This week in safety

Babies and kids received attention in safety news this week with stories about the dangers of giving children certain cold medications, an interesting new study about sudden infant death syndrome and a report on the dangers of young children getting scalded while removing hot liquids from microwaves. Yesterday we wrote about a Nerf gun recall and a popular amusement park ride was recalled on Wednesday.

YO-YO amusement park rides recalled by CPSC and manufacturer for repairs
Consumer Product Safety Commission

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Chance Rides Manufacturing voluntarily recalled to inspect and repair about 85 YO-YO amusement rides across the country. The CPSC has received reports of two incidents involving the YO-YO ride resulting in injuries to children and adults, including scraped knees and back strains. On May 16, 2008, 23 riders of a YO-YO ride in Angels Camp, Calif. fell to the ground when the sweep arms suspending the circular swinging chairs they were riding in broke free from the ride’s center cylinder rod. Read more ...

• Read more on amusement park safety:

Child warning added to cold remedies
The New York Times

Manufacturers of pediatric cough and cold medicines announced Tuesday that they would voluntarily change their products’ labels to say that they should not be used in children under age four. In addition, products with certain antihistamines will get new language warning parents not to use them to sedate or make a child sleepy.  Read more ...

Fans reduce infants’ sudden death risk
Time

A new study by researchers with Kaiser Permanente Northern California suggests a simple strategy for reducing the risk of sudden death of infants in their sleep: turning on a fan at night. The study's findings, based on data collected from nearly 500 mother-and-child pairs in California between 1997 and 2000, indicate that the use of a fan in an infant's room may reduce the likelihood of sudden death by 72 percent. Read more ...

Microwaves a menace for young kids
The Washington Post

Every year, young children suffer burns when they remove hot liquids from microwave ovens, a new study finds. Children as young as 18 months can open a microwave, remove the hot substance, and scald themselves. These burns can result in serious injuries that often required skin grafting and intensive care. Read more ...

How safe is your drinking water?
Consumer Reports Home blog

Nine states recently filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency over a rule the federal agency published in June that, according to an October 2, 2008, report from the Associated Press, "exempts the discharge of pollutants in 'transfer waters' from permitting requirements." The states say the ruling could contaminate supplies of drinking water and harm fisheries. Read more ...

Raking leaves: A cautionary tale
Consumer Reports Health blog

While winter may be the season most people consider risky for slips and falls, autumn can be equally dangerous.  Accidents sustained in autumn clean-up work keep emergency rooms hopping and orthopedists busy until spring. If you're not careful, injuries can occur from cleaning the gutters, operating lawn mowers, raking leaves, and hoisting them into bags. Falls off ladders, foot injuries from mowers, and low back pain from strenuous twisting and lifting can happen to just about anyone. Read more ...

Don’t miss these recalls

• Various flavored drinks and candy (melamine contamination)
• 12,000 Tween Brands children’s necklaces, CD & MP3 players (lead paint)
• 11,000 Kids Feet girl’s sandals (choking hazard)
• 13,000 Coby rechargeable batteries sold with portable DVD/CD/MP3 players (fire hazard)
• 45,000 Effikal gas vent dampers (carbon monoxide hazard)