud. On Tuesday, Vanguard Fund founder Jack Bogle, a Wall Street legend, similarly warned an audience at a meeting of the Council on Foreign Relations to "avoid Bitcoin like the plague."

Later, Bogle elaborated on his aversion to the digital currency, stating there is no underlying rate of return and nothing to support Bitcoin’s value.

In other words, it can go down just as easily as it can go up.

$40,000 by the end of 2018?

However, there are plenty of people who see major opportunities in Bitcoin. Wall Street hedge fund manager Mike Novogratz says cryptocurrencies (like Bitcoin) represent "the biggest bubble of our lifetime." But that doesn't mean he's shying away.

Novogratz's firm began investing in Bitcoin when the price was $90 and he predicts the currency can "easily hit $40,000 by the end of next year.”

Wall Street money manager Thomas Lee is a more recent convert to Bitcoin, but told CNBC today that his firm's mistake was initially treating Bitcoin as a currency.

'It's a technology'

"Number one, [Bitcoin] is a technology that’s going to be very important in the financial system for maintaining security," Lee told the network. "But the easiest way to think of it is as a substitute for gold. It's a digital store of value."

Indeed, as we recently reported, Bitcoin more closely resembles a payment platform than a currency. Users first create an account with an online wallet, such as Coinbase.

Dollars and other currencies are converted into Bitcoin and used to make secure and transparent transactions, cutting out banks, payment processors, and other middlemen.

After the transaction, the party receiving the Bitcoin payment has the option of converting it back into a traditional currency, or leaving it in Bitcoin.

Part of Bitcoin's appeal is the fact that there is a finite number available, giving more power to the economic principle of supply and demand.

The value of Bitcoin will always be determined by how many people want to own it. Analysts say that in recent months, institutional investors have jumped on the bandwagon and have pushed the price to astronomical levels.

If Bitcoin were to suddenly fall out of favor, or another digital currency were to emerge as a major competitor, the value could fall just as quickly as it has risen.

Lee doesn't rule out Bitcoin for mainstream investors, but says it should be a very small part of any portfolio, providing some diversification.

For the average investor, a long, detailed conversation with a trusted, objective, and knowledgeable financial advisor should be a first step before considering any new Bitcoin investments.

----

Update: As of publication, Bitcoin's value has surged past $11,000.

Rising Treasury bond yields over the last three months and increases in lending are pressuring banks to pay a higher interest rate on deposits, giving consumers a slightly better rate of return.

Since the financial crisis, banks have paid less than one percent interest on deposits, largely because the Fed's key interest rate was at zero, and also because banks were making fewer loans. They really didn't need depositors' money.

It was a big adjustment for savers -- particularly seniors -- who had counted on a safe three to five percent return before the financial crisis and Great Recession.

But banks are now paying well over one percent interest on certificates of deposit (CDs). Banks need deposits from consumers to make loans, which have been more plentiful as the economy has recovered.

Rising Treasury bonds

Yields on Treasury bonds have also risen significantly in recent months, increasing pressure on banks to raise the interest they pay on deposits.

In mid-November, the yield on the Treasury's one-month bond was 1.05 percent, double the rate in January. The yield on the six-month bond was 1.40 percent, up from 0.65 percent at the beginning of the year.

While this is a dramatic increase, economist Joel Naroff, of Naroff Economic Advisors, says it really isn't anything for consumers to get excited about.

"The rates are still historically low and it will take forever for anyone to make much money if they put their funds into savings accounts," Naroff told ConsumerAffairs.

"For older investors who have to be much more liquid, this does very little for them and there is also little incentive for others to switch into savings accounts from other riskier accounts. But it is better than nothing."

A safe place for money

For consumers, the advantage of putting money in the bank is zero risk. Deposits are insured up to $250,000, but there is a wide variation in what banks pay depositors.

Internet banks tend to pay the highest interest rates since they lack the overhead of brick and mortar operations. Ally Bank pays 1.5 percent for a 12-month CD of less than $5,000.

If you are willing to commit to a five-year CD, Ally will currently pay a rate of 2.25 percent.

Major national banks pay significantly less. Bank of America is currently advertising a 12-month CD at 0.07 percent with a $10,000 minimum opening balance.

Despite the current low-rate environment, it's possible banks could become more generous with savers in the months ahead. The Federal Reserve's key interest rate is now at 1.25 percent, with most analysts expecting it to rise to 1.5 percent at the Fed’s December meeting.

It’s no secret the holiday season means a greater likelihood of getting sick, but understanding the three major reasons people get sicker during the holidays will keep you a step ahead, regardless of your plans.

Factor number one: crowded public spaces and high exposure to germs. Airplanes, hotels, and other pit stops along the way can harbor all kinds of health hazards, from cold-ridden fellow travelers to germ-laden public spaces.

A 2002 study found that an average of 20 percent of plane passengers surveyed reported respiratory infections within five to seven days of flying.

Factor number two: disrupting your regular sleep cycle. Whether due to jet lag or crossing time zones, limited or poor sleep will weaken the body’s immune response, leaving travelers more vulnerable to infections.

A 2015 study showed participants who logged less than six hours of sleep a night over the course of a week were four times more likely to come down with the common cold than those who slept more than seven hours.

Factor number three: stress. Increased stress relating to work deadlines, family relationships, and financial obligations can also take a toll on your body’s ability to ward off illnesses this time of year, explained Dr. Gabriel Neal, clinical assistant professor at the Texas A&M College of Medicine.

Protecting yourself

While you may not be able to change the fact that you’ll have to spend time in airports or deal with other holiday-related stress, there are several actions you can take to mitigate your risk of infection while traveling over the holiday season.

• Get a flu shot. “The influenza virus is very common and can cause severe illness. Streptococcus Pneumoniae is a bacteria that can cause pneumonia, ear infections, and sinus infections among others,” Neal told ConsumerAffairs, adding that both of these are preventable with vaccination.

• Wash your hands often. Frequent hand washing can also help you avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds -- especially after handshakes and physical greetings.

• Stay hydrated. Give your immune system some support by drinking plenty of water, especially if you’ll be flying. Studies show flying tends to have a dehydrating effect on the body.

• Manage stress. Try to manage your stress by balancing work, home, and play and keeping a relaxed and positive outlook.

• Try to keep your regular sleep schedule. Getting proper sleep can help you manage stress, which can in turn help you stay healthy.

• Get up and stretch. “Holiday travel, especially travel that involves sitting for more than 4 hours at a time in a car, train or plane, can lead to a particularly bad health problem called deep vein thrombosis which is when a blood clot forms in the leg, and can be deadly,” Neal said. To prevent blood clots, he recommends walking around every 2-3 hours when traveling.

A study commissioned by the Reuters news agency shows Walmart has made dramatic progress this year in closing the online price gap with Amazon, giving consumers more low-price options.

According to research by Market Track, products available at Walmart.com are now just an average 0.3 percent more expensive than those found at Amazon.com. A year ago, the researchers found the gap was three percent.

Depending on what you're buying, prices at Walmart.com could be notably cheaper. Market Track found Walmart.com's prices on fitness trackers and smartwatches are 6.4 percent below those found on Amazon. At this time last year, Walmart's prices for those products were 12.6 percent higher.

To reach its conclusions, Market Track analyzed the prices of 213 products in 11 categories over a nearly two-year period.

Where Walmart gained ground

From December 2015 to late November 2016, researchers found Walmart's online prices were cheaper than Amazon's in just two categories -- television sets and toys and games.

However, from late November 2016 to early November 2017, the Market Track study found Walmart.com maintained its lead in those two categories and was also cheaper for wearable technology, headphones, and sporting goods.

Amazon continues to hold a sizable advantage in the categories of home theater, tools and hardware, and video games. University of Richmond finance professor Tom Arnold says Walmart has used an efficient supply chain and its huge pricing power to close the gap with its rival.

"Amazon doesn't hold an inventory per se. What they do is put you in contact with vendors who will sell through Amazon," Arnold said in an interview.

"That's not a bad business model, but the problem you have is that if you are not the entity that's holding the inventory you can't go to a supplier and say 'look, I'm going to buy a lot of this, so you need to give me an even better price.' Walmart does do this."

Huge market penetration

Kirk Wakefield professor of retail marketing at Baylor University, says Walmart's large footprint also gives it significant pricing power.

“Walmart is able to compete with Amazon because they already have huge market penetration, can stock inventory for large scale distribution, and have already been actively refining their online order systems,” Wakefield told ConsumerAffairs.

The competition between the two retail giants isn't likely to subside anytime soon, which is good news for consumers seeking the best deal on popular products.

In the aftermath of Cyber Monday, a day in which Adobe Insights estimates there was a record number of online sales, Walmart has rolled out what it calls "Cyber Week," promising deep discounts for the rest of the week.

Amazon is still cutting prices as well, terming its continuing sale "Cyber Monday Deals Week." Despite the stepped-up competition from Walmart, an Amazon spokeswoman tells Reuters nothing has changed in the company's approach to pricing, saying its prices are as low or lower than any competitor's.

Most pet owners have likely experienced some sort of clash between their furry family member and holiday decor, but some decorations deserve extra care for the safety of your pet(s).

Your Christmas tree, winter holiday plants, and festive decor can all pose potential health hazards to curious pets, so it’s imperative to know where seasonal household dangers may be found. 

With this information, you can take steps to keep your pet from getting sick or injured. 

Pet-proof your tree 

Your Christmas tree and the fragile ornaments that adorn it can be tempting to pets–especially those with a penchant for chewing dangling objects. 

Here are a few ways to keep pets safe around Christmas trees: 

• Secure your tree properly. To keep your tree from toppling over and injuring your cat or dog, secure it with additional hardware or put up a gate. 
• Hang fragile ornaments up high. Use fragile ornaments on shelves or mantles, or hang them near the top of the tree. Ingesting broken ornaments can lead to lacerations or intestinal blockages in pets.
• Avoid edible ornaments. Strings of popcorn, holly berries, and other edible ornaments can look like enticing treats to pets, but eating edible decor could cause your pet to choke or become ill. 
• Keep pets out of tree water. If you have a real tree, keep in mind that Christmas tree water can harbor tree sap (as well as bacteria and fertilizers) that can cause a pet who drinks it to become sick. To keep pets out of tree water, try covering the dish with plastic or foil.
• Skip the tinsel. Sparkly tinsel can look irresistible to playful kitties, but can be harmful if ingested. Cats who accidentally swallow tinsel can suffer from an obstructed digestive tract, dehydration, or severe vomiting, according to the ASPCA.

Avoid dangerous decor

While the soft glow of candles may help keep holiday spirits bright, they can cause burns to pets or start a fire. Remember to keep candles high up on a shelf or only light them while you are in the room.  

Pet owners should also be sure to watch pets around certain winter holiday plants. Poinsettia, holly berries, pine tree needles, and lilies can be toxic to pets if ingested and should be displayed in a spot that’s inaccessible to pets.  

Communicate with your holiday visitors to ensure they don’t sneak your pet any alcohol or snacks that could cause them distress. Be sure overnight guests lock up medications and personal products. 

To keep mischievous pets from getting into decor or presents while you are out of the house, consider using a crate or restricting their roaming space. 

“Giving your animal a space to themselves away from the unfamiliar can provide them with a sense of safety,” Rob Jackson, CEO and co-founder of Healthy Paws pet insurance, told ConsumerAffairs. 

“If possible, choose a room your pet spends time in already, such as a bedroom where they sleep. Check in on your animal every hour or so, giving them a treat or affection. Make sure to let your dog out per your usual schedule."

A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) finds fewer than half the world's 50 busiest airports are completely smoke-free.

Twenty-three of those airports forbid smoking anywhere in the facility, but 27 have designated areas inside the terminals where smokers may light up. The findings are important because the CDC estimates that secondhand smoke causes 34,000 heart disease deaths and 7,300 lung cancer deaths each year in the U.S.

The government study, which measured current policies, found significant variations in smoke-free policy status by region. Airports in North America are most likely to have a comprehensive smoke-free policy, but only 18 percent of airports in Asia are smoke-free.

Designated smoking areas still dangerous

Among the 10 busiest airports in the world, Chicago O'Hare and Los Angeles International are smoke-free, while Atlanta's Hartsfield Jackson International has a designated smoking area.

"The Surgeon General has concluded there is no risk-free level of secondhand smoke exposure‎," said Corinne Graffunder, director of CDC's Office on Smoking and Health. "Even brief exposure can have health consequences."

Thomas Carr, Director of National Policy at the American Lung Association, agrees. He says earlier CDC studies showed that air quality studies conducted just outside airport smoking rooms showed they were not adequate to protect others from secondhand smoke.

"The American Lung Association believes all airports in the U.S. and worldwide should remove their indoor smoking rooms to fully protect airport employees and travelers," Carr told ConsumerAffairs.

Unaware of the threat

Non-smokers traveling through airports may be completely unaware of whether the terminal has a smoking area or not. Carr says that means they are largely unaware of the threat if they are being subjected to secondhand smoke.

"This is what makes the release of this CDC report timely," Carr said. "With the start of the holiday travel season it provides an opportunity to better educate and warn travelers about the dangers these indoor smoking rooms in airports pose. No one should be exposed to secondhand smoke."

Cliff Douglas, Vice President of Tobacco Control at the American Cancer Society, says it's not only travelers but airport workers who have to worry about daily secondhand smoke exposure.

"It is well understood that designated smoking areas, including ventilated rooms, do not fully eliminate exposure to secondhand smoke by non-smoking bystanders and passersby," Douglas told ConsumerAffairs. "The air pollution levels from secondhand smoke outside such smoking areas have been found to be five times higher than levels in smoke-free airports."

He says smokers using the designated smoking rooms may also be unaware that the air pollution in those designated areas are up to 23 time greater than levels found in smoke-free airports.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 11,783 model year 2017 F-150s equipped with ten-speed transmissions.

The pin that attaches the transmission shift linkage to the transmission may come out, preventing the transmission from responding to movement of the shift lever.

The disconnected linkage may cause the vehicle to not move forward or backward as selected by the driver with the shift lever.

Additionally, despite selecting 'Park', if the parking brake is not applied, the vehicle may roll. Either situation increases the risk of a crash.

What to do

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the roll pin with an updated part, free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin December 11, 2017.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S36.

The holiday season is an especially wasteful time of year for most households, but you can do your part to avoid this by keeping the planet in mind while decorating, shopping, and entertaining this holiday season.

From curbing gift wrap waste to employing a few eco-friendly decorating strategies, here are a few ways you can help cut down on holiday-related trash and excess energy consumption.

Focus on sustainability

Regardless of whether you’ll be buying a live or artificial Christmas tree, you can take steps to minimize its impact on the planet. 

If you will be taking home a freshly cut tree, consider buying one that you can plant outside or keep as a houseplant after the holidays. After the holidays, dispose of your tree at a chipping facility or return it to the environment in other eco-friendly ways, such as mulching or compost.

While live Christmas trees are nice, they tend to produce a lot of waste after the holidays are over. To that end, you can consider alternative means of decorating with nature. 

“Why not go out in your yard or in the woods and gather fallen branches and decorate those with LED tree lights,” says Juliette Haas, sustainability coordinator for the Green Committee of Egremont, Massachusetts.

Artificial trees can be a boon to the health of the planet since they can be used for years to come. If you choose to purchase an artificial tree, be sure to keep safety and energy-efficiency at the forefront of your mind when decorating it.

Use energy-efficient lighting 

Festive string lights are a central element of holiday decorating, but some can be a big energy drain. To keep your lights from adversely affecting the planet (and your energy bill), consider using minimal lights in your holiday decorations. 

If you do choose to decorate with lights, opt for more energy efficient LED strings. Additionally, use a timer for indoor and outdoor lights to save electricity.  

Avoid extra packaging 

‘Tis the season for gift wrap, shopping bags, and packaging -- but paper used to wrap gifts creates a staggering amount of waste each year. Americans throw out about 25 percent more trash between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve than any other time of year. 

To cut down on the amount of trash your family creates this holiday season, consider wrapping presents in reusable materials or using gift wrap saved from previous years. A few creative ideas for wrapping include: 

• Scarves, fabric, handkerchiefs
• Old maps, sheet music, advertisements or newsprint
• Reusable tins, baking pans, or other home or garden items.
• What about all those Amazon boxes that may be showing up on your doorstep? Instead of throwing them out, consider flattening them until next spring and using them as the first layer of sheet mulching. 

Use ‘real’ plates 

Another way to help avoid extra packaging is to skip disposable containers. Use your actual  utensils, plates, and glasses when possible, and avoid sending guests home with take-away containers. 

Buy snacks and beverages in bulk to reduce the amount of packaging you bring into your life this holiday season, and consider steering clear of using coffee makers with one-time use filter bins. 

Finally, remember to recycle. 

“Things get hectic and recycling can seem like an additional chore,” Haas told ConsumerAffairs. “Have bins close by to separate your clean papers, glass bottles and aluminum cans for recycling.”

“Also, if you are doing a lot of cooking, composting kitchen scraps like onion skins, carrot and potato peels and coffee grounds greatly reduces the amount of waste you produce,” she added.