Overheating Halloween Flashlights Recalled

More than 600,000 Halloween flashlights sold at Target stores nationwide in August & September are being recalled from overheating and burning.

The recall was announced on Thursday, October 28th, just days before kids head out for trick-or-treating. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission includes a three pack of mini flashlights as well as a second set of flashlights with stencils that project six different Halloween images.

Consumers are asked to bring the Chinese-made flashlights back to any Target store for a full refund. The flashlights can overheat and melt, posing a risk of burns. Eight incidents were reported, including one child who was burned.

The mini flashlights have a key ring at the bottom. They were sold for $1 and came in three packs containing orange, green and black flashlights. The packaging is orange and purple and reads "Mini Flashlights (3 Pack)" printed on the front and "DGI", "Made in China" and "DPCI# 234-02-1813" on the back.

The other flashlights are of a standard size and have a black handle and an orange top. They came with six stencils that project the images of a pumpkin, ghost, spider, cat, witch and skull and cross-bones. "Flashlight with Stencil" is printed on the front and "Tien Hsing," "Made in China" and" 234 02 1838" is printed on the back of the packaging. Those flashlights sold for $2.50.

For more information, consumers can call Target weekdays between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. Eastern Time at (800) 440-0680.

Is junk food as addictive as drugs?

A diet of burgers, chips & cake will program your brain into craving even more foods that are high in sugar, salt and fat - according to a new research.

Over the years these junk foods can become a substitute for happiness and will lead bingers to become addicted.

Researchers believe it is one of the first studies to suggest brains may react in the same way to junk food as they do to drugs.

What do you think?

Popular treatment in kids may cause sucicidal thoughts

A new report from Australia is raising alarms about potentially dangerous side effects of drugs used to treat ADHD (Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). The report states that 30 children have had suicidal thoughts (some attempting suicide), while taking drugs for ADHD.

This caused the National Health and Medical Research Council in Australia to upgrade the guidelines for prescribing ADHD drugs, such as Ritalin. A 7-year-old boy taking Ritalin attempted suicide, and an 8-year-old had hallucinations that spiders were crawling all over him, reports " The Sydney Morning Herald." The same "Herald" article reported that serious reactions from ADHD drugs had doubled within three years in Australia.

ADHD drugs are closely regulated in the United States, but are widely prescribed for kids. Ritalin, Adderall and other drugs used to treat ADHD are stimulants, which are thought to reduce hyperactivity and help children focus.

However, they come with risks - this is where the controversy ensues. Known side effects for kids include decreased appetite, problems falling asleep, tics and dampened emotional reactions (often called a "flat" feeling). Since these drugs are stimulants, there are also cardiovascular risks. For some kids, many pediatricians recommend that you have an EKG for your child before he or she takes one of these drugs.

Even though the suicide risk from any ADHD drug is rare, if a drug changes your child’s personality in any way, you stop it. 

H1N1 to do (and don't do) list

While Swine flu vaccines are finally out this month, the onslaught of information is making it pretty hard - and scary- to figure out what you should be doing right now.

Although some people have already been vaccinated, it could be weeks before you even get a chance at the shot, so what happens now?

Here are some tips of what to do, and not to do to, to help you through the flu season.

1. Look up local flu outbreaks
Since 40% of people get most of their news through the internet, take the time to check out local flu activity on th online version of your local newspaper, or websites like Google Flu Trends.

2. Don't Panic
 For most people, H1N1 infection is generally mild and can be cured with time, bed rest and fluids. However, the virus is serious, particularly for those in high-risk groups. High risk people, whether adults or children, had underlying conditions like chronic heart or lung conditions or weakened immune systems due to disease or chemotherapy treatment. With that being said, H1N1 will feel like seasonal flu for most people.

3. Stay Home
If you are sick with symptoms like fever, aches, stuffy nose and chills? It's possible you may have Swine flu. Its best to just stay home and get better before it may worsen.

4. Wash your hands
It may seem like the most simple thing ever, but washing your hands with soap and water or using a alcohol rub can help.

5. Be Prepared
If you are not immunized already, you might have to be patient as it may take some time for everyone who wants the Swine flu vaccine can get it. In the meantime, be prepared if you or a loved one gets sick. Cover your mouth if you are sneezing or coughing, stay home if you are sick and see a doctor if the symptoms get worse.

Foods to Fight Swine Flu

Preparing for Fall's flu season, especially with Swine Flu (H1N1), a flu shot and endless hand sanitizer might not be enough. Considering strengthening your immune system's ability to fight viruses by adding certain foods to your diet.

The American Diet Association believes by exercising, getting enough rest and following a healthy diet, can boost one's immune system. Here are a few items that can help boost your immune system:

Garlic
Chopping garlic releases allicin, a sulfer-containing compound that houses a potent antioxidants, which protects cells from free radicals that can damage them, making it harder for cells to fight disease.
Adding fresh garlic to sautéed vegetables would be a great idea.

Yogurt and Kefir
Embracing certain kinds of bacteria can actually help your immune system. Yogurt (look for cartons that say they contain "live, active cultures") and kefir, a fermented milk drink made with kefir grains, all have probotics or "good" bacteria. 

Brazil Nuts
These large nuts are rich in zinc, a mineral known to improve the number of infection-fighting T-cells that also has antioxidant properties. Zinc deficiency has been linked to decreased response to vaccination and impaired immune cell function, especially in the elderly. But don't overdo it: A few of these provide enough zinc for the day.

Tea
Tea is rich in polyphenols, chemicals found in plant foods that act like antioxidants to protect cells.

Lean Protein
Low amounts of protein have also been found to impair the immune system and have negative effects on T-cells.

Citrus Fruits
Pink grapefruits, oranges and mangoes, are all rich in the antioxidant vitamin C, something our bodies don't produce or store on their own.

Eating these items can boost your immune system and could prevent sickness, but is not a substitute for seeing a doctor, or proper medication. If one is having flu-like symptoms, see a doctor immediately. 

Ford Recalls 4.5M from Defective Switch

Ford Motor Cor. said Tuesday, October 13, 2009, it will add 4.5 million older-model vehicles to the long list of those recalled because of a defective cruise control switch could cause a fire.

 

The recall covers 1.1 million Ford Windstar minivans that had a small risk of fire due to internal leaking from the switches.

The remaining 3.4 million vehicles are Ford, Lincoln and Mercury models. Even though there has been no reports of fire with those models, they are included in the recall because they use the same switches.

Ford advises owners of all vehicles covered by the recall to park them outside until they are mailed instructions by the end of the month on how to get repairs.

The recall covers the following model years: 1995-2003 Ford Windstar; 2000-2003 Ford Excursion diesel; 1993-1997 and 1999-2003 Ford F-Super Duty diesel; 1992-2003 Ford Econoline; 1995-2002 Mercury Mountaineer; 1995-1997 and 2001-2003 Ford Ranger; and 1994 Ford F35 Motorhome vehicles.