This is one of a series of booklets prepared as a resource for the American Association of Retired Persons' (AARP) Consumer Housing Information Service for Seniors, a local AARP volunteer program that uses trained Housing Information Volunteers to provide impartial information to older people who have questions of concern about how to find safe,…

The average family spends hundreds of dollars a year on personal care products. If not treated with care and common sense, these products may be harmful or even deadly. This booklet is designed to increase awareness of the entire range of such products. The proper use of cosmetics, especially eye make-up which might cause eye infections, is…

Most people over 65 take many prescription and nonprescription medicines. Because the body is changing and more medicines are taken, many older adults experience harmful reactions to the medicines they take. This booklet, written in both English and Spanish (on facing pages), was developed to help older adults learn more about medicines, recognize…

The enormous and rapidly-increasing number of goods on the market makes it difficult to ensure that all consumer products are safe to use. Public concern about product safety has caused the enactment of a wide range of consumer protection laws. The result of this legislation has been that many agencies have been established to protect the public.…

The average home has chemical products to clean floors, kill insects, clean ovens, thin paint, remove grease, and perform countless other chores. Many consumers remain unaware of the dangers these products bring into the home. This booklet provides information on the safe use, storage, and disposal of these products. The compounds found in…

Designed for the general public and possibly suitable also for high school economics students, this pamphlet explains how to resolve a billing dispute in a way that protects the customer's credit rating and legal rights. The pamphlet focuses on specific requirements of the Fair Credit Billing law and presents the following: (1) six legal criteria…

Many accidents in the home are caused by faulty, defective or improperly designed tools, appliances, and equipment. Government, non-governmental organizations, and industries cooperate to develop and implement standards for the safe design and manufacture of consumer products. This booklet provides information to help consumers select products,…

Designed for the general public and possibly suitable also for high school economics students, this pamphlet discusses the Consumer Leasing Act. The act requires leasing companies to inform consumers of the costs and terms of their contracts, limits any extra payments at the end of a lease, and regulates lease advertising. The pamphlet focuses on…

Designed for the general public and possibly suitable also for high school economics students, this pamphlet describes the provisions of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act. The act prevents age from being used as the basis to deny or decrease credit to those who otherwise qualify. The pamphlet presents general rules for rating an applicant: (1) a…

Designed for the general public and possibly suitable also for high school economics students, this booklet examines the Electronic Fund Transfer Act (EFT), which protects consumers who use debit cards for the electronic transfer of funds. This commercially adapted version of the character in "Alice in Wonderland," uses a story-teller…

Designed for the general public and possibly suitable also for high school economics students, this pamphlet explains how a complaint against a Federal Reserve bank concerning a possible violation of any of the federal consumer credit laws can be filed. Seven consumer credit laws are listed with a brief statement about the major protections of…

Designed for the general public and possibly suitable also for high school economics students, this pamphlet discusses the provisions of the Truth in Lending Law. The act requires that creditors state credit charges in a uniform way. The pamphlet provides a brief description of finance charges and annual percentage rates. It also focuses on…

Most childhood accidents can be classified into one of the following seven categories: poisonings, falls, burns, suffocation, drownings, cuts, and electrocutions. Precautionary methods to reduce many of these accidents are offered in this booklet. Proper selection, storage, maintenance, and use of toys is emphasized. Information on how to avoid…

Exercising caution during recreational activities will ensure that vacations and holidays do not result in tragedy. This booklet outlines some of the activities that require caution. Proper procedures for cycling--including the use of all terrain vehicles (ATVs), roller skating, and skateboarding are illustrated. Swimming can continue to be…

Many consumers do not see a strong connection between our lifestyles and buying decisions, and the amount of hazardous wastes generated in the United States. This guide was developed to be used by educators and citizens concerned with the role of consumers in the generation of hazardous wastes. It examines several products in terms of their…