How to Make Your Home Safer for Someone With Mobility Challenges

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that more than a quarter of Americans live with disabilities, and 12.2 percent of those have difficulty moving around independently. Disability is the one minority group that anyone could join through illness or injury. And as we age, muscle weakness and other issues can cause difficulties walking…

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How to Get the Vaccines You Need Now

Varicella-zoster, the virus responsible for chickenpox, may lie dormant and reactivate later in life, causing shingles. This can bring a painful, blistering rash and lead to chronic nerve pain, pneumonia, temporary or permanent vision loss, hearing problems, and brain inflammation. Is it effective? The two-dose vaccine prevents shingles in 97 percent of people ages 50…

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The 40 Best Movies on HBO Max Right Now (January 2026)

As the birthplace of prestige TV shows like The Sopranos and The Wire, HBO—and, by extension, HBO Max—is best known for its impressive lineup of original series. The network has also been upping the ante with feature-length content that is the stuff of Oscar dreams. Below is a list of some of our favorite films streaming on HBO…

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Talking Carts 5: Clean Sweep

In this podcast episode, hosts Tanya Christian and Brian Vines help you conquer chaos by delivering the tips and tools for starting the new year with a clean home.  Their guests this week: Consumer Reports home and trends writer Jodhaira Rodriguez and CR laundry expert Rich Handel, who drop serious insight on keeping it clean…

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The Best Splatter Screen Isn’t Technically a Screen at All

To minimize those messes, there are splatter screens. These products act as a physical barrier between your food and the stovetop. Because they have small holes, they’re perfect for cooking foods that require allowing steam to escape from pans during cooking. And most of the models we tested had folding handles that save space in…

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Best Washing Machines of 2025, Lab-Tested and Reviewed

“Research shows that consumers say doing laundry takes too much time,” says Allie Chilicki, Consumer Reports’ market analyst for washers and dryers. “Manufacturers have been trying to address this problem with machines that have bigger capacities, shorter speed cycles, built-in pretreat features, or smart technology.” To offer even more convenience, manufacturers are also equipping newer…

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3 Best Smart Displays (2025): Tested By a Smart Home Addict

Comparing Our Favorite Smart Displays More Smart Displays We Like Echo Hub for $180: The Echo Hub isn’t exactly a smart display. It lacks powerful speaker capabilities and doesn’t have a camera for calls or Amazon’s Drop-In video call feature. Instead, it focuses entirely on being a smart home dashboard with built-in Alexa, plus features…

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