Have a happy - and safe - new year!

While staying safe on the road must be a high priority for New Year's Eve revelers, it's certainly not the only safety issue that you may confront as you ring in 2007. However, with a little care and foresight, you can protect yourself from some of the more common New Year's risks. Follow the tips below, and your biggest challenge on New Year's Eve may be remembering all the words to "Auld Lang Syne."

Champagne Corks - You can avoid eye injuries — and broken windows — if you follow the advice of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and remember the number 45. That is, you should chill your champagne to at least 45°F, as this will make the cork less likely to pop out unexpectedly, and you should hold the bottle at a 45-degree angle, pointing it away from yourself and others. Then, after removing the wire hood, place a towel over the top of the bottle and grasp the cork. With the bottle in one hand, slowly twist the cork, applying gentle upward pressure. When you feel the cork about to pop out, reverse pressure to a slight downward tilt. If all goes well, you'll have a cork in one hand, a full bottle in the other, and no injuries in sight.

Fireworks - When it comes to explosives, follow the same rules on New Year's Eve that you would any other time of the year: Leave it to the experts. The best way to enjoy fireworks is to watch a public exhibition from a safe distance. If you feel you must light your own fireworks, make sure to follow local laws (several states, including New York and New Jersey have a total ban on private use of fireworks), check for recalls and never allow children to handle or light any kind of fireworks — including sparklers. You can find some more tips on fireworks safety here.

Crowds - On New Year's Eve 1993, 21 people were trampled to death as a celebration on cramped, rain-soaked streets in Hong Kong turned into a melee. While such incidents aren't the norm, you can avoid injuries by following the instructions of local officials and avoiding alcohol (some popular destinations, including New York's Times Square, ban alcohol on New Year's Eve). Also, remember that there's safety in numbers. When going to a large public event, plan to travel with friends and stick with them. You should also check weather forecasts and dress accordingly — and consider staying away if conditions are poor. While government officials have periodically issued warnings about terrorism threats related to New Year's Eve, they expect no such issues this year. Officials "don't see a particular threat" related to New Year's Eve, said White House homeland security advisor Frances Fragos Townsend. You can find some more safety tips from the Mayor of London (a city that attracts over 200,000 people to its annual New Year's Eve bash) here.

Holiday Driving Safety Quiz

We don't need to remind you that this weekend will be a heavy drinking one — if not for you, at least for many drivers on the road. But we would like to take this time to remind you — or perhaps even teach you — of some startling facts about drinking and driving. Did you know, for instance, that alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes injure someone every two minutes? Or that three of every 10 Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related crash at some time in their lives? 

Here's a quiz to test your knowledge about other drinking-and-driving facts. You'll find the correct answers below this post (no peeking!). 

1. True or False: To legally operate a motor vehicle in the United States, your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) must be lower than .08 percent.

2. On average, a driver makes over how many decisions per mile?

A. 50

B. 75

C. 150

D. 200

3. Nearly how many people are arrested each year in the U.S. for driving while intoxicated (DWI)?

A. 500,000

B. 750,000

C. 1,000,000

D. 1,500,000

4. An average 170-pound man typically must have more than how many drinks in one hour on an empty stomach to reach a .08 percent BAC level?

A. 1

B. 2

C. 3

D. 4

5. An average 137-pound woman reaches .08 percent BAC after about how many drinks in an hour on an empty stomach?

A. 1

B. 2

C. 3

D. 4

6. Alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes kill someone every ____ minutes.

A. 9

B. 21

C. 31

D. 45

7. Alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes injure someone every ____ minutes.

A. 2

B. 9

C. 18

D. 27

8. How many out of every 10 Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related crash at some time in their lives?

A. 1

B. 2

C. 3

D. 4

9. What percent of fatal crashes involved alcohol in 2005?

A. 15

B. 22

C. 39

D. 79

10. What percent of persons killed or injured in crashes from midnight to 3 a.m. were alcohol-related in 2005?

A. 46

B. 55

C. 68

D. 75

11. True of False: January and December were the months with the highest crash rates in 2005.

12. True or False: Christmas and New Year’s Day were the holiday periods with the highest numbers of persons killed in alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes in 2005.

13. True or False: Wearing your seatbelt can reduce your risk of dying in a traffic crash by about 50 percent.

CPSC moving closer to tighter lead jewelry rules

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has moved another step closer to banning children’s jewelry made with lead. Today, the commission announced that its two presiding members have approved the first of a three-step process to ban any children’s metal jewelry containing more than 0.06 percent of total lead.   

The action — officially known as an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking — comes after a steady stream of recalls of children’s jewelry containing lead, including one that came about when a child died after swallowing a metal charm (pictured above). At least 14 separate recalls involving more than 160 million pieces of metal jewelry have been issued over the past two years. Kids who ingest this highly toxic metal can experience a range of severe health problems, most notably brain damage, behavioral problems, and at high doses, kidney damage and even death. 

The CPSC staff had recommended a ban earlier this month, thereby tightening current commission policy that could have allowed jewelry containing 0.06 percent or more lead to be sold if that jewelry passed the agency’s “accessibility” or “extractability” test to confirm that the lead wouldn’t leach or flake from the jewelry and get absorbed into the body through the mouth or skin. Under the proposed new rule, the accessibility test would no longer be applied. The staff had found that the higher the level of lead, the greater likelihood of exposure. 

The proposed ban is in response to a petition filed by the Sierra Club and strongly supported by Consumers Union, publisher of Consumer Reports.

Wrap rage, heavy metals and other dangers under the tree

By now, we assume you've (safely) hung all of your lights, after first checking to make sure none of them were subject to a recall. And if you're lighting candles as part of your holiday celebration, you're doing so safely. But if you really want a safe and happy holiday, there's one more thing you need to address: unwrapping the presents. That's right, those festive, carefully wrapped gifts under the tree harbor hidden dangers that you should take into account before ripping them open (and, no, we're not talking about paper cuts). 

First up is the paper itself. We know that a lot of people have a tradition of tossing gift wrap into their fireplace as gifts are unwrapped. Avoid the temptation. Why? Fires started with wrapping paper burn rapidly, intensely and can create a bigger fire. That, in turn, can create a big problem, especially if the chimney is lined with creosote, which is combustible, the National Association of State Fire Marshals cautions. If  that’s not enough reason,consider this: Inks used in wrapping may contain heavy-metal compounds and metallic materials. (How do you think those bright colors get there?)  Even a small amount of these materials can pose risks when released into the air when the paper is burned, one reason green-minded consumers opt for wrapping paper made with recycled paper and soy-based inks (though not all such ink is identified). 

Once you've unwrapped those presents, you may be faced with another safety concern: Getting the gift out of the box. As outlined in CR's Oyster Awards, many manufacturers have migrated from traditional easy-to-open cardboard boxes to hard plastic "clamshells." These often require tools such as knives or scissors to open, exposing consumers to two risks: hand injuries from the sharp implements used to open the case, and additional cuts and bruises from the sharp edges that are often exposed once the package is sliced open (not to mention clamshell-induced "wrap rage" ). As part of the next edition of the Oyster Awards, we'll be testing some tools designed specifically to open clamshells. An additional risk comes from the tightly wound wires, rubber bands and strapping tape used to keep toys in position within packages. These can all be choking or hand-injury risks, especially to younger children, and toys packaged this way should only be opened by an adult. Our advice: If the presents aren't already under the tree, unbox them, put aside the troublesome packaging materials, and repack them loosely so the kids can still have fun taking them out of the box (save all packing materials in case the gift needs to be returned). Otherwise, be prepared with your toolbox on Christmas morning. 

Previously: 

• Holiday merriment beset by recalls and falls 
• Stay safe while hanging holiday lights 
• Holiday lights: the movie 
• Tips for safe ladder use 
• Turkey tips for Thanksgiving and beyond 
• Don't blow it: Tips for candle safety 
• Don't be a turkey: Gas fryers are unsafe

Growing concerns over portable generators

The recent storm in the Pacific Northwest knocked out power to over a million homes and businesses, and left a hidden killer in its wake: something one doctor has dubbed the "carbon monoxide epidemic." As of earlier this week, at least 150 people in the region were reported to be suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning, many due to improper use of portable generators. Several deaths were also reported, including an elderly couple in Canada who were found in their home with a gasoline generator running -- and all the windows and doors closed.

These  recent tragedies should be a reminder that although portable generators are useful for providing temporary or remote power, especially during emergency situations, they pose a serious poisoning hazard. The reason: They emit large quantities of the odorless, colorless carbon monoxide (CO) gas. In fact, a single portable generator can release about as much CO as the exhaust of 100 idling cars, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. So it's no wonder that consumers can be killed quickly if the devices are used indoors or too close to homes or in other enclosed spaces. According to the CPSC, there were at least 222 deaths related to CO poisoning associated with portable generators between 2000 to 2005; 64 occurred last year. Deaths have been increasing yearly as demand for the devices has risen.

The CPSC has recently launched two different initiatives to try to stem this growing problem. It is seeking a better warning label on generators and on December 6, the agency announced it would begin considering new mandatory federal standards to make the generators themselves safer through redesign, perhaps by requiring reduced CO emissions and/or automatic shut-off devices if the CO levels get too high. The agency also said it would consider requiring weatherization, theft deterrence and noise reduction standards, to enable and encourage consumers to use generators outdoors and properly placed far away from homes. (We believe that distance should be at least 15 feet.)

Consumers Union, publisher of Consumer Reports, applauds the CPSC's efforts, including the agency's proposed mandatory warning label that would require manufacturers to place a specific DANGER label on portable generators to warn consumers about the hazards of CO (below).  CU notes that the effectiveness of a label, no matter how well designed, depends on the consumer's ability to read and follow its directions. In most situations in which a portable generator is used, consumers are operating them in the dark, in the midst of a storm, under pressure to act quickly to make the unit work. That's why CU has called for several changes in the proposed label. For example. placement of the new CO DANGER label is extremely important.  The tops of most portable generators are already filled with warning labels that can distract from the primary message. So CU is recommending that the warning be placed in a prominent location, such as on the plug or next to the starter so that it is clearly visible to consumers before they start the device.

Requiring a safety action, such as pushing in and holding down a button next to label, before portable generators could be started would also reduce the chances of overlooking the DANGER label. Next, equipping warning labels with the same type of light-emitting diodes, or LEDs, often used to illuminate power outlets would ensure they would be visible in the dark. And finally, the labels should make it clear how far generators need to be placed from homes to protect consumers from CO exposure. It's so important, we'll reiterate it again: We recommend placing the generator at 15 feet from the house or garage. But even these changes, if accepted, may not be enough. That's why CU has also urged the CPSC to move quickly to require a built-in safety feature: a carbon-monoxide-sensing shutoff system. This safety device, whose concept has been proven in U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission labs, automatically shuts off the generator engine in the presence of carbon monoxide.  Portable generators already shut themselves off when their engine oil is too low, so a carbon monoxide shut off system is not unrealistic.   

You can read the comment  that CU submitted to the CPSC on their proposal here.

For more information on portable generators, visit:

• Weathering disaster
• Generator maintenance
• Recommendations (subscribers only)

Black Dog Tavern Co. fined ... with a little help

Kudos to our dogged investigator Janell Mayo Duncan, Senior Counsel at Consumers Union, publisher of Consumer Reports. As a result of her sleuthing, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced on Dec. 15 that Black Dog Tavern Co. has agreed to pay a $50,000 civil penalty after the company continued to sell children’s hooded sweatshirts with drawstrings even though the clothing had been recalled in February. Clothing like this poses a strangulation hazard because drawstrings can catch on playground equipment, bus doors, cribs, etc. From January 1985 through January 1999, the CPSC received reports of 22 deaths and 48 non-fatal entanglement incidents involving drawstrings on children’s clothing. (No incidents or injuries have been reported relating to Black Dog's sweatshirts.) 

Here’s the story behind the Black Dog penalty: 

During the summer of 2005, Janell and her family visited Martha’s Vineyard where she purchased a hooded sweatshirt from The Black Dog General Store for her 6-year-old daughter. The next day, when her daughter was wearing her new sweatshirt, Janell kept asking her daughter to keep the hood’s drawstrings out of her mouth. After about the fourth request, Janell stopped short, realizing that the sweatshirts shouldn’t have had strings in the first place, because of the danger of strangulation. Eventually, Janell called the store owner and left a message raising concerns about the sweatshirts. Janell also sent an e-mail to her contacts at the CPSC about the sweatshirts -- as well as some Basix USA children’s windbreakers she had also seen in a store in Martha’s Vineyard and later in Maine. Those windbreakers also had drawstrings in the hoods. Janell’s tip led to Black Dog cooperating with the CPSC to recall the sweatshirts in February 2006. 

Then, in August 2006, Janell and family were back at the Vineyard. She again stopped by a Black Dog General Store in Oak Bluffs and toured the kids' section — where she found more children's hooded sweatshirts with strings in the hoods, although some did not have strings. Janell alerted the salesperson, who said that the sweatshirts were not supposed to have strings. The clerk said a new shipment had just been received and that someone in the warehouse must be new and unaware that the strings were supposed to be removed from the sweatshirts. Another clerk was directed to pull them from the shelves and put them in the back. About an hour later, Janell stopped by another Black Dog General Store, also in Oak Bluffs, where she found more hooded children's sweatshirts, some of which also had pull strings in the hoods. Some had the strings removed and one clerk was stationed near the section, busily cutting strings out of the hoods of children's sweatshirts. There was a bag on the table being filled with the strings that had been removed. She took pictures of the sweatshirts  at both locations, and a picture of the bag being filled with strings.   

Now in full hunt mode, Janell stopped by the youth section in same store where she had seen Basix USA children's windbreakers sold with strings in the hoods the summer before. And the story was the same: more of the same windbreakers with string in the hoods. She took pictures of these as well, and forwarded all the photos to the CPSC. 

Needless to say, Janell is pleased that the CPSC has acted on the Black Dog sweatshirts, although she wonders why it took so long -- and also why the agency hasn’t yet taken any action on Basix. We asked the CPSC, and spokeswoman Julie Vallese said she didn’t know anything about the Basix issue; however, that doesn't mean the agency's Compliance division isn't working on it. As for Black Dog, she said it takes the government time to determine the nature and severity of the problem before issuing a civil penalty. As Janell points out, her story illustrates that YOU can make a difference! If you see any products that you think are being sold despite the fact that they have been recalled, contact us  and notify the CPSC as well.

The real science behind CR's chicken tests

When we planned our recent tests for bacteria in chickens, we had no reason to suspect that food safety would be in the news as our report appeared this month. Unfortunately, a spate of recent events, including the Taco Bell E. coli outbreak, has kept the issue in the headlines. As "Fast Food Nation" author Eric Schlosser said in The New York Times earlier this week, "our food can be much safer than it is right now."

Consumer Reports' tests found that eight out of every 10 chickens tested harbored dangerous bacteria (campylobacter and/or salmonella) that sicken millions every year. While the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) routinely tests for salmonella,  it does not test for campylobacter. Commenting on CR's study and its implications, a USDA spokesperson's response to a Reuters reporter was disappointing, coming from the agency with primary responsibility for meat safety. The spokesperson dismissed our findings as “junk science” and went on to say that “there is virtually nothing or any conclusion that anyone could draw from 500 samples.”

What the USDA’s comments fail to recognize is the careful statistical design that we use in studies like this to ensure to the greatest extent possible that our results accurately characterize the products that consumers are purchasing across the country. For this study, we used a national product retrieval service to help us purchase the 525 chickens at retail outlets nationwide. This included creating a randomized “purchasing design” so that shoppers could be dispatched in the 23 states we surveyed. Each shopper was given a mission: Anonymously purchase specified brands of chicken on specific days with a maximum of two birds per brand to be purchased during each shopping visit (The shopping was conducted over a 6-week period). After testing was completed, statistical analyses were done to ensure that there were no biases influencing the results, such as the potential effects of any particular region or store or day of the week that the samples were purchased. Studies appropriately labeled “junk science” typically do not use such standard statistical methods.

As a basis for their attack on CR’s findings, government and industry critics point to a recent study done by researchers from the National Chicken Council and the USDA Agricultural Research Service.  This joint industry-government study, which had several serious flaws in its design, showed a 26% rate of campylobacter contamination. Tested birds came from 13 processing plants that had volunteered to participate in the study -- plants that could potentially be cleaner than those that did not volunteer. The chickens were taken in batches off the processing line, a method that would miss any contamination occurring further down the line, and therefore the sample did  not fully represent the quality of chickens bought at retail. Further, the study used a less sensitive method to detect campylobacter, which would be expected to find fewer contaminated samples than our more sensitive test.

Perhaps the most interesting footnote to this back and forth is that throughout our long history of testing chickens for these pathogens, our results have been reasonably consistent with results of USDA’s regular monitoring for salmonella and with their baseline tests for campylobacter. The USDA reported a 15 percent incidence for salmonella in the second half of 2005, and between 11 and 12 percent in the first three quarters of 2006, virtually identical to our own results this year, which found a 15 percent incidence. The USDA baseline campylobacter study in 1994 and 1995 found a contaminant incidence of 88 percent for that pathogen, which was higher than the 63 percent we reported in 1998, but much closer to the 81 percent we reported this week.

It’s critical that in all of this, however, we don’t engage so deeply in this argument that we lose sight of our ultimate goal of improving the safety of the chicken in the marketplace. Consumers Union has long urged the USDA to develop a standard for campylobacter, so that both the industry and government can be made fully accountable. And on a broader level, we support legislation that would establish a single food-safety agency that would require regular inspections and have the power to recall contaminated food — a power that the USDA now lacks.

And finally, the bottom line for consumers is not to chicken out from eating an important source of protein, but rather to practice vigilance in the kitchen by cooking their chicken thoroughly and exercising good hygiene to avoid cross contamination.

Flying "Wiimotes" get grounded

When reports surfaced that the wrist strap included with the remote control for Nintendo's Wii gaming console had a tendency to snap under the pressures of high-intensity gaming, we were willing to give the manufacturer the benefit of the doubt. Turns out it's a pretty big problem. Citing reports of cords on the strap breaking, Nintendo has announced  a worldwide "replacement program" of 3.2 million Wii wrist straps, of which 2 million are in the U.S. (Nintendo doesn't consider this a recall, since the company isn't requiring consumers to return the old straps.) The replacement program affects all Wii systems sold through December 11th and all separate Wii remotes sold through December 18th. As reported earlier, consumers have reported several instances in which the remote -- which is designed to simulate a range of sporting and other equipment from baseball bats to swords -- has flown out of their hands, damaging TVs and causing at least some minor injuries. Nintendo originally insisted that consumers weren't using the strap properly, and issued safety guidelines for correct strap usage. Our advice: Call Nintendo's hotline at (800) 859-4519 or go to their Web site to request a new strap for free. Nintendo will ship you a version with a 1.0 mm thick connecting cord to replace the original, which had a 0.6 mm version. If you don't want your holiday ruined by broken TVs or bumps and bruises, we recommend putting down the Wii remote until you receive your new strap (unless you can figure out another way of securely keeping the remote attached to your hand -- duct tape, perhaps?). Nintendo expects to begin shipping out replacement straps on December 21st, with deliveries starting 5-9 days later.

Previously: Watch out for flying "Wiimotes"

Holiday merriment beset by recalls and falls

With 11 days to go until Christmas, the annual decorating season is proving to be problematic, even tragic. Around the country, there have been a number of reported injuries -- and even deaths -- from holiday decorating. In California, a 59-year-old retiree died from injuries sustained when he fell off a ladder (he was probably about nine feet off the ground) as he was getting ready to string lights on his home. In Texas, two people were paralyzed while putting up lights; another died. And in Tennessee, the first winner of the "Nashville Star" reality show, Buddy Jewell, was forced to back out of a country music tour after he broke his wrist when he fell from a ladder while stringing lights.

We’ve said it before; we’ll say it again: Hanging holiday lights can be hazardous to your health. According to a study by the Centers for Disease Control, about 5,800 people -- or two to three every hour -- were treated in hospital emergency rooms for fall-related injuries sustained while decorating during each of the 2000, 2001 and 2002 holiday seasons. So be careful -- and follow our tips for using ladders safely and properly.

But it’s not just ladder safety that’s cause for concern this season. Today, the Consumer Product Safety Commission is announcing a recall of 2.3 million sets of Christmas lights sold by the Oklahoma-based importer Hobby Lobby Stores Inc., a chain with 381 stores in 30 states across the country. There are 26 models involved, including mini lights, net lights and icicle lights. The lights pose an electric shock and fire hazard because they have undersized wires that can separate from the plugs and/or light sockets. The CPSC said it is aware of two incidents -- one where a consumer was shocked, another where the wire melted -- but no serious injuries. CPSC spokeswoman Julie Vallese said consumers should check to see if they have these lights, which were sold between June through December this year (a full list of affected lights is available from the CPSC; you can reach Hobby Lobby at 800-326-7931 or online at www.hobbylobby.com). Our advice: Return them for an exchange or refund -- even if it means stripping your tree (don't worry; the kids will be perfectly happy to help you decorate it all over again). 

Previously:

• Stay safe while hanging holiday lights
• Holiday lights: the movie
• Tips for safe ladder use

Watch out for flying "Wiimotes"

We don't normally watch the video game industry very closely; we tend to leave that to our colleagues over at the Consumer Reports Shopping Blog (though we are well aware of the safety risks of waiting in line for some of the new game consoles). However, we do feel the need to point out the potential risks to consumers from the remote control used for Nintendo's Wii console. The wireless controller, which allows players to emulate such actions as striking a baseball with a bat or rolling a bowling ball, is apparently to blame for numerous instances of property damage and several injuries.

According to various reports circulating on the Internet, gamers have allowed the "Wiimote" to slip from their fingers, and have sent it hurtling, projectile-like, across the room. Though the Wii has a wrist strap designed to limit such risks, some reports claim that the strap wasn't up to the stresses of gaming and broke (of course, the player still had to let go of the remote, so we're not entirely convinced Nintendo is at fault here). Most reports cite cracked or otherwise damaged TVs, and injury claims include children getting hit in the head by errant remotes.

As a result, Nintendo has issued a safety warning about the Wii Remote, and the company's president told reporters that Nintendo is investigating the strap issue -- though he clearly placed most blame with consumers, commenting that "some people are getting a lot more excited than we'd expected." Among the safety tips issued by Nintendo: Wear the wrist strap, don't let go of the remote, and stay at least three feet away from the TV. We'd add some advice about parental supervision as well. The Wii is proving to be very popular with young children, who might not have the same level of control as their elders, and could cause considerable damage during an energetic round of Wii golf or baseball. (Nintendo hasn't issued an age-rating for the Wii, though the product's manual does recommend that parents review safety information with their children.)

We've been testing the Wii , and can confirm that the game provides a good aerobic workout. One tester decided to forego the strap, and the Wiimote did indeed fly across the room, though nothing was damaged in the process (other than the tester's ego). We also tested a $10 glove (the Switch 'N Carry Controller Glove) that's designed to improve your grip on the remote. It did work as advertised, though we found it difficult to put on, and it also made it harder to push some of the remote's buttons.

Once you've secured your remote, be sure to check out the Consumer Product Safety Commission's latest safety tips for safe usage of gaming consoles. The agency points out that there have been over 100 incidents with consoles this year involving "some form of overheating or fire." Among the CPSC's safety tips:

• Don't place the system on a soft surface, such as a bed.
• Keep it well-ventilated.
• Keep it on a level surface.
• Turn it off when not in use.
• Unplug your console during a storm or severe weather.

More here.

New data on ATVs: As dangerous as ever

The government has just released new data  on ATV injuries and deaths — and based on these numbers, we’re beginning to think that the ATV acronym should no longer stand for All-Terrain Vehicles, but rather Awful, Terrible and Vexing.   

For 2005, the Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates there were 767 deaths and 136,7000 injuries involving ATVs -- and 30 percent of those injuries involved children younger than 16. While the injury rate for children represents a 10 percent drop from 2004 figures, the CPSC report said the decrease was not statistically significant. However, the 2005 estimate was significant when compared to 2001 figures because injuries have grown by 18 percent, the report said. 

Historically children under 16 have accounted for about 36 percent of total estimated injuries, but the recent drop to 30 percent may reflect increased ATV use by other age groups. In fact, the CPSC report says the age group that experienced the largest increase in injuries was the 45-54 year-old group, with a 24 percent rise between 2004 and 2005.      

The estimated risk of death per 10,000 4-wheel ATVs in use remains the same as in 2001: 1.1. Even so, the report notes, the injury estimates are high. That’s why consumer advocates, including Consumers Union, the publisher of Consumer Reports, continue to press the CPSC to make ATVs safer. In September, the agency launched an educational campaign , including a new Web site , in the hopes that increased information will reduce risk-taking behavior. But these latest numbers only show that the government needs to do far more that education. As we’ve said in the past, the CPSC should ban all ATVs designed for children. The agency should also evaluate the dynamics of ATV crashes, develop comprehensive mandatory safety standards and require the vehicles to be redesigned to improve safety, especially to prevent rollovers.

And it’s not just the CPSC that should act. Consumers Union believes states should ban ATV use on paved roads, implement educational and training campaigns, create and enforce licensing requirements and require appropriate protective gear, including helmets, to operate ATVs. Of course, Congress needs to step in and give states the funds to do all this.

Holiday lights: The movie

If you haven't bought your holiday lights yet -- or even if you have -- there's still time to get it right. Follow the tips in this video, along with those in our recent post on staying safe while hanging your lights.

A baby walker that's Not Acceptable

Baby walkers are supposed to be designed so they don’t allow your child to topple down the stairs. To that end, most manufacturers use friction strips on the bottom of the walker that act as a brake when the leading wheels drop over the edge of a stair.

But even with bottom friction strips, the Kolcraft Tiny Steps model 14565 failed our test for brake performance, which followed ASTM-International’s safety standard for infant walkers. Because of the design of this model, the friction strips do not work properly and three samples we tested fell over the edge of simulated stairs. Yet, this model is certified by the Juvenile Products Manufacturer’s Association to meet the standard.

We have judged this model Not Acceptable and urge the manufacturer and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to recall the walker.

A similar model, the Kolcraft Tiny Steps 2-in-1 model 14570, passes the test.

Kolcraft officials told us that the 14565 was discontinued as of last year and that the 14570 is the current model. But our secret shoppers had no problem buying the 14565 at retail, and the manufacturing date on two of the three samples indicate that it was being produced as recently as October of this year. The differences between the failing and passing model are subtle so you must look carefully for the model number.

If you have stairs in your home and you own a Kolcraft 14565 walker, we recommend that you stop using it. If the walker is recalled, you will likely be able to exchange it or get a refund. We’ll keep you posted on the status of a recall.

Baby walker injuries used to be rampant, especially falls down stairs. The problem was so serious that baby walkers were banned altogether in Canada. In 1992, the CPSC estimated that 25,700 children younger than 15 months were treated in U.S. emergency rooms for injuries associated with baby walkers. By 2003, those injuries had declined by 88 percent, in large part because of the braking requirements in the ASTM safety standard. (Another reason is that stationary activity centers became increasingly popular, taking some of the market.)

Last year, the CPSC sent out a letter to all manufacturers, importers, and retailers of baby walkers stating that failure to comply with the ASTM standard would prompt the CPSC to seek a recall of the products. We hope they are true to their word.

New report on falls highlights risks to elderly

New government numbers are out about falls among the elderly and the figures sure aren’t pretty. Among people 65 and older, the rate of fatalities from falls has grown dramatically since 1993. And men continue to be at considerably higher risk than women -- at least for fatal falls.

This new analysis by the Centers for Disease Control is based on death certificates, emergency-room reports and hospital discharge reports.

The report notes that unintentional falls affect about 30 percent of people 65 and older. And falls, as the CDC points out, can lead to death, disability and nursing home admissions. In 2003, 13,700 elderly people died from falls while 1.8 million were treated in emergency rooms for nonfatal injuries.

The rate of fatal falls grew from 23.7 for every 100,000 persons 65 and older in 1993 to 36.8 in 2003, according to the report. The fatal fall rate for men was about 50 percent higher than for women.

The increasing rate of fatal falls may be due to the declining mortality rate from such chronic conditions as heart disease, cancer and stroke, according to the CDC. As a result, a greater proportion of older adults are living with chronic diseases, “leaving them at greater risk for falling and less likely to survive the injuries resulting from a fall.”

However, the report did contain some good news: hospitalization rates for hip fractures appear to be declining for women in the past decade. For men, however, that rate may be starting to creep up -- suggesting a need for more attention to osteoporosis screening and treatment in men, the CDC said.

To reduce the risk of falls, the CDC and other agencies recommend the following, among other things:

• Regular exercise.
• Reviewing medications to reduce side effects and interactions. Some medicines -- or combination of medicines -- can make you drowsy or light-headed and more likely to fall.
• Having yearly eye exams; poor vision can increase the chances of falling.
• Reducing fall hazards in the home: That includes:
  •  Removing tripping hazards such as clutter in walkways and on stairs. Either remove small throw rugs or use double-sided tape to keep the rugs from slipping
  • Keeping often-used items in cabinets that are easy to reach -- without a step stool.
  • Using non-slip mats in the bathtub and on shower floors.
  • Installing grab bars next to the toilet and in the tub or shower.
  • Having handrails put in on both sides of stairways.
  • Improving lighting throughout the house.

More information, including a room-by-room checklist, can be found in the CDC booklet Check for Safety: A Home Fall Prevention Checklist for Older Adults (PDF download).

CPSC calls for tighter limits for lead

Recommendation would ban kids' jewelry with more than 0.06% lead

After what seems like a steady stream of recalls of children's jewelry, the Consumer Product Safety Commission staff is proposing a stronger stand on lead in children's jewelry.  And we're glad it is, especially coming after this week's recall of 52,000 mood necklaces and pendants (pictured) made by Real Kids, Inc.

Responding to a petition filed by the Sierra Club, and strongly supported by Consumers Union, publisher of Consumer Reports, the CPSC staff agreed that the commission should ban metal jewelry that contains more than 0.06 percent lead. In papers posted on the Commission’s web site today, the staff said such jewelry should be considered “a hazardous substance” because of the lead content and potential for exposure. Kids who ingest this highly toxic metal can experience a range of severe health problems, most notably brain damage, behavioral problems, and at high doses, kidney damage and even death. At least 14 separate recalls involving more than 160 million pieces of metal jewelry have been issued over the past two years.

The recommendation is a positive step forward for the CPSC, which up to now has operated on a two-step process to force a recall of jewelry containing lead. Under that process, if jewelry contained more than 0.06 percent lead, it was then tested for “accessibility” or “extractability” to confirm that the lead could leach or flake from the jewelry and get absorbed into the body through the mouth or skin. If the piece of jewelry passed that test — e.g., no more than 175 micrograms of lead was extracted — it could still be sold.

As most parents know, mouthing, and sometimes ingesting jewelry and other objects is unavoidable for many kids, especially little ones. From 2000 to 2005 the CPSC staff estimated more than 300,000 children aged 18 years and younger were treated in hospital emergency rooms for injuries associated with foreign object ingestion; nearly 20,000 of the ingestions involved jewelry items. Although it is unclear how many of these jewelry pieces contained lead, the staff said it knew of three individual cases of children who swallowed lead-containing jewelry — including one recent case of a child who died after swallowing a metal charm from a bracelet.

In agreeing with the Sierra Club petition, the staff said “the extractability of lead from children’s metal jewelry is strongly associated with the lead content of items.” They found that excess lead exposure that could result in substantial illness is likely in children or anyone mouthing or ingesting items that contain more than 0.06 percent lead, and that the amount of exposure likely increases with increasing lead content in the item.”

Eliminating the need for the second test will simplify and hopefully accelerate the process of getting lead-laden jewelry off of store shelves and out of the hands of children, provided the commission adopts the staff recommendation. Unfortunately, it still could be months or longer before the ban is final since the staff recommendation is only the very beginning of a rule-making process. In the meantime, Consumers Union advises parents to avoid cheap jewelry for kids -- and watch for recalls.

Stay safe while hanging holiday lights

With the holiday season now upon us, chances are good that you’ll be participating in the traditional hanging of the lights and other decorations to put your home in the holiday spirit. Hauling out the ladder and hanging lights can be a tedious and surprisingly hazardous ritual. Ladder-related injuries account for about 150 deaths and send some 180,000 people to the emergency room each year, many serious enough to require hospitalization.

The hazards associated with conventional ladders are as old as the holidays themselves, and for the most part, ladder designs have done little over the years to reduce the risks. Our recent tests of newer types, like the articulating and telescoping models found some new problems serious enough for us to judge several models Not Acceptable. Risks included crushing hazards to hands and fingers, ladder feet that slid out during testing, and injury risks when we tried to use some articulating models fully extended. We also found three conventional stepladders that bent under weights that simulated the stresses of climbing and weight-shifting. More details and tips for how to use a ladder safely are available here.

If all this makes you feel like leaving your lights up all year round, think again. Most outdoor holiday lights are only designed for 90 days of use. The wiring and plastics break down over time and can pose fire and electrical shock hazards. Keep a record of when you purchased your lights and don’t use them beyond their 90-day life. Plus, don’t connect more than three strings of lights together; that can cause an electrical overload. Look for authentic safety certification marks from either UL, CSA, or ETL that indicate that the product meets recognized safety standards Don’t overload extension cords. The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends not attaching more than three standard-size light sets to one extension cord. Finally, after you handle your light sets, make sure you wash your hands well before munching on holiday cookies and other food. In many cases, electrical cords contain lead, the same harmful metal that’s been banned from paint and gasoline. It’s long been used to keep the plastic from breaking down and our tests found that it can rub off on your hands. Though the levels aren’t likely to be enough to cause acute lead poisoning, especially in adults, it’s a good idea to limit your exposure as much as possible. New regulations in California and the European Union are being developed that will eventually limit the use of lead in plastic used to make electrical cords and holiday lights.

Archives

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Watch out for flaming flower pots ( Oct-30 )
Time to fall back! ( Oct-27 )
Keep trick-or-treating fun and safe ( Oct-26 )
Bob and Judy Lambert ( Oct-25 )
Sony recall: 3.4 million batteries ( Oct-24 )
Keep kids safe around water year-round ( Oct-20 )
Mercury in tuna ( Oct-18 )
The offset factor ( Oct-17 )
Are microwave ovens dangerous? ( Oct-16 )
How to safely carve a pumpkin ( Oct-13 )
CO poisoning: Tips to protect yourself ( Oct-12 )
IIHS: Side air bags could save thousands ( Oct-10 )
Pool safety bill treading water ( Oct-6 )
Halloween costume tips ( Oct-6 )
So why are they called laptops, then? ( Oct-5 )
Deadly Swiffers? Not quite. ( Oct-4 )
A pain in the back ( Oct-3 )
Sony battery recalls: more to come? ( Oct-2 )
Lenovo/IBM, Toshiba recalling laptops ( Sep-28 )
Cocaine Energy Drink ( Sep-27 )
Ed Comeau: Campus fire fighter ( Sep-26 )
Bike helmets - not wigs - save lives ( Sep-25 )
Playskool recalls 255K toy tool benches ( Sep-22 )
On the path to safer ATVs ( Sep-22 )
E. Coli update: don't cook raw spinach ( Sep-21 )
Football helmets: fit, condition matter ( Sep-21 )
E. Coli and spinach: what to do now ( Sep-18 )
FDA: Bagged spinach may have E. coli ( Sep-15 )
Segway hits recall roadblock ( Sep-15 )
NHTSA greenlights stability control ( Sep-15 )