CONSUMER

"12 On Your Side" is KSAT's weekly consumer round-up dedicated to providing the information that can better your life, written by award-winning journalist and KSAT consumer reporter Marilyn Moritz.

Water beads are marketed as safe sensory toys for children over three. But, they've been linked to thousands of emergency room visits and at least one death in the U.S. Last week's recall of one toy is not enough, a San Antonio mother says.

The event will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. on Sept. 23, 2023, at the Palo Alto College Performing Arts Center located at 1400 West Villaret Blvd.

Infant swings, Kraft cheese, children's books and Generac portable generators are recalled for safety reasons.

Drinking even one diet soda a day during pregnancy or while breastfeeding could increase your male child’s risk of autism, according to researchers at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

Jaw-dropping news is in the mail for nearly 10,000 Bexar County residents who are dogged by medical debt. It's been forgiven.

Texas-based furniture retailer Louis Shanks is going out of business after nearly 80 years.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service is urging consumers to not eat certain cans of SPAM Classic shipped to H-E-B stores in Texas.

Falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries for older adults.

Which situations require emergency treatment, going to an urgent care or just waiting to see your primary care doctor.

Thousands of Chuckle and Roar water bead kits have been recalled, but a San Antonio mother whose daughter was injured by a similar product wants them banned as toys.

Gas prices have jumped 20 cents in the last week in San Antonio but prices are still significantly lower than the national average.

The best time to make sure your generator will work is before you ever need it.

When a Texas businessman noticed fraudulent activity on his account, he tried to do the right thing. Now, he's out $80,000 and sharing his devastating story to warn others.

"12 On Your Side" is KSAT's weekly consumer round-up dedicated to providing the information that can better your life, written by award-winning journalist and KSAT consumer reporter Marilyn Moritz.

Conagra Foods has recalled Banquet Frozen Chicken Strip Meals because they may contain bits of plastic.

Starbucks is offering fall-flavored coffee lovers a sweet deal this September with a buy-one-get-one offer on drinks like the fan-favorite Pumpkin Spice Latte.

The company behind the “One Chip Challenge” is pulling the chip off the shelves after reports that a teenager died after eating the Paqui brand chip.

Consumer Reports explains how a 529 college savings plan can help and what to keep in mind before withdrawing the funds.

Summer might be winding down, but mosquitoes haven’t gotten the memo. They’re still out there biting, and in some cases spreading diseases, including one that hasn’t spread in the U.S. in 20 years.

Be careful what you share on social media. Scammers bait people with emotional, fake pleas to share posts about missing children or injured pets, the Better Business Bureau warns.

Bags of frozen vegetables sold under the Kroger brand name are recalled because they may be contaminated with listeria and make people sick. See what other consumer alerts made the list in this week's Consumer Roundup.

A local mother's son needs a cranial helmet but her insurance is denying it.

Bargain hunters beware: You could be putting your baby’s life at risk. Consumer Reports has an important warning on the risks of buying secondhand.

San Antonio Water System officials are attributing the hundreds of water main breaks the utility has seen this summer to record pumping amid high demand for water.

Facebook users hoping to claim a bit of the multi-billion dollar privacy settlement have until late Friday to file a claim.

Blue-light “blocking” or filtering eyeglasses may not be easing your eye strain from computer use or improving your sleep.

Those who still haven’t seen “Barbie” or “Oppenheimer” — or want to watch them again — can catch them for $4 at Santikos theaters on Sunday for National Cinema Day.

On Sunday, Aug. 27, movie tickets, unlimited popcorn and sodas will cost just $4 each at all EVO Cinemas, EVO Entertainment, ShowBiz Cinemas, and Times Square Grand Slam venues.

Zipadee Kids is recalling its Convertible House Bed Frames and Montessori Floor Beds.

If you’re like a lot of pet owners, you’ve probably asked yourself, “Should I get pet insurance?” As Consumer Reports explains, the answer isn’t always easy.

With interest rates the highest we’ve seen since 2000, is it better to rent or buy a home these days?

The extreme heat is even affecting homeowners' underground water pipes, and plumbers are seeing a surge in calls.

For the first time, the popular restaurant chain is giving its original chicken sandwich a seasonal twist with the Honey Pepper Pimento Cheese Chicken Sandwich.

Nestlé USA is recalling some cookie dough bars due to the potential presence of wood fragments.

Consumer Reports has advice to help you get the benefits of seafood while reducing the risks.

It’s time to check your candle supply again. According to a Thursday notice from federal regulators, Target is recalling 2.2. million candles due to laceration and burn hazards.

As inflation squeezes back-to-school budgets, families can save hundreds on clothing by shopping thrift stores. Here's what we found for $25. And this weekend, Goodwill is slashing clothing prices in half.

Ever wonder whether those glowing five-star reviews you see online are real? It’s hard to know for sure. Consumer Reports gives you tips to help you recognize what’s authentic and what’s not.

The company closed a transaction with CION Investment Corporation, a business development company, in late July. The deal gets David’s Bridal out of bankruptcy and will keep 195 David’s Bridal locations open, including two in San Antonio.

These days, playing games or seeing if you won doesn’t even require people to go to the store.

Two years after the woman behind a small lipstick business enrolled in a Maestro Entrepreneur Center program, she's expanded products, her customer base and sales.

Even established, profitable small businesses run into obstacles and need to hit the refresh button. The Maestro Entrepreneur Center is accepting applications from second-stage businesses for a program designed to help them evolve and grow. The deadline is the end of August.

If you want to get in on the freebie deals, we’ve rounded up a list of places around town that offer goodies for your birthday.

Consumer Reports offers expert advice on which essential appliances and products make the grade.

Families are expected to spend more than ever for back to school, even though a price check showed simple school supplies cost roughly the same as last year. Still, there are some ways to save on everything from glue sticks to clothing to electronics.

Hyundai and Kia are warning owners of nearly 92,000 newer vehicles to part outside and away from structures because of a fire risk. Baby monitors and birth control pills are also the subjects separate product safety recalls.

The National Park Service has announced that in 2023, there will be five days where admission to sites will be free to the public.

Starting in 2024, travelers who have previously come to the continent without a visa will need an additional authorization document that is linked to a passport.

The AC may be running up a doozy of a power bill this summer, but simple changes to your laundry routine can help shrink that bill.

"12 On Your Side" is KSAT's weekly consumer round-up dedicated to providing the information that can better your life, written by award-winning journalist and KSAT consumer reporter Marilyn Moritz.

The price of gas is steadily on the rise in San Antonio.

Consumer Reports demonstrates how big blind zones can be and how we can help to protect our families.

Trader Joe's is recalling two types of its cookies because they may contain rocks. Children's stainless steel cups, cribs and laundry centers are also the subject of separate recalls in this week's Recall Roundup.

A San Antonio brand is recalling 2-pound packages of pulled pork that were sold at H-E-B.

Many who have recently visited Mixon's— a family business that has been around since 1939— comes to say thank you and goodbye, all while sharing a memory of some sort.

New data from the online automotive resource website Edmunds shows average monthly payments hit $733 in the second quarter of the year.

The extreme heat is taking a toll on cars as drivers deal with tire blowouts and drained batteries.

A good day starts and ends without a sunburn, so you’ll need a good sunscreen! Check out more summer essentials tips from Consumer Reports.

Online resource is designed to educate viewers about free television and help them select the antenna that best meets their needs.

Consumer Reports’ tough tests reveal great grills for under $300.

Amazon warehouses across the world are busy, including the several fulfillment, sorting and delivery centers in South Texas.

It is the third time in a year that the price has gone up and also represents the 17th time since 2001 that the price of stamps has changed. In all but one of those 17 instances, the price went up.

Amazon launched its 48-hour Prime Day event. The deals are hot, and so is the competition.

The back-to-school shopping season is coming in hot, meaning it’s time to start preparing.

The back-to-school shopping season is coming in hot, meaning it’s time to start preparing.

Target is launching its back-to-school season with appreciation events for teachers, professors and college students.

High inflation is stressing people into feeling financially insecure and they say they need to earn $233,000 a year on average to feel comfortable, a Bankrate survey found.

Has this ever happened to you? If so, you know what I’m talking about. If not, here’s some advice on how to best deal with ocean tar.

Consumer Reports experts test helmets in a special lab, measuring how well they absorb impact at about 14 mph.

If your phone is running slowly or your battery is draining quickly, it may be the summer heat.

When it comes to cleaning, everyone loves a shortcut. So imagine a product that mops your floors without you having to lift a finger. The future is here with something called a robotic mop.

The average annual salary for a controller in 2021 was $129,750, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and controllers also get to have top-notch benefits working for the government.

The price of eggs has come down to earth, but most everything else costs more than it did just six months ago, an itemized price check shows.

H-E-B is recalling about 1,400 leather-woven chairs due to a fall hazard.

Known as the Corsi-Rosenthal box, it pulls air through filters on the sides and blows out clean air. It’s proven to reduce indoor exposure to airborne particles. The box can decrease the levels of particles in the air, such as dust or wildfire smoke.

When it comes to cleaning, everyone loves a shortcut. So imagine a product that mops your floors without you having to lift a finger. The future is here with something called a robotic mop.

First, it was Netflix and now, it’s Costco. The wholesale chain is cracking down on the sharing of memberships between friends and family, according to media reports.

The Irish government has launched an initiative called “Our Living Islands,” a 10-year plan that aims to revitalize more than a dozen islands off the country’s coast.

All Texas Department of Motor Vehicle service centers reopened at noon after a system outage made services unavailable Friday morning.

More than 7 million Baby Shark bath toys have been recalled after reports of children being impaled, cut or punctured by the hard plastic fin.

There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to prenatal supplements. Consumer Reports breaks down what’s inside the bottles so you can purchase the right one for you.

Every year, 6 million to 12 million children get head lice, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But don’t panic. As annoying as the bugs are, they’re not dangerous.

Johnsonville recalled more than 20 tons of ready-to-eat sausage. Other product recalls include bike helmets, Ashley furniture, and infant bath seats.

Johnsonville, LLC is recalling a ready-to-eat pork sausage that has been sold at stores in eight states, including Texas.

Before you check in, inspectors with AAA check out rooms at hotels across the country. Since the pandemic, they scrutinize cleanliness even more, using technology to test high-touch surfaces for germs.

Which labels help you make healthy choices and which are just hype? Some food labels are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, but others aren’t, and they may not mean what you think they do.

Willamette Valley Fruit Co. is recalling bags of frozen fruit that contain strawberries grown in Mexico.

"12 On Your Side" is KSAT's weekly consumer round-up dedicated to providing the information that can better your life, written by award-winning journalist and KSAT consumer reporter Marilyn Moritz.

A local family is out about $1,500 and was left with no place to move after the rental house deal turned out to be fake.

Pints of Java Jolt, a blend of coffee ice cream, dark chocolate chunks and a coffee fudge swirl, are already available in select stores where Blue Bell is sold.

Do you get 10,000 steps a day? For most of us, that’s roughly 5 miles. But if that sounds like too lofty a goal, take heart: People who step less may still see big health benefits.

If Dad loves a juicy steak, mail-order cuts of beef can be a sizzling gift idea. Consumer Reports put three popular company's products to the test.

Fire extinguishers are supposed to help keep you safe, but federal safety regulators are warning consumers not to buy or use many of the fire extinguisher balls sold on Amazon.

Yoga improves flexibility and helps build muscle and core strength, which can help alleviate discomfort.

CPS Energy is offering free high-performance A/C tune-ups ahead of the summer season as the weather heats up.

How long can we really go before we need to wash everyday items? Search the web and that’s up for debate. Consumer Reports says don’t throw in the towel just yet — its laundry experts are here to help!

Consumer Reports put some of the best-selling smokeless fire pits to the test to find out which ones make building, tending to, and cleaning up a backyard fire easier and safer.

If you have trouble sleeping, you’re not alone. According to a recent Consumer Reports survey, only 42 percent of us would describe our sleep as good or very good. Consumer Reports explores if supplements could be the answer for the rest of us.

As video doorbells and home security cameras grow in popularity, police departments are increasingly asking for homeowners’ videos. But can they get it without your permission? The answer isn’t so simple.