How to avoid dangerous counterfeits

The smartphone charger, power supply, or battery you use could be a fake and could be dangerous.

The National Crime Prevention Council and Canon have teamed up to warn consumers about the potential for these products to overheat, melt and catch on fire.

“A counterfeit looks very much like the original product, but on the inside it’s a completely different story. They are missing important safety components in most cases,” said Cathleen Combs, senior director of the Canon U.S.A. anti-counterfeiting committee.

Local business owner Randy Sprenkel of Englewood said it’s not just a safety issue to him.

“More or less somebody is stealing somebody else’s brand to profit of it,” Sprenkel said.

The cost of counterfeits to employment and companies is huge, according to Ann Harkins, president and CEO of the National Crime Prevention Council.

“The economic loss from counterfeit and pirated products every year is about 750,000 jobs and $250 billion in lost revenue,” said Harkins.

The NCPC has these recommendations to avoid buying potentially dangerous counterfeits:

  • Examine the product for signs of bad design or construction
  • Look closely at the logo
  • Beware of too good to be true prices
  • Shop at reputable sources

If you suspect you have purchased a counterfeit -file a police report and notify the F.B.I.

SPF for LED screens?

The computer or phone screen you are staring at right now - could be giving you wrinkles or other skin problems- at least that’s what some dermatologists think.

Researchers are looking into whether the blue light emitted from LED screens, otherwise known as high energy visible light or HEV- is causing premature aging.

Amanda Havens of Fairborn was frightened by the possibility.

“We always want to look our best and we pay so much for skin care products to look our best. If our phones and computers are doing that- it’s just horrible,” Havens said.

Despite the concerns, HEV light is actually used to treat acne and other skin conditions, said Jeffrey Travers, M.D. PhD, and Wright State University professor of dermatology.

He said the real risk is not to your skin but your eyes.

“A lot of high intensity blue light is linked -with good evidence- to macular degeneration,” said Travers.

He said there’s no need to slather on the sunscreen in front of your screens, but you should turn down the blue light on your devices, and consider filter cover attachments for your devices.

DIY Braces

Orthodontists are warning people to avoid do-it-yourself braces.

There’s a growing trend of people putting rubber bands directly around their teeth to try to close a gap- but you should leave it to the professionals.

Still not convinced? Check out this man's painful and expensive DIY braces story.

Rachel Murray is a WHIO-TV consumer reporter. You can watch her reports on News Center 7, follow her on Twitter @RMurrayWHIO, and like her fan page on Facebook.

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