Cite: www.cpsc.gov

WASHINGTON , D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced today that Fisher-Price Inc., of East Aurora, N.Y., has agreed to pay a $975,000 civil penalty. The penalty, which the Commission has provisionally accepted, settles allegations that the company failed to report to the government that a nail fastener in the Little People® Animal Sounds Farm could separate from the toy and pose a serious choking or aspiration hazard to young children.
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Cite: www.cpsc.gov

Winter Storms Causing Consumers to Reach for Supplemental Heating
CPSC Warns of Deadly Fire and CO Dangers

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- With winter storms and cold weather impacting much of the country, the need for supplemental heating is on the rise. Continued reports of deaths and injuries associated with alternative heating products prompts the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) again to warn consumers to exercise extreme caution when using space heaters, kerosene heaters, and fireplaces.

On January 17, a 1-year-old, Westmoreland, N.Y., girl was killed when a space heater in her room ignited a fire. Her mother, while trying to rescue the child, received burns to her hands, arms and face. In another recent incident, a Tarrant City, Ala., couple was killed when embers from their fireplace ignited a fire that spread throughout the home.

“There are nearly 25,000 fires and 140 deaths on average each year from portable heaters, fireplaces and chimneys,” said CPSC Acting Chairman Nancy Nord. “Use these products properly and have working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to help keep your family safe this winter.”

Home heating equipment is one of the most common causes of residential structure fires, second only to cooking fires. Portable heaters, including space heaters, are the leading cause of deaths in home heating equipment-related fires. Space heaters can cause fires if they are placed too close to flammable materials such as drapes, furniture or bedding. Fireplaces can cause fires if the chimney is cracked, blocked or coated with creosote, or if sparks and embers reach flammable materials.

Also, carbon monoxide (CO) from gasoline-powered generators that may be used during winter weather-related power outages can kill in minutes. Consumers should never use a generator, charcoal or gas grill in an enclosed area. In addition, fuel-burning appliances can cause carbon monoxide poisoning if they are improperly installed, poorly maintained, have defective or blocked venting systems, or are misused.

To help prevent deaths and injuries, CPSC urges consumers to:

* Have your heating system, water heater and any other gas, oil, or coal burning appliances serviced by a qualified technician every year.
* Install battery-operated CO and smoke alarms in your home. Locate CO alarms outside the bedrooms in each separate sleeping area. Locate smoke alarms on each level of the house and inside every bedroom.
* Replace smoke and CO alarm batteries in the spring and fall when you change the time on your clocks.
* If an alarm sounds, leave your home immediately and call 911.
* Seek medical attention immediately if you are feeling dizzy, lightheaded or nauseous. These are symptoms of CO poisoning.

Fireplaces:

* Have flues and chimneys inspected before each heating season for leakage and blockage by creosote (an oily deposit that readily ignites) or debris.
* Open the fireplace damper before lighting the fire and keep it open until the ashes are cool. Never close the damper if the ashes are still warm. An open damper may help prevent build-up of poisonous gases inside the home.
* Store fireplace ashes in a fire resistant container and cover it with a lid. Keep the container outdoors and away from combustibles.
* Never use flammable liquid to start a fire.

Space heaters:

* Place the heater on a level, hard and nonflammable surface (such as ceramic tile floor), not on rugs or carpets or near bedding or drapes. Keep the heater at least three feet from bedding, drapes, furniture and other flammable materials. Keep children and pets away from space heaters.
* To reduce the risk of fire, NEVER leave a space heater on when you go to sleep or place a space heater close to any sleeping person. Turn the space heater off if you leave the area. Never use extension cords to power electric heaters.
* Use a space heater that has been tested to the latest safety standards and certified by a nationally-recognized testing laboratory. These heaters will have the most up-to-date safety features. A newer gas space heater that meets current safety standards will shut off if oxygen levels fall too low.

Charcoal grills:

* NEVER burn charcoal inside of homes, vehicles, tents, or campers. Charcoal should never be used indoors, even if ventilation is provided.

Cite: www.cpsc.gov

NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 14, 2006
Release #07-032 CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

List of Top Holiday Safety Tips Released
CPSC, AARP ask consumers to pay attention to age labels

WASHINGTON, D.C. – It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Ask any kid why, and getting toys is often a top reason. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), and AARP are working together to make this holiday season a safe one by warning all gift givers about the five toy hazards that can take all the fun out of any celebration.

CPSC Acting Chairman Nancy Nord was joined today at a press conference on toy safety in Washington, D.C. by Amy Goyer, National Coordinator, Grandparenting, AARP Foundation.

“AARP, which represents millions of older Americans with grandkids is an organization with a vital interest in toy safety,” said Nord. “We’re joining forces to make sure all toy shoppers are aware of this year’s top toy safety tips to help reduce injuries and deaths.”

Here are CPSC’s Top Safe Shopping Tips for this year:

* Magnets – For children under age six, avoid building sets with small magnets. If swallowed, serious injuries and/or death can occur.
* Small Parts – For children younger than age three, avoid toys with small parts, which can cause choking.
* Ride-on Toys – Riding toys, skateboards and in-line skates go fast and falls could be deadly. Helmets and safety gear should be sized to fit.
* Projectile Toys – Projectile toys such as air rockets, darts and sling shots are for older children. Improper use of these toys can result in serious eye injuries.
* Chargers and Adapters – Charging batteries should be supervised by adults. Chargers and adapters can pose thermal burn hazards to children.

CPSC also recommends using the following tips to help choose appropriate toys for children:

* Be a label reader. Look for toy labels that give age and safety recommendations and use that information as a guide.
* Select toys to suit the age, abilities, skills and interest level of the intended child. Look for sturdy construction, such as tightly-secured eyes, noses and other potential small parts.
* For all children under 8, avoid toys that have sharp edges and points.

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

CPSC has reports of 20 toy-related deaths involving children under age 15 that occurred in 2005. Nine of these deaths occurred when a child choked or aspirated on a small ball or other toy parts. Also, in 2005 an estimated 152,400 children under 15 years old were treated for toy-related injuries in U.S. hospital emergency rooms. The majority of these injuries were not the result of a recalled or dangerous product. Instead, injuries from riding toys such as falls, made up a significant number of the injuries.

Consumers who have already purchased gifts should make sure they check that their gift lists do not include any of the recalled toys or children’s products on CPSC’s Web site. Check for product recalls on this 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 just 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

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Send the link for this page to a friend! The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from more than 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $700 billion annually. The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard or can injure children. The CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals - contributed significantly to the 30 percent decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC's hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC's teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270, or visit CPSC's web site at www.cpsc.gov/talk.html. To join a CPSC email subscription list, please go to www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.asp. Consumers can obtain this release and recall information at CPSC's Web site at www.cpsc.gov.

Cite: www.cpsc.gov

To help prevent deaths and injuries, CPSC and CDC also urge consumers to:

* Have your heating system, water heater and any other gas, oil, or coal burning appliances serviced by a qualified technician every year.
* Install battery-operated CO and smoke alarms in your home.
* Locate CO alarms outside the bedrooms in each separate sleeping area.
* Locate smoke alarms on each level of the house and inside every bedroom.
* Replace smoke and CO alarm batteries when you change the time on your clocks each spring and fall and check batteries monthly.
* If an alarm sounds, leave your home immediately and call 911.
* Seek medical attention immediately if you suspect CO poisoning and are feeling dizzy, lightheaded or nauseous.

Fireplaces:

* Have flues and chimneys inspected before each heating season for leakage and blockage by creosote or debris.
* Open the fireplace damper before lighting the fire and keep it open until the ashes are cool. Never close the damper if the ashes are still warm. An open damper may help prevent build-up of poisonous gases inside the home.
* Store fireplace ashes in a fire resistant container and cover it with a lid. Keep the container outdoors and away from combustibles.

Space heaters:

* Place the heater on a level, hard and nonflammable surface (such as ceramic tile floor), not on rugs or carpets or near bedding or drapes. Keep the heater at least three feet from bedding, drapes, furniture and other flammable materials. Keep children and pets away from space heaters.
* To prevent the risk of fire, NEVER leave a space heater on when you go to sleep or place a space heater close to any sleeping person. Turn the space heater off if you leave the area.
* Use a space heater that has been tested to the latest safety standards and certified by a nationally-recognized testing laboratory. These heaters will have the most up-to-date safety features; older space heaters may not meet the newer safety standards. An unvented gas space heater that meets current safety standards will shut off if oxygen levels fall too low.

Charcoal grills:

* Never burn charcoal inside of homes, vehicles, tents, or campers. Charcoal should never be used indoors, even if ventilation is provided.