Procter & Gamble rolls out Tide Basic powder, a budget-minded laundry detergent

Shoppers at about 100 Walmart and Kroger stores in the southern and southwestern United States are seeing a new Tide laundry detergent on shelves in the cleaning-supplies aisle. Cincinnati-based Procter & Gamble has recently introduced Tide Basic, a lower-cost version of its Tide detergents. As its name implies, the detergent claims "Big Value. Basic Clean." (We have not tested this cleaner.)

The powder detergent, which lacks the bells and whistles of other Tides, including fragrances, will sell for 20 percent less than other Tides, according to P&G. The detergent is packaged in a container that's yellow rather than Tide's trademark orange. The introduction comes at a time when more U.S. consumers are switching from national to lower-cost store brands.

Our latest report on laundry detergents (story and ratings are available to subscribers; how to choose a cleaner is free) shows six Tide cleaners among the 10 highest-scoring products. Watch this video on Tide Total Care, a detergent being pitched by designer Tim Gunn, of Project Runway fame.—Gian Trotta | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: Learn about Procter & Gamble's concentrated detergents and avoid detergent overdosing. If you need a new washing machine, check out our free buyer's guide.

Is now the right time to buy new appliances? Sears offers buyer-protection program

Using lowest-price guarantees and haggling are just some of the money-saving tactics almost 25,000 Consumer Reports subscribers used during their most recent experiences buying small and major appliances, according to our new report on buying appliances.

Read the full story from the August 2009 issue, which includes ratings of 16 national and regional appliance retailers based on price, selection, service, product quality, staff knowledge and shopping and checkout ease (ratings available to subscribers).

Sears is rolling out its brand-new Sears Buyer Protection Program, its own take on similar efforts from programs from carmakers to lure customers. Effective today, if you use your Citibank-issued Sears card to buy major appliances that cost more than $399, Sears will cover the purchase if you lose your job. The program, which runs through August 1, 2009, will cover the cost of delivery, installation, and service agreements, if you bought those with the appliance(s), says Sears.

According to Sears, if you lose your full-time job 60 days after you buy your qualifying appliance(s) and up to a year from that date, the company will credit a twelfth of the total purchase price to your Sears account each month until you have a new job or the appliance is paid off. (You have to fill out the requisite paperwork, of course.) If you remain unemployed a year after you bought the merchandise, you'll receive a credit to your Sears account for any money remaining on the purchase, claims the retailer. As with any similar offer, you'll need to read all the details about the program.

Constantly changing terms and escalating rates can make using a credit or charge card a risky proposition. Paying cash will help you avoid some of those problems, and, as our survey respondents noted, could get you a discount at independent stores since they won't have to pay credit-card fees.

Our readers they said they prefer in-store to online shopping. Our experts also suggest that you:
• Use a service like PriceGrabber.com to find the lowest price on an item.
• Check the appliance manufacturer's site for rebates and other incentives.
• Look for federal, state, and utility incentives for energy-efficient appliances.
• Decide whether it makes sense to have the item shipped to your home or to pick it up at a retailer's location nearest you.—Gian Trotta | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: Before you buy, find out whether it makes sense to repair your dishwasher, range, refrigerator, vacuum, or washer. If you need a new machine, use our newly updated Kitchen-Planning Guide to save thousands on your next kitchen project. And check out the latest deals on appliances at Home Depot, Lowe's, and Best Buy.

A summertime tune-up for your yard

The early days of the growing season were so promising—your yard was lush and green, with no bald spots or weeds to be seen. But now, with the dog days of summer upon us, your lawn is looking less and less like an inviting carpet to lounge and play on. If that sounds familiar, your yard might be suffering from some of the typical problems listed below.

But before you take any corrective action, raise the cutting height on your mower one notch or a half-inch. By not cutting your grass too short, you’ll allow your lawn to better survive summer heat—taller grass blades have longer roots and provide more shade to retain moisture.

Thin, weak, or yellowish lawn. Nitrogen-rich fertilizer is the usual cure for this problem. But the cause can also be too little iron or magnesium, especially in the West, where alkaline or high-pH soils are common.

Iron sulfate or iron chelate will turn the lawn green within two days if it's low on iron. Be especially sure to keep iron sulfate on the lawn, since it can stain paving. If the lawn doesn’t respond, mix 2.5 tablespoons of Epsom salts into a gallon of water and spray it over a test area. The area should turn green within two days if the problem was too little magnesium.

Dead spots. Most of these withering areas are caused by dog urine, spilled gasoline, or spilled fertilizer rather than by disease. Soak the area with water to wash the salts or chemicals into the soil and minimize their damage. Next, cover the area with a layer of new soil followed by new grass seed and starter fertilizer. Remember to keep the area well watered.

Mushrooms. These annoying fungi typically—and, it seems, magically—appear after a rain and often indicate dead tree roots or decaying wood. You can't eliminate them without removing and replacing the soil in which they live, but you can mow or rake them away as they appear.

Water runs off and won't soak in. This situation is caused by poor or compacted soils or by sprinklers that apply water faster than the soil can absorb it. Sloping ground worsens the problem.

Sprinkler heads that water more slowly are one possible solution. Aerating the lawn, which involves extracting narrow cores of soil, can also boost water absorption and reduce runoff. Top-dressing the area with peat moss will also help.

To avoid common watering mistakes, learn the ABCs of irrigation.

Moss. Too much shade is a prime culprit. Other causes include compacted, infertile soil and soil acidity, or pH, that's too high or low.

If a soil test shows low pH, adding limestone in the form of palletized (powdered) lime will help. (Your local cooperative extension system office can test the soil for you.

You can also apply moss killers, which contain a form of iron sulfate to burn the moss. But unless you address the underlying problem, the moss will return.

Thinning trees at least annually will let in more light and help the tree when done correctly. (Learn how to prune trees.) Removing or mulching fallen leaves also helps, as does mowing grass beneath trees slightly higher and fertilizing it a bit less. Also consider replacing grass beneath trees with wood chips or other ground cover.

Essential information: Use our exclusive interactive tool to identify and control the weeds, pests, and diseases that are damaging your lawn. If you need any new geat for your yard, read our buying guides to mowers and tractors and string trimmers.

Buzzword: Power Factor

What it means. Power factor, a characteristic of alternating-current, or AC, circuits, is defined as the ratio of real power (what the end user consumes, measured in watts) to apparent power (what the utility company supplies, measured in volt-amperes).

Power factor is expressed as a number between 0.0 and 1.0. The higher the number, the better the power factor, with 0.85 and above being considered optimal.

An analogy might be helpful here: Let's say you're at your favorite watering hole and order a $4 pint of beer. To serve you a proper, full pint, the barkeep might end up dispensing a few extra ounces. You're not charged for that spillage—you pay for only the beer in the glass. (Yes, the bar accounts for waste.)

That's basically how things operate between you and your utility: You pay for real power (beer) and not apparent power (spillage). It's a different story at the commercial level, since utility companies may impose a penalty on industrial customers whose facilities have a low power factor. Many utilities will levy a surcharge if a company's power factor is less than 0.95, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Your utility company would prefer that your home have a 1.0 power factor, since it charges you only for real power

Why the buzz? Power factor is still mainly a concern for industrial clients, but it might creep into the residential sector. One reason for this is the low power factor of compact fluorescent lightbulbs.

For a 60-watt incandescent lightbulb with a 1.0 power factor, for instance, the utility generates 60 volt-amperes and the customer pays for 60 watts of power, according to lighting company Osram Sylvania. But for a 15-watt CFL with a 0.60 power factor, the utility must generate 25 volt-amperes, while the customer pays for 15 watts. (To get volt-amperes, divide watts by power factor.)

So when that 0.60-power-factor CFL over the course of time uses 1 kilowatt-hour of electricity, the utility would have to generate 1,667 volt-amperes to power it. (It costs American utility companies an average of 4 cents to produce a cost of a kilowatt-hour of electricity, according to the Edison Electric Institute.) Note that the average home has an overall power factor of about 0.90.

When you factor in the hundreds of billions of kilowatt-hours used by U.S. households each year, you can see why power companies would love to pass on some or all of the additional costs associated with power factor on to their customers.—Daniel DiClerico | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: Check out these easy ways to cut energy use at home and learn about watt meters, which are marketed as energy-saving devices.

Fourth of July Grilling: Find a great deal, then become a master griller

If the down economy is forcing you into a Fourth of July staycation or paycation, use your at-home time to master the art of grilling.

Before you shop for a new grill, check our latest report on gas grills, which includes ratings of dozens of models (report and ratings available to subscribers), and our free buyer's guide.

With Independence Day upon us, many retailers nationwide are lowering prices on grills that in our tests outperformed models costing hundreds of dollars more. Sears is giving a 5 percent discount on the Kenmore 16641, $349, a CR Best Buy. And Home Depot has dropped the price on the Char-Broil Red 463250509 grill, $450, also a CR Best Buy. Lowe's is offering free assembly on all grills, including the CR Best Buy Fiesta Blue Ember FG500069-U403, $449.

The video above will show you how to grill the perfect steak. Also, avoid these common grilling mistakes and use these tips if you want to give food a real smoky barbecue flavor.

Expand your outdoor-cooking repertoire beyond steak with these easy, delicious grilling recipes, including grilled corn on the cob, chicken grilled with rosemary, vegetable skewers with garlic-and-fennel-seed marinade, lime-and-tequila-marinated flank steak, Argentinean short ribs, chimichurri sauce, and our own recipe for barbecue sauce. And remember, before you grill, follow these safety precautions.

Celebrate the holiday with wines that are ideal for warmer weather. Make sure the wine is at the ideal serving temperature and store your favorite bottles in a wine cellar.—Gian Trotta | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: These 15 top-rated products for summer will save you time and money on the household chores you need to catch up on this weekend.

Tip of the Day: Wear sunscreen whenever you do outdoor work

Sixty-nine percent of Americans said they use sunscreen at least occasionally, according to a nationally representative survey of 1,000 adults conducted in April by the Consumer Reports National Research Center. Women who participated in the survey were more likely than men to use it frequently and said they used sunscreen more consistently during a range of outdoor activities.

That last part is key: If you're like me, you probably think to put on sunscreen when you go to the beach or to the pool or head out for a hike. But do you apply sunscreen when you're working around the house? I often neglect to, and while a recent check by my dermatologist showed no signs of any skin problems (even on my hair-challenged head, which is always covered by a good sun hat when I'm outside), I'm taking an unnecessary risk every time I roll out the lawn mower without first putting on sunscreen.

As a colleague of mine noted in a recent Health Weekender blog post, "Real Men Should Wear Sunscreen." Why run the risk of getting skin cancer?

So before you power-wash or stain your deck, trim your hedges, mow your grass, or tackle any other outdoor project, put on sunscreen, and don't forget to wear appropriate eye and ear protection. Our latest report on sunscreens (ratings available to subscribers) details the best product(s), provides expert advice on when and how much sunscreens to apply, and deciphers the sometimes-confusing lingo you see on sunscreen packaging.—Steven H. Saltzman | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: Learn more about skin cancer.

With Perfect Flame SLG2006 and SLG2007 grills, be wary of fire and burn hazards

If you own a Perfect Flame SLG2006 or SLG2007 gas grill (shown), be especially cautious whenever you use the grill. What appeared to be limited fire and burn hazards with some models might be much wider than anyone realized, according to this recent item from the Consumer Reports Safety blog.

Last August, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced the recall of the Perfect Flame GAC3615 due to fire and burn hazards. The cooking chamber of those grills can "melt or ignite” according to the recall notice.

But our readers are telling us that’s not the only volatile model. In fact, after our August 13, 2008, "Does the Perfect Flame Grill Recall Go Far Enough?" blog post suggested that the recall was too narrow, we received more than 100 responses from readers whose Perfect Flame SLG2006 or SLG2007 melted or caught on fire.

The number of complaints and severity of the incidents are very concerning to our safety experts, who are collecting additional information they hope will be used to address the hazards with these Perfect Flame grills.

Read the rest of the story on the Consumer Reports Safety blog, which includes precautions to take before using a Perfect Flame SLG2006 or SLG2007 grill. e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: If you're in the market for a new outdoor cooker, read our latest report on gas grills (story and ratings available to subscribers) and check out our free buying advice.

By the Numbers: Unused TV sets piling up in American homes

99.1 million

Number of unused television sets Americans have stashed away in their homes, according to the "Electronics Waste Management In the United States" report (PDF) by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

With all those old TVs piling up, states and municipalities have required manufacturers to take on the recycling of electronics, according to this recent article in The New York Times.

Nearly 27 million televisions were disposed of in this country in 2007, with only 18 percent of those televisions by weight recycled, according to Take Back My TV, a campaign of the Electronics TakeBack Coalition, which promotes responsible recycling in the electronics industry (PDF). The 2007 figures were no better for computers and cell phones, says the organization: 205.5 million computers were trashed, with 18 percent recycled; 140.3 million cell phones were disposed of, with 10 percent recycled.

When you need to get rid of an old TV or other piece of electronic equipment, including cell phones and computers, read "Where to Recycle Electronics, Free" and refer to our Electronics Reuse & Recycling Center. e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: Find out how to dispose or other household products, including leftover paints.

August 2009 Report on Dishwasher Detergents: Do greener cleaners get the job done?

Phosphates help dishwasher detergents clean better, but they also boost algae growth in freshwater, threatening fish and plant life. Bans on dishwasher detergents with all but trace amounts of phosphates, like the one in effect in Spokane, Washington, are designed to help the environment.

But many of the eco-friendly dishwasher detergents we recently tested are not great cleaners. Read our latest report on dishwasher detergents (available to subscribers) to find out which of the liquid, packet, powder, and tablet products scored the best in our tough tests, and watch our video on how we test dishwasher detergents (right).

To get the cleanest dishes, scrape off heavy soil before you load them into your dishwasher. Skip the prerinsing, which wastes energy and water. Then:
• Load large items at the sides and back so they don't block water and detergent.
• Face the dirtier side of dishes toward the center of the machine.
• Keep dishes and utensils from nesting.
• Place glasses upside down on prongs so that they don't fill with water. e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: If you're in the market for a new dishwasher, read our latest report and check out our free buyer's guide.

August 2009 Showerhead Report: In test results, not all flows are a go

The recession has put a pinch on bathroom remodels, but you can still get an attractive makeover on a budget with these sub-$1,000 makeovers. (Some reports below are available to subscribers.)

Our "Top Kitchen & Bath Values" special adds another trick: Switch out your old showerhead for a new, water-efficient model. (Find out whether you should take a bath or a shower to maximize water savings.)

Ten of the 18 models in our latest report on showerheads use less than the federal maximum flow rate of 2.5 gallons per minute; all meet the federal limit. But our panel of eight male and female testers, who together logged 269 showers between them, found only one model that could produce an invigorating spray. That’s an important point, as too weak a stream might result in longer, water-wasting showers.

Some tested showerheads aerate the spray to make it feel more substantial, but we found water temperatures dropped from 5° to 15°F from the time the water left the showerhead to the time it hit our bathers’ backs.

Our tested showerheads ranged from $20 to $190 in price; most are a DIY installation. We also tested three shower towers whose fixed sprays and handheld showerhead can turn a basic bath into a spa-ike retreat.

Before you buy a new showerhead, check your local ordinances for any water-use restrictions. You can also use our water-heater calculator to make sure your current heater, be it a conventional storage-tank or a tankless model, can handle the new flow requirements.

Another way to cut your water bill is to install a water-saving toilet. But as with showerheads, our latest report on toilets revealed only a few models that can save water without compromising performance.—Gian Trotta | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: Share your own experiences with your showerhead, shower tower, or toilet in the bathroom-fixtures topic of our newly redesigned forums. It’s worth a visit just to read these water-saving tips from a poster who claims to be an alien from a much greener planet.

By the Numbers: White House touts new lighting-efficiency standards

$1 billion to $4 billion

Annual savings U.S. consumers will reap from 2012 through 2042 as a result of new energy-efficiency rules for incandescent reflector lamps and general-service fluorescent lights introduced yesterday, according to the White House. The efficiency standards were announced just days after the U.S. House of Representatives passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act; the standards were last updated in 1992.

President Barack Obama and U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu unveiled the rules, which will cut energy use for the affected bulbs by 15 to 25 percent and, from 2012 through 2042, are also designed to eliminate the emission of up to 594 million tons of greenhouse-gas emissions, about the same as taking 166 million cars off the road for a year; save enough electricity to power every home in the U.S. for up to 10 months; and eliminate the need for up to 7.3 gigawatts of new electricity generating capacity. Read more details on the updated standards.

"The first step we're taking sets new efficiency standards on fluorescent and incandescent lighting. Now I know lightbulbs may not seem sexy, but this simple action holds enormous promise because 7 percent of all the energy consumed in America is used to light our homes and our businesses," said President Obama.

The news was well received by groups advocating for energy efficiency. "We believe this will be the biggest efficiency savings from any appliance standard ever," Steven Nadel, executive director of the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, told The New York Times.

Compact fluorescent lightbulbs are not affected by the new rules. e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: Look for our testing update on CFLs in the October 2009 issue of Consumer Reports, online and on newsstands in September.

Consumer Reports' 2009 Kitchen Special: Leaner, greener kitchen remodels are on tap

Gone are the days when cash-out refinancing fueled kitchen renovations with glitzy granite countertops and state-of-the-art appliances. (This also seems to be the era of "phasing" projects.) As covered in our brand-new "Top Kitchen and Bath Values" report, part of the August 2009 issue of Consumer Reports, two-thirds of homeowners surveyed said they'll be spending less, doing more of the work themselves, and buying more-efficient appliances.

Below you'll find a listing of the product reports and other stories in this special section. And don't forget to use our revamped Kitchen-Planning Guide, which can help you save thousands of dollars on your kitchen remodel.

Buying appliances: Learn about money-saving tactics and find the best retailers.

Refrigerators: Lower-cost top-freezer models are making a comeback. Our ratings (available to subscribers) also include top performers in other styles. As with all our appliance coverage, we show the most reliable brands and ways to decide whether your existing refrigerator can be saved.

Cooking appliances: Find the best-performing ranges, wall ovens, cooktops and microwaves. We'll also help you decide between a range and a cooktop/wall-oven combo or between an over-the range microwave and a range hood.

Dishwashers: A $400 recommended model and $550 Best Buy lead the latest ratings. The story also includes advice on the pros, cons, and costs of turbo sprayers, stainless-steel interiors, half-load options, and filters.

Countertops: We rated quartz, granite, tile, laminate, steel, concrete, butcher block and more materials for strength and cost.

Flooring: Bamboo and plastic laminates have improved, but some brands resist wear better than others. We also found difference in performance within the same brands.

Garbage disposers: After pushing hundreds of pounds of beef bones and vegetables through 15 continuous-feed and s batch-mode models, we found a pair of sub-$165 top performers. Watch the video above to see how we test garbage disposers.

Appliances forums: We've revamped our always-busy forums with a new format that will let you quickly find info on particular types and models of large and small kitchen appliances.

Stay tuned to this blog and the Kitchen-Planning Guide over the coming weeks for a additional articles and videos with additional information from our reports and tests on all of the above products.—Gian Trotta | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Esential information: Find 15 top-rated products for summer projects that will save you time and money.

Weekend Project: Install the right safety gate

If you have infants, toddlers, or young children between the ages of 6 and 24 months at home or who visit you on a regular basis—that's all you grandparents and other family members out there—it's crucial to get the right type of safety gate for the different locations in your home. For instance, at the top of stairs indoors or outside, you must use only hardware-mounted safety gates. At the bottom of stairs and between rooms, it's okay to use pressure-mounted models like the one shown.

You can hire a company to do the work for you, but putting in gates is not that difficult or time consuming. So in between your 4th of July celebrations next weekend, install the right kinds of safety gates at your home.

For more information on using safety gates, read "Safety Gates: Where You Need Them, How to Install Them" on the Consumer Reports Baby blog, which also features this expert buying advice for gates. You'll find more details, including ratings, on safety gates and tons of other essential gear in the latest edition of Consumer Reports Best Baby Products. e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Tip of the Day: How to store fresh fruits and vegetables

High-quality fresh food is in right now. First Lady Michelle Obama has planted a fruit-and-vegetable garden on the South Lawn of the White House; government incentives are luring supermarkets stocked with fresh produce to low-income neighborhoods; and Michael Pollan's In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto—perhaps best summarized by its "Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants." rules—is on best-seller lists.

And, of course, with summer here, your kitchen is likely to see a lot more fruits and vegetables as the bounty reaches supermarkets and farm stands. (Find a farmers market in your state.) Eating abundant amounts of fresh food can be more healthful but can also lead to a kitchen full of rotting perishables if you buy more than you can prepare and eat before all those locally grown fruits and vegetables head south. In fact, produce is the most thrown-out food in U.S. households.

People who follow a "Vegan Before 6"—VB6—regimen might be among those who face fresh-food-storage issues. Food writer Mark Bittman coined the term. He says he noshes on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes during the day (before 6 p.m.) and eats meat—or anything else he craves—for dinner.

To keep spoilage to a minimum and avoid wasting money, follow the food-storage advice here. Note that temperature patterns vary in refrigerators, so get to know the colder and warmer zones in yours to maximize freshness.

In the refrigerator, keep . . .
Apples in a cool zone away from strong-smelling foods, so they won't absorb odors. If the refrigerator is jammed, you can also store apples in a cool, dark place.
Beets in the crisper; lop off greens before refrigerating and use them in a salad or cook them as you would spinach and other greens.
Berries in a warmer zone of the refrigerator, unwashed, in a dry, covered container.
Broccoli in the crisper.
Celery in the crisper.
Cherries unwashed, in a plastic bag, in a warmer zone of the refrigerator.
Corn with husks on, in a warmer zone of the refrigerator.
Grapes unwashed in a plastic bag or their plastic clamshell container, in a cool zone; pick out any spoiled grapes, since one bad one can spoil the bunch.
Green beans in an airtight container in a moderate zone; don't snap off ends until they're ready to be used.
Leafy greens in a salad spinner (if you have one and have room in the fridge) after washing or in the crisper. Otherwise, keep washed greens in a plastic bag lined with a clean cloth or paper towels; loosely tie top of bag to maintain moisture.
Melons, once they've ripened, in a warmer zone of the refrigerator. Wash the outside of a melon before cutting to avoid the spread of bacteria.
Mushrooms unwashed, in a paper bag, in a warmer zone of the refrigerator. Never store them in plastic, which traps moisture and leads to slime.
Peppers in a plastic bag in a warmer zone of the refrigerator. Leave them whole, and unwashed.
Yellow squash/zucchini in a plastic bag in a warmer zone of the refrigerator. Leave them unwashed, and use within two or three days of purchase.

Outside of the refrigerator, keep . . .
Avocados in a brown-paper bag; add an apple or banana to the bag to accelerate ripening.
Bananas in a fruit bowl on the counter.
Onions in a dark, dry, well-ventilated place. Store them away from potatoes, since they can absorb the potatoes moisture and spoilage-inducing ethylene gas.
Stone fruits, including nectarines, peaches, and plums, in a brown-paper bag at room temperature to speed ripening. Refrigerate once ripe.
Potatoes in a cool place, away from light. Don't refrigerate, since the moisture will encourage sprouting.
Tomatoes always at room temperature but not in direct sunlight.—Daniel DiClerico | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: If you're shopping for a new refrigerator, read our free buying advice and check the ratings (available to subscribers) to find out which models are the most energy efficient and do the best job at controlling temperatures. Also, learn about the real capacity of refrigerators.

Big Moments in Vacuum History: 30th anniversary of the Black & Decker Dustbuster debut

The recent election in Iran and the tumultuous events that have ensued inevitably remind me of 1979, a year when Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi fled the country and Ayatollah Khomeini returned to Tehran after a long exile; the hostage crisis started that November. That year holds many other memories for me, including:
• Yankees catcher Thurman Munson died in a plane crash. A diehard Yankees fan, I was also a Little League catcher and had always worn Munson's number 15, so the news of his passing was devastating for me.
• One of my favorite films, Apocalypse Now, came out.
• Eleven fans of The Who were crushed to death trying to get into a concert in Cincinnati, Ohio. I had seen the same tour several weeks earlier.
• ESPN launched. How did we sports fanatics survive before this network came on the air?

When it comes to home appliances, 1979 was also a monumental year. As my colleague Sue Perry, of ShopSmart magazine, pointed out in this recent post, Black & Decker debuted the Dustbuster handheld vacuum 30 years ago. (The illustration shows sketches of the Dustbuster by B&D's design team.) Visit Black & Decker's Dustbuster page for more details on this innovative appliance, including a timeline of the Dustbuster's history and some interesting information on innovations associated with this ubiquitous household tool. (The vacuum cleaner itself celebrated its centennial last year, as covered in "A Century of Doing America's Dirty Work.")

Our latest report on and ratings of upright, canister, stick, sweeper/broom, and handheld vacuums (available to subscribers) includes two Black & Decker handheld vacuums that did well overall in our tests: the Pivot PHV1800, $60, and the Pet Series Retriever HV9010P, $30.—Steven H. Saltzman | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: Visit our vacuums product page for free expert buying advice.

House nears final vote on American Clean Energy and Security Act

UPDATED, 7:45 P.M. ET ON 6/26/09: The House has passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act, by a vote of 219-212. Read the details.

Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives on Friday afternoon won a narrow test vote to advance the American Clean Energy and Security Act to a full vote by the House. Speaker Nancy Pelosi has pledged to get the legislation passed before lawmakers leave on their July 4 recess.

Speaking yesterday from the Rose Garden, President Barack Obama predicted a close vote for the bill, saying, "I know this is going to be a close vote, in part because of the misinformation that's out there that suggests there's somehow a contradiction between investing in clean energy and our economic growth. But my call to those members of Congress who are still on the fence, as well as to the American people, is this: We cannot be afraid of the future, and we can't be prisoners of the past. We've been talking about this issue for decades, and now is the time to finally act."

The American Clean Energy and Security Act, H.R. 2454, was cosponsored by two Democratic representatives, California's Henry Waxman and Massachusetts' Edward Markey. One of its main elements is the cap-and-trade provision, which supporters say will reduce greenhouse-gas emissions by 83 percent by 2050. Opponents of the bill, largely Republican, have called it a "cap and tax" bill that will cost American consumers.

The cap-and-trade provision will cost the average household $175 annually by 2020, according to a report by the Congressional Budget Office. However, because of direct rebates included in the provision, low-income households could see a net benefit of $40 per year.

The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy analyzed the bill's energy-efficiency provisions, including those aimed at smart-grid appliances and a best-in-class deployment program, and found an average saving of $1,050 per household by 2020.

"This sweeping legislation represents a significant first step in our nation's ability to address global climate change. And importantly, it moves us forward on the path toward creating clean energy jobs of the future," says Ellen Bloom, director of federal policy for Consumers Union, the nonprofit publisher of this blog and Consumer Reports magazine. "As the bill works its way through Congress, we look forward to working to ensure that, as policymakers continue their efforts to achieve the important goals of capping greenhouse gas emissions and creating new clean energy jobs, they do so in a way that does not unfairly burden American consumers."—Daniel DiClerico | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Q&A: How can I deal with lawn fungus?

After all the recent heavy rain we've had, several brown spots have appeared on my lawn, and they're spreading. Neighborhood dogs aren't causing the problem. Is my grass suffering from some kind of fungus?

Based on the photograph you sent us (shown), it looks as if your yard does have a fungus problem. Even if you took good care of your lawn earlier in the growing season, excessive water can damage grass and foster fungus growth.

To identify a fungus in your yard, use our guide to common lawn problems and visit the Cornell Cooperative Extension Web site. The CCE is a nationwide network of agricultural and environmental specialists based in Ithaca, New York.

Your next step is to apply a recommended fungicide to and around the infected area to keep the fungus from spreading.The CCE advises that you use the right product for the fungus problem you have and closely follow application instructions and precautions. When mowing, cut the healthy parts of the lawn before the sick, and bag and dispose of clippings to avoid spreading the fungus with your mower.

Proactive application of a general fungicide when the temperature first starts to rise in the spring, as recommended by our lawn-care expert, Peter Sawchuk, might prevent fungus problems altogether throughout the growing seasons, although you also need to take any possible measures to keep your lawn from encouraging fungal growth in the first place. Sawchuk buys fungicides in the fall since these products tends to be scarce in stores in the spring, when they're needed the most.

If you're in the market for a new lawn mower or tractor, read our latest report on this outdoor power equipment (story and ratings available to subscribers) and visit our mower/tractor product page.—Ed Perratore | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: Water your lawn early in the morning, which lets the water settle in with less evaporation and protects your grass against the brightest, hottest part of the day. Watering late in the day could make your lawn susceptible to such fungi as brown patch, Pythium, and rust.

Avoid summertime burglar-alarm scams

One consumer rip-off that shows no sign of abating is the annual invasion of door-to-door salespeople who use dubious and intrusive tactics to sell burglar-alarm systems to unwary homeowners, a topic we covered in "Scam Alert: Don't Get Ripped Off by an Alarm Company."

Jane Driggs, president of the Better Business Bureau of Utah, stops short of advising you not to buy an alarm system from door-to-door salespeople, but says, "You just have to make sure that you verify everything the company says and do your comparison shopping as if somebody hadn't come to the door."

Law-enforcement and consumer-protection officials warn you to be wary of an alarm salesperson who:

• Attempts to alarm you by citing rashes of burglaries in their neighborhoods.

• Claims to represent or wear clothing with logos from major alarm manufacturers like GE and Honeywell. These firms don't sell directly to consumers and don't allow their logos to be used by door-to-door salespeople.

• Tries to gain entrance into your home. "I actually had a salesperson reach inside the door to show me where his system would go and ask if he could come in," says Driggs. "I have a big dog, so I wasn't worried about it, but I could see a lot of people might have let him gain admittance that way."

• Offers a free system. Experts say "free" systems usually come with higher monthly service fees. Also be sure that the contract clearly indicates what the monthly service fee will be. "If they say your charges are going to be $44 a month for a one-year term, verify that that's what the contract says—don't sign it if it isn't clearly stated," says Driggs.

"Alarm companies generally don't make money on the equipment, but on he monthly services. You should focus on the quality of the service and the length of the contract—many jurisdictions limit the length and number of automatic renewals," says Ron Walters, the Security Industry Alarm Coalition's director of field operations. Make sure the contract stipulates the length of the agreement and any associated early-termination fees.

• Says the company is ready to install your system right away. Experts say legitimate alarm companies don't mind taking the time to talk to consumers to get a comprehensive view of their security needs.

• Claims your current alarm company is defunct. A scam recently spotted by our colleagues at The Consumerist involves Orem, Utah-based Pinnacle Security. The company's reps have been implying to customers of CastleRock Security in Wichita, Kansas, that CastleRock has gone out of business, a claim CastleRock disputes. Another variation on this theme is a salesperson's claim that your current equipment needs updating. Read more about this story on the KWCH Web site.

Industry experts stress that you should deal only with well-established companies. Find out which local or state agency has jurisdiction over alarm companies and check the records of any company you're considering using. Also see whether your homeowner's-insurance company offers a discount for using certain alarm companies.—Gian Trotta | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: These low-cost products and commonsense procedures can boost your home security. And read about Rex, a virtual watchdog.

Advertising for Oreck Halo vacuum generates challenge by competitors

In some of its ads and infomercials, vacuum maker Oreck calls its $600 Oreck Halo the "world's only UV-C germ-killing vacuum." Other spots feature families with small children lying on a carpeted floor, crawling across the kitchen, or scurrying in from the outdoors. "The MRSA is very alarming," says a concerned father in one TV ad, after the potentially deadly bacterium is discovered in his home.

Such engaging claims have likely piqued the interest of many consumers. But they've also interested the Federal Trade Commission, following a referral by the National Advertising Division of the Council of Better Business Bureaus. After Oreck declined to participate in the NAD process, in which national advertising claims are reviewed for truthfulness and accuracy, the organization referred the matter to the FTC.

Vacuum manufacturer Dyson initiated a challenge about the Oreck Halo with the NAD in March 2009, about six weeks after Oreck's February 3, 2009, launch of the vacuum. Dyson was concerned about two claims by Oreck that said the Halo can "Kill and reduce germs on all of your floors while you vacuum" and "Reduced up to 99.9% of bacteria in laboratory testing."

In a response to the NAD, Oreck, which had acquired the Halo trademark and certain assets from Halo Technologies, Inc. in July 2008, said it was cooperating with the FTC to address its advertising.

This isn't the first time the NAD has looked at the Halo. In early 2008, when Halo was still owned by Halo Technologies, the NAD reviewed a challenge filed by Bissell Homecare, Inc. that cited several health-related and superiority claims made by Halo Technologies in its print and Web advertising and on product packaging. The NAD released a ruling on February 13, 2008, that included two key NAD recommendations:

• Halo should discontinue claims involving traditional vacuums (for example, "Some folks might . . . try using traditional vacuum cleaners, but all that does is disperse these things that cause the symptoms of allergies") because of the absence of comparative testing.

• Halo should qualify any "germ killing" claims by explaining that ultraviolet light can kill certain bacteria and allergens on the surface of carpeting if they are exposed to the light for a sufficient period of time, without implying that the vacuum can instantly kill all germs and dust mites embedded in the carpet, reduce or eliminate the incidence of allergies, or provide any health benefit.

The manufacturer disagreed with the NAD's findings, although it agreed to take them into consideration in its future advertising.

Regarding the current NAD review, in an e-mail to Consumer Reports, Oreck stated, "In the prior NAD matter involving Halo Technologies, the NAD found the light chamber to be effective in laboratory testing. The NAD only questioned actual consumer use testing."

Specifically, the NAD ruled that Halo Technology's original testing did not "determine the impact of the UV-C light emitted from the Halo vacuum on dust mites and allergens in carpet during actual use. This is important because in addition to the germs on the carpet surface, dust mites and allergens are also commonly found within the fibers of carpeting and far below the surface."

Oreck's e-mail went on to say that the manufacturer has since "commissioned and obtained consumer use testing by a national expert. The results are on Oreck's Web site and in Oreck's infomercial." Oreck added that the FTC has not requested additional information or action. Therefore, its advertising claims are presumably allowed to stand, at least for the time being.

We haven't reviewed the Oreck Halo but did test the Halo UVX, $400, for an October 2008 report on vacuum cleaners. While the UVX was excellent at cleaning bare floors, it was merely good on carpets, and our engineers found it noisy and hard to handle. It ranked 33rd out of 36 among upright vacuums. (The Oreck Dutch Tech DTX1400 canister, $900, in our ratings is a very good canister vacuum that excelled at cleaning bare floors and picking up pet hair. The Oreck XL Deluxe U3760HH, $400, is a good upright that also excelled at bare floors and pet hair.)

Oreck says its Halo benefits from "100 design and performance enhancements" made to the original technology, but none of them relate to its germ-killing abilities. "The Oreck Halo light chamber did not require improvements to be effective," says Oreck.—Daniel DiClerico | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: Read our latest report on vacuums (available to subscribers), which includes ratings of dozens of upright and canister vacuums. And use our free buyer's guide for more expert advice.

Buzzword: Phasing

What it means. In the context of home improvement, phasing occurs when you take a piecemeal approach to renovation. You might apply the strategy across several areas of the home, for example redoing the kitchen this year but replacing a dated, inefficient air-conditioning system at a later date. Or you can implement phasing for a single space, say refinishing kitchen cabinets now and installing new counters and appliances down the line.

Why the buzz? Plummeting property values mean less equity to help pay for remodeling projects. That reality and fears of job loss and a general uncertainty about the economy are behind the 12 percent year-over-year decline in home-improvement spending projected for 2009 by Harvard's Joint Center for Housing Studies. Phasing can spread out the financial hit of a major project. In our latest remodeling poll of 1,000 Americans, more than a third of respondents said the recession has imposed a staggered schedule onto their project. But phasing mistakes can lead to additional expenses and stress. Here's how to do things right:

Stick to the plan. This directive, true for all remodeling projects, is essential when phasing to avoid the remodeling equivalent of military "mission creep"—expanding a job beyond its original scope. Your written contract with the contractor should spell out the specific phases of the project, including target start and end dates. If you're a DIYer, creating a detailed plan will force you to think through the entire project and might keep any budget-busters from creeping in.

Don't do double work. If you're remodeling a single room in phases, that means doing any behind-the-walls work first so that you're not plastering or painting twice. It's also best to proceed from the top of the room down, saving the floors for last to prevent workers from trampling across finished surfaces, for instance. The same rules apply to exterior remodeling. For example, do necessary window work when the clapboards are off for a siding project, or replace the roof before you undertake major landscaping.

Make off-season hires. Contractors' schedules tend to slow down after the end-of-year holidays. If you can line up a kitchen or bath remodel for that time, you might be able to negotiate a better price. At the very least, the pro you hire will likely be grateful for the work and anxious to do a crack job, perhaps ensuring himself the gig for the next phase of your remodeling.—Daniel DiClerico | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: You'll find the latest information on kitchen and bath remodeling in the August 2009 issue of Consumer Reports, online and on newsstands starting on June 29. See our kitchen-planning guide for more details.

By the Numbers: Sales of existing homes rose in May; second month in a row

2.4 percent

Month-over-month increase in existing-home sales for the month of May, according to the National Association of Realtors. That gain and the 2.9 percent climb in April represent the first back-to-back monthly sales growth since September 2005.

At Monday's press conference for the "The State of the Nation's Housing 2009" report, Eric Belsky, executive director of Harvard University's Joint Center for Housing Studies, said three consecutive months of positive sales growth would point to a recovery in the housing market.

It's worth noting that the median sales price of existing homes nationwide—$173,000—is down 16.8 percent from last May. (The median price peaked at $230,100 in July 2006.) The NAR says sales of distressed properties and their generally lower costs helped to impact the overall median price.—Daniel DiClerico | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Is fuel with an increased level of ethanol a problem for small gas engines?

During our testing of mowers and tractors in Fort Myers, Florida, this past winter, project leader Peter Sawchuk took us to a local power-equipment dealer who had an intriguing story to tell.

Employees at the shop regularly rebuilt carburetors gummed up from the so-called "varnish" that builds up from unstabilized gas left sitting in engines. But since ethanol started being added to fuel sold in Florida in 2007, the power-equipment pros were seeing something new: metal parts crusted up, plastic parts stiffened and cracked, and everything rubber, including the tips of needle valves, deteriorated. (The photo shows how ethanol could impact the carburetor of a small gas engine; the white, crusty film is apparently caused by the ethanol.)

Ethanol has been mixed with gasoline at the pumps for decades and is used in about half the country. The typical ratio is about 10 percent ethanol to 90 percent gasoline, known as E10. There are other blends, including E85, a mixture with 85 percent ethanol. (Learn more about ethanol.)

A political storm over ethanol is brewing, and it revolves around adding more ethanol to gasoline.

It began this past March, when a coalition of ethanol producers formally asked the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to approve the use of E15, a blend containing 15 percent ethanol. The lobbying group Growth Energy filed for the waiver to the Clean Air Act, claiming that increasing the blend to E15 would create jobs and inject billions of dollars annually into the economy. Granting the waiver request, the group also said, wouldn't impact small engines since gas stations would still be able to sell E10.

The EPA has until December 1 to make a decision. Many members of Congress, most notably from states most involved in ethanol production, support the waiver, with other Congress members from other states voicing opposition. But the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI), a trade group of power-equipment manufacturers, and numerous other parties are calling timeout in a big way.

While it supports the use of E10, the OPEI is calling for a formal waiver process that considers the full effects of higher levels of ethanol on small engines. This means not only nonroad equipment such as lawn gear but also generators, marine engines, snowmobiles, and motorcycles. The group moreover expresses concern about fostering confusion at the pump, when a homeowner goes to refill a mower and sees multiple blends of ethanol. Choose too rich an ethanol blend, and the results could prove harmful to the engine and dangerous to the user.

Among studies Growth Energy cites to support its filing is one from the U.S. Department of Energy (PDF) that tested the effects of various blends on engines. But the study itself, predating Growth Energy's application, acknowledges the need for further tests. It also includes numerous findings that should warrant hesitation on the EPA's part, according to analysis by a consultant to the OPEI (PDF):

• Engine-exhaust temperatures are significantly higher when E15 fuel is used compared with E10, which affects product longevity.
• Operators face increased safety risks, including some unintentional engagement of the clutch because of high idle speeds.
• Two power blowers failed completely after running on E15 fuel for 25 or less hours.
• Operational problems resulted, including erratic equipment operation, "missing" and stalling of engines, and power reduction.

Two other groups have called the waiver request premature. The Union of Concerned Scientists charges the petitioners with "trying to subvert the science with its request . . . before the studies are completed." The Washington, D.C.-based Environmental Working Group says the ethanol industry is "misrepresenting scientific facts in efforts to dupe the [EPA] into waiving critical public-health protections for the sake of boosting ethanol sales." The EWG further claims that all the studies (besides the DOE's) that Growth Energy cites contain evidence "that undermines the case for E15 and above."

Currently, the use of gasoline blends with any higher a percentage of ethanol than E10 voids the warranty of outdoor power equipment and other engines, including those in cars. But among comments to the requested waiver are those from boating associations such as the National Marine Manufacturers Association, a trade group representing the recreational-marine industry. It's concerned that Growth Energy's petition for a waiver makes no mention of marine engines and the potential impact, supported by studies, of intermediate ethanol blends on boating consumers or marine equipment.

At least for boaters, ethanol blends aren't a new problem. A July 2006 article in BoatU.S. magazine (PDF) warned of dissolving fiberglass gas tanks, ruined carburetors and intake valves, and—worst—the threat of engine failure while miles out at sea. "Affected engines may run rough, stall or bog down under load," the article stated.

Comments to the EPA on the proposed waiver, with details here, will be accepted until September 25.—Ed Perratore | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

The State of the Nation's Housing 2009 report gives U.S. market mixed grades

The nation's housing industry should remain mired in an epic slump for the rest of 2009, but the longer-term picture is not all doom and gloom, according to the "The State of the Nation's Housing 2009" report, to be presented on Monday by Harvard University's Joint Center for Housing Studies at the Ford Foundation in New York City. (We'll have more news from the event later this week.)

"Although there are some signs of improvement or at least steadiness in new construction and sales, housing starts stand near 60-plus year lows, and any life in home sales is coming from distressed foreclosure sales, temporary first-time buyer tax credits, and low-interest rates that moved higher in recent weeks," said Nicolas P. Retsinas, director of the JCHS, in a release before the New York City event.

The 44-page JCHS report details the perfect storm of unemployment, deflating home values, and tightening credit standards that has slammed the housing industry, starting in 2007. Low-income minorities have been particularly hard hit, as they not only face the highest job-loss rates but also live in neighborhoods with elevated foreclosure rates, the spillover effect of which exerts an additional drag on home prices.

Plummeting home values have taken a toll on people in all areas and all income levels. The Federal Reserve estimates that real home equity fell by $2.5 trillion in both 2007 and 2008. Depleted housing wealth reverberates throughout the economy as consumers curb personal spending and curtail cash-out refinances. (The chart shows how the drops in home construction and wealth impacted the U.S. gross domestic product.)

So where's the silver lining? For one thing, the recession is providing what many see as a necessary, albeit painful, correction to the housing market: Affordability has returned at the national level and in many metro areas, and housing production has dropped so dramatically that long-run supply and demand are now approaching balance.

Help is also on the way as the largest generation in American history—the so-called echo boomers, the baby-boomer children born in the early 1980s to mid 1990s—approach their peak household formation years of 25 to 44. That demographic event should spur home sales and fuel the remodeling industry. "With the echo baby boom driving demand for starter homes and apartments . . . the design professions will be called upon to deploy new technologies and designs to meet the aesthetic tastes and functional needs of a new, more diverse younger generation," said Mohsen Mostafavi, dean of the Harvard University Graduate School of Design.—Daniel DiClerico | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Carpal tunnel syndrome and yard work: Seeking a solution

The list of injuries, whether minor or gruesome, you might suffer using outdoor power equipment is extensive. A couple of years ago I wrote about the types of jobs some weekend warriors might want to avoid. (The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission provide safety advice for a range of gear.)

But this year I've encountered an injury not caused by a specific event, say cutting myself with a chain saw or getting dinged by a flying rock spewed by my lawn mower. And while it's more of a nagging injury—for right now—than a devastating one, this problem is no less significant.

I'm talking about carpal tunnel syndrome. Years ago I suffered from this injury, caused by pressure on a nerve in the wrist; mine is primarily in my right hand. My physician prescribed the anti-inflammatory drug Relafen (nabumetone), which, combined with a better ergonomic setup at my desk, remedied the matter.

But this year, the carpal tunnel syndrome and its accompanying pain, numbness, and tingling have come back worse than ever. And the yard work I do—using a lawn mower, string trimmer, and blower vac, not to mention shovels, rakes, pruners, and other hand tools—exacerbates the injury. The Black & Decker CMM 1200 cordless electric push mower I've been using seems to put more strain on my wrist than my self-propelled mower does.

I am trying several different grips on the gear and have adjusted the mower handle, but so far these steps haven't eliminated the carpal tunnel. Next steps? I just ordered a pair of work gloves designed to alleviate the symptoms and am also using stretches and massage. I'm also upping my intake of vitamin B6, as recommended by Orly Avitzur, M.D., a medical adviser to Consumers Union.

I'm keeping my tingling fingers crossed that these moves will work, because the next steps might include drugs and even surgery. As noted on ConsumerReportsHealth.org, "If you have severe carpal tunnel syndrome, you may need an operation right away to prevent more permanent nerve damage."

If you've ever suffered from carpal tunnel syndrome—perhaps specifically caused by your yard and garden work—tell us how you've tried to alleviate the problem by leaving a comment below.—Steven H. Saltzman | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

AutoROPS is designed to prevent tractor and riding-mower rollovers

As you head out into the suburbs and beyond, it's not uncommon to see homeowners—perhaps the occasional ruralpolitan—using a commercial-grade lawn or garden tractor to tend to their vast yards.

Lawn tractors and zero-turn radius mowers can help make quicker work at big properties, but they also pose some injury risk, including rollovers. If you use a riding mower and your yard has slopes and hills, a device developed for lawn-care pros could be right up your alley—even if it never makes its way to the consumer market for tractors and zero-turn mowers. (Read our latest report on mowers and tractors; story and ratings available to subscribers.)

A safety device called a rollover protective structure, or ROPS, is standard on commercial tractors and riding mowers. It's intended to keep an overturned tractor from crushing the operator so long as that person is wearing a safety belt.

Operators of commercial machines sometimes fold down or remove the ROPS since they might often have to pass beneath low branches and through other confined spaces and the ROPS can get in the way. As you might imagine, such a move eliminates the protection the ROPS would provide.

This is where the AutoROPS comes in. Invented at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and used on the Mercedes-Benz SL and other cars, the AutoROPS is a passive roll bar that generally sits behind the operator at roughly that person's shoulder height and allows passage beneath any low-hanging obstacle (it's shown in a undeployed position). Circuitry in the AutoROPS base monitors for a rollover and telescopes the vertical risers to their full upright, protective position when a rollover occurs. The most recent version of the design uses a latch-and-release mechanism; the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers is considering it as a standard.

The typically retracted position of the AutoROPS and its relatively lightweight composite material also address an inherent irony of roll bars: Their height and weight can raise the center of gravity of a tractor or zero-turn rider and make a rollover more likely. The AutoROPS, however, won't extend to its full height unless the equipment is rolling over.

FEMCO and Scag Power Equipment, have partnered with NIOSH to develop the AutoROPS and might have first crack. The product may never become cost-effective enough for it to migrate to consumer machines, but even if you hire a lawn service to work on your property, you might eventually see it first-hand.—Ed Perratore | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: Follow these rollover-prevention tips. If your property has dips, slopes, and other hazards of concern, your lawn tractor or zero-turn rider might accommodate a retrofit roll bar.