wireless phones and batteries;deadly dangers; birthing classes; food safety;; medical errors;

http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PREREL/prhtml05/05174.html
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission CTIA: The Wireless Association™
www.cpsc.gov www.ctia.org

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 13, 2005
Release #05-174 CPSC Media Contact: Scott Wolfson, (301) 504-7051
CTIA Director of Public Affairs: Joe Farren, (202) 785-0081

Cell Phone Batteries: CPSC, CTIA Working Together to Keep Consumers Safe
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Cell phones are ubiquitous in today's modern culture . . . While the convenience and usefulness of wireless devices add to their growing popularity, it is increasingly important for consumers to follow guidelines on the
maintenance of wireless phones and batteries.

Lithium-ion (Li-Ion) batteries, which are commonly found in today's cellular phones, have a lot of energy in a small package. Li-Ion batteries are more sensitive to physical stress than alkaline batteries found in toys and flashlights and
need to be treated with more care.

To promote the safe use of cell phones, batteries and chargers, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and CTIA-The Wireless Association, the trade organization representing various facets of the wireless industry, recommend the following:

Do not use incompatible cell phone batteries and chargers. Some Web sites and second-hand dealers, not associated with reputable manufacturers and carriers, might be selling incompatible or even counterfeit batteries and chargers. Consumers should purchase manufacturer or carrier recommended products and accessories. If unsure about whether a replacement battery or charger is compatible, contact the manufacturer of the battery or charger. Do not permit a battery out of the phone to come in contact with metal objects, such as coins, keys or jewelry. Do not crush, puncture or put a high degree of pressure on the battery as this can cause an internal short-circuit, resulting in overheating. Avoid dropping the cell phone. Dropping it, especially on a hard surface, can potentially cause damage to the phone and battery. If you suspect damage to the phone or battery, take it to a service center for inspection. Do not place the phone in areas that may get very hot, such as on or near a cooking surface, cooking appliance, iron, or radiator. Do not get your phone or battery wet. Even though they will dry and appear to operate normally, the circuitry could slowly corrode and pose a safety hazard. Follow battery usage, storage and charging guidelines found in the user's guide. "CPSC has received reports of incidents and injuries involving cell phones batteries and chargers in a variety of environments," said CPSC Chairman Hal Stratton. "CPSC will continue to do its part by investigating and recalling batteries that present a safety hazard, and we ask that consumers do their part by following some basic safety steps in their day-to-day use of cell phone batteries."


CTIA and CPSC also urge consumers to properly dispose of their old batteries and equipment.


CTIA-The Wireless Assocation™ is the international association for the wireless telecommunications industry, representing carriers, manufacturers and wireless Internet providers.
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http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml07/07256.html
NEWS from CPSC

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission


Office of Information and Public AffairsWashington, DC 20207



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 1, 2007
Release #07-256CPSC Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7800 CPSC Releases the "Top Five Hidden Home Hazards"
Safety Agency Places Popular Magnetic Toys on the List of Deadly Dangers


WASHINGTON, D.C. - Whether it is an apartment, duplex or single-family residence, the home is a place that is supposed to give families a feeling of safety and security. For many Americans families however, an injury or death of a loved one can turn this place of happiness into one of tragedy.


Each year, 33.1 million people are injured by consumer products in the home. Some hazards are from products the Agency has warned about for years; others come from new products and technologies. the CPSC has identified the Top Five Hidden Home Hazards – associated with products that people may be using everyday, but are unaware of the dangers that they can cause. These home hazards are often unseen or unnoticed by consumers.


"The home is where people feel comfortable and secure, but constant awareness is the key to keeping families safe," said Acting Chairman Nancy Nord. "CPSC is aiming to increase awareness of the hidden hazards around the home in order to help consumers protect against these dangers."


With no or very little investment, incidents and injuries from these dangers are preventable. Simply by being aware of these Top Five Hidden Home Hazards, many lives can be spared and life-altering injuries avoided:


#1
Magnets

Since 2005:
1 Death, 86 Injuries;
8 million magnetic toys recalled. Today's rare-earth magnets can be very small and powerful making them popular in toys, building sets, and jewelry. As the number of products with magnets has increased, so has the number of serious injuries to children. In several hundred incidents, magnets have fallen out of various toys and been swallowed by children. Small intact pieces of building sets that contain magnets have also been swallowed by children. If two or more magnets, or a magnet and another metal object are swallowed separately, they can attract to one another through intestinal walls and get trapped in place. The injury is hard to diagnose. Parents and physicians may think that the materials will pass through the child without consequence, but magnets can attract in the body and twist or pinch the intestines, causing holes, blockages, infection, and death, if not treated properly and promptly.

Watch carefully for loose magnets and magnetic pieces and keep away from younger children (less than 6).
If you have a recalled product with magnets, stop using it, call the company today, and ask for the remedy.

#2
Recalled Products

Each year there about 400 recalls . . . once a product gets into the home, the consumer has to be on the lookout. Consumers need to be aware of the latest safety recalls to keep dangerous recalled products away from family members.

Get dangerous products out of the home.


Tip-overs

Average of 22 deaths per year;
31 in 2006 and an estimated 3,000 injuries. Furniture, TVs and ranges can tip over and crush young children. Deaths and injuries occur when children climb onto, fall against or pull themselves up on television stands, shelves, bookcases, dressers, desks, and chests. TVs placed on top of furniture can tip over causing head trauma and other injuries. Items left on top of the TV, furniture, and countertops, such as toys, remote controls and treats might tempt kids to climb.

Verify that furniture is stable on its own. For added security, anchor to the floor or attach to a wall. Free standing ranges and stoves should be installed with anti-tip brackets.

#4
Windows & Coverings

Average of 12 deaths annually from window cords;
Average of 9 deaths and an estimated 3,700 injuries to children annually from window falls. Children can strangle on window drapery and blind cords that can form a loop. Parents should use cordless blinds or keep cords and chains permanently out of the reach of children. Consumers should cut looped cords and install a safety tassel at the end of each pull cord or use a tie-down device, and install inner cord stays to prevent strangulation. Never place a child's crib or playpen within reach of a window blind.


The dangers of windows don't end with window coverings and pull cords. Kids love to play around windows. Unfortunately, kids can be injured or die when they fall out of windows. Do not rely on window screens. Window screens are designed to keep bugs out, not to keep kids in.

Safeguard your windows: repair pull cords ending in loops and install window guards or stops today.

#5
Pool & Spa Drains

15 injuries, 2 fatalities from 2002-2004. The suction from a pool drain can be so powerful that it can hold an adult under water, but most incidents involve children. The body can become sealed against the drain or hair can be pulled in and tangled. Missing or broken drain covers are a major reason many entrapment incidents occur. Pool and spa owners can consider installing a Safety Vacuum Release System (SVRS), which detects when a drain is blocked and automatically shuts off the pool pump or interrupts the water circulation to prevent an entrapment.

Every time you use a pool or spa, inspect it for entrapment hazards. Check to make sure appropriate drain covers are in place and undamaged.To learn more about these and other home hazards, and to sign up for recall information, visit our Web site at http://www.cpsc.gov.

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web site with information on pregnancy:

http://www.americanpregnancy.org/

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web sites with information on birthing classes:

www.kidshealth.org/parent/pregnancy_newborn/pregna...

www.RightHealth.com/Pregnancy/

www.bradleybirth.com/

http://wwwblossombirth.org/

http://www.pregnancy.about.com/od/childbirtheduc/a/cbeclass.h...

www.birth.com.au/

www.babycenter.com/0_childbirth-classes_161.bc

www.birthworks.org/classes.html

www.joyfulbirthclasses.com/


www.fcwc.com/child_birth_classes.htm

http://www.pregnancy.about.com/od/childbirthclasse1/ss/cbecla...


www.motherfriendly.org/Downloads/birthClasses.pdf [Found on Yahoo! Search]

www.childbirth.org/articles/whichcbe.html [Found on Google]

http://www.dogpile.com/dogpile/ws/results/Web/food%20safety/1/417/TopNavigation/Relevance/iq=true/zoom=off/_iceUrlFlag=7?_IceUrl=true

web sites with information about food safety:


busycooks.about.com/od/cookinglessons/a/foodsafety



www.foodsafety.gov/ [

www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/foodsafety.html

www.fsis.usda.gov/

www.fightbac.org/

www.homefoodsafety.org/

www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/

www.extension.iastate.edu/foodsafety

www.who.int/foodsafety/en

www.allsafe.org.uk/ [


www.foodsafety.gov

www.extension.iastate.edu/foodsafety/Lesson/glossa...


aids.about.com/od/nutrition/a/hivfoodsafe.htm [Found on About]


culinaryarts.about.com/od/safetysanitation/Food_Sa...

www.fdaregistrar.com

homecooking.about.com/od/safety/Food_Safety_Resour...

www.Oshaw.com

www.who.int/fsf/

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_safety

www.cfsan.fda.gov/

canadaonline.about.com/od/food/Food_and_Nutrition_...


www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?nav...

adam.about.com/encyclopedia/nutrition/Food-Safety....

restaurants.about.com/od/foodsafetylaw/a/FoodSafet...

foodsafety.nal.usda.gov/


ces.ncsu.edu/depts/foodsci/agentinfo


vm.cfsan.fda.gov/list.html

www.redcross.org/services/disaster/0,1082,0_564_,0...

www.foodsafety.gov/~fsg/fsgfaq.html


www.who.int/foodsafety/micro/avian/en/

www.medicinenet.com/food_safety/article.htm

www.foodsafetysummit.com/

www.foodsafety.com/


foodsafety.cas.psu.edu/

www.foodsafety.org/


www.centerforfoodsafety.org/


foodsafety.ifas.ufl.edu/


lancaster.unl.edu/food/

www.michigan.gov/mda/0,1607,7-125-1568_21390-53829...

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web sites with information regarding medical errors:



www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2000/500_err.html

www.ahrq.gov/qual/errorsix.htm


www.ahrq.gov/consumer/20tips.htm



en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_error


www.cnn.com/HEALTH/9911/29/medical.errors/


www.fda.gov/FDAC/features/2003/303_meds.html


womenshealth.about.com/od/commonhealthissues/a/bl2...

www.kaiseredu.org/topics_im.asp?id=137&parentID=70...

www.ahrq.gov/browse/mederrbr.htm

www.usatoday.com/news/health/2005-05-17-medical-er...

www.ahcpr.gov/qual/errback.htm

www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21527433/


www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/11856.php



womenshealth.about.com/b/a/2077.htm


www.ahcpr.gov/qual/errorsix.htm

md-jd.info/errors.htm

pediatrics.about.com/od/aboutpediatrics/a/06_med_e...


patients.about.com/b/2008/01/13/medical-test-error...


www8.nationalacademies.org/onpinews/newsitem.aspx?...

www.webmd.com/content/article/59/66713


seniorhealth.about.com/library/prevention/blmederr...


womenshealth.about.com/b/2006/05/16/medical-errors...

www.webmd.com/content/article/30/1728_73856


en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_errors


familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/seniors/medi... [

www.caoc.com/CA/index.cfm?event=showPage&pg=Medica...



familydoctor.org/736.xml


www.aafp.org/online/en/home/press/aafpnewsreleases...

ibdcrohns.about.com/library/fda/bl20tipsa.htm

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preventable_medical_errors

www.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2008/03/10/da...


www.medicalerrors.ca/


womenshealth.about.com/b/2005/10/10/how-you-can-pr...


my.webmd.com/content/article/1685.53716?z%3D1728_0...


www.disabledlawyering.org/

www.mercola.com/2005/jun/2/medical_mistakes.htm

well.blogs.nytimes.com/tag/medical-errors

familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/healthy/safe...

www.preventingmedicalerrors.com/


women.webmd.com/news/20040727/medical-errors-plagu...


www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/health/jan-june05/errors_2...


www.mercola.com/2005/nov/17/usa_leads_the_world__i...


www.jbpub.com/catalog/0763783617/


emcmedicaltraining.com/errors-violence.html



abcnews.go.com/Health/story?id=3789868&page=1



www.ercdataplus.com/modernhealthcare/results/apr20...


www.boston.com/business/articles/2004/08/03/survey...



www.medicalerrors.ca/links.htm


www.kulisz.com/medical_errors.htm


www.surgeryencyclopedia.com/La-Pa/Medical-Errors.h... .


http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2005-08-23-medical-er...

www.quic.gov/summit/aaahp1.htm