Copyright 2000 The Washington Post
The Washington
Post
March 15, 2000, Wednesday, Final Edition
SECTION: STYLE; Pg. C04
LENGTH: 557 words
HEADLINE:
Consummate Consumer
BYLINE: Don Oldenburg , Washington
Post Staff Writer
BODY:
The Online
Opt-Out Option
As part of its continuing effort to protect free
expression and privacy in the digital age, the Center for Democracy and
Technology (CDT) has launched an online "Opt Out Program" that's a must-do for
any consumer troubled by increasingly invasive telemarketers and direct-mailers.
The District-based public interest group, lately battling against
"online profiling" of consumers who surf the Net, created the site,
http://opt-out .cdt.org, to help consumers protect their
privacy and limit selling of their personal
information. CDT provides links to major companies that allow
opting-out online, such as Lycos, Yahoo, Excite, and major online profiling
firms such as DoubleClick, 24/7 Media and AdForce. The majority of companies
don't let customers opt out online, so CDT has also provided a section that
generates ready-to-mail opt-out forms (complete with addresses) to the 10
largest national banks, credit card solicitors, the Direct Marketing
Association's mail preference and telephone preference lists, your state's
vehicle registration and driver's license lists, and others.
Other
features include a "Ten Ways to Protect Your Privacy Online" tutorial and CDT's
Activist Network, which e-mails action alerts and public policy backgrounders.
Flaming Lighters
Michaels Stores Inc.,
specializing in arts and crafts, last week recalled about 213,000 all-purpose,
refillable lighters--the kind used to ignite charcoal grills and fireplaces.
Sold at Michaels nationwide from July 1998 through January 2000, the $ 2
lighters can leak butane when ignited and pose the risk of fire or burn injuries
to consumers. In 14 reported cases, leaking lighters caused excessive
flames--including three cases in which consumers burned their hands.
The
9-inch-long lighters have white plastic bases with red, green or blue plastic
handles and metal barrels. The "Handy Home" brand appears only on the cardboard
packaging. A yellow label on its handle reads "DANGER: EXTREMELY FLAMMABLE
CONTENTS UNDER PRESSURE . . . MADE IN CHINA." Stop using these lighters and
return them to any Michaels store for a refund, or call 877-562-3816.
Battery Fall-Out
DeWalt Industrial Tool Co.
recently recalled about 755,000 of its 18-volt battery packs used with various
battery-operated DeWalt tools. The manufacturer has received 53 reports of the
2.2-pound battery packs (model DW9095 found on battery name plate) coming loose
and falling from the power tools. In five reports, the falling battery packs
caused injuries.
Sold nationwide at major home centers and hardware
stores from May 1997 through June 1998, the $ 70-$ 85 battery packs are black
with "DeWalt" and "18V" in yellow on the sides and date codes 9719 to 9810 on
top (those with an "R" etched after the date code or a red dot on the nameplate
are not included in the recall). Stop using these battery packs and call DeWalt
toll-free at 877-457-0478 for a free repair kit.
To report a
dangerous product or product-related injury, call the Consumer Product Safety
Commission's toll-free hot line at 1-800-638-2772, or e-mail info@cpsc.gov.
Got a consumer complaint? Question? Tip? E-mail details to
oldenburgd@washpost.com or write Don Oldenburg, The Washington Post, 1150 15th
St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20071.
LOAD-DATE: March 15,
2000 
