Important Toy Safety Tips Before You Shop This Holiday Season

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The holidays are here and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has its

list. Parents and gift buyers are encouraged to check it twice. Today, CPSC issued its annual holiday safety

messages, joined by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Safe Kids Worldwide, to remind parents to

be diligent when making holiday shopping choices.

 

“CPSC, CBP and industry activity has been with one goal in mind, to keep the toys our children play with the

safest in the world” said Acting Chairman Nancy Nord. “Vigorous inspection of toys, testing and law enforcement

have made toys the safest this season.”

 

For 2007, the Commission has reports of 18 toy-related deaths and CPSC staff estimates that there were about

170,100 hospital emergency-room treated toy-related injuries to children under 15. Most of the deaths were

associated with airway obstruction from small toys, drowning, or motor vehicle accidents during play. Most of the

injuries were lacerations, contusion and abrasions; the head and face was the area most frequently affected.

 The top 5 toy hazards:

- Scooters and other Riding Toys – Riding toys, skateboards and in-line skates go fast and falls could be

deadly. Helmets and safety gear should be worn at all times and be sized to fit.

-Small Balls and other Toys with Small Parts – For children younger than age three, avoid toys with small

parts, which can cause choking.

- Balloons – Children under eight yrs. can choke or suffocate on un-inflated or broken balloons. Keep uninflated

balloons from children. Discard broken balloons at once.

- Magnets – For children under age six, avoid building or play sets with small magnets. If magnets or pieces

with magnets are swallowed, serious injuries and/or death can occur.

 -Chargers and Adapters – Charging batteries should be supervised by adults. Chargers and adapters can

pose thermal burn hazards to children.

 

Once the gifts are open:

􀁺 Immediately discard plastic wrappings on toys before they become dangerous play things.

􀁺 Keep toys appropriate for older children away from younger siblings.

􀁺 Pay attention to instructions and warnings on battery chargers. Some chargers lack any device to prevent overcharging.

 

With the increased popularity of second-hand stores and on-line vendors, gift-givers should be especially vigilant

to prevent the sale or purchase of hazardous products that have been recalled, banned or do not meet current

safety standards. Before placing products in the second-hand market, check its recall status at www.cpsc.gov.

 

Buyers should make sure their gifts do not include any of the recalled toys or children’s products on CPSC’s web site.

Also, at this web site, consumers can keep up-to-date on dangerous products by signing up to have recall

announcements sent directly to their email account. Choose to receive all recall announcements or children’s

product recalls only. Consumers also can call CPSC’s toll-free hotline at (800) 638-CPSC. For information about

all types of recalls, visit www.recalls.gov

 

Article Source : www.cpsc.gov

As Summer Vacations Peak in August ; Safe Kids Alamance Urges Awareness of Sun/Skin Dangers

Just the facts :

Chronic sun exposure may lead to premature aging, severe wrinkling, moles and skin cancer.

Premature cataract formation in the eye can also be a result.

Sun exposure puts people at risk for skin cancer and premature aging, which mostly comes during childhood. In fact, 80 percent of a person’s lifetime sun exposure occurs before age 21.

Regular use of sunscreen can lower your risk of skin cancer by nearly 78 percent.

There is no cure for sunburns except time.

A sunburn can occur in less than 15 minutes and, depending on the severity, can take a few days or weeks to heal.

An important point to remember is that the skin never forgets. Take proper precautions now to avoid issues down the road.

 

GUIDELINES TO HELP PROTECT YOU FROM THE SUN

 

 

1.                  Minimize sun exposure during the hours of 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (11 a.m. to 3 p.m. daylight saving time) when the sun is strongest.  Try to plan your outdoor activities for the early morning or late afternoon.

 

2.                  Wear a hat, long-sleeved shirts and long pants when out in the sun.  Choose tightly-woven materials for greater protection from the sun’s rays.

 

3.                  Apply a sunscreen before every exposure to the sun, and reapply frequently and liberally at least every two hours, as long as you stay in the sun.  The sunscreen should always be reapplied after swimming or perspiring heavily, since products differ in their degrees of water resistance.  We recommend sunscreens with an SPF (sun protection factor) of 30 or more printed on the label.

 

4.                  Use a sunscreen during high altitude activities such as mountain climbing and skiing.  At high altitudes, where there is less atmosphere to absorb the sun’s rays, your risk of burning is greater.  The sun also is stronger near the equator where the sun’s rays strike the earth most directly.

 

5.                  Don’t forget to use your sunscreen on overcast days.  The sun’s rays are as damaging to your skin on cloudy, hazy days as they are on sunny days.

 

6.                  Individuals at high risk for skin cancer (outdoor workers, fair-skinned individuals, and persons who have already had skin cancer) should apply sunscreens daily.

 

7.                  Photosensitivity – an increased sensitivity to sun exposure – is a possible side effect of certain medications, drugs and cosmetics, and of birth control pills.  Consult your physician or pharmacist before going out in the sun if you’re using any such products.  You may need to take extra precautions.

 

8.                  If you develop an allergic reaction to your sunscreen, change sunscreens.  One of the many products the market today should be right for you.

 

9.                  Beware of reflective surfaces!  Sand, snow, concrete and water can reflect more than half the sun’’ rays onto your skin.  Sitting in the shade does not guarantee protection from sunburn.

 

10.              Avoid tanning parlors.  The UV light emitted by tanning booths causes sunburn and premature aging, and increases your risk of developing skin cancer.

 

11.              Keep young infants out of the sun.  Begin using sunscreens on children at six months of age, and then allow sun exposure with moderation.

 

12.              Teach children sun protection early.  Sun damage occurs with each unprotected sun exposure and accumulates over the course of a lifetime.

 

 

Sources: www.keepkidshealthy.com, www.eMedicine.com, and                       

 

 

                                                                                              

                                                                                                                                                                                                 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Safe Kids Alamance To Be Spotlighted by Burlington Royals Baseball on August 7th, 2008

                                                                                                                                                                              Kids will visit various booths with injury prevention education. They will then be registered to win a free bicycle and enjoy a great night at the ballpark. The nite begins at 5:00 PM with the Guns vs. Hoses Softball Game followed at 7:00 PM by the Burlington Royals taking the field against the Greeneville Astros.

                                         

 

Back-to-School Health and Safety Fair (Featuring Safe Kids Car Seat Checks) on August 1st, 2008

Alamance Regional Medical Center and Safe Kids Alamance County will be hosting a Back-to-School Safety Fair at Alamance Crossing Shopping Center (Dillard’s Parking Lot)on August 1st,2008 between 3:00 PM and 7:00 PM. Then event will provide children with a number of Injury Prevention Booths including Free Child Seat Checks.The Child Seat Checks are availible during the hours of 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

Alamance Crossing Events Page (Click Here)

Amusement Park Safety: ‘Parents Need to Use Their Own Judgment’

Every year, nationwide, an estimated 8,000 chi ldren ages 14 and under are treated in emergency rooms for injuries involving thrill rides at amusement parks and traveling carnivals; in an average year, three or four die.

Kiddie rides designed for ages 4 and under account for nearly a quarter of amusement park injuries to children. This category includes inflatable attractions such as bounces and slides. “Parents need to use their own judgment. Posted age and height requirements are minimal guidelines,” says Alan Korn, Director of Public Policy and General Counsel for Safe Kids USA.

“Follow the rules,” says Korn. “If a ride operator tells you to keep your hands and feet inside the car, to hold the handrail or to remain seated, there’s a good reason.”

Portable carnival rides are subject to safety regulations enforced by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Amusement park rides at a fixed location are not subject to federal safety standards. Parents and caregivers need to decide whether their children are capable of sitting properly on a ride and following the operator’s instructions.

In addition, Safe Kids USA reminds parents:

~ Role-model proper safety behavior. A 2005 report by Safe Kids Worldwide shows that children are more likely to follow safety rules when they see their parents doing so.

~ Supervise your child getting on and off a ride. Make sure the child understands all announcements and posted rules. Also, don’t allow children to supervise younger children on rides.

~ Always use the safety equipment provided. Safety belts, lap bars, chains, handrails and other safety features are there for a reason.

~ Never get off a moving ride. Wait until the ride comes to a complete stop. Also, if a ride stops due to a mechanical problem or safety concern, stay seated and wait for instructions.

~ Don’t let children ride if they’re too tired to comply with safety procedures. On some rides, it’s important to stay upright and face forward. Also, don’t pressure kids to go on a ride they’re afraid of, as they’re more likely to sit incorrectly or even try to get off.

~ Note the limitations of safety devices. Lap bars and chains are not physical restraints — their main function is to remind the occupant to stay seated. If a small child sits next to a large adult, a lap bar might not offer the child much protection.

~ Trust your instincts. If a ride looks like it is poorly maintained or an operator seems to be inattentive or unfit, don’t let your children ride. While most operators pay close attention to safety, there are exceptions, as in any industry.

For additional information about summertime safety, please visit www.usa.safekids.org .

 

POSTED JUNE 2008