PSA: Your Email May Have Been Compromised

This has been on the news and I just got two emails about it, so I wanted to let you know that your email address may have been compromised.

If you’re a member of either Target or Walgreens’ email list, your email address may be in the hands of some hacker.

Update: Thanks to Kristen who commented these merchants also use Epsilon:

Brookstone
Citi
Home Shopping Network
JP Morgan Chase
Kroger
Marriott Rewards
McKinsey & Company
New York & Company
Ritz-Carlton Rewards
The College Board
TiVo
US Bank

Update 2: I also found out 1-800-FLOWERS uses the service as well.

Update 3: Angela commented to say that Best Buy also uses this company.

Target emailed to say: Target’s email service provider, Epsilon, recently informed us that their data system was exposed to unauthorized entry. As a result, your email address may have been accessed by an unauthorized party. Epsilon took immediate action to close the vulnerability and notified law enforcement.
While no personally identifiable information, such as names and credit card information, was involved, we felt it was important to let you know that your email may have been compromised.

Walgreens echoed: On March 30th, we were informed by Epsilon, a company we use to send emails to our customers, that files containing the email addresses of some Walgreens customers were accessed without authorization.

We have been assured by Epsilon that the only information that was obtained was your email address. No other personally identifiable information was at risk because such data is not contained in Epsilon’s email system.

Chances are, you’re on some of these distribution lists, so you wanna be very careful of your inbox for a while. Don’t reply to any emails with your personal info unless you know exactly who is asking for it [[and if someone IS asking, reply by phone only]].

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PSA:Graco Stroller Recall

Graco is recalling almost 2 million baby strollers sold before 2008 due to the death of four infants. The infants died of strangulation due to becoming trapped in the leg opening under the tray.

Graco is voluntarily recalling the Quattro Tour and MetroLite strollers. The strollers were sold mostly at major retailers across the country including Babies R Us, Burlington, Fred Meyer, Kmart, Meijers, Sears, Target and Walmart during November 2000 and December 2007.

To see a list of all the Graco strollers being recalled visit here.

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PSA: Fisher Price Recall

Fisher Price is recalling almost 11 million toys. The toys include high chairs, tricycles, and other toys. The recall is due to pieces of the toys jutting out and children being injured, some requiring stitches.

Visit Fisher Price’s website here to see the complete list of items being recalled. The link also provides other links which offer more info. The recalls are for the United State and Canada.

Recalled items include:
Trike Recall
US & Canada
Item numbers: 72633, 72639, 72642, 72643, 72644, 72792, B8775, B8776, K6672, K6673,
M5727, N6021, T6209, V4270

Healthy Care™, Close to Me™, Easy Clean™ High Chair Recall
US & Canada
Item numbers: 79638, 79639, 79640, 79641, B0326, B2105, B2875, C4630, C4632, G4406, G8659, H0796, H1152, H4864, H7241, H8906, H9178, J4011, J6292, J8229, K2927, L1912

Little People® Wheelies™ Stand ‘n Play™ Rampway Recall
US & Canada
Item numbers: T4261, T5095, V6378

Inflatable Ball Recall
US & Canada
Item numbers: 73408, B2408, C3068, H5704, H8094, K0476, J0327

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PSA: Recalling Cadmium

With all the recent recalls on vehicles, medications, etc, are you really surprised to hear more recalls? As you should already know, since Beth let us know about it last week, McDonald’s is having a recall on its most recent promotional product: Shrek Forever After™ Glassware, due to the Cadmium-containing paints on the glasses.

Cadmium is a natural element found in earth’s crust, thus it can also be found in tiny traces in the air and water due to soil’s erosion. There are many ways that people can be exposed to cadmium, including eating cadmium-containing foods [[highest levels are found in shellfish, liver and kidney meats]], inhaling cadmium-containing air like cigarette smokes, drinking contaminated water, wearing cadmium-containing jewelry, and most recently, using Shrek glassware from McDonald’s.

Although cadmium is a naturally occurring element, it can still be harmful to our health. Breathing in high levels of cadmium can cause severe lung damage and drinking high levels of cadmium can cause stomach irritations, leading to vomiting and diarrhea. However a low, but chronic, exposure to cadmium in air or food is more common and such exposures can lead to kidney disease, fragile bones, or cancers.

Inhalation of cadmium is the most common way for the element to enter our body [[10% to 50% of an inhaled dose is absorbed]], while only 6% of ingested cadmium is absorbed into our body. According to the Shrek glassware recall reports, the cadmium is found in the paint of the glassware, and children can ingest the harmful element when they eat with their hands after touching the glass. However, the amount of cadmium found on the Shrek glassware is small [[less than the previously recalled cadmium-containing children’s jewelry]] that it meets the current federal government’s standards. Thus, McDonald’s is recalling the product, not because it did not meet the government’s standards, but because it has a responsibility towards the safety of its consumers [[it’s probably also cheaper and better for its reputation than a lawsuit from angry parents later]].

The chances of being poisoned by the Shrek glasses is quite low, even if your child licks the glassware all day long. But, if you are still concerned, there are medical tests that you can obtain to determine the amount of cadmium in your or your child’s body.

Though the level of cadmium in McDonald’s Shrek Forever After glasses is very low, but it is still not something we want around our children. Starting Wednesday, June 9th, you can bring your glasses back to McDonald’s for $3, which is more than what you paid because the company wants to make sure that it recalls as many glasses as it can and to compensate the consumers for their troubles. I complement the company for being responsible and taking initiatives to fixing the mistake before serious problems occur… I think. ;-p

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PSA: McDonald’s Shrek Glasses Recall

Shrek Forever After is tops at the box office. Of course, McDonald’s is in on the act. The fast food joint has really great talking Shrek toys in its Happy Meals. It is also selling four Shrek glasses. Not only is this the last of the Shrek movies, but also the last of those glasses.

Those glasses are part of a voluntary recall by McDonald’s. The glasses may contain cadmium which is toxic. You can read all about the recall here. On June 8th, you can visit the website to get all the info about how to return the glasses and get a refund. It doesn’t make sense to me McDonald’s would recall them now but not have the info available yet. Either way, be safe and stop using them.

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PSA: Save Your Newspaper Money

This is just a small announcement to let you know that because of Memorial Day Weekend, there won’t be any inserts in today’s papers [[May 30]].

So, keep the money you usually spend on your papers and do something fun with it. Or save it until next week.

I mean, there will probably be some good stories in your paper this week, but, no coupons. And if you only buy it for the coupons and recycle the rest, well, don’t spend your money.

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Pharmacy Diva: “Sun-mer” Time, Part 2: Are All Sunscreens/Sunblocks Created Equal?

Cathy’s our resident Pharmacy Diva here at Drugstore Divas. She is a Graduated Intern Pharmacist, so she knows her stuff. But, even still, all the info in her posts are for reference and information only. If you’ve got a general question, ask her. If you’ve got something specific, you might wanna seek the advice of your own doc.

As I mentioned in part 1 that of the most important weapons against sun’s harmful effects is the application of sunscreens/sunblocks while out in the sun. But with the array of sunscreens/sunblocks on the drugstore shelves and unpronounceable chemicals contained in every bottle, do you really know what you are getting? Don’t worry, let me screen out the important FYIs and block out the false advertisements, so you can enjoy a fun outdoor summer while keeping your skin healthy.

Let’s start by deciphering those almost encrypted words and phrases on your sunscreen bottles. The most noticeable part of the sunscreen packaging other than the brand name is the SPF number, which stands for Sun Protection Factor number. SPF measures the product’s ability to screen out UVB ray only, and the number indicates the number of times longer it takes for you to get red than the time without sunscreen. For example, if you start getting red in 20 minutes under the sun without any sunscreen, then a sunscreen with SPF 30 allows you to stay in the sun for 600 minutes [[20 minutes x SPF 30]] before becoming red.

Following this logic, you may think SPF 60 is two times better and will last twice as long as SPF 30, but, again, more is not better. The FDA does not recommend products that offer SPF 30+, because the additional active ingredients in the products do not add much more protection … instead it can increase the cost and the potential adverse reactions of the product.

Are you drawn to sunscreens that claim to be “waterproof”? Did you know that is actually not a usable term on the label? The FDA does not endorse such claims, since no sunscreen is waterproof; the words “water resistant” or “very water resistant” are recommended. “Water resistant” means the product will stay on after 40 minutes of activity or water immersion, and “very water resistant” means the product will stay on after 80 minutes of activity or water immersion.

Now turn your sunscreen bottle over and look at the active ingredients; it’s composed of words that you probably cannot pronounce, but you don’t need to know how to pronounce them to know what they do for you. Sun protective agents are separated into two categories: physical blockers [[aka sunblock]] that reflect or scatter the sun’s UV rays, and chemical absorbers that absorb, filter, and reduce UVR penetration.

The two ingredients that act as physical blockers are titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. You are probably very familiar with what these products look like, because they are the white chalky material that’s on every lifeguard’s nose. The advantage of titanium dioxide and zinc oxide is that they are “broad spectrum,” covering both UVA and UVB, and they are safe. The drawbacks include that they appear colored [[newly formulated micronized titanium oxide and microfine zinc oxide solved this problem]] and they can occlude skin.

There are many chemicals that absorb and filter out the sun’s UV rays and they are not created equal.

Chemicals that protect against UVA only include:

• Anthranilate [[aka meradimate, menthyl anthranilate]]
• Dibenzoylmethanes [[aka Avobenzone, Parsol 1789]]
• Benzylidene derivatives [[aka Ecamsule]]

Chemicals that protect against UVB only include
• PABA
• Cinnamates [[aka octinoxate and octylmethoxycinnamate]]
• Salicylates [[aka octisalate]]
• Octocrylene

Chemical that protects against both UVA and VUB include:
• Benzophenons [[aka Oxybenzone, dioxybenzone]]>,/li>

Have I have confused, rather than clarified, you more about sunscreens? Let me sum it up for you.

• SPF only refers to the product’s ability to block out UVB rays, the UV ray that causes you to become red and eventually burn
• Use a “broad spectrum” sunscreen that filters or blocks out both UVA and UVB
• SPF 30 is sufficient for most sun protection, increased SPF may cost more money and side effects while may not offer much additional benefits
• Use “very water resistant” formulations if playing sport or in the water. Waterproof is actually not an allowable labeling of product, since all products will wear off and will need application

After picking out the best sunscreen, do you know to properly apply it? All the directions for these sunscreens say “apply generously/liberally,” but how much is generously/liberally?

The correct amount is 1 oz [[2 tablespoons!]] for adults. Apply 30 to 45 minutes before going in the sun and reapply at least every two hours. Use at least SPF 15 for adults and SPF 30 for children. It is recommended to add sunscreen into your daily facial regimen: apply over moisturizer but under your makeup. And don’t forget to apply to your eyelids, ears, nose, neck and back of legs, because the UV ray is ubiquitous and can burn you anywhere that’s unprotected.

Now that you are armed with the knowledge of how to choose the correct sunscreens/sunblocks and how to use them correctly, go out and enjoy the “sun-mer” while keep your skin looking as healthy and youthful as possible.

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PSA: “Sun-mer” Time Part 1: How To Keep Healthy Skin Under The Sun

This is the very first article from our Pharmacy Diva Cathy. She’s your new go-to source for everything you might need to know about anything. She’s starting with a two-part series on sunscreen [[perfect to help out with the Neutrogena sunscreen deal this week]], so be sure to check back next week for the stunning conclusion. If you’ve got any questions about anything — medicine; bug spray; etc. — she’s the one to ask.

With the summer right around corner, not only do we have to worry about how to lose the few extra pounds that we packed on during the winter months to fit into our polka dot bikinis, but we also need to worry about how to protect our skin while out playing under the sun. No matter how good we look in our bikinis, bright red burnt skins never look sexy. Those who get excess UV exposures or frequent sunburns are at a higher risk for getting skin cancer later in life. So it’s important for us to know how to play under the sun safely.

The sun gives off a wide spectrum of energy, ranging from infrared energy, visible light, to the ultraviolet [[UV]] light, which is what we are most concerned with when it comes to our skin’s health.

The UV light is not all harmful; it gives us a general feeling of well being because it causes our body to release endorphin, the feel-good hormone, it causes our skin in produce vitamin D that’s essential to our bodily functions and diseases prevention, and it is the treatment for certain diseases like rickets, psoriasis, and vitiligo.

As we know, too much of something is almost never good, and that’s also the case with excess sun exposure. The UVA and UVB radiations from the sun can cause sunburn, photoaging [[premature aging and wrinkles]], and skin cancer. Sunburn occurs when the skin cells are damaged due to prolonged UV radiation exposure. Damaged skin cells can accumulate mutations in DNA leading to skin cancers. UV rays also damage the elastins and collagens in our skin resulting in the aging and the wrinkling of our skin.

To maximize the benefits and minimize the harmful effects of the sun, we need to practice sun protection behaviors: avoid unnecessary or extended sun exposures, avoid sun especially during peak hours [[between 10am to 2pm]], wear sun protective clothing [[wet clothes or loosely woven material blocks out 70% of UV ray]], and most importantly, wear sunscreen or sunblock when you go into the sun.

Summertime equals fun time in the sun, but if we’re not careful we can create more harm to ourselves than create fun memories to reminisce for year to come. Stay tune for how to pick the best sunscreen/sunblock and how to apply it correctly.

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PSA: Couponing For Community

Today [[May 8]] ends Couponing For Community week, which is the brainchild of Cha Ching on a Shoestring.

It was all this week, and today, the final day, coincides with Stamp Out Hunger.

Both of these are fantastic drives. So of course, we had to get involved.

If you remember, I had a garage sale last weekend. We sold everything for incredibly cheap because we were overrun by Skintimate shave gel and Pert Plus shampoo. What we didn’t sell filled four huge boxes … plus there was a stack of old board games.

The boxes we filled are being split between two charities: a local charity and a veteran’s charity.

Sometimes we take for granted how blessed and fortunate we are. That’s not a bad thing. It means the suffering we have is minimal. And that’s great for us. But, sometimes, we need to take a minute and remember that although we maybe can’t relate to people who are suffering and in need, we can help them. Even one can of soup at a time.

That’s what today is about. That’s what this week is about. So please, if you can, join these campaigns and help out. And, if you’re on the receiving end and you can’t, well, maybe you will when you’re on the fortunate side of the coin.

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PSA: Medicine Recall

The Divas like to help you save money. That’s our main mission. But we also like to keep you informed about some of those products you may have gotten for free. Right now there is a recall on certain children’s medicine including Children and Infant Tylenol, Children’s Zyrtec, Children and Infant Motrin and Children’s Benadryl.

You can read the entire press release from McNeil Consumer Health here. If you have any of the items that are being recalled, you can call them and they will send you a replacement coupon.

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