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If youre among the shoppers worried about the recent flood of contaminated products from China, a little Web surfing might be worth your time.

With reports about deadly pet food, poisonous toothpaste, unsafe car tires, contaminated seafood and lead paint all over a neverending march of childrens toys and jewelry, its not surprising consumers arent feeling too confident at the checkout. With some research, though you can learn a little more about what youre buying and try to better protect yourself and your family.

Here are some tips:

* Theres no one Web site for food recalls, whether the problem is chow for people or pets. But you can shop with caution by checking labels and manufacturers Web sites to avoid foods made in China. If you cant find the details, call the manufacturer.

* Keep an eye on the Food and Drug Administrations Web site, at http://www.fda.gov. Recall details are posted there. Check out lists of problem pet food there, as well. And shy away from ingredients such as wheat or wheat gluten, BHT, ethoxyquine, BHA and propylene glycol.

* Find a state-licensed pharmacy at http://www.nabp.net for better chances of buying safer medicine.

* Review lists of recalled products, including vehicle tires at http://www.recalls.gov/nhtsa.html. A list of recalled tires also is available at http://foreigntire.com, the Web site for the importer of the dangerous Chinese-made tires.

* Find lengthy lists of recalled toys and trinkets often with photos through the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Check out http://www.cpsc.gov, where you also can sign up for e-mail notifications about new recalls.

Day spa opens 2nd branch

Balance Day Spa will open its second Triad location Saturday, modeled on its newly renovated flagship spa on Lawndale Drive in Greensboro.

The new location, at 960-C South Main St. in Kernersville, marks the second major growth spurt for Balance in the past year. Owner Adriane Witcher spent more than $100,000 last fall revamping the original Balance, which opened in 1996 and moved to Lawndale in 2001.

She replaced the spa logo. Dumped drab paint colors. Made over the lobby. And she brought in framed nature photos, a fountain and other features meant to relax customers waiting for services or receiving massages, facials, pedicures and other treatments.

Now Witcher, who bought the spa in 2005 after working in the trucking business and for companies including North State Telephone, has grown her beauty empire. She employs about 45 people and sees annual spa sales of more than $2 million. Balances Kernersville outpost, which is smaller than the spas Greensboro facility, is meant to expand the companys reach into the western part of the Triad.

The new spa branch will hold a grand opening event from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, with free mini-makeovers, product samples and other services.

Spa hours will be 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. For more information, visit http://www.BalanceDaySpa.com or call the spa at 574-2556.

Try on a few trinkets

Two local jewelry stores will host trunk shows next weekend to showcase moissanite, a manufactured jewel that appears similar to a diamond but comes at a much lower cost.

Moissanite does occur, on rare occasions, in nature. In fact, it is named after the scientist who, in the late 1800s, discovered the sparking mineral in an Arizona meteor crater. But it was Morrisville-based Charles & Colvard Ltd. that mastered making the near-colorless jewel in a lab and selling it primarily to women buying baubles for themselves.

A pair of single-carat diamond earrings could cost you between $1,500 and $1,900 at area jewelry stores, while a comparable pair of moissanite solitaires costs about $400.

Shoppers interested in getting a closer look at the jewel in earrings, rings, pendants and other pieces can check out the trunk shows at Helzberg Diamonds in Greensboro and Winston-Salem this week. Pieces will be on display Friday at the Four Seasons Town Centre store and Saturday at the store in Hanes Mall.

Friendly gives away trees

As part of their continuing 50th anniversary celebration, the folks at Friendly Center will give away 100 oak saplings Saturday to area families.

The one-day distribution, in partnership with Greensboro Beautiful and Turf Services, the landscaper at Friendly, will include information for families on how to safely plant and care for the trees. Trees are limited to one per vehicle or family.

People interested in picking up trees should head to the Friendly Center Auditorium, at 3110 Kathleen Ave., by 2:30 p.m. Saturday.

Do you have retail news for Michelle Jarboe? Call 373-7075 or send e-mail to mjarboe@news-record.com