For additional protection, look for a space heater equipped with an appliance leakage current interrupter (ALCI) plug, says Samantha Ostrander, who oversees CR’s space heater tests. These bulky plugs—similar to those seen on hair dryers—safeguard against differences in current and can also protect against a dangerous electrical shock. Like GFCI outlets, ALCI plugs typically feature…
Look ahead, around, and behind. “It’s important to look where you want to go, scanning both far ahead and right in front of you,” Crossen says. “But don’t forget about what’s going on to the sides and behind you. You should check your rear- and side-view mirrors every 5 to 10 seconds. That can help…
In a step toward the wider use of gene editing, a treatment that uses Crispr successfully slashed high cholesterol levels in a small number of people. In a trial conducted by Swiss biotech company Crispr Therapeutics, 15 participants received a one-time infusion meant to switch off a gene in the liver called ANGPTL3. Though rare,…
This story originally appeared on Mother Jones and is part of the Climate Desk collaboration. As President Donald Trump sees it, environmental regulations that attempt to improve efficiency and address climate change only make products more expensive and perform worse. He has long blamed efficiency regulations for his frustrations with things like toilets and showerheads….
If you’re in the market for a new TV, this is a great time to buy. You can still find a decent number of leftover 2024 models offered at big discounts, as well as new 2025 sets that are now at their lowest prices of the year. Regardless of the model year, the very best…
There are no hard-and-fast rules about how much you should tip at the holidays, but some tipping norms have become a social convention. For example, giving your barber a holiday bonus equal to the cost of one haircut has become a customary way to show thanks for year-round service. (See “Your Giving Guide,” below, for…
Growing up in Toronto, Tim Wu had a classmate who was the progeny of Communist parents. His name was Cory Doctorow. Yes, the same guy who just published a book about enshittification. Though they shared a general world view, the boyhood pals also had arguments, with Wu typically taking a less radical stance than his…
On the call, SSA managers spoke about how difficult it was to keep employees motivated, especially when they know that their work will have to ramp up after the shutdown concludes. “It’s hard to keep morale going with the way the staff is going, and they also know that as soon as this shutdown is…
Whether you shop now or wait for Black Friday and Cyber Monday, you’ll find that many of those deals masquerading as fantastic bargains aren’t always as good as they look, and it’s easy to be fooled if you’re not careful. No worries—Consumer Reports has been tracking Black Friday deals for years, and we know all…
Looking for an Apple laptop with a bigger screen? You’re in luck, as the 15-inch MacBook Air with the M4 CPU is currently marked down by $200 on Amazon in a variety of configurations and colors, including the new Sky Blue finish. It’s a great fit for work or play, and only serious power users…