security lapses at Ayala Center Makati and SM City Manila

Security lapses on April 27, 2009, at entrances to the following shopping areas at Ayala Center, Makati: Park
Square 1, SM Makati.

Security lapses on April 28, 2009, at entrance to SM City Manila.

Advisory re Max's restaurant at SM City Manila on April 28, 2009. Eating utensils were out in the open where germs and insects could contaminate them. Said restaurant was identified as operated by Max's SM Sta. Mesa, whose president was identified as
Fuentebella. I have receipt issued by employee at said restaurant.


FDA Okays TNF-Alpha Blocker for Three Indications
http://www.medpagetoday.com/ProductAlert/Prescriptions/13896

FDA Okays TNF-Alpha Blocker for Three Indications
By Kristina Fiore, Staff Writer, MedPage Today
Published: April 24, 2009
WASHINGTON, April 24 -- The FDA has approved the monoclonal antibody golimumab (Simponi) as a once a month treatment for moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis, active psoriatic arthritis, and active ankylosing spondylitis.

The agency said the drug is intended for use in combination with methotrexate in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

It can be used with or without methotrexate in psoriatic arthritis patients, and as monotherapy in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

"Today's approval provides another treatment option for patients with these three debilitating disorders," said Bob Rappaport, M.D., director of the Division of Anesthesia, Analgesia, and Rheumatology Products in the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.

Noting that there have been some concerns about safety with this class of drugs, Dr. Rappaport said the FDA was taking steps to "minimize the risks so patients will have the same level of safety protection required for other drugs in its class."

The monthly subcutaneous injection will include a boxed warning typical of all tumor necrosis factor-alpha blockers about an associated risk of tuberculosis and invasive fungal infection.

The FDA also required a risk evaluation mitigation strategy (REMS) for golimumab, as it required for other TNF-a blockers. The REMS for Simponi includes a medication guide for patients and a communication plan to help physicians understand the drug's risks.

In clinical trials, the most common adverse reactions to golimumab included upper respiratory tract infection, sore throat and nasal congestion.

Golimumab is marketed by Centocor Ortho Biotech., Malvern, Pa.



The following is for kids:
http://www.epa.gov/kidshometour/questions.htm

Learn about Chemicals Around Your House
10+ Questions About Household Products

1. Are all pesticides dangerous?

2. What should I do if I have an accident or I am exposed to pesticides or some household product?

3. What is exposure?

4. I used a product with all kinds of health warnings on it, but I didn't get sick. Why?

5. My brother breaks out in a rash when he uses furniture polish. I say he is just making it up so he doesn't have to polish the furniture on Saturdays because I've never had any problem. What do you think?

6. Some of the kids in my class says that "huffing" certain products like spray paint or airplane glue will get you high. Are they right?

7. How should household products be stored?

8. Can empty household containers be recycled?

9. What should you do with leftover pesticides and other household products?

10. I've seen a lot of weeds and insects in our garden. Is using a pesticide the best way to get rid of them?

11. Is using a pesticide the best way to get rid of ants and roaches in my house?

12. Is there a booklet or something about pesticides that I can give my parents to use around the house?

13. If I have a question about pesticides, who can I ask?

1. Are all pesticides dangerous?

No, not all pesticides are dangerous or hazardous to humans. For example, a pesticide known as "milky spore", which is actually a bacterium, is not dangerous to humans, animals or beneficial insects. It is a selective insecticide. Selective because it kills only certain types of beetles. These are Japanese beetles, Oriental beetles, Rose chafers and certain May and June beetles.

In general though, because pesticides are suppose to prevent, destroy, or repel pests they can also be dangerous or hazardous to humans, animals or the environment. The signal word on the label(s) will tell you how dangerous a pesticide is to humans. In addition to signal words, how dangerous or hazardous a pesticide can be depends on your exposure to the pesticide. And, it also depends on how the pesticide is used. It is important to use pesticides properly, which means according to the directions on the label. Doing so reduces the chances of causing health problems for you and damage to the environment. Misusing a pesticide can cause problems. Pesticides are misused when you do not follow the label instructions. Some examples of misuse are:

1. using a pesticide for pests not on the label.
2. using more of pesticide or making it stronger than it says on the label.
3. using a pesticide in a location that is not on the label. If the label says "Outdoor use only," do not use it indoors.



2. What should I do if I have an accident or am exposed to pesticides or some household product?

If you, or someone you are with, have an accident or are exposed to a pesticide or household product you should tell your parents or other adult in your home immediately. Tell them what happened. Tell them what pesticide or household product it was. If possible, have the container and label with you. Tell them how much you came in contact with and what part of your body came in contact with it (Was it your eyes or skin or did you swallow some?) If an adult is not close by and you are hurt or starting to feel sick, then do the following:

1. If someone splashes a household chemical in the eyes, rinse out the eyes for 15-20 minutes in the shower or under a faucet. Then call your poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. You can also call 911 or your local emergency ambulance number.

2. If someone splashes a household chemical on the skin, take off the wet clothing and rinse the skin for 15-20 minutes in the shower or under a faucet. Then call your poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. You can also call 911 or your local emergency ambulance number.

3. If someone drinks a household chemical, give them half a glass of water to drink. Then call your poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. You can also call 911 or your local emergency ambulance number.

4. If someone inhaled a poisonous gas, quickly get the person to fresh air. Do not breath the fumes yourself. Open all the doors and windows wide. Call your poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. You can also call 911 or your local emergency ambulance number.

5. If someone is not breathing or won't wake up, call 911 or your local emergency ambulance number.

Be prepared for any emergency in your home. Keep your local emergency number, local ambulance number and the local poison control center telephone numbers on or next to your phone. All poison control centers now have the same telephone number. It is 1-800-222-1222.

If you would like more information on poison prevention or want to know about your local poison control center, you can look them up at the State and Regional Poison Control Centers Website. Exit EPA disclaimer They may also be listed on the inside cover or first few pages of your telephone book.



3. What is exposure?

How harmful a chemical is to you depends on your exposure to it. A simple way to think about exposure is, "how strong" and "how long" did you come in contact with a chemical.

Knowing your exposure is important in trying to find out if a chemical is causing health problems. Figuring out what your exposure was to a chemical can be tricky because sometimes it may be a long time after you come in contact with a chemical before you get sick. Or it can take repeated contact with a chemical before you get sick or have a reaction, like vomitting or developing a rash.

If you have a reaction to any household products that have been used around your home, you will need to know what to tell your parents about your "exposure" to the product. The four (4) descriptions and example questions below will help you to understand exposure.

1. Your exposure is based on how you came in contact with the chemical.

Did some spray from a glass cleaner get on your skin while cleaning the bathroom mirror? Did you accidentally walk into the room where a fogger or insect bomb had just been set off and breathe the fumes? Did you play on the grass after a weed killer was put on your lawn? Were you washing your dog with a flea and tick shampoo?

2. Your exposure is based on how long were you in contact with the chemical.

Were you playing all day on the lawn after a weed killer was used? Did you spend a half hour picking tomatoes after an insect killer was sprayed in your garden? Did you sleep all night in a room that had just been painted?

3. Your exposure is based on how much of the chemical you come in contact with.

How much insect spray got on your arm; a few drops or enough to make a large wet spot? How much of insect powder to kill ants got on your hands; a little on your fingers or was it all over your hands? How much of the container of liquid cleaner spilled on your clothes; a little splash or half the bottle?

4. Your exposure is based on how strong or toxic the chemical is.

Did the spray from a pesticide container brought from the store get on you? Did the liquid from a container of weed killer and water that your Dad mixed together spill on you? What is the signal word on the label of the container - Caution, Warning or Danger?



4. I used a product with all kinds of health warnings on it but I didn't get sick. Why?

Whether you get sick (have a toxic effect) from any chemical substance is dependent on the amount of chemical you are exposed to or more accurately, the dose. Dose is the amount of a chemical that your body absorbs and processes. The effect can vary depending on the age, weight, and overall health of the person. For example, children are often more easily affected by chemicals than adults because they are younger and they usually weigh less than adults.

To get a better understanding of what dose means, think about when you have a bad headache. The label on a children's pain relief medicine may say: "4 tablets for children weighing 60-80 pounds." If your mom only gave you two tablets and you weigh 65 pounds, your headache may not go away. If you were to take 10 tablets, you could get very sick, maybe even die. This is called overdosing, meaning a person took more medicine than it said on the label. More is not better.



5. My brother breaks out in a rash when he uses furniture polish. I say he is just making it up so he doesn't have to polish the furniture on Saturdays because I've never had any problem. What do you think?

Some people may be sensitive (require a lower amount of a substance to cause an effect) to certain chemicals and should avoid any exposure to those substances. You could switch brands of furniture polish to try to find one that doesn't cause a rash or he could always use a pair of rubber gloves while polishing the furniture.



6. Some of the kids in my class says that "huffing" certain products like spray paint or airplane glue will get you high. Are they right?

It is very, very important never to use common products to try to get "high" from them. The "high" feeling that kids may get is actually a toxic effect and an overdosage can be likely and dangerous. Some toxic effects will go away such as a slight headache, dizziness, or nausea, but other effects can be permanent, like brain damage. There have been numerous cases of brain damage in kids who "huff" chemical products. Don't believe the kids that you tell you it is fun and harmless, it is neither. Don't poison your personal environment!



7. How should household products be stored?

Here are several "rules" to follow:

1. Follow the storage instructions on the product label.

2. Store products out of reach of children and pets. Keep all pesticides and harmful household products locked in a cabinet, a utility area with lots of ventilation or air flow or in a garden shed.

3. Store flammable products outside your living area and far away from places where they could catch fire. Keep flammable products away from portable heaters, electric baseboard heaters, around furnaces and outdoor grills.

4. Never store pesticides or other household products in cabinets where food is stored, or near food intended for people or animals. Never store pesticides where you keep medicines.

5. Always store household products in their original containers so that you can read the label for directions.

Remind your parents to never transfer pesticides or other household products to soft drink bottles, milk jugs or other food containers. Children, or even adults, may mistake them for something to eat or drink.

If you see household products in your home not being stored according to the these rules, don't be afraid to let your parents know! Storing chemicals safely is for everyone's protection.



8. Can empty household containers be recycled?

Many household products sold in plastic or glass containers are recyclable. To find out if you can recycle a household product's container read the section on storage and disposal on the label of the container. It will tell you if the container can be recycled. It will also tell you how to make the container ready for recycling. Of course, you must have a recycling program in your town or county. You or your parents can check with the organization responsible for the recycling program in your area. They can provide you with information on the types of household product containers that they will accept for recycling.

Check out how to find your State Contact Information on Household and Other Waste Disposal



9. What should you do with leftover pesticides and other household products?

You can safely store unused pesticides or other household products until you need them again. If you don't want to keep them, however, you need to get rid of or dispose of them properly. Do not pour leftover pesticides or other household products on the ground or in a stream in your backyard or anywhere else. Do not bury them anywhere or burn household product containers. Do not pour leftover pesticides or other household products down the sink, into the toilet or down a sewer or street drain. Many wastewater treatment systems cannot handle that type of pollution. You would be polluting the environment if you dispose of leftover household products in any of those ways. So what do you do?

Many communities have waste collection programs for unwanted household chemicals. Maybe you have seen flyers or adds for a "Hazardous Waste Collection Day" in your community. If you have household products for disposal, make sure your parents read the section on storage and disposal on the label of the container. They will need to follow these directions unless there are state and local laws that are different. Have your parents call your local solid waste management authority, environmental agency or health department to find out how to properly dispose of leftover chemicals. Find out when a "Hazardous Waste Collection Day" is scheduled for your community.

Visit the State Contact Information on Household and Other Waste Disposal Website for additional information.



10. I've seen a lot of weeds and insects in our garden. Is using a pesticide the best way to get rid of them?

There are other things you can do to take care of weeds or insects in your garden besides just using a pesticide.

For weeds: Pulling out weeds by hand, making sure you get the roots, too, is a good way to get rid of garden weeds. Some gardeners also use physical barriers to control weeds in their garden. For example, between their rows of seeds they will put a layer of mulch or a tightly woven mesh material. Water can seep into the soil underneath these barriers but the sun can't get through, so the weeds don't grow.

For insects: Did you know that not all insects in your garden are harmful to the plants? There are some insects that gardeners want in their garden. These are called "beneficial insects". Ladybugs are "beneficial insects." They eat other insects that destroy plants like aphids, mealybugs, whiteflies and mites. Other "beneficial insects" include spiders, centipedes, dragon flies and ground beetles. You can even buy these insects through some gardening catalogs. Along with having "beneficial insects" in your garden other ways to control insect pests are:

1. making sure debris where insects may hide or breed is removed;

2. alternating rows of different kinds of plants. Insects that like carrots, for example, may not spread to all your carrot plants of a row if peas are between them;

3. using plants that repel insects around your garden. For example planting garlic among vegetables helps keep away Japanese beetles, aphids, the vegetable weevil and spider mites. Planting basil near tomatoes repels tomato hornworms;

4. and, hand-picking the bugs off. (Yukky sounding I know.)

Many gardening books, or the pest specialists at your County Cooperative Extension Service or local plant nurseries can give you more information on ways to control weeds and insects in your garden.


11. Is using a pesticide the best way to get rid of ants and roaches in my house?

Like in your garden, there are things you can do besides just using a pesticide to control or get rid of ants or roaches in your house. The main thing is to get rid of their food sources and breeding places or areas where they hide. Keeping your house clean is important in preventing and controlling pests. Many of these tips apply to other insect or rodent pests as well.

Remove water. Have your parents fix leaky plumbing. Don't leave any water in trays under your houseplants, under your refrigerator or in buckets overnight. Standing water, damp areas or water-damaged material will attract insects.

Remove food. Areas where food is stored, prepared or eaten need to be kept clean. Don't leave dirty dishes unwashed. Don't leave food in pet bowls on the counter or floor for long periods to time. Store opened food items in tightly closed plastic or glass containers. That will prevent insects from chewing through boxes or bags to get to the food. Put food scraps, food wrappers and other refuse in tightly covered garbage cans. Empty your garbage frequently.

Remove or block off indoor pest hiding places. Have your parents caulk cracks and crevices to control pest access to your home. Avoid storing newspapers, paper bags, and boxes for long periods of time. Also check for insects in packages or boxes before bringing them into your home. Vacuum regularly, especially under your appliances, so that dust balls don't develop and provide hiding places.

Block pest entryways. Have your parents make sure any passageways through the floor are blocked. Caulk and seal openings in walls. Place weatherstripping on doors and windows. Put screens on all floor drains, windows and doors.





Some other suggestions to control common household pests are:

For flies: Clean up pet droppings from your yard. Make sure all garbage is in tightly closed garbage cans. Fix or replace screens in doors and windows. If you don't have screens in your doors or windows, keep them closed. Use a flyswatter.

For fleas: Bathe your pets regularly. Wash any mats, beds or surfaces that they lay on. Vacuum your house at least weekly.

For mice and rodents: Follow the tips above about removing food and water, blocking off entryways and removing hiding places. Have your parents use mouse or rat traps. Remind them to put the traps in places where the rodents will find them, but away from kids and pets.



12. Is there a booklet or something about pesticides that I can give my parents to use around the house?

Yes there is. The booklet Citizens' Guide to Pest Control and Pesticide Safety (2.5 MB, PDF format) contains lots of information. This booklet explains how to control pests in and around the home, alternatives to chemical pesticides, how to choose pesticides, and how to use, store, and dispose of them safely. It also discusses how to reduce exposure when others use pesticides, how to prevent pesticide poisoning and how to handle an emergency, how to choose a pest control company, and what to do if someone is poisoned by a pesticide. It even has a section that helps you calculate how much pesticide you should use or mix to treat different areas.

Note: The "Citizen's Guide" is a 2.5 MB PDF file. You will need PDF Reader Software to read it. (The reader is free.) You can also get a copy of the "Citizen's Guide" from the National Service Center for Environmental Publications. Call 1-800-490-9198 and ask for the "Citizens' Guide to Pest Control and Pesticide Safety", EPA publication number EPA 730-K-95-001.



Last updated on Wednesday, October 10th, 2007.



My Family Health Portrait
https://familyhistory.hhs.gov/fhh-web/home.action
An online tool from the Surgeon General



Using My Family Health Portrait you can:

* Enter your family health history.
* Create drawings of your family health history to share with family or health care worker.
* Use the health history of your family to create your own.

Talking with your health care worker about your family health history can help you stay healthy!

Learn more about My Family Health Portrait
About My Family Health Portrait

My Family Health Portrait was originally developed in collaboration between the Office of the Surgeon General and the National Human Genome Research Institute, a part of the National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services. The first version of My Family Health Portrait was released in November 2004 as downloadable computer software. However, it ran only on computers using the Windows operating system, a significant disadvantage to users of Macintosh (Mac) operating systems.

In November 2005, the tool was released in a Web-based version that uses an Internet browser on a user's personal computer. No software is downloaded to the user's personal computer, so the tool now works on a computer using the Macintosh operating system as well as a computer using the Windows operating system. The only requirement is that the user have an up-to-date version of their browser software, which is widely available from multiple sources. The software for My Family Health Portrait was tested in current versions of Internet Explorer for Windows, Firefox for Windows and Mac, Netscape for Windows and Mac and Safari for Mac.

In January 2009, the tool was re-architected and modified in the following ways:

1. Standards-based: Leveraging work done by the American Health Information Community (AHIC), both technical and core data standards have been built into the FHH 2.0 design. This means an increase in interoperability and a diminished learning curve for consumers, practitioners and researchers.
2. Shareable: Information can be electronically shared by the consumer with family members and healthcare providers. This new feature allows consumers to collaborate with family electronically to develop a more robust family health history record.
3. EHR-Ready: Version 2.0 produces xml files that can be easily integrated into existing EHRs with little customization or IT support needed. It's as simple as copying an electronic file from one location into a new system.
4. Customizable: The tool can be downloaded for adoption under an organization's own brand. It is intended to be easily adaptable into patient care portals, thus allowing healthcare organizations to promote family health history taking under their own brand, use it within their own secure environment, and contribute to comprehensive "one-stop-shopping" online patient service portal.


Phishing
http://www.onguardonline.gov/topics/phishing.aspx
Phishing
Quick Facts

Phishing is a scam where Internet fraudsters send spam or pop-up messages to lure personal and financial information from unsuspecting victims. To avoid getting hooked:

* Don't reply to email or pop-up messages that ask for personal or financial information, and don't click on links in the message. Don't cut and paste a link from the message into your Web browser — phishers can make links look like they go one place, but that actually send you to a different site.
* Some scammers send an email that appears to be from a legitimate business and ask you to call a phone number to update your account or access a "refund." Because they use Voice over Internet Protocol technology, the area code you call does not reflect where the scammers really are. If you need to reach an organization you do business with, call the number on your financial statements or on the back of your credit card.
* Use anti-virus and anti-spyware software, as well as a firewall, and update them all regularly.
* Don't email personal or financial information.
* Review credit card and bank account statements as soon as you receive them to check for unauthorized charges.
* Be cautious about opening any attachment or downloading any files from emails you receive, regardless of who sent them.
* Forward phishing emails to spam@uce.gov – and to the company, bank, or organization impersonated in the phishing email. You also may report phishing email to reportphishing@antiphishing.org. The Anti-Phishing Working Group, a consortium of ISPs, security vendors, financial institutions and law enforcement agencies, uses these reports to fight phishing.
* If you've been scammed, visit the Federal Trade Commission's Identity Theft website at ftc.gov/idtheft.

How Not To Get Hooked by a "Phishing" Scam

"We suspect an unauthorized transaction on your account. To ensure that your account is not compromised, please click the link below and confirm your identity."

"During our regular verification of accounts, we couldn't verify your information. Please click here to update and verify your information."

Have you received email with a similar message? It's a scam called "phishing" — and it involves Internet fraudsters who send spam or pop-up messages to lure personal information (credit card numbers, bank account information, Social Security number, passwords, or other sensitive information) from unsuspecting victims.

According to OnGuard Online, phishers send an email or pop-up message that claims to be from a business or organization that you may deal with — for example, an Internet service provider (ISP), bank, online payment service, or even a government agency. The message may ask you to "update," "validate," or "confirm" your account information. Some phishing emails threaten a dire consequence if you don't respond. The messages direct you to a website that looks just like a legitimate organization's site. But it isn't. It's a bogus site whose sole purpose is to trick you into divulging your personal information so the operators can steal your identity and run up bills or commit crimes in your name.

OnGuard Online suggests these tips to help you avoid getting hooked by a phishing scam:

* If you get an email or pop-up message that asks for personal or financial information, do not reply. And don't click on the link in the message, either. Legitimate companies don't ask for this information via email. If you are concerned about your account, contact the organization mentioned in the email using a telephone number you know to be genuine, or open a new Internet browser session and type in the company's correct Web address yourself. In any case, don't cut and paste the link from the message into your Internet browser — phishers can make links look like they go to one place, but that actually send you to a different site.
* Area codes can mislead. Some scammers send emails that appear to be from a legitimate business and ask you to call a phone number to update your account or access a "refund." Because they use Voice over Internet Protocol technology, the area code you call does not reflect where the scammers really are. If you need to reach an organization you do business with, call the number on your financial statements or on the back of your credit card. And delete any emails that ask you to confirm or divulge your financial information.
* Use anti-virus and anti-spyware software, as well as a firewall, and update them all regularly. Some phishing emails contain software that can harm your computer or track your activities on the Internet without your knowledge.
Anti-virus software and a firewall can protect you from inadvertently accepting such unwanted files. Anti-virus software scans incoming communications for troublesome files. Look for anti-virus software that recognizes current viruses as well as older ones; that can effectively reverse the damage; and that updates automatically.
A firewall helps make you invisible on the Internet and blocks all communications from unauthorized sources. It's especially important to run a firewall if you have a broadband connection. Operating systems (like Windows or Linux) or browsers (like Internet Explorer or Netscape) also may offer free software "patches" to close holes in the system that hackers or phishers could exploit.

* Don't email personal or financial information. Email is not a secure method of transmitting personal information. If you initiate a transaction and want to provide your personal or financial information through an organization's website, look for indicators that the site is secure, like a lock icon on the browser's status bar or a URL for a website that begins "https:" (the "s" stands for "secure"). Unfortunately, no indicator is foolproof; some phishers have forged security icons.
* Review credit card and bank account statements as soon as you receive them to check for unauthorized charges. If your statement is late by more than a couple of days, call your credit card company or bank to confirm your billing address and account balances.
* Be cautious about opening any attachment or downloading any files from emails you receive, regardless of who sent them. These files can contain viruses or other software that can weaken your computer's security.
* Forward phishing emails to spam@uce.gov – and to the company, bank, or organization impersonated in the phishing email. Most organizations have information on their websites about where to report problems. You also may report phishing email to reportphishing@antiphishing.org. The Anti-Phishing Working Group, a consortium of ISPs, security vendors, financial institutions and law enforcement agencies, uses these reports to fight phishing.
* If you believe you've been scammed, file your complaint at ftc.gov, and then visit the FTC's Identity Theft website at ftc.gov/idtheft. Victims of phishing can become victims of identity theft. While you can't entirely control whether you will become a victim of identity theft, you can take some steps to minimize your risk. If an identity thief is opening credit accounts in your name, these new accounts are likely to show up on your credit report. You may catch an incident early if you order a free copy of your credit report periodically from any of the three major credit reporting companies. See www.annualcreditreport.com for details on ordering a free annual credit report.

Learn other ways to avoid email scams and deal with deceptive spam at ftc.gov/spam.


prevention com magazine
http://www.prevention.com/cda/homepage.do

Take It Apart website
http://www.takeitapart.net/

Pesticides and Food:

Why Children May be Especially Sensitive to Pesticides
http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/food/pest.htm

Infants and children may be especially sensitive to health risks posed by pesticides for several reasons:

* their internal organs are still developing and maturing,
* in relation to their body weight, infants and children eat and drink more than adults, possibly increasing their exposure to pesticides in food and water.
* certain behaviors--such as playing on floors or lawns or putting objects in their mouths--increase a child's exposure to pesticides used in homes and yards.

Pesticides may harm a developing child by blocking the absorption of important food nutrients necessary for normal healthy growth.
Another way pesticides may cause harm is if a child's excretory system is not fully developed, the body may not fully remove pesticides. Also, there are
"critical periods" in human development when exposure to a toxin can permanently alter the way an individual's biological system operates.

What can you do to protect your children from pesticide exposure? One of the most important things parents can do to protect their children is to read and follow label directions whenever using a pesticide. The interactive label will help consumers understand the label components.


Ten Tips to Protect Children from Pesticide and Lead Poisonings
http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/child-ten-tips.htm
These simple steps can help you save children from environmental hazards around the home:



1. Always store pesticides and other household chemicals, including chlorine bleach, out of children's reach -- preferably in a locked cabinet.



2. Read the Label FIRST! Pesticide products, household cleaning products, and pet products can be dangerous or ineffective if too much or too little is used.



3. Before applying pesticides or other household chemicals, remove children and their toys, as well as pets, from the area. Keep children and pets away until the pesticide has dried or as long as is recommended on the label.



4. If your use of a pesticide or other household chemical is interrupted (perhaps by a phone call), properly reclose the container and remove it from children’s reach. Always use household products in child-resistant packaging.




5. Never transfer pesticides to other containers that children may associate with food or drink(like soda bottles), and never place rodent or insect baits where small children can get to them.




6. When applying insect repellents to children, read all directions first; do not apply over cuts, wounds, or irritated skin; do not apply to eyes, mouth, hands, or directly on the face; and use just enough to cover exposed skin or clothing, but do not use under clothing.



7. Many homes built before 1978 have lead-based paint. If you plan to remodel or renovate, get your home tested . Don’t try to remove lead paint yourself.



8. Ask about lead when buying or renting a home. Sellers and landlords must disclose known lead hazards in houses or apartments built before 1978.




9. Get your child tested for lead. There are no visible symptoms of lead poisoning, and children may suffer behavior or learning problems as a result of exposure to lead hazards.


10. Wash children’s hands, toys, and bottles often. Regularly clean floors, window sills, and other surfaces to reduce possible exposure to lead and
pesticide residues.

Last updated on Monday, March 17th, 2008.



Based on information Haier products are distributed in the Philippines by Continental Sales
Toaster Oven/Broilers Recalled by Haier America Due to Burn or Electrical Shock Hazard
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09199.html
NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 23, 2009
Release #09-199

Firm's Recall Hotline: (866) 927-4810
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Toaster Oven/Broilers Recalled by Haier America Due to Burn or Electrical Shock Hazard
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Toaster Oven/Broilers

Units: About 106,000

Importer: Haier America Trading L.L.C., of New York, N.Y.

Manufacturer: Lun Dar Electric Ind. Ltd., of Taiwan

Hazard: Electrical connections in the toaster oven/broilers can become loose, posing electrical shock and burn hazards.

Incidents/Injuries: Haier America has received two reports of minor burns and one report of a minor electrical shock to consumers, and one report of minor property damage.

Description: This recall involves toaster oven/broilers with model number RTO1400SS. The units are stainless steel and black plastic. “Haier” is printed on the front and the model number is printed on a label on the back of the toaster oven/broilers.

Sold at: Mass merchandisers and specialty retailers nationwide from September 2006 through January 2009 for approximately $20 to $40.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled toaster oven/broilers and contact Haier America to receive a free replacement toaster oven/broiler.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Haier America at (866) 927-4810 anytime, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.haieramerica.com





National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence
http://www.nice.org.uk/

housesmarttv com
http://www.housesmartstv.com/#/Manfredini_Minutes/


supermarketguru web site
http://www.supermarketguru.com/

The Humane Society of the United States
http://www.hsus.org/