CPSC Offers Back to School Safety Tips<br>
Look for Hidden Hazards to Prevent Injuries and Deaths
NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
| Office of Information and Public Affairs |
Washington, DC 20207 |
Note: The safety recommendations in this document regarding window cord hazards have been
superceded by more recent advice. See Children Can Strangle in Window Covering Cords -- html or pdf
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Originally issued August 11, 1999
Revised March 28, 2003
Release # 99-156
|
CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: Yolanda Fultz-Morris, (301) 504-7066
|
CPSC Offers Back to School Safety Tips
Look for Hidden Hazards to Prevent Injuries and Deaths
WASHINGTON, D.C. - As millions of children head back to school, the U.S.
Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is helping parents, teachers,
and caregivers look for hidden hazards to help prevent injuries and
deaths to children. CPSC's "Back to School Safety Checklist" (also available in text only format) offers tips
on making schools, child care facilities and playgrounds safer.
"Take a few minutes to check your child's school, childcare
facility and playground for hidden hazards we don't always think about
during this busy time of year," said CPSC Chairman Ann Brown. "Use our
free checklist to make sure your children head back to school safely."
The free "Back to School Safety Checklist" is available here (or text only) or by sending a postcard to CPSC, Washington DC
20207. Hidden hazards include the following:
- Playgrounds - Check the surfaces around playground equipment. There
should be a 12-inch depth of wood chips, mulch, sand or pea gravel, or
there should be mats made of safety-tested rubber or fiber material to
prevent head injury when a child falls. Each year, more than 200,000
children are treated in U.S. hospital emergency rooms for
playground-associated injuries. Most of these injuries occur when a
child falls from the equipment.
- Drawstrings on Jackets and Sweatshirts - Remove drawstrings on hoods
or around the neck. Cut drawstrings at the waist or bottom of jackets
and sweatshirts to 3 inches. Since 1985, 22 children have died when
drawstrings caught on school buses, playground equipment and other
products.
- Loops on Window Blind Cords - If the windows in your home, childcare
facilities or schools have blinds, cut the loop on two-corded horizontal
blinds, and attach separate tassels to prevent entanglement and
strangulation in window blind cords. Vertical blinds, continuous loop
systems and drapery cords use looped cords to function. Do not cut these
loops. Instead, install a permanent tie-down device. To obtain free tassels
and tie down devices call (800) 506-4636. About one child a month dies
from strangulation with window covering cords.
- Bike Helmets - Since a growing number of kids are riding their bikes to
school, make sure they always wear their helmet. All bike helmets
manufactured or imported for sale in the United States are required to
meet the new federal safety standard set by CPSC. Each year, more than
200 children are killed in bicycle-related incidents, and about 60 percent
of these deaths involve a head injury. Helmet use can reduce the risk of
head injury by up to 85 percent.
- Soccer Goals - Anchor soccer goals into the ground to prevent them from
tipping over and crushing a child. Since 1979, CPSC has received reports
of 24 deaths from soccer goal tipover.
- Recalled Products - You and your kids can get up-to-date recall and
product safety information by checking out CPSC's web site on your home
or school computer. Sign up to get free recall notices by FAX, e-mail or regular mailing by calling CPSC's hotline or writing to CPSC,
Washington, D.C. 20207.
Various CPSC publications contain valuable information regarding the safety of children as they go to and from school or while they are at play. CPSC is providing a list of these publications as part of supporting the Department of Education in its "America Goes Back to School: Challenge Our Students and They Will Soar" program. Better education of our nation's youth starts with children who are healthy and safe.