poolsafely gov web site
http://www.poolsafely.gov/


Recreational Water Illness (RWI)
http://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming/rwi/

Recreational water illnesses (RWIs) are caused by germs spread by swallowing, breathing in mists or aerosols of, or having contact with contaminated water in swimming pools, hot tubs, water parks, water play areas, interactive fountains, lakes, rivers, or oceans.

RWIs can be a wide variety infections, including gastrointestinal, skin, ear, respiratory, eye, neurologic, and wound infections. The most commonly reported RWI is diarrhea. Diarrheal illnesses can be caused by germs such as Crypto (short for Cryptosporidium), Giardia, Shigella, norovirus and E. coli O157:H7. In the past two decades, there has been an increase in the number of RWI outbreaks associated with swimming.

It is important to learn the basic facts about RWIs so you can keep yourself and your family healthy. CDC's Healthy Swimming program offers information and resources to raise awareness about RWIs and how to prevent them.

For more information on recreational water illnesses, including brochures, posters, and educational materials, please see the Resources and Publications page.

Health Promotion Materials

Below you will find a variety of resources to help you learn more about recreational water illness (RWI), healthy swimming, pool chemical safety, and other water-related disease prevention topics.

* Brochures
http://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming/resources/brochures.html
Printable brochures for distribution to swimmers and the general public to educate them on healthy swimming and recreational water illnesses.
* Fact Sheets
Printable fact sheets on important recreational water-related topics.
* Podcasts
Audio podcasts about recreational water illnesses, healthy swimming, and water-related disease prevention.
* Posters
Printable posters about healthy swimming behaviors, pool chemical safety, and hygiene topics for for distribution or public display at pools.
* Videos/TV
Videos and television segments on healthy swimming and recreational water topics.



How to Get Through the Line Faster For Travelers
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/screening_experience.shtm

Passengers are asked to bear in mind the following advice to help make their passage through the airport as efficient and comfortable as possible.
Pack Smart

* Pack an organized carry-on bag using layers – a layer of clothes, then electronic, more clothes, and then any heavier items. This will help transportation security officers see what's in your bag. Innocent items can actually appear to be potential threats in an X-ray image, simply by the way they're packed.

* Do not pack oversized electronics (laptops, full-size video game consoles, DVD players and video cameras that use cassettes) in your checked baggage when possible. However, please be advised that you will be required to remove these items from your carry-on bag and submit them separately for x-ray screening. Click here for "checkpoint friendly" laptop bag procedures. Small electronics, such as iPods, can remain in your carry-on.
* Prepare your 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag of liquids before arriving at the airport. For more information on liquid rules: 3-1-1 for carry-ons, click here.
* Pack all your coats and jackets in your checked baggage when possible. All coats and jackets must go through the X-ray machine for inspection.
* Do not wrap gifts. If a security officer needs to inspect a package, they may have to unwrap your gift. Please wait until you've reached your final destination to wrap gifts.
* Film. Undeveloped film should go in your carry-on bag. You will able to declare film that is faster than 800-speed to a transportation security officer for physical inspection to avoid being X-rayed.
* When in doubt, leave it out. If you're not sure about whether you can bring an item through the checkpoint, put it in your checked bag or leave it at home. Click here to see the list of prohibited items.

Dress the Part

Transportation security officers have to identify any metal that is detected at the checkpoint. If the metal detector alarms when you pass through, you will be required to undergo additional screening. This includes a hand-wand and pat-down inspection.

Items that might set off an alarm on the metal detector include:

* Keys, loose change, mobile phones, pagers, and personal data assistants (PDAs)
* Heavy jewelry (including pins, necklaces, bracelets, rings, watches, earrings, body piercings, cuff links, lanyards or bolo ties)
* Clothing with metal buttons, snaps or studs
* Metal hair barrettes or other hair decoration
* Belt buckles
* Under-wire bras

Body Piercings. Certain metal body piercings may cause you to alarm at the metal detector, which will result in you getting additional screening. If additional screening is required, you may ask to remove your body piercing in private as an alternative to the pat-down search.

Head Coverings. You are permitted to wear head coverings and religious garments during the screening process. You may be directed to additional screening if your headwear or clothing (religious or otherwise) is loose fitting or large enough to hide prohibited items. For more information, click here.

Shoes. Travelers are required to remove their shoes before entering the walk-through metal detector at all U.S. airports and put them through the x-ray machine for inspection. This allows officers to see if the shoes have been tampered with in any way.
Have the Following Ready
Acceptable Documents


The items you'll need to present to a Transportation Security Officer at the checkpoint are:

* Boarding pass
* Identification

We encourage each adult traveler to keep his/her airline boarding pass and government-issued photo ID available until exiting the security checkpoint (children are not required to show identification).

If you do not have identification (if it is lost, stolen, etc.), you will be required to provide the document checking officer with some information to help verify your identity. This will slow down your screening process and will result in additional screening.
Hassle-Free Security Tips

* Arrive on time. Arrival time recommendations vary by airline and day of travel, so check with your carrier. Remember to give yourself adequate time to check your baggage and move through security.
* Wear slip-on shoes. This will allow you to take them off and put them back on quickly, without having to sit down.
* Pets. Please remove all animals from their carrying cases and send the case through the X-ray machine. Hold your pet in your arms and proceed through the metal detector.
* Children. Please take your infants and children out of baby carriers and strollers and take them through the metal detector with you. Strollers and baby carriers go through the X-ray machine with your bags. If possible, collapse your stroller before you get to the metal detector. For more information traveling with children, click here.
* Think before you speak. Belligerent behavior, inappropriate jokes and threats will not be tolerated. They will result in delays and possibly missing your flight. Local law enforcement may be called as necessary.

Helpful Videos

Make your screening experience as smooth as possible. Select a video to help you understand the screening process.

* Step-By-Step Screening (WMV, 3 MB)
* Female business traveler (WMV, 3 MB)
* Male business traveler (WMV, 3 MB)
* Traveling with a baby or small child (WMV, 3 MB)
* Travelers with special needs (WMV, 3 MB)


CPSC Issues Final Mandatory Rule on Infant Baby Walkers
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10247.html

NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 27, 2010
Release #10-247 CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908
CPSC Issues Final Mandatory Rule on Infant Baby Walkers

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) voted (5-0) to issue a final mandatory rule under section 104(b) of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) for infant walkers.

The rule adopts the applicable voluntary industry standard, ASTM F 977-07, Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Infant Walkers, and adds the following more stringent requirements:

* using the actual weight of a walker in a calculation to determine the launching distance for the stair fall test,
* specifying equipment used in the stair fall test,
* adding a parking brake test for walkers equipped with parking brakes.

These changes were made to strengthen the standard and reduce the risk of injury from these products. There has been an 88% reduction in injuries from 1994 to 2008, which may be attributed to the addition of a stair fall requirement included in the 1997 version of the ASTM voluntary standard.

The final infant walker rule would take effect six months after publication in the Federal Register. This is the effective date that was proposed in the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPR). Consistent with the proposed rules recently published for toddler beds and bassinets, the effective date would apply to products manufactured or imported on or after that date.

Section 104 of the CPSIA, Standards and Consumer Registration of Durable Nursery Products, requires the CPSC to study and develop safety standards for certain infant and toddler products, including infant walkers.

Statement (pdf) from CPSC Commissioner Thomas H. Moore on the new federal safety standard for infant walkers.
http://www.cpsc.gov/pr/moore05262010.pdf


CPSC Launches National Campaign to Change the Way People Think and Act about Pool and Spa Safety
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10241.html
NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 24, 2010
Release #10-241 CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908
CPSC Launches National Campaign to Change the Way People Think and Act about Pool and Spa Safety
Pool Safely Campaign Aims to Reduce Child Drownings and Entrapments
CPSC, Olympians Hold Press Event to Release New Death and Injury Data

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) today kicks-off the Pool Safely campaign (www.poolsafely.gov), a first-of-its-kind national public education effort to reduce child drownings and non-fatal submersions, and entrapments in swimming pools and spas. At a press conference at the Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Complex today, Olympic swimmers Jason Lezak and Janet Evans joined Inez Tenenbaum, Chairman of the CPSC; U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL); and Nancy Baker, mother of Virginia Graeme Baker, to officially launch Pool Safely and release the CPSC's annual submersion and entrapment reports.

Today, CPSC released its annual reports on children's submersion and entrapment incidents which showed:

* From 2005-2007 there was an annual average of 385 pool and spa-related drownings for children younger than 15; about 78 percent, or 299, of these children were younger than five.
* From 2007-2009, there were an estimated average of 4,200 pool or spa emergency department-treated submersions for children younger than 15; and children between the ages of 12 to 35 months represented 47 percent of estimated injuries for these years.
* About 54 percent of the estimated injuries for 2007 - 2009 and 74 percent of the fatalities for 2005 - 2007 involving children younger than fifteen occurred at a residence.
* Most reported fatalities occurred on the day of (73 percent) or within a week of (additional 23 percent) the submersion incident. Just four percent of fatal victims survived beyond a week of the submersion; these victims had severe injuries and required intensive medical care.
* There were no reported entrapment fatalities for 2009. CPSC did receive eight reports of entrapment incidents in which seven people were injured during 2009.

For the complete reports see: Pool and Spa Submersions 2010 (pdf) and Circulation/Suction Entrapments 2010 (pdf). The years for reported injury and fatality statistics differ as a result of the lag in fatality reporting.

"It is important to keep in mind that these numbers represent family tragedies. Preventing child drownings year round is a priority for the CPSC," said Chairman Tenenbaum. "The Pool Safely campaign will start a national conversation with parents and children, pool owners and operators and industry professionals about the simple safety steps they can take to protect themselves and their families in and around pools and spas. These incidents are preventable, so our mission is to change the way families think and act about pool and spa safety."

The Pool Safely campaign is a key part of the CPSC's efforts to carry out the requirements of Section 1407 of the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (P&SS Act), federal legislation signed into law in 2007 mandating new requirements for pool and spa safety. It includes a requirement for a national public education campaign designed to raise public awareness, support industry compliance, and improve safety at pools and spas.

"I have been involved in the issue of pool safety throughout my career and today marks a key milestone in the ongoing fight to reduce accidental drowning," said Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, author of the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act. "Educating communities on the potential dangers of swimming pools is a critical tool in saving the lives of our children. I am so pleased to have worked with my colleagues in Congress to provide the funds needed for implementation of this important campaign."

The Pool Safely campaign will deliver an important and simple message: just adding an extra safety step in and around the water can make all the difference. Your greatest water safety assurance comes from adopting and practicing as many water safety measures as possible, including: barriers that completely surround the pool with self-closing, self-latching gates; staying close, being alert, and watching children at the pool; learning and practicing water safety skills (knowing how to swim and perform CPR); and having the appropriate equipment (compliant drain covers, alarms, barriers and sensors).

The campaign will highlight the need to implement a "personal system of safety" that consists of adding as many proven water safety practices as possible in and around pools and spas.

"As a parent of young children, I know there's no single, sure-fire way to ensure their safety around pools and spas," added Janet Evans, five-time Olympic medalist in swimming. "Whether it's enrolling them in swimming lessons or simply watching them at all times, there is always one more thing I can do. The Pool Safely campaign offers a variety of simple steps we can all take to protect our children in pools and spas."

Pool Safely will serve as an information hub delivering campaign tools and resources to various outreach channels. CPSC has taken the lead by partnering with national, regional and local organizations in the children's safety and drowning prevention communities. By engaging key partners, the campaign will reach the widest possible audience and build a sustainable network that will ensure the campaign's messaging is delivered for years to come.

"Knowing how to swim helped me win gold in the water, but it takes adding as many water safety steps as possible to ensure a safe environment for children in and around pools and spas, " said seven-time Olympic medalist in swimming Jason Lezak. "No matter how responsible you already are, there is always one more safety step you can take to protect your child. That is how you can Pool Safely. "

"I understand the need to bring together the public and dedicated partners in the water safety community to begin a national conversation about water safety," said Nancy Baker, the mother of Virginia Graeme for whom the Act is named. "I am honored to be involved in the Pool Safely campaign and look forward to working together to promote additional water safety steps we all can take in protecting our loved ones in and around pools and spas. Simple steps save lives."

The Pool Safely campaign - a national public education effort by the Consumer Product Safety Commission - is proud to partner with leading organizations, including American Red Cross, YMCA of the USA, Safe Kids USA, National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA), World Waterpark Association (WWA), and Abbey's Hope. For more information, visit the website at www.poolsafely.gov or follow the campaign on Twitter @poolsafely

http://www.poolsafely.gov/

About PoolSafely.gov and CPSC

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from thousands of types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. In addition to Pool and Spa Safety, the CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical or mechanical hazard.
Accessibility | Privacy/Security | Open Government | cpsc.gov


News

* Pool Safely: check out water safety steps in the San Diego Union Tribune -- http://tinyurl.com/38xfkbv #poolsafely #pools 41 minutes ago
* Pool Safely: check out water safety steps by the San Diego Union Tribune -- http://tinyurl.com/38xfkbv #poolsafely #pools 42 minutes ago
* Pool Safely: Learn how to swim and learn and practice basic CPR www.poolsafely.gov #poolsafely #pools about an hour ago
* To sign up for email updates from Pool Safely, CPSC's pool and spa safety campaign, go to: http://poolsafety.gov/signup.aspx #poolsafely about 3 hours ago
* Going to the pool this Memorial Day weekend? Learn how to pool safely here: www.poolsafely.gov #poolsafely #pools about 5 hours ago
* Pool Safely: Have life-saving equipment such as life rings or floats available for easy use www.poolsafely.gov #poolsafely about 20 hours ago
* Pool Safely: Ensure any pool or spa you use has compliant drain covers; ask if you do not know www.poolsafely.gov #poolsafely about 21 hours ago
* Pool Safely: Install a 4-foot fence around your pool and spa and use self-latching and self-closing gates www.poolsafely.gov #poolsafely about 22 hours ago


Although swimming is a physical activity that offers numerous health benefits, recreational
water (for example, water in pools) can also spread germs that cause illness.

simple steps pool operators and swimmers can take to prevent the spread of germs in recreational water. The germs that cause RWIs are spread by swallowing, breathing in the mists or aerosols from, or having contact with contaminated water in swimming pools, water parks, hot tubs, interactive fountains, water play areas, ponds, lakes, springs, rivers, or oceans.
To ensure a healthy swimming experience for everyone, operators of recreational water venues (for example, community pools) need to properly filter and disinfect the
water. Pool inspectors check to make sure pool water and pool facilities meet standards that decrease the risk of RWIs, but they can't be at every pool every day. To
help promote a healthy and safe swimming experience each time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is encouraging swimmers to take an active role in
stopping the spread of germs by following the Triple A's of Healthy Swimming: Awareness, Action, and Advocacy.

Awareness

* Visit CDC's Healthy Swimming website to learn more about staying healthy while swimming.
* Learn how to protect yourself from RWIs and follow the Six Steps for Healthy Swimming (listed below)

Action

* Check pool water yourself using test strips purchased at your local hardware or pool supply store. CDC recommends the following water quality levels to kill germs:
o free chlorine levels at 1–3 parts per million (ppm)
o pH 7.2–7.8

*Free test strip kits can be ordered at www.healthypools.org\freeteststripsExternal Web Site Icon

* Ask the pool operator these questions:
o Are the free chlorine and pH levels checked at least twice a day and more often when the pool is heavily used?
o What is the latest pool inspection score?
o Has the operator completed specialized training in pool operation?



* Encourage pool operators to take steps known to kill germs:
o Add ultraviolet or ozone technology to water treatment or
o Hyperchlorinate (add additional chlorine to the pool) regularly

* Educate other swimmers about RWIs and promote healthy swimming (see the "Six Steps for Healthy Swimming" listed below)

Learn more about the Triple A's of Healthy Swimming.

To learn more about pool inspections and common pool code violations, read CDC's report, "Violations Identified from Routine Swimming Pool Inspections --- Selected States and Counties, United States, 2008."
Keep Germs Out of the Pool

In addition to following the Triple A's of Healthy Swimming, the best way to prevent RWIs is to keep germs out of the pool in the first place. Everyone can help create healthy swimming experiences this summer by following the Six Steps for Healthy Swimming:

* Don't swim when you have diarrhea.
*.Don't swallow pool water.
* Practice good hygiene. Shower with soap before swimming and wash your hands after using the toilet or changing diapers.
* Take your kids on bathroom breaks or check diapers often.
* Change diapers in a bathroom or a diaper-changing area and not at poolside.
* Wash your child thoroughly (especially the rear end) with soap and water before swimming.

Healthy Swimming Resources

To help get the message out about RWI prevention, CDC's Healthy Swimming Program has developed the following educational materials:

* Healthy swimming brochures available in English and Spanish
* New fact sheets on frequently asked RWI questions
* Two videos, "In the Swim of Things" (3:52 minutes long) and "Healthy Swimming is No Accident" (30 seconds long), reminding swimmers to play it safe and stay out of the water when ill with diarrhea
* Seven podcasts on preventing illness and injury while swimming

For in-depth information on healthy swimming, go to the Healthy Swimming Web site.

For information on safe swimming at beaches, see The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Beaches Web siteExternal Web Site Icon.
Think Healthy. Be Healthy. Swim Healthy!



Hoover Recalls Upright Vacuum Cleaners Due to Fire and Shock Hazards
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10248.html

NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 27, 2010
Release #10-248 Firm's Recall Hotline: (888) 891-2054
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908
Hoover Recalls Upright Vacuum Cleaners Due to Fire and Shock Hazards

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. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Hoover® WindTunnel T-Series™ Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaners with Cord Rewind Feature

Units: About 108,000

Importer: Hoover Inc., of Glenwillow, Ohio

Hazard: The power cord is not properly routed or securely seated in the cord rewind assembly allowing the power cord to be pulled loose. This poses fire and shock hazards.

Incidents/Injuries: Hoover has received three reports of minor burns to carpet and furniture and one report of a minor burn to a consumer's hand.

Description: This recall involves Hoover® WindTunnel T-Series™ Bagless Upright vacuum cleaners with the cord rewind feature. This feature enables the cord to wind inside the vacuum for storage. The following model numbers and manufacturing codes are included in the recall.
Model Numbers Manufacturing code
ends with...
UH70110 UH70120
UH70200 UH70205
UH70210 H09A I09A
J09A K09A

Vacuums with the manufacturing code K09A followed by a green dot are not included in this recall. Vacuum cleaners with the cord rewind feature sold after November 2009 and with any other manufacturing code are not included in this recall. The model number and manufacturing code can be found on a label on the lower rear part of the vacuum cleaner.

Sold at: Mass merchandisers, department stores and independent vacuum retailers nationwide and online from August 2009 through May 2010 for between $100 and $160.

Manufactured in: Mexico

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled vacuum cleaners and contact Hoover for a free repair.



May Is Skin Cancer Awareness Month: Protect Your Skin
http://www.cdc.gov/Features/SkinCancer/
While you enjoy the outdoors this summer, protect yourself from skin cancer by using sunscreen, seeking shade, and wearing sunglasses, a hat, and sun-protective
clothing.

When you're having fun outdoors, it's easy to forget how important it is to protect yourself from the sun. Unprotected skin can be damaged by the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays in as little as 15 minutes. Yet it can take up to 12 hours for skin to show the full effect of sun exposure.

Photo: A mother applying sunscreen on her son.Even if it's cool and cloudy, you still need protection. UV rays, not the temperature, do the damage. Clouds do not block UV rays; they filter them—and sometimes only slightly. Remember to plan ahead, and keep sun protection handy in your car, bag, or child's backpack.

Tan? There's no other way to say it—tanned skin is damaged skin. Any change in the color of your skin after time outside—whether sunburn or suntan—indicates damage from UV rays. Using a tanning bed causes damage to your skin, just like the sun.
Types of Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. The two most common types, called basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, are highly curable. But melanoma, the third most common skin cancer, is more dangerous.
Risk Factors

Anyone can get skin cancer, but some things put you at higher risk, like having—

* A lighter natural skin color.
* A personal history of skin cancer.
* A family history of melanoma.
* Exposure to the sun through work and play.
* A history of sunburns early in life.
* Skin that burns, freckles, reddens easily, or becomes painful in the sun.
* Blue or green eyes.
* Naturally blond or red hair.

How to Protect Yourself

Take precautions against sun exposure every day of the year, especially during midday hours (10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.), when UV rays are strongest and do the most damage. UV rays can reach you on cloudy days, and can reflect off of surfaces like water, cement, sand, and snow.

* Seek shade, especially during midday hours.
* Cover up with clothing to protect exposed skin.
* Wear a hat with a wide brim to shade the face, head, ears, and neck.
* Wear sunglasses that wrap around and block as close to 100% of both UVA and UVB rays as possible.
* Put on sunscreen with sun protective factor (SPF) 15 or higher, and both UVA and UVB protection.
* Avoid tanning beds and sunlamps. The UV rays from them are as dangerous as the UV rays from the sun.