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The latest report from U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) indicates that there were reports of seven fireworks-related deaths and an estimated 7,000 hospital emergency room treated injuries in 2008. In 2007, CPSC had reports of eleven deaths and an estimated 9,800 injuries. Injuries have More »
Have you noticed the number of toy recalls in the news has declined? Should we trust the issue has been handled and we can do our holiday toy shopping with ease? Perhaps these recalls are still out there but have been downgraded by the news industry because of the hubbub of the recent elections. Or perhaps there has been less toxic toys put on the shelves. The answer to all of these questions is most definitely a resounding, “no.”
Legislation has made efforts to put bans in place to prevent toys with heavy amounts of lead and other toxins from being sold. Washington, Vermont and California have already put laws in place banning the sale of toys containing phthalates.
Consumer advocates and some members of Congress are outraged that toymakers and retailers are rushing to sell the contaminated toys rather than destroy them.” ~ Consumer Affairs Article, Oct. 2008
Phthalates is the chemical additive in plastic (toys) to make them soft, and pliable. Arguments against this chemical have been mounting for years (European countries placed bans on it years ago) because medical studies show it to be an endocrine disruptor, affecting the hormones and reproductive organs of children. Think of that soft squishy rubber duckie in the tub. It is fair to say unless it has a big sticker on it saying, “non-toxic,” it is probably filled with phthalates.
Phthalates is not the only dangerous substance, as we already know. There is still an active concern about dangerous levels of lead in toys. Lead poisoning is especially harsh on the developing bodies of our children. Think that toy manufacturers have learned their lesson in lieu of the massive recalls of yester-year, no. Within the last month there were two recalls that I know of for toys laden with dangerous levels of lead filled paint [*see the CPSC Recall Press Releases below].
So what are we (the Consumer) supposed to do or look for this holiday season? Toy manufacturers are not required to list ingredients of their toys and it is fair to say most Retailers don’t have a clue what is in them. Large toy stores have begun to put corporate policies in place to do third party testing and other quality assurance standards in place.
Regardless, the most prudent thing for parents to do this holiday season is to assume that if squishy toy in your hand has not been labeled non-toxic by the manufacturer, there may be (even the slight) possibility there is toxins in it. And those cheap toys in the bargain bin? There is a reason why they are so cheap and it is not because they are eco-friendly or non-toxic. So when in doubt, shop at the retailers that explicitly have strong safety practices in place or (of course), buy them a sweater.
Sited Links:
Wikipedia | Phthalates
Wikipedia | Lead Poisoning
Consumer Affairs | Soon-to-be Banned Plastic Toys Flood the Market
CPSC Press Release | Toy Xylophones Recalled by King Import…
CPSC Press Release | OKK Trading Recalls Toy TVs Due to…
Toys R’ Us | Safety Practices
Related Links:
Christian Science Monitor | End of Toy Story: Where do Lead-tainted Toys Go?
In response to the public’s demand for secure and anonymous ways to submit crime tips to authorities, the Los Angeles Police Department has developed two new anonymous tip reporting systems.
Previously, there was no system whereby information could be passed from the public to the police and back without the identity of the person providing information being known to the police. Ultimately, many valuable tips were withheld from police because people lacked confidence that their identity would be kept anonymous. Anonymous letters did not have a mechanism to ask simple follow-up questions, or eliminate hoaxes. These new services offered by the LAPD overcome all of these concerns. The LAPD is hopeful that these two new anonymous tip systems will open the flow of information between a community fearful of gangs and the police.
Text-A-Tip Service; this allows a tipster to provide information to the LAPD and remain completely anonymous through text or SMS messaging. SMS or Short Message Service are common text messages which can be used by virtually any cell phone user. Tipsters type the word “LAPD” plus their crime information on their cell phone or PDA to the number 2-7-4-6-3-7 which spells out the word “CRIMES”. The text message is encrypted and an alias is generated for the tipster, masking their identity from the police. There is no way for the police to determine the user’s identity.
To text a tip to the Los Angeles Police Department, you must have text messaging enabled on your phone and subscribe to a participating cell phone carrier. To begin your tip session, text the word “LAPD” along with your crime information to the number, 2-7-4-6-3-7, which spells the word “CRIMES” on your phone’s keypad.
While handset menus differ by carrier or model, here are some basic steps on how to compose a text message.
TIPSOFT WEB TIPS; submitting a crime tip through the web is as easy as going to the www.lapdonline.org website and clicking on the ANONYMOUS WEB TIP link. Tipsters will fill out the web tip form. Once completed, they can elect to create a password and click on the Submit Tip button. A tip code is created after a tip is submitted. Tipsters can check the status of their tip at a later date by logging in with their code and password.
The Two-Way Dialogue features allow the tipster to return at their convenience and securely provide additional information to their original tip and investigators can securely ask questions or provide instructions back to the tipster as well.
No mobile phone information is collected by the Los Angeles Police Department as part of this program. Your Text-A-Tip and Web-Tips are completely anonymous to the LAPD and is only identifiable by the code provided to you. Any information submitted is directed to the LAPD’s Regional Crime Center detectives, who will disseminate the information to the appropriate LAPD investigative unit.
Sited Links;
Los Angeles Police Department | Annonymous Web Tip Form
Los Angeles Police Department | Text-a-Tip Brochure
At a glance Halloween seems to be a fairly safe and straight forward family affair. Dress the kids up. Let them get a bag or two of candy. Take some snapshots for the family album. Clean up (especially that rotten jack o’lantern on your front step) and move on to Thanksgiving, right?
Well according to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission there are some safety tips to follow this Trick or Treat Season. I will offer the unabridged version of their tips as they seem to (rightly) focus on a few obvious hazards.
Decorations Safety;
Costumes Safety;
Treats;
Like most holidays, a few products are being recalled for safety reasons. Crate & Barrel out of Northbrook, IL has recalled thirty thousand Halloween Ghost Tealight Burners for burn and fire hazards. There have been five reports of the tealight holders igniting and one report of the holder becoming excessively hot. Two consumers suffered burns to the hand. Just by looking at this product (above), I can tell you without doubt that many more people have been burned by this product – not necessarily bad ones but burns nonetheless.
Coyne’s & Company, out of Minneapolis MN, is recalling all fourteen thousand of their Casper the Friendly Ghost figurines due to excessive amounts of lead. These figurine stand approximately three inches tall and are made from resin and paper. Please check the original press release for model numbers and additional details as there are many different figurine designs included in this recall.
Sited Links;
Tag Home Decor | Ghost Tealight Recall Information
Halloween Figurines Recalled by Coyne’s & Company for Lead Hazard
Ghost Tealight Holders Recalled by Trade Associates Group and Crate & Barrel…
CPSC 2008 Halloween Safety Tips
CARES (Child Aviation Restraint System) is an innovative belt-and-buckle child airplane restraint that attaches directly to the airplane seat belt and makes an airplane seat safe for kids 22-44 lbs.
These youngsters are old enough to be in their own seats, but are too small for the seat belt alone to protect them. Their bodies cannot withstand the jolts that are common in routine transportation, much less emergency situations, and they flail forward or slide beneath the seat belt if they are not held securely in place.
Compared to the dreaded and insufficient lap strap, this is a appealing harness solution for toddlers but this parent can’t get beyond the sticker shock ($75.00 U.S.D.). Not to understate the simplicity of the design but that’s a lot of money for a couple extra straps – cut the price-point in half and you would find it hard to keep these in stock.
(Via KidsFlySafe.Com)
Tags: kids health, safety
According to the Transportation Security Administration (T.S.A.), there are still a number of things you can bring with you in your carry-on, but you would never know it. What are these items and where is the current list published? I don’t think the commercial airlines do a good job publishing and distributing the T.S.A. list of prohibited items. Whether you purchased your ticket online or through an agent or over the phone — you should receive a current T.S.A. list of permitted and/or prohibited items when you receive your confirmation of ticket purchase, perhaps as a good gesture or courtesy. Most parents probably know it is a challenge to travel with children in tow, being able to pack properly should be a given.
It reminds me of the mother who was forced to drink her own breast milk while passing through a JFK a few years ago. The Screener had her do this to prove that her breast milk was not a dangerous substance. At the time having her do this was well within the current laws (since then those laws have been changed). Not to say this kind of thing will happen again, but I think we should learn from this and and take it upon ourselves to be well informed Travelers.
My Mother-In-Law works the check-in counter for Frontier Airlines and the other day she was sharing some of the stories of people holding up the check-in process because they were trying to get through the screening process with things currently not allowed by the T.S.A. She was also reciting for us all the T.S.A. rules and regulations for prohibited items. There was a tone in her voice that suggested that she is used to rattling them off. This begged me to ask the question, “how are we supposed to know they can only have three onces of hair gel and it needs to be in a separate container which is in a ZipLoc sandwich bag?”
Learn the 3-1-1 Rule:
3-1-1 for carry-ons = 3 ounce bottle or less; 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag; 1 bag per passenger placed in screening bin. One-quart bag per person limits the total liquid volume each traveler can bring. 3 oz. container size is a security measure.
Consolidate bottles into one bag and X-ray separately to speed screening.
Be prepared. Each time T.S.A. searches a carry-on it slows down the line. Practicing 3-1-1 will ensure a faster and easier checkpoint experience.
3-1-1 is for short trips. If in doubt, put your liquids in checked luggage.
Declare larger liquids. Medications, baby formula and food, breast milk, and juice are allowed in reasonable quantities exceeding three ounces and are not required to be in the zip-top bag. Declare these items for inspection at the checkpoint.
Come early and be patient. Heavy travel volumes and the enhanced security process may mean longer lines at security checkpoints.
TSA working with our partners. TSA works with airlines and airports to anticipate peak traffic and be ready for the traveling public.
Where is this information published? How often does it change? What kind of rules are there when traveling with small children? Would I have any reason to doubt that I bring nail clippers in my carry-on? Cologne? Saline Solution? Please follow the related links below to educate yourself as to what is permitted when traveling.
Related Links;
U.S.A. Today | JFK Airport Security Forces Woman to Drink Own Breast Milk
Transportation Security Administration | Traveling With Children
T.S.A. | Prohibited items
