Deals are hot for consumers in July

Fourth of July deals are heating up- and you can shop many of them right now.

Swimwear, beachwear, air conditioners, furniture, and outdoor sporting gear are on FatWallet.com's buy list for July.

House paint and Steam games are also on sale this month, according to DealNews.com.

Plus, don't forget Amazon Prime Day. It's technically July 11th but select sales begin on July 5th.

The growing trend of green burials

More people are going green in life and even in death.

There are about 125 cemeteries in the U.S. now offering green or natural burial services and one of them is Calvary Cemetery in Dayton.

“I think we are going to see some growth. The key to a natural or green burial is that it’s all biodegradable, returning to the earth,” said cemetery director Rick Meade, “it takes away some of the traditional preparation, if you will, the embalming of the body.”

It can also save money.

Wicker caskets and shrouds replace the traditional casket and vault, and natural rocks replace ornate headstones, which can save hundreds even thousands of dollars.

Calvary Cemetery’s St. Kateri Preserve for Natural Burials opened in 2014.

The wide open prairie has the feel of a beautiful park with a water feature and walking trails. Large engraved granite stones line the path memorializing those who have chosen to be buried here.

Bonnie Spitzkeit of Kettering has picked her burial site near the lake, and said she loved the idea of it.

“I guess you could call me a true tree-hugger and the concept of doing that forever and providing nutrients for living things. The whole spirit of it is wonderful to me,” said Spitzkeit.

DP&L scams

Dayton Power and Light is warning customers about new utility scams that can come by phone or even to your front door.

Customers are getting calls telling them they are qualified for new discounts, and scammers are going door-to-door attempting to get customers personal information and money, according to DP&L corporate communications director Mary Ann Kabel.

“These are fraudulent acts and this is widespread in our industry and we want to alert our customers,” said Kabel.

In some cases alternative energy providers do knock on doors to drum up customers, but Kabel said they should not be presenting themselves as DP&L employees and should have proper identification.

Cathy Christmas of New Carlisle said it’s gotten to the point that she doesn’t answer the door or the phone unless it’s someone she knows, but she worries others might fall for one of these scams.

“It’s a little scary,, especially for the elderly like my dad. I would be a little bit worried that he might be scammed,” said Christmas.

If you have any worries about a call or visit - call DP&L at 1-800-433-8500.

Fireworks recall

Before you blast off those smoke effect fireworks this 4th of July, check to make sure they aren’t under recall.

TNT Red, White, and Blue Smoke fireworks have been recalled because they can explode after they are lit.

There are three reports of people being burned, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Don't use the fireworks and call American Promotional Events at 1-800-243-1189 for a full refund.

For more information on this and other recalls- click here.

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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