In March 2006, after being alerted by
a Consumer Reports reader, we reported on all-purpose cleaners whose
packaging may entice children to drink them (see photo). The vivid-colored, sweet and
fruity-smelling bottled cleaners also lacked child-resistant caps, which
federal law does not require, since their labels described the products as
cleaners. One of the products highlighted in the report was Colgate-Palmolive's
Fabuloso, a multi-use cleaner whose packaging resembles that of a fruity energy
drink. In the wake of our story, Colgate-Palmolive promised to use a
child-proof cap on Fabuloso later this year. Well, it’s later this year,
and Consumer Reports shoppers recently purchased a bottle of Fabuloso
with the child-safety cap. Although the bottle still resembles an energy
drink, we are happy Colgate-Palmolive has redesigned Fabuloso’s cap to make it
safer for children, and hope other manufacturers will follow their
lead.
Fabuloso's new child-proof cap
illustrates how Consumer Reports reader letters raise awareness about
important product safety hazards, and contribute to prompting changes in the
marketplace. We advocate contacting both the Consumer Products Safety
Commission and Consumer Reports with product safety concerns. One
of the important benefits of contacting Consumer Reports along with the
CPSC is that our reader letters allow us to gather information on specific
product brands, makes and models, such as Fabuloso, in order to analyze and
address complaints.
Consumer Reports receives a wide variety of letters
concerning products such as air cleaners, popcorn, cars, and toothpaste.
A recent analysis of our reader letter database found the top 5 most common Consumer
Reports reader letter topics are:
-
Lead
in electrical cords
-
Microwave
ovens turning/staying on
-
Light
bulbs burning/melting
- Toaster
ovens staying on
-
Heating
pad fires
We would like to thank our readers
for providing us with important product safety information. Let’s keep
working together with the CPSC to help address product safety concerns!
You can email us at SafetyLetters@cro.consumer.org or write
to us at 101 Truman Avenue, Yonkers, New York, 10703-1057.
