Product safety is something we may take for granted in the United States. The everyday things we have in the house are safer because one company puts them through rigorous tests.
Who does dangerous work so that you are not in danger? Underwriters Laboratories. It's where they set products on fire and explode them so you don't have to be worried about a product that could.
Manufacturers send their products to the independent lab in Chicago. They ask them to beat it up, and blow it up to make sure it can survive a worst-case scenario and when it does, give it the UL seal.
"We're looking at the products for safety. Are there fire hazards? Are there electrical shock hazards? Are there mechanical hazards or even radiation hazard," said engineer John Drengenberg.
According to Underwriters Laboratories, the UL mark appears on products around the world 23 billion times a year. No product is required to be tested but many are.
So next time you sit on the mattress or the couch, two of the biggest potential household fire hazards, know that this lab has probably tested them.
The facility uses so much water that they can't use the local water supply. Underneath the building is a reservoir with more than a quarter of a million gallons of water.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 11:38 PM EDT2013-06-19 03:38:42 GMT
The City Council of Chamblee has delayed a controversial land rezoning variance. The Council also issued a preliminary resolution saying that they wanted to fire their own manager.
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Monday, June 17 2013 8:03 AM EDT2013-06-17 12:03:25 GMT
We all get excited about leaving town and going on vacation, so we tend to tell everyone about it. But, a word of caution before spreading the good news.
We all get excited about leaving town and going on vacation, so we tend to tell everyone about it. But, a word of caution before spreading the good news.
Monday, June 17 2013 7:13 AM EDT2013-06-17 11:13:04 GMT
Pomegranate juice has been sold as a real 'cure-all' over the last couple of years. But in a decision made this month, the FTC has ordered at least one manufacturer to back off on its strong health claims.
Pomegranate juice has been sold as a real 'cure-all' over the last couple of years. But in a decision made this month, the Federal Trade Commission has ordered at least one manufacturer to back off some pretty strong health claims.
Friday, June 14 2013 8:56 AM EDT2013-06-14 12:56:09 GMT
Retailers got the go-ahead to pass along some extra charges to you, but not without some rules attached. You might not have noticed them just yet, but you should be on the lookout.
Retailers got the go-ahead to pass along some extra charges to you, but not without some rules attached. You might not have noticed them just yet, but you should be on the lookout.
