CONSUMER NEWS…

NEW BILLS

NEW YORk

The new $10 and $5 bills are hitting the streets Wednesday (5/24). The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Federal Reserve System will put into circulation newly redesigned $10 and $5 notes, continuing the federal government's efforts to deter counterfeiting of U.S. currency. Some of the first $10s and $5s to enter circulation in New York City will be spent at Gray's Papaya, the landmark juice and hotdog stand on Manhattan's Upper West side. That's where a Federal Reserve Bank official will provide a short briefing for reporters (at 10 a.m. EDT) on the notes' advanced security features. (Contact Joyce Campbell at 212-614-4549.)

UPI

A SAFE AND RESPONSIBLE SUMMER

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- As thousands of families prepare for the Memorial Day weekend and summer vacation season, GTE Wireless is stressing the importance of safe, responsible driving in conjunction with Wireless Safety Week, May 22-29. "There are many distractions for motorists," said Courtney Travis, GTE Wireless general manager of retail sales for Middle Tennessee. "And we want to urge people to focus on their driving, so they can be as safe as possible on our nation's highways." Some wireless phone safety tips:

Dialing a phone number is probably the most distracting aspect of using a wireless phone in a vehicle. Whenever possible, pull over to a safe place before dialing a phone number or ask a passenger to dial the call for you. Use a hands-free accessory so you can keep both hands on the wheel. If you don't know the number, use *411, directory assistance, so that you can keep your focus on the road.

-- Make it a practice to prepare for the calls you need to make. For routine "I'm running late," or "Do you need anything at the grocery store" calls, dial the number while you are still safely parked in the lot at work or at the grocery store.

-- When you know you need to call someone en route, dial the number before you put the car in motion. Your phone will keep the number in the display window, so when you are ready to talk, all you need to do is press the send button.

-- On or off the phone, never engage in stressful or emotional conversations, or those that may require you to take notes or try to remember complex details or numbers.

-- Let voice mail pick up your calls while you are driving, especially when traveling in adverse conditions.

WARNER BROS. STUDIOS RECALL

The Warner Bros. Studio Stores is recalling about 3,800 Tweety rattles and 1,000 pairs of Tweety sandals. Small parts on both products can detachs and pose a choking hazard to young children. The rattles were sold as part of a Tweety Bib, Rattle and Spoon Set from August 1999 through January 2000 for about $15. The sandals are girls' jelly swimwear sandals made of transparent pink plastic with embedded sparkles. They were sold from February 2000 to April 2000 for about $10 in sizes 3 to 15 months. Consumers should take these products away from children immediately and return them to a Warner Bros. Store for a refund. For more information, they can call the company toll-free at 800-795-9277 during normal business hours or visit its Web site at www.wbstore.com <http://www.wbstore.com> .

UPI

NEWLY EFFICIENT APPLIANCES WILL SAVE ENERGY, WATER AND MONEY
http://ens.lycos.com/ens/may2000/2000L-05-23-06.html

MAZDA RECALL

IRVINE, Calif. -- Mazda is recalling some 1999-model-year Miata roadsters for replacement of the non-return valve in the vehicle's fuel filler pipe. The automaker has found that certain 1999-model Miatas may have a sticking non-return valve in the fuel filler pipe. This can cause the gas pump nozzle to repeatedly shut off and there is a possibility that fuel may overflow and/or spit back when refueling. Owners of the affected vehicles are being asked to bring them to an authorized Mazda dealer for replacement of the non-return valve in the fuel filler pipe. The repairs should take less than one hour and will be performed free of charge. Contact Brian Betz at 949-727-6844, or Shari Gold at 949-727-6752, both of Mazda North American Operations. Web site: <http://www.mazdausa.com> )

PURCHASING A MEMORIAL

COLD SPRINGS, Minn.

A memorial, or grave marker, is one of the few things a person buys that's meant to outlast the buyer. Mel Lommel of Royal Melrose, a division of the Cold Spring Granite Co., says it's a decision that should receive some thought and discussion among family members. According to Lommel, there are three things a buyer should consider before purchasing a memorial:

Personalization: With the new technology available, it's much easier to create a memorial that reflects your personality and life achievements, he says. A memorial retailer can suggest tasteful designs and options for all forms of memorials -- from flat markers to family mausoleums. -- Performance: A memorial designed with high-quality granite and/or bronze will last centuries. But some products retain their appearance better over time. Lommel suggests you pay special attention to the size, shape and color options available and recommends asking about product warranties.

Price: Memorials should be considered long-term investments with significance for future generations of your family. While the cheapest option will probably not be the best, you can get quality without exceeding your budget, Lommel says. Also, financing is usually available for memorials purchased pre-need. Contact Sharon Jensen, director of public relations of Cold Spring Granite Company, at 320-685-5055 or [email protected]

PIG-EAR PET TREATS RECALLED:

By Elizabeth Manning

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says two lots of pet chews manufactured by a Hutchinson, Kan., company called Treat Makers may be contaminated with salmonella bacteria. The chews are pig ears, distributed in Costco stores in 11 states: Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Idaho, Hawaii and Montana. The potentially contaminated lots are sold under the Medalist brand name and are numberered 07600EXU3 and 08300EXU1. No illnesses have been reported, but salmonella bacteria could infect pet owners who handle the pig ears and then touch their mouths or food without first washing their hands. Symptoms of salmonella poisoning include high fever, headache, vomiting and diarrhea. Treat Makers will issue a refund for the chews through Costco. Customers can call 888-250-7369 toll-free for more information.

AIDS RECOMMENDATIONS:

By Lidia Wasowicz

An international panel of AIDS experts has established recommendations for drug resistance testing in patients infected with HIV. The recommendations, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, include resistance testing in the development of drug regimens after treatment fails and in developing therapy for HIV-positive pregnant women. "HIV drug resistance testing has become a part of the standard management of patients with HIV, helping to determine what drugs will or will not work," said senior study author Dr. Douglas Richman, professor of medicine and pathology at the University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine and the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in San Diego. "However, how to use these tests optimally has been a moving target. We developed these guidelines based on all the most current data to help physicians use the tests more efficiently in designing effective drug therapies for people with HIV."

SUMMER ANR WATER SAFTY

WASHINGTON

The American Red Cross is strongly urging Americans to be prepared in, on and around the water this Memorial Day weekend when most community pools open for the season and many people head to the beach. Following simple water safety tips may help reduce the number of drownings and injuries that may occur this weekend and throughout the summer. Drowning is the second leading cause of death from unintentional injuries for youth ages 5 to 24 and the fourth leading cause of death from unintentional injuries for all ages, according to the National Safety Council. Here are some safety guidelines:

Learn to swim. The best thing anyone can do to stay safe in and around the water is to learn to swim. Always swim with a buddy; never swim alone.

Swim in supervised areas only. -- Obey all rules and posted signs. -- Watch out for the "dangerous too's" -- too tired, too cold, too far from safety, too much sun, too much strenuous activity.

Don't mix alcohol and swimming. Alcohol impairs your judgement, balance, and coordination, affects your swimming and diving skills, and reduces your body's ability to stay warm.

Pay attention to local weather conditions and forecasts. Stop swimming at the first indication of bad weather.

Know how to prevent, recognize and respond to emergencies. Learn basic water safety and first aid and CPR. Contact Michael Fulwider of the American Red Cross at 202-639-3504. Web site: <http://www.RedCross.org> )

PRIVACY ADVOCATES STRUGGLE TO RAISE CONSUMER AWARENESS ON THE WEB

Privacy advocates have been struggling to raise consumer awareness about how personal information is managed on the Internet, and in the meantime, federal agencies and Congress are trying to find approaches that please both businesses and the public. The Federal Trade Commission on Monday called for Congress to enact solid laws that would protect consumer privacy, because an FTC study found Web sites themselves aren't doing enough. "A majority of the commission finds that self-regulation alone, without some legislation, is unlikely to provide online consumers with the level of protection they seek and deserve," said FTC Chairman Robert Pitofsky. Privacy advocates cheered the decision, but The Online Privacy Alliance, which says it represents more than 100 companies and associations, called the FTC recommendations "overbroad, premature, impractical and unnecessary," adding that there are privacy laws on the books that should be given a chance first. Internet analysis firm Forrester Research, meanwhile, said it expects a flurry of privacy legislation in 2001, with a drop-off for a few years afterward. "The combination of consumers' feelings of irritation and violation, combined with the findings of this week's FTC report and the politics of an election year will put the privacy issue at center stage," said Forrester analyst Jay Stanley.

UPI

"IDEAL SUMMER ROAD TRIP"

By PENNY NELSON

The more things change, the more they stay the same. That's according to a recent nationwide "Ideal Summer Road Trip" poll of 512 third-, fourth- and fifth-graders conducted by General Tire. Surprisingly, 36 percent of kids picked boy band 'N Sync as the best backseat dream buddy -- tying with Michael Jordan. Despite the raging Pokemon craze, Pikachu placed third with 20 percent. President Clinton came in last. Interactive video games (42 percent) pass inter-personal family favorites (18 percent) as top travel time-killers. Almost half of kids surveyed prefer long lines to shorelines, picking amusement parks over beaches as the "Ideal Summer Road Trip" destination. Camping and traveling to a relative's house pulled in the rear. And more than anything else, kids hate being stuck in the seat next to a sibling -- no matter how long the trip. More than 34 percent said being with a brother or sister is worse than sitting still (31 percent), "holding it" (25 percent) and even getting carsick (10 percent). (Editors: contact Al Johnson, PLT Replacement Communication Manager of Continental General Tire, at 704-583-8910, or 877-CGT-NEWS, or [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> )

'PEN' DISINFECTS DRINKING WATER:

By ELIZABETH MANNING

A new pen-shaped device can rapidly make water infested with parasites, viruses and bacteria safe for drinking, say scientists at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Lead researcher Mark Sobsey says the battery-operated pen electrochemically generates bug-zapping oxidants from a salt solution. It's intended for individual use particularly in remote or crisis-hit areas that lack the means for rapid, broader-scale disinfection. Sobsey says the pen reduced all test bacteria and viruses by more than 99.99 percent within 10 minutes. Cryptosporidium parvum, a protozoan parasite often resistant to chlorine disinfection, was also significantly reduced by 90 minutes, adds the microbiologist. Development of the pen was paid for by MIOX Corp., a water-treatment company based in Albuquerque, N.M.

SUMMER POOL SAFTY

WASHINGTON

The Memorial Day weekend is the time when many families open their backyard pools for the summer. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reminds pool owners to keep in mind the deadly hazards a pool can pose, especially to young children. About 350 children under the age of 5 drown in pools nationwide each year. Most of the cases involve residential pools. To prevent tragedy, the CPSC offers some swimming pool safety guidelines:

Fences and walls should be at least four feet high and installed completely around the pool. Fence gates should be self-closing and self-latching. The latch should be out of a small child's reach.

If your house forms one side of the barrier to the pool, the doors leading from the house to the pool should be protected with alarms that produce a sound when a door is unexpectedly opened.

A power safety cover - a motor-powered barrier that can be placed over the water area - can be used when the pool is not in use.

For above-ground pools, steps and ladders to the pool should be secured and locked, or removed when the pool is not in use.

If a child is missing, always look in the pool first. Seconds count in preventing death or disability. Keep rescue equipment by the pool, and be sure a phone is poolside with emergency numbers posted. You or someone in your household should know CPR.

Pool alarms can be an added precaution. Underwater pool alarms generally perform better and can be used in conjunction with pool covers. The CPSC recommends using remote alarm receivers so the alarm can be heard inside the house and other places away from the pool area. Contact Mark Ross of the CPSC at 301-504-0580, ext.1188.)

United Press International

CALIFORNIA STILL NATION'S FIRST IN HIGH-TECH EMPLOYEES

by Joe Warminsky

California is still the nation's high-tech powerhouse, but other states are gaining ground, a new survey shows, and nationwide 5 million people are working in high-tech jobs. All 50 states, as well as the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, added new high-tech jobs between 1993 and 1998, with California, Texas, Georgia, Colorado and Virginia leading the pack in job creation, according to a report compiled by the American Electronics Association and the NASDAQ Stock Market. Using federal census and labor bureau statistics, the state-by-state "Cyberstates 4.0" analysis of the high-tech industry shows that "high-tech is pervasive" across the country, according to Michaela Platzer, the association's vice-president for research. Over the five-year period, she said, California added 183,000 high-tech jobs and Texas added 130,000. But Virginia added 50,000 high-tech workers, Colorado 47,900 and Oregon 46,400. Colorado now has the highest concentration of high-tech jobs, with 84 for every 1,000 private sector workers, the survey shows.

All ARTICLES United Press International.