Current Issues & Story Suggestions
October 2004
1. CPSC Announces October as Window Covering Safety Month -- Consumers Urged to Repair or Replace Old Window Coverings
2. October Is National Brain Injury Awareness Month
3. October 3-9 is National Fire Prevention Week
4. Soccer Goals Have Hidden Safety Hazard
5. October 19 Is Evaluate Your Life Day – Take a Moment to Evaluate Safety
6. National Shopping Cart Safety Week is Octoboer 11-17
1. CPSC Announces October as Window Covering Safety Month -- Consumers Urged to Repair or Replace Old Window Coverings
CPSC Contact: Kim Dulic
(301) 504-7058
Summary of Issue: The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the Window Covering Safety Council and independent retailers have joined forces to raise awareness of strangulation risks presented by window covering cords and chains. October has been designated "Window Covering Safety Month" by CPSC and the industry coalition. U.S. consumers are encouraged to repair or replace window coverings purchased before 2001 and to keep all window cords and chains out of the reach of young children. Through point-of-sale signage in retail stores, advertising circulars in newspapers and other marketing means, consumers will be alerted to the availability of free repair kits and strongly urged to repair or replace older window coverings.
2. October Is National Brain Injury Awareness Month
CPSC Contact: Kim Dulic
(301) 504-7058
Summary of Issue: One of the best ways to celebrate Brain Injury Awareness Month is to avoid getting a brain injury by always wearing a helmet when biking, scooting, skateboarding, skating, skiing, horseback riding or other such activity. Even if you do fall and hit your head, a helmet can greatly lessen the severity of injuries. Check out if you are wearing your helmet properly and other helmet-related publications here by scrolling down and selecting “helmets” in the list and then hit “Find.”
3. October 3-9 is National Fire Prevention Week
CPSC Contact: Ken Giles
(301) 504-7052
Summary of Issue: October 3-9 is National Fire Prevention Week. In 1999 (the latest year for which complete death data are available), an estimated 2,390 people died and 14,550 were injured because of fires in residences. These fires resulted in property losses of about $4.24 billion. Reducing this fire toll is a priority for CPSC. The Commission has set standards to make lighters child-resistant. CPSC encourages the installation of safety devices to reduce the risk of fires from electrical wiring. The Commission staff worked with ASTM International and the industry to develop voluntary standards for candles to reduce fire hazards. Several candle standards now cover cautionary labeling, visible smoke emissions, and glass containers. Other candle fire safety specifications cover stability, flame height, secondary ignition, and performance near the end of a candle’s useful life. More information about fire prevention. More information about general fire safety.
4. Soccer Goals Have Hidden Safety Hazard
CPSC Contact: Kim Dulic
(301) 504-7058
Summary of Issue: Soccer season is in high gear, and everyone should be aware of a hidden hazard presented by movable soccer goals. These goals can fall over and kill children who climb on them or hang from the crossbars. Since 1979, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has reports of at least 77 incidents resulting in at least 24 deaths when soccer goals fell over.
Since 1990, CPSC has worked with the Coalition to Promote Soccer Goal Safety to address risks presented by these soccer goals, and to make movable soccer goals more stable. CPSC and the Coalition strongly recommend that soccer coaches, school officials and soccer field maintenance personnel prevent goals falling over by anchoring goals to the ground. They should chain goals to a fence or permanent structure when not in use, and warn students not to climb on goals.
For more information and safety tips.
5. October 19 Is Evaluate Your Life Day – Take a Moment to Evaluate Safety
CPSC Contact: Mark Ross
(301) 504-7076
Summary of Issue: It always is a good idea to stop and take stock of your life. While you ponder life’s deep questions, don’t forget that staying safe and healthy should be a high priority on your path to fulfillment. There are a number of ways to help prevent fires, burns, shocks, falls, drowning and other hazards. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) suggests the following ways to improve the safety of you and your family in and around your home:
6. National Shopping Cart Safety Week is Octoboer 11-17
CPSC Contact: Kim Dulic
(301) 504-7058
Summary of Issue: In 2003, an estimated 35,000 consumers went to hospital emergency rooms because of injuries relating to grocery or shopping carts. About 57 percent of these injuries were suffered by children under 5 years of age. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has worked with the National SAFE KIDS Campaign, the Food Marketing Institute (FMI), Johnson & Johnson and Safe-Strap Company Inc., to improve shopping cart safety. CPSC also suggests the best way to prevent falls from shopping carts is to use seatbelts to restrain your child in the cart seat. Don’t allow your child to ride in the cart basket. Don’t allow your child to ride or climb on the sides or front of the cart, and don’t allow another child to push the cart while a child is riding in the cart. More shopping cart safety tips.