200 lives a year would be saved if all pregnant women wore seatbelts

The myth that pregnant women should avoid wearing seatbelts because they may be unsafe for unborn children has been debunked by a team of researchers at the University of Michigan. The study found that about 200 unborn babies would be saved each year if expectant women properly buckled up every time they get in a car.

“It’s very clear, based on this study, that pregnant women should buckle up every single time they’re in a vehicle,” says senior author Mark D. Pearlman, M.D., vice-chair in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the U-M Health System. An estimated 370 fetuses die as a result of car crashes each year in the United States.

Read more about this important study on our Cars blog including tips for keeping expectant mothers safe from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

FDA recalls cantaloupes grown in Honduras

Over the past two weeks the Food and Drug Administration has made 11 separate recalls of cantaloupes produced by a Honduran grower and packer, which have been linked to cases of Salmonella. According to the agency, there have been reports of 50 illnesses in 16 states (and a further nine cases in Canada), which are linked to consumption of the cantaloupes. The melons are from Agropecuaria Montelibano, a grower that produces 2.5 million boxes of cantaloupes each year for the United States.

The recalls involve whole as well as cut fruit from a variety of companies including Fresh Express, Chiquita, Tropifresh, Bounty Fresh and Simply Fresh, among others.  If you have recently bought cantaloupe, the FDA advises you to check with the place of purchase to determine if the fruit came from this Honduran grower. If so, throw it out immediately.

Find seven tips for safer cantaloupe consumption on Consumer Reports' health blog.

Recent report shows the downside of escalators

In college, whenever I rode an escalator with one of my best friends, Peggy, she would tell me about how she had been injured on an escalator when she was a little girl. I would always grasp the handrail tighter after hearing her tale.

I’ve lost touch with Peggy, but I still remember her cautionary words whenever I ride an escalator. Now, a recent report suggests that all of us aging baby boomers (and especially women) should do the same.

A study of emergency-room data (ironically conducted by the Department of Pediatrics at Indiana University’s Riley Hospital for Children) shows that the rate of escalator-related injuries among older adults, 65 and up, more than doubled between 1991 and 2005, from 4.9 to 11 per 100,000 riders. Annually, the older population requires an average 2,660 emergency room visits for escalator-related injuries, compared to about 2,000 for children.

Among the elderly, women have more than twice as many injuries as men and the rate of injury increases with age. The major cause of the injuries: a slip, trip or fall. Almost 14 percent of the incidents occurred while people were stepping on or off the escalator, 6 percent when people reported misstepping or losing their balance and 3 percent when clothes, shoes, bags or body parts got caught in the escalator. Injuries due to walking up or down the moving escalator were rarely reported in this study although the authors note that in another study, 60 percent of the escalator-related injuries were caused by a person walking or moving. (In that study, however, there were very few adults 70 or older). 

One of the study’s authors, Joseph O’Neil M.D., says it’s unclear why the injury rate has escalated so sharply in 14 years—whether there are more escalators, more seniors, or both. “My suspicion is that we have more older adults who treasure their independence and are more active in the community," he says. "So there’s a greater risk of exposure and with that greater risk of exposure comes a greater risk of injury.”

The study urges greater public awareness of the risks to older adults riding the escalators, especially when stepping on or off. To minimize the risks, older adults should also avoid walking up or down a moving escalator, carrying large objects, or wearing loose shoes or garments while riding. For those who have difficulty walking or maintaining balance, an elevator is a far better choice.

I think my friend Peggy would agree with that. —Caroline Mayer

NHTSA improves grading system for child safety seats

How many times have we heard muttering, even cursing, from parents (including ourselves) as we try to install children’s safety seats in cars? Yes, we all know how important safety seats are. When properly used, child restraint systems reduce fatal injuries by 71 percent for infants and by 54 percent for toddlers. The key here is "when properly used." So why can’t manufacturers make them easier to install?

As Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters recently said, “even the safest car seat can’t protect a child if it isn’t installed correctly.”  And data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicate that 7 out of 10 child safety seats are either the wrong size or seriously misused.

Fortunately, NHTSA has just revised its rating method for child restraints with a new system to better grade child safety seats for ease of use. The revised NHTSA system awards up to five stars in four different categories:

1. The content and clarity of the labeling;
2. The content and clarity of the instructions;
3. The ease of securing the child;
4. The ease of installing the restraint system in the car.

There is also an overall rating, with five stars being the highest rating, one the lowest.

Previously NHTSA had rated child restraints for ease-of-use assigning letter grades of A (highest), B and C (lowest) but recognized that though the rating protocol had been successful in encouraging manufacturers to improve their designs, recent ratings resulted in most seats being given the highest A grade. For seats evaluated for 2007, for example, 81 percent received an A rating.  The revised rating system is designed to better differentiate among seats and give manufacturers further incentive to add easy-to-use features as well as to address features related to LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) installation.

Unlike the star ratings assigned to new vehicles for their performance in crash tests, this new rating system doesn’t measure how effective each child seat is in protecting a toddler or infant in a crash—although all child restraints sold in the U.S. are already required to comply with federal crash-protection standards.

Even so, the new ratings should provide another source that parents and caregivers can turn to when comparing how easy various seats are to use. For that, we applaud NHTSA's efforts.

Time to spring ahead and into action

Here's a reminder for those of us who may not be paying close attention: daylight-saving time starts this Sunday, March 9th, at 2 a.m. Even though the old adage tells us we are springing ahead, it's still winter and therefore understandable that this one-time rite of spring may have caught many of us by surprise. While you're getting used to the new routine—this is the second year the time has shifted three weeks early—it's a good time to take stock. When you're resetting your watches and clocks (don't forget the one in your car), use this annual event as a reminder to perform some tasks that will enhance your family's safety year-round.

Clockwork
In addition to your timepieces, reset the clocks on appliances and electronics. Some newer appliances and electronics are equipped with a microchip that automatically resets clock displays at the beginning and end of DST; many of those may still need to be reset manually, due to the change in schedule (and you may need to reset them again in three weeks, when they "think" they're supposed to reset themselves). To facilitate the process, make a list of all devices that you need to reset manually: clocks, TVs, DVD players, VCRs, fax machines, cameras and thermostats. (It's especially important to reprogram your thermostat so that the heat in your home switches on and off at the right time.) Reset everything on the list in one session so that no appliance or electronic is forgotten.

Smoke and CO alarms
Replace batteries in all smoke and carbon-monoxide alarms. Always use fresh batteries, not those you "borrow" from other equipment. And follow manufacturer's instructions to ensure that these essential devices are working properly. Also, replace any smoke alarm that's 10 or more years old and any CO alarm five or more years old with a new model. You'll find the manufacture date on the alarm. See our report on carbon-monoxide alarms and our interactive on smoke alarms for more information.

On the road
Drive safely. Remember, an extra hour of light in the evening means dawn will break an hour later as well. So, if you have to get on the road before it gets light to take the kids to school or start your commute, be extra alert for children, animals and runners. I's also a good time to inspect vehicle lights. Take a look at the entire lighting system in your car to ensure that all lights are working properly. Clean the headlights and make sure they are correctly aligned according to the owner's manual.

In case of emergency
Update your family disaster plan. To respond properly to a natural disaster or other cataclysmic event, you need to have a plan in place and the necessary supplies on hand, and be prepared to act. See our free emergency guide to preparing for any storm or disaster. While you're making these preparations also check storage areas for any hazardous materials. Make sure to properly dispose of any materials that are outdated, no longer used, or in poor condition. Make sure those you keep are out of reach of kids or pets.

You can find some more information on preparing for daylight-saving time on our Home & Garden blog.

CPSC report on nursery-related deaths highlights crib and play yard dangers

Today, the Consumer Product Safety Commission released its annual report, Nursery Product-Related Injuries and Deaths Among Children under Age Five. The news is not encouraging.  In 2006, the latest year for which data was analyzed, children under age five suffered an estimated 66,400 injuries associated with nursery products that were severe enough to require hospital treatment.  And during the three-year period from 2002 to 2004, again the most recent data available, there was an average of 80 deaths per year associated with nursery products among children under five.  Compare that to last year’s report, which showed 59,800 injuries in 2005, and an average of 61 deaths per year during the period of 2001 to 2003.  It certainly looks like we're heading in the wrong direction.

What worries us most are the number of deaths and injuries associated with cribs and play yards. Together, these two products accounted for 43 deaths per year and about 12,400 injuries according to the CPSC’s most recent data.  The recall of almost 1.5 million cribs and play yards in 2007 alone may be indicative of an inherent problem.  Many of the crib recalls were due to lack of durability.  Although the CPSC regulates cribs, their standards do not include durability test requirements.  They should. 

Cribs are also covered by several voluntary ASTM-International standards.  Although those standards include durability test requirements, the tests do not completely simulate the stresses that an active toddler can place on a crib when jumping or vigorously shaking the side rails or other components. 

Crib hardware often becomes loose over time. Parts can fatigue and fail, screws can loosen and fall out, wood can split or splinter—all creating hazards to a child.  For these reasons we think it's important to check your crib for loose or missing hardware every two months.  We also recommend against buying any crib whose history you don’t know, such as one from a garage sale, or a crib that has been in use for more than five years.  And never buy a crib that has loose or missing hardware or other components.

To provide a safe sleep environment for your child, Consumer Reports and the CPSC also recommend:

• Placing baby to sleep on his or her back in a crib that meets current safety standards to reduce the risk of SIDS and suffocation.
• Removing all soft bedding, including bumper pads, from the crib to prevent suffocation hazards.
• Never using a pillow as a mattress or to prop a baby’s head or neck; doing so poses a suffocation risk.
• Using a snug fitting crib sheet that can’t be easily pulled off and possibly become wrapped around a baby's neck.
• Never using an old, broken or modified crib because an infant can strangle to death if his or her body passes through gaps between loose components, broken slats or other parts of the crib and the baby's head and neck become entrapped in the space.
• Never allowing a gap larger than two fingers wide to develop between the sides of the crib and the mattress. Infants can suffocate in spaces between the sides of the crib and an ill-fitting mattress.
• Never placing a crib near a window with blind or curtain cords; infants can strangle on cords.
• Properly setting up a play yard according to manufacturers’ directions. Only use the mattress provided with the play yard. And do not add extra mattresses, pillows or cushions, which can cause a suffocation hazard for infants.
• Routinely checking nursery products against CPSC recall lists and removing recalled products from your home. You can sign-up for automatic e-mail recall notifications at www.cpsc.gov.
• Using a baby monitor to alert you to a problem before your child becomes one of CPSC’s statistics.

More skiiers and boarders risk helmet hair to avoid head injuries

If you’ve hit the slopes lately, you may have noticed a lot more skiers and snowboarders wearing helmets. Your eyes weren’t deceiving you. New data from the National Ski Areas Association show that 40 percent of skiers and snowboarders wore helmets last skiing season. That’s up from 25 percent helmet usage in the 2002-2003 skiing season.

Pardon the pun, but to us—and increasingly to the snow-sport industry—wearing a helmet is a no-brainer. It's an important piece of equipment that helps prevent head injuries. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, there were 6,326 head injuries from snowboarding in 2006 and 4,922 from skiing.

Those numbers help explain why the industry has been aggressively promoting the use of helmets. This week, for example, a number of resorts across the country are offering discounts and holding all sorts of contests to promote helmet usage as part of National Safety Awareness Week.  Consider Okemo Mountain Resort in Vermont where anyone who purchased a new helmet at the resort’s shop received a coupon for a half-price full-day lift ticket. And Okemo was also holding a contest for the best helmet head: “ that cool, disheveled look of matted hair that happens when a skier or snowboarder removes his helmet after a great day on the slopes.” The prize: two complimentary lift tickets.

If you haven’t hit the slopes yet this season, consider visiting lidsonkids.org, NSAA’s fun and informative Web site, with helpful tips for both parents and kids on how to select proper helmets.  As the site advises:  “The most important consideration when purchasing a helmet is the fit. A helmet is not a piece of equipment that you want to purchase too small or too large to grow into.” When shopping for a helmet, bring along your goggles, or borrow a pair that matches your own from the shop and look for a helmet that conforms to a ski/snowboard helmet standard (Common European Norm, American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) and/or Snell.) Ask an experienced ski shop associate to assist you to identify the best brand for your head shape and to confirm a proper fit.  Consumer Reports has also written about and rated ski helmets.

NSAA’s latest data shows that it’s not just kids who need helmet tips. In fact, kids have the highest usage—64 percent of children nine and under wear helmets. It’s the 18 to 24 year olds, a group in which only 26 percent wear helmets, that need some reminding. We hope you’ll do that—and often.

Tires and ice: Winter driving challenges

Early winter storms and temperatures that have bounced from sub-freezing to above normal have alerted us to some of the challenges of winter driving. This week in the New York area the sun was brilliant and it was mild enough to walk outside without a coat. Last week the thermometer was down in the low teens. That 50-degree Fahrenheit difference doesn’t just pose a wardrobe dilemma, it may be the reason your car ends up in a ditch instead of staying safely on the road.

Because there’s nothing tempting about checking your tire pressure when the cold is biting and the pavement icy, you may have put it off for months. Bad idea. Tires lose about one pound per square inch (psi) of pressure for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit the temperature drops. (And the reverse is true when the mercury rises.) So the change in temperature from last week to this may mean your tires could be under inflated by five psi—more if they weren’t properly inflated properly to begin with.

Tires that aren’t inflated to the right pressure can lower fuel economy, wear out faster, and handle sluggishly. Worst of all, they may fail. So don’t take it for granted that your tires are safe; check them with an accurate gauge and inflate them to the pressure listed on your car door placard, in the owner’s manual, or in the glove box. (The number on the sidewall of the tire is the maximum to which it should be inflated; stick with the automaker’s recommendation for your particular car.) Our experts advise checking tires at least monthly when temperatures are typical of the season, and again after a big rise or drop. Take the pressure when the tires have been sitting for at least three hours, since tires that have just been driven will have a slightly elevated pressure.

If you drive a car with performance summer tires, you may also find that the cold weather has made them more like wagon wheels. Summer tires that grip just fine when it’s, well, summer, are not meant for freezing weather. In cold conditions, they can become stiff and lose their grip on the road, even when snow and ice aren’t a factor. Switch to all-season or winter tires and save the summer tires for warm weather.

Ice follies
After snow storms earlier this winter led to a flurry of accidents on Connecticut roads, the state announced it would start ticketing drivers who failed to clear the snow and ice from the roofs of their cars or trucks.

Flying ice and snow may do no harm to the driver of the blanketed vehicle, but it can be incredibly dangerous to others. Connecticut’s move came after a woman and her two-year-old child were  hurt when ice flew off another car and shattered their windshield.

The AAA says that most states have laws that allow police to ticket drivers of cars covered with ice or snow, even if the law doesn’t spell that hazard out. But there’s no question that it’s the driver’s responsibility to make the car safe enough to be on the road.

Our autos experts offer the following advice:

• Run your car with the heat on while you’re clearing the outside. Use a long-handled brush or scraper to remove as much ice and snow as possible.
• If you can’t reach the roof easily use a sturdy step stool—but only if your shoes and the ground aren’t slippery. If the ground is too slick, work at the edges of the ice and lift it away from the roof in chunks.
• Don’t use road salt or directly scrape the car, both of which can damage the finish.
• Consider a warm spray at a car wash, particularly if you have a tall vehicle (though note that car washes have differing rules about allowing snow-covered cars to enter).

If a sheet of ice comes flying at you when you’re on the highway, don’t panic. Swerving and hitting another vehicle risks a serious accident, and will likely cause more damage than getting hit by the ice. Gently apply the brakes and don’t change lanes or stop abruptly without checking that it’s safe.

More to explore

• Winter driving tips
• Early warning signs of tire failure
• Guide to safe winter driving
• Four-wheel-drive vs. All-wheel-drive

 

January is the deadliest month for carbon monoxide poisoning

According to a new study by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the first month of the year is the worst for carbon monoxide poisoning. At least two people die each day from carbon-monoxide poisoning in January—three times the fatality rate recorded in August and July. Unintentional carbon monoxide exposure accounted for 15,000 emergency room visits annually between 1999 and 2004, with an average of 439 people dying each year.

Fatalities were highest among men and senior citizens: Men because they are engaged in more high-risk behaviors such as working with fuel-burning tools or appliances and seniors because they are likely to mistake the symptoms of CO poisoning (headaches, nausea, dizziness or confusion) for the flu or fatigue.

It should come as no surprise that CO deaths are the highest in winter (December is the second highest month). Cold weather increases the use of gas-powered furnaces as well as the use of risky alternative heating and power sources (portable generators, charcoal briquettes, propane stoves or grills) during power outages. It’s also understandable that the highest CO death rates are in colder states: Nebraska, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and North Dakota. By contrast, California has the lowest fatality rate.

With these sobering facts it’s a good time to remember the following safety tips to prevent CO poisoning:

• Have your heating system, water heater and any other gas, oil or coal-burning appliance inspected and serviced by a qualified technician every year.
• Install battery-operated CO detectors on every level of your home.
• Don’t use a generator, charcoal grill, camp stove or other gasoline or charcoal-burning device inside the home, basement or garage or outside the home near a window.
• Don’t burn anything in an unvented stove or fireplace.
• Don’t let a vehicle idle inside a garage attached to a house, even if the garage door is left open.
• Don’t heat a house with a gas oven.

If a CO detector sounds, leave your home immediately and call 911 from outside. Seek prompt medical attention if you suspect CO poisoning and if you or someone in your household is feeling dizzy, light-headed or nauseated.

Related reading
Read Consumer Reports full report on CO and smoke detectors, including an interactive diagram of where to place them in your home.

Also, here is our guidance on how to safely use a generator as well as information from our Home & Garden blog on wood and pellet stoves.

Quiz: Shedding some light on candle safety

Candles and holidays go together like Santa and cookies, Chanukah and dreidels. Unfortunately, the candle combination can be a dangerous one when the candles are used carelessly. Just how dangerous? Take the quiz below to find out. 

Q: What is the peak month for home candle fires?

1. January
2. March         
3. October
4. December

A: (4) December is the peak time for home candle fires. In that month 13 percent of home candle fires began with decorations compared to 4 percent the rest of the year, according to the National Fire Protection Association. And the biggest days for home candle fires: Christmas, Christmas Eve, New Year’s Day, New Year’s Eve and Halloween. 

Q: How often is a home candle fire reported?

1. Nearly every half hour
2. Almost every hour
3. Every two hours
4. Once a day.

A: (1) The NFPA says that, on average, one home candle fire was reported every 34 minutes between 2002 and 2005.

Q: How many deaths are there annually in the U.S. due to candle-related fires?

1. 50
2. 170
3. 350
4. 425

A: (2) The Consumer Product Safety Commission says there are about 170 deaths a year in 14,000 candle-related fires. The fires result in $350 million in annual property loss.

Q: Candles cause what percentage of  home fire injuries?

1. 2
2. 5
3. 7
4. 10 percent

A: (4) Overall, candles caused 4 percent of reported home fires in 2005, resulting in 5 percent of home fire deaths and 10 percent of the injuries.

Q: How did more than half of the candle fires get started?

1. The candles were used on dried-out trees.
2. Too many candles on a birthday cake.
3. Children using matches to light candles.
4. Candles placed too close to flammable items.

A: (4) More than half of all candle fires started when the candle was too close to something that could burn—such as  furniture, mattresses or bedding, curtains or decorations.

Q: In what percent of the candle-related fires were candles left unattended or forgotten?

1. 5
2. 10
3. 15
4. 20

A: (4) In one-fifth of the fires, candles were unattended or abandoned. What’s more, two-fifths of home candle fires begin in the bedroom—although the candle industry has found that only 13 percent of candle users routinely burn candles in the bedroom. In other words, don’t use candles as a night light or fall asleep before extinguishing any lighted candles.

Travel alert: Don't place infants on air mattresses

Before you get out that air mattress for holiday guests, consider this warning just issued by the Consumer Product Safety Commission: Do not put infants on air mattresses. Like water beds and pillows, they are too soft for babies, and could be deadly.

Since 2002, the CPSC has gotten reports of 16 infant deaths related to air mattresses. Of the babies, most younger than 8 months, 11 suffocated in face down positions, five died from suffocation after falling into gaps between the mattress and bed frame or the mattress and adjacent furniture or wall.

Even properly inflated air mattresses are usually too soft for infants to maintain a clean airway, the agency said. Air leaks and under-inflation also contribute to incidents.

Remember these other safety tips from the CPSC for your sleeping baby:

• Always place your baby to sleep on his or her back to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
• Never place a baby to sleep on an adult bed. Infants can suffocate on bedding or can become entrapped between the mattress and bed frame or mattress and wall.
• When using a crib, make sure it meets current safety standards, has a firm, tight fitting mattress and tight fitting bottom sheet.
• As this blog has reported before, do not use bumper pads in cribs.
• When using a portable crib or play yard, be sure to use only the mattress or pad provided by the manufacturer.

For more details on babies and cribs, read Consumer Report’s Crib bedding 101 as well as Sleeping gear to avoid.

Santa's safety list

The very nature of this blog means that most of the time, we are writing about things not to buy—the latest recalled toy or unsafe gadget. So today, we want to take a different approach and give you some ideas of things you could buy as gifts to help your loved ones and friends stay safe. Consider treating yourself as well.

For the car owner

• A tire pressure gauge;
• A roadside emergency kit with flares and a compact thermal blanket (if you live in a cold climate) in case the car breaks down;
• A backup system (top photo) to see what's behind the car, so you don't back over anything or anyone in that troublesome blind spot.

For the homeowner or renter

• Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors;
• Fire extinguishers—there are some stylish ones on the market;
• Metal ash bin and heavy gloves for the fireplace or wood stove;
• A fully-stocked first aid kit;
• Flashlight and batteries or, better still a hand-cranked radio and flashlight so you don't need to search for batteries or worry that they will run out;
• UL or ETL listed power strips and extension cords.

For the handyman or do-it-yourself woman

• A good, sturdy Type 1A step ladder that opens and closes easily;
• Hearing protectors;
• Safety glasses;
• Steel-toe work shoes.   

For the host or hostess

• An instant-read meat thermometer to know if your meat or poultry dishes are cooked to a safe temperature;
• Different colored cutting boards—one for poultry and meat, another for fruit and vegetables;
• LED candles that look like real candles to decorate your home without worries about fires.

For grandma or grandpa

• A new tub mat to replace the worn-out one that has lost its sticking power;
• A snug-fitting robe; styles with loose sleeves can catch fire easily;
• Socks or slippers with rubber anti-slip grips on the soles;
• Safety grips you can add to your shoes or boots to make walking on ice less treacherous.

For the active child or adult

• An updated, certified life jacket to replace the 30-year-old version at the summer cabin;
• A new—and better fitting—helmet for the cyclist, skier or snowboarder;
• A snug helmet and protective pads for the rollerblader, skateboarder or scooter rider;
• A reflective vest for the runner or walker.

For everyone
There are special tools available for anyone who has to open a gift that's been wrapped in a plastic shell to make the job easier—and safer.

A gentle reminder on generators

The wicked storms battering the Central U.S. and leaving many residents without power prompt us to remind readers about the dangers of improper use of portable generators. Last winter we reported the disturbing statistic that in the last three months of 2006, there were at least 32 deaths related to carbon monoxide poisoning from portable generators. Such news caused the Consumer Product Safety Commission to sound the alarm and require new labels on generators that say, in part, “using a generator indoors CAN KILL YOU IN MINUTES.”

According to the CPSC, a single portable generator can release about as much carbon monoxide as the exhaust of 100 idling cars. 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.

Using a portable generator can help you weather a storm if, and only if, you use it safely. Here are some guidelines to follow:

• Prevent carbon-monoxide poisoning by always running your generator outdoors and at least 15 feet away from the house. Never run it in the basement or garage or other enclosed space.
• Install a transfer switch to connect the unit to your home's wiring system. Never connect a generator directly to your home.
• Reduce fire risk by turning off a gasoline-powered generator before refueling.
• Store gasoline in an ANSI-approved container and in a cool, well-ventilated area.

If you are in the market for a generator, check out our Ratings (for subscribers) and recommendations.

Winter warm-up: Home heating tips

Did you know that the peak time for home heating fires is between 6 and 9 p.m.? Or that space heaters account for nearly three-quarters of home-fire fatalities, two-thirds of the injuries and more than half of property damage?

Those are some of the intriguing and yes, disturbing findings of a new survey by the National Fire Protection Agency—findings that serve as a good reminder at the start of winter to take care in heating our homes, especially if we use space heaters.

According to the NFPA, heating equipment was involved in an estimated 62,200 reported home structure fires in 2005, resulting in 670 civilian deaths, 1,550 injuries and $909 million in direct property damage. Chimneys and chimney connectors accounted for the largest share of home heating fires, 36 percent in 2005, but resulted in no deaths. The chief reason for these fires was failure to clean chimneys and connectors.

But space heaters continue to be the most dangerous, at least in terms of injuries and fatalities. And the major reason for space heater blazes: The heater was too close to something that could catch fire.

Fire safety officials take heart in some of the report’s good news. There has been a steady decline in home heating fires since 1982 when there more than 235,000 fires resulting in 1,190 deaths and 3,480 injuries. NFPA attributes the decline to a variety of factors, including safer equipment, better building codes, wider use of smoke alarms, somewhat warmer winters and public education.

To continue the public education, we offer you these safe heating tips from NFPA and the Consumer Product Safety Commission:

• Inspect all heating equipment annually, and clean as necessary.
• When buying a space heater, make sure it carries the mark of an independent testing laboratory and is approved for use in your community (some communities may not allow kerosene heaters, for example).
• Space heaters need space. Keep all things that can burn, such as paper, bedding or furniture, at least three feet away from heating equipment.
• Use the proper grade of the proper fuel for your liquid-fueled space heater, and never use gasoline in any heater not approved for gasoline use.  Refuel only in a well-ventilated area and when the equipment is cool.
• Turn portable heaters off when you go to bed or leave the room.
• Plug power cords only into outlets with sufficient capacity and never into an extension cord.
• Inspect for cracked, frayed or broken plugs or loose connections. Replace before using.
• Have your chimney inspected each year and cleaned if necessary.
• Use a sturdy fireplace screen. Allow ashes to cool before disposing. Dispose of ashes in a metal container.
• Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home. For the best protection interconnect all smoke alarms throughout the home—when one sounds, they all sound. Test smoke alarms at least once a month.
• Install and maintain a carbon monoxide alarm in a central location outside each sleeping area.
• Never use an oven to heat your home.
• Periodically check the CPSC's recall list to make sure a heater you own has not been the subject of a recall, such as the one pictured above that was recalled in June.

Buying advice
If you are considering buying a space heater this winter, read our full report on heaters including Ratings (for subscribers) and a video.

Feast your eyes on these safe turkey-prep tips

A video from our testing labs shows how quickly Thanksgiving plans can go up in flames when things go awry with a propane-powered deep fryer. As we reported around this time last year, Underwriters Laboratories has refused to put its UL mark on any propane fryer to certify its safety—a rare move for the nonprofit safety testing organization that certifies almost every kind of electrical or gas-powered product sold in the U.S. "Based on our test findings, the fryers used to produce those great-tasting birds are not worth the risks," says John Drengenberg, UL consumer affairs manager.

The dangers are many. Units can easily tip over, spilling the hot oil. Oil that sometimes overflows when a turkey is placed in the pot can hit the burner and burst into flames. The units have no thermostat controls and the sides, lid and handles can get very hot posing burn hazards.

A few years ago, we tested one of the electric fryers on the market, and it proved safer than propane models. The deep-fryer—designed strictly for indoor use—cooks a turkey up to 14 pounds.  And it has some safety features including a built-in safety switch, a temperature sensor, an outer shield and six legs to  give it more stability.

While such Food Network favorites as Paula Deen and Alton Brown feature recipes for deep-fried turkey, if you are tempted to try it this year with a propane fryer, do so with extreme caution and constant vigilance.  Check out these safety tips from UL.

No matter how you plan to cook your turkey, take the time to review Let's Talk Turkey, safety tips from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.  Some of their advice has changed. For example, the USDA recommends against washing a turkey before cooking it and says doing so can actually spread bacteria to other foods and utensils and surfaces. Another change is in testing the turkey for doneness. The USDA says a turkey is safe when all of it is cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees F. (Previously, the agency recommended different temperatures for various parts of the bird.) And don't rely on a pop-up thermometer—check the temperature yourself with a reliable meat thermometer. 

Lower fire fatality numbers provide little comfort

Thanks to smoke detectors, sprinklers, better construction and stronger fire codes, the U.S. has made great strides in reducing fire fatalities. In 1974, there were about 12,000 fire fatalities annually. Thirty years later, the number of victims totaled about 3,900, according to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) in its latest analysis of fire statistics. (Some of the decline may also be attributed to the fewer number of smokers as smoking contributes to 20 percent of household fires.)

Yet despite the encouraging news, the USFA says "the United States has a severe fire problem, more so than is generally perceived." In fact, the report notes, deaths and injuries from fires far outnumber those from all natural disasters combined (floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, etc). That's 4,000 deaths annually from fires compared to 200 to 250 per year from disasters. What's more, even though the rate of 13.6 deaths per million population is half what it was in the late 1970s€š it is still almost two-and-a-half times that of several European nations. In fact, of 25 industrial nations examined by the World Fire Statistics Centre, the U.S. ranks fourth highest in fire death rates, USFA says.

The problem, USFA says, is in the home. The largest percentage of deaths,€š 76 percent in 2004,€š occurred in residences, with the majority in one and two-family dwellings. Cooking was the leading cause of fires, accounting for 28 percent, with incendiary and suspicious fires (arson) the second leading cause, accounting for 21 percent. Arson, however, accounts for 28 percent of the deaths, with smoking-related fires the second leading cause at 18 percent. Cooking fires comprise only 6.3 percent of deaths.

Other interesting data from the report:

• There is a surprisingly large number of vehicle fires,€š nearly one out of every five fires to which fire departments respond.
• The Southeast continues to have the highest fire death rate in the nation and one of the highest in the world.
• African Americans have much higher fire death rate per capita than the national average, accounting for 24 percent of fire deaths, nearly twice as high as their share of the overall population.
• Approximately 50 percent more men die in fires than women. One reason may be that men are more likely to be in dangerous occupations (most industrial fire fatalities are males). Men also suffer more injuries trying to extinguish fires and rescue people.

One thing is clear: It's better to take precautions. To lower the chances of a fire in your home follow this safety checklist from the National Fire Protection Association.

• Make sure you have working smoke detectors on every level of your home.
• Keep the furnace in working order.
• Use a fireplace screen.
• Have proper ventilation for heaters and other small appliances.
• Do not smoke in bed.
• Extinguish all candles when leaving a room or going to sleep.
• Use the correct size fuses.
• Don't use worn out electrical wiring or run it under rugs or out windows or doors.
• Clear away refuse; the less clutter, the less fuel a fire has to feed on.

Shedding a little daylight on trick-or-treating

This year with Daylight Savings Time ending after Halloween instead of before, trick-or-treaters will benefit from having more light as they travel from house to house that evening. Motorists and homeowners will also be able to better see the ghosts, goblins and superheroes prowling about.

Even so, you should keep safety in mind as you plan your family's costumes. The leading danger on Halloween isn't tainted candy; it's the risk of pint-sized pedestrians tripping over their costumes -- or getting hit by cars that fail to see them in their dark cloaks and gowns. Costume flammability remains an issue as evidenced by a cape recalled last season for not meeting flammability standards. And fire from unattended candles can result in a Halloween horror. We've covered these tips before but they bear repeating each season.

And while we don't want to give you a fright about all your holiday preparations, we'd like to remind parents about ways to safely carve a pumpkin, which can be tricky if you use the wrong tools. At Consumer Reports, we tested several kits and found they can reduce the risk of accidentally getting cut.

New study confirms dangers of bumper pads to babies

One of the most successful safety campaigns in recent history has been the Back to Sleep program, designed to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The campaign--as its name indicates--advises parents to place healthy babies on their backs to sleep because research has shown that babies who sleep on their stomachs are much more likely to die of SIDS. As the percentage of infants placed on their backs to sleep increased dramatically since the early 1990s,  the rate of SIDS has declined by more than 50 percent.

But a new study just published in the Journal of Pediatrics suggests there’s even more parents can do to reduce the risk of crib death. And that is to stop using bumper pads in cribs and bassinets. Consumers Union, publisher of Consumer Reports, has long discouraged the use of all soft bedding including bumper pads.

According to the study done by Washington University's Department of Pediatrics, “crib  and bassinet bumpers are dangerous.” The study makes that case by reviewing the Consumer Product Safety Commission database of crib-deaths from 1985 to 2005. The study found 27 cases of infant death involving bumper pads or similarly padded bassinets. The most deaths, 13, occurred when the infant became wedged between the bumper and another object; 11 deaths occurred when the infant’s face was against the bumper and 3 deaths were the result of the bumper tie around the infant’s neck. In theory, bumpers are designed to prevent a baby’s head from hitting crib bars or to keep extremities from projecting through the bars. But the study says that these benefits are outweighed by the risks of death.

The report "raises serious concerns about the safety of bumper pads and highlights the dangers of all soft bedding in cribs," said Nancy Cowles, Executive Director of Kids in Danger. Jack Walsh, executive director of Keeping Babies Safe  added:  "It’s appalling that the fatalities associated with bumper pads have gone unreported for so long. In light of this report, we need to consider whether the sale of bumper pads should be banned.”

The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association, which represents the leading makers of infant bedding and cribs, had a different reaction to the study. The group said that the CPSC has not shown any direct causal connection between infant fatalities and properly made traditional crib bumpers. CPSC spokesman Scott Wolfson said the 27 fatalities cited in the Journal of Pediatrics study is not an official agency number. He said there may have been other factors involved, including crib-integrity issues such as the width of the slats, that have been addressed by newer safety standards.

Our advice: Remember, bare is best.  Don't buy puffy or padded bumper guards,  sleep positioners, pillows, quilts, duvets or stuffed animals for your baby's crib. Experts have long recognized the suffocation risk inherent in such soft crib bedding.

Putting the cart before shopping safety

Anyone who has taken a small child to a grocery or big box store quickly discovers the challenges of safely negotiating the aisles with a shopping cart. Typically kids want to slip their restraints, sit or stand in the main part of the cart, hitch a ride on the outside or push their younger sibling through the store. Doing any of those things can lead to a fall and a visit to the emergency room.

The latest emergency-room data underscore the fact that shopping carts can be hazardous to children younger than five. In each of the three years from 2003 through 2005, there were 19,500 shopping cart-related injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency rooms. More than 80 percent of the injuries were caused by falls from the carts, according to data prepared for the voluntary standard-setting organization ASTM International, and more than 40 percent of the injuries could be judged as potentially serious. Injuries to the head and neck, including concussions, internal injuries and fractures were the most common.

The number of injuries hasn't decreased since 1999, though the latest data are too recent to reflect the voluntary standards that were adopted in 2004. Those standards, designed to cover children between six months and 4 years old, and weighing up to 35 pounds, require adjustable child restraint straps in the child-seating area plus warnings about the dangers of falling out. The voluntary standards also call on retailers to regularly inspect and maintain their carts to make sure they are in compliance.

The American Academy of Pediatrics has called for even stricter standards, particularly to reduce the risk of cart tipovers.  Gary Smith, M.D., who is chairperson of the AAP committee on injury, violence, and poison prevention and director of the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, believes carts should be redesigned to put children lower to the ground. That would make them less susceptible to falls as well as serious injuries if falls occur, he said.

But Paul Giampavolo, chairman of the ASTM subcommittee that wrote the standards, says that the data show that tipovers account for only six percent of the injuries, relatively small when compared to the falls that the voluntary standard seeks to address.

We’re not here to take sides in this debate. But we are here to remind parents and caregivers to be careful when putting an infant or a small child in a shopping cart.

To reduce shopping cart injuries, AAP has called on  parents to leave their children at home with another adult or stay at home and shop online. That may not be realistic.  So here’s our advice: If you do bring your child to the store, always use the cart's seatbelt and never leave a child alone in the cart. Heed the weight limit warning on the cart itself -- and don’t allow children to ride in the basket or on the outside of the cart. Also, don't allow your children to reach for items as they pass by; that could make the cart tip.

For infants, some stores now feature carts with the infant seats built in. This is a better option than placing your own infant car seat/carrier into the smaller top compartment of shopping carts; most manufacturers warn against this practice.  It's better to place the car seat/carrier in the large compartment, but we realize that leaves little room for groceries.  A more practical solution for bringing an infant shopping is to wear a soft frontal infant carrier such as the Baby Bjorn Active, or a backpack such as the Snugli Cross Country by Evenflo.  For more on these options see our reports on soft infant carriers and backpack carriers.

College students need a lesson in fire safety

Packing your kid off to college? Well, along with the computer, iPod, bedding and clothes, make sure your student also brings some fire-safety sense.

The number of fires in campus housing—dorms, frats, sororities, etc.—has risen dramatically in the past few years from 1,800 fires in 1998 to 3,300 fires in 2005. These fires caused an annual average of 7 deaths and 46 injuries.  According to the National Fire Protection Association, cooking equipment caused about three of every four dorm fires. But the majority of the fatalities occurred in the bedroom. And, not surprisingly, fires were more common during the evening and on weekends when students are in the residences.

The Center for Campus Fire Safety has found four common factors behind the campus fire deaths:

• No automatic fire sprinklers
• Missing or disabled smoke alarms
• Careless disposal of smoking materials
• Impaired judgment from alcohol consumption 

We’ve written about this issue before, but with colleges again in session there’s no time like the present to issue some reminders. First check out our dorm safety tips.  And remember these guidelines, just issued by the CPSC:

• Don’t disable smoke alarms.
• Students should cook in designated areas only, and never leave cooking equipment unattended when in use.
• Because more deaths and injuries occur in sleeping areas--and are associated with smoking materials like tobacco products, candles, and incense--always extinguish flames before leaving the room or going to sleep.
• Keep combustibles away from heat sources, such as portable heaters, lights (including halogen lamps) and don’t overload electrical outlets, extension cords or power strips.
• Take special care with holiday and seasonal decorations.  Don’t use combustible materials.
• Never block access to safety devices, doors, etc.
• Know your building’s evacuation plan in case something does go wrong.

And one more tip from us: In light of the 23 students who were recently sickened by carbon monoxide poisoning at Virginia Tech, add a CO detector to your packing list.

Have you checked your tire pressure lately?

We’re ashamed to admit this, but this posting is clearly a case of “Do as we say—Not as we do.” After all, we know that we should regularly check our tires to make sure they are properly maintained, have sufficient tread and have the correct amount of pressure.

And we know that’s particularly important during the summer months. As Nicole Nason, the head of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently warned consumers, “Checking tires is particularly critical during the summer when roads are hot and families are putting a lot of miles on their cars with their vacation plans. … Overloaded vehicles, under-inflated tires, and hot weather can all combine to possibly turn a family vacation into a horrific nightmare.”

But Nason notes that few people take the time to check the condition of their tires, or whether the tire is properly inflated. A tire industry survey this year found 85 percent of drivers fail to properly check tire pressure. NHTSA estimates that crashes associated with tire problems take approximately 660 lives each year and injure 33,000 people. And recent NHTSA research shows that hot weather can affect the tire aging process, especially in warm climate states.

In addition to safety concerns, smart drivers keep their tires properly inflated to get better mileage.  Properly inflated tires can improve gas mileage by about 3.3 percent. Less air means more force to get the tire rolling, causing increased fuel consumption and air pollution.

Don’t go by the maximum inflation pressure specified on the tire, rather use the inflation pressure specified by the vehicle manufacturer found typically on the driver’s door jamb of your car.  Also, check the inflation pressure after the tires have sat for three hours or more. Warm tires will naturally have an elevated pressure. 

That advice reminded us we haven’t checked our tires recently. We did and what we found was humbling: One car had one under-inflated tire by 6 pounds-per-square inch (psi). But two were over-inflated by 3 psi. In another vehicle, three tires were under-inflated by 3 psi; one was over-inflated by the same amount.

So take our advice and check your tires before you drive any further. For proper care of your tires and procedures to check the air pressure, visit www.safercar.gov. For more information on tires, including Ratings, from Consumer Reports visit our tire hub.

The CPSC releases the "Top Five Hidden Home Hazards"

You  know the saying, “Home is where your heart is.” It’s also where there are a host of hidden hazards, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Every year, the commission says, 33.1 million people are injured by consumer products in the home. And many of these injuries come from products that the agency has warned about for years, everyday products such as TV stands, window blinds and magnets.

Determined to reduce these injuries, the commission is releasing its list of the home’s top five hidden hazards. At Consumers Union, publisher of Consumer Reports, we’ve written about these hazards before and, like the commission, we'll continue to publicize them in hopes consumers will take action.

MAGNETS
The facts: Since 2005, there has been one death and 86 injuries from magnets and 8 million magnetic toys have been recalled.
The problem: Today’s magnets can be very small and very powerful—so much so that when a child swallows two or more magnets or a magnet and another metal object, the items can attract through intestinal walls and get trapped in place. This can twist or pinch the intestines causing holes, blockages, infection and even death.
The solution: Watch carefully for loose magnets that may fall out of various toys and keep magnets away from children younger than six. Check any magnet toys to see if they’ve been recalled and, if so, stop using such toys immediately.

RECALLED PRODUCTS
The facts: Each year the CPSC recalls about 400 products.
The problem: Many recalled products remain in the home—and may be resold at thrift shops and garage sales. That’s particularly worrisome for many infant and baby products such as cribs and high-chairs that have been recalled for being an entrapment, entanglement or other hazard.
The solution: Check the Web site www.Recalls.gov to see if any products in your home -- or products you are about to buy -- have been recalled. And sign up for free-email notices of future recalls at  the CPSC's Web site.

TIP-OVERS
The facts: An average of 22 deaths and 3,000 injuries occur annually when TV stands, dressers, furniture and ranges tip over and crush young children. It’s a  growing problem, as deaths increased by nearly 50 percent to 31 in 2006.
The problem: Children climb onto, fall against or pull themselves up on television stands, shelves, bookcases, dressers, desks and chests. If the furniture isn’t stable, it can tip over causing head trauma, injury or death. TVs placed improperly on top of furniture are a particular problem and items left on top of the TV or dressers can be particularly enticing to young children.
The solution: Make sure your furniture is stable on its own, and for added security, anchor TV stands, dressers and other pieces to the wall with an anti-tip restraint. Freestanding ranges and stoves should also have anti-tip brackets. And don’t leave toys or other attractive items atop climbable furniture.

WINDOWS AND WINDOW COVERINGS
The facts: An average of 12 deaths occur annually from window cords. And falls from windows cause nine deaths and 3,700 injuries annually  to children.
The problem: Children can strangle on window drapery and blind cords that can form a loop. And children can fall out of windows—screens offer no protection. 
The solution:  Parents should use cordless blinds or keep cords and chains permanently out of reach of children. Consumers should cut looped cords and install a safety tassel at the end of each pull cord or use a tie-down device and install inner cord stays to prevent strangulation. Never place a child’s crib or playpen within reach of a window blind.
     Parents of small children should install window guards or stops in their windows.

POOL AND SPA DRAINS
The facts: There have been 15 injuries and two fatalities reported between 2002 and 2004.
The problem: The suction from a pool drain can be so powerful it can hold an adult under water, but most incidents involve children. A body can become sealed against the drain or hair can be pulled in and tangled. Missing or broken drain covers are a major cause of entrapment incidents.
The solution: Every time you use a pool or spa, inspect it for entrapment hazards. Check to make sure appropriate drain covers are in place and undamaged. Pool and spa owners should consider installing a Safety Vacuum Release System that detects when a drain is blocked and automatically shuts off the pool pump or interrupts the water circulation to prevent entrapment.  Anti-entrapment /anti-entanglement drain covers may also be able to be retrofitted on existing pools.

While we applaud the CPSC for highlighting these safety issues, we also recognize that there are many more hazards that consumers may not be aware of that can endanger their families.  We will continue to use this blog to inform you of the issues you need to know to keep your family safe. 

For more information:
Magnets in toys attract scrutiny from CPSC, Congress

Latest recalls from the CPSC and FDA

Safety alert: furniture fails to meet tip-over standards

Keeping baby safe: Childproofing your home

Window falls a preventable risk to young children

Tragic incident highlights need for pool safety law

Window falls a preventable risk to young children

A sampling of news sources highlights some recent cases in which children were killed or injured falling from windows. In Rockland County, New York, a 15-month-old girl fell from a second floor window but escaped serious harm when her fall was cushioned by shrubbery. In Ontario, Canada, the coroner's office is considering an inquest after 10 children fell from windows or balconies this year. And this week in Seattle, the Harborview Medical Center is initiating a two-year study on how best to prevent window falls.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that nine children die and 3,700 children are injured each year from window falls. Most of the deaths and injuries occur in children younger than five. Given the ongoing nature of this problem, Consumers Union, the non-profit publisher of Consumer Reports, believes information on window safety bears repeating.   

In the 1970s, New York City launched a landmark program called  “Children Can’t Fly” that required homeowners and landlords to install window guards in homes with small children. The program decreased hospitalizations for  window falls by 96 percent and has been used as a model for other cities. In Boston, there was an 83 percent decrease in child fall hospitalizations between 1993 and 1995 after that  city implemented a similar program.

Window falls are not just a problem for urban dwelling residents of  high-rise buildings. Even falling from a first floor window can harm a very young child. Fortunately, most window falls can be prevented by taking the appropriate safety measures in homes were small children live or visit.

The CPSC recommends the following:

• Install window guards. For windows on the 6th floor and below, install window guards that adults and older children can open easily in case of fire. For windows on the 7th floor and above, permanent window guards can be installed.
• Install guards in the bedrooms of children and parents as well as in any other room where young children spend time.
• Another option is to install window stops that prevent windows from opening more than 4 inches.
• Never depend on screens to keep children from falling out of windows.
  
• Whenever possible, open windows from the top -- not the bottom.
• Children love to climb so keep furniture away from windows to discourage them from climbing near windows.
• Properly supervise children.
• Be especially cautious during the warmer months when windows are more likely to be open.

 

Don't cook your goose when eating outdoors

Maybe it's the surroundings, but food seems to taste better when it’s eaten outside. We want your picnics and barbeques to stay delightful, so here are some tips on handling food safely at outdoor repasts from the Food and Drug Administration and U.S. Dept. of Agriculture:

• First, as we all learned in preschool, good food safety practices begin with hand-washing. If you won’t have access to water, think ahead and bring soap and a jug of water. If that’s not feasible, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer is an effective alternative.  
•  Because the bacteria that can cause food poisoning multiply faster at temperatures between 40 and 140 degrees, keep cold food cold and hot food hot in separate insulated carriers. Avoid opening the coolers more than necessary to maintain the temperature. 
• Cold food subject to spoilage should be held at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. To keep the cooler food cold longer, you can pack the meat, poultry, and seafood still slightly frozen and well insulated from other foods to avoid contamination. When you cook it, use a thermometer to ensure that it's reached a safe minimum internal temperature. Beef, veal, and lamb steaks, roasts, and chops can be cooked to 145 degrees. Hamburgers made of ground beef should reach 160 degrees. All cuts of pork should reach 160 degrees . All poultry should reach a minimum of 165 degrees.
• Hot food should be kept hot, at or above 140 degrees. Wrap the hot food well and place in an insulated container. Eat it within two hours of cooking or purchase. 
• Rinse all fresh fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running tap water before you pack it. Do that even if the skins and rinds are not eaten, since cutting through the outer layer can contaminate the inner fruit. That includes melons, whose nooks and crannies, we have unfortunately learned, are great hiding places for such uninvited germs as salmonella.
•  Don’t let perishable foods sit out longer than 2 hours — and only one hour if air temperature is hotter than 90 degrees.
• If you’re grilling out, marinate the foods in the refrigerator, not on the counter or outdoors. If the marinade is to be used as a sauce on the cooked food, reserve a portion separately before adding the raw meat, poultry, or seafood. Don’t reuse a marinade that’s been in contact with raw food. Similarly, don’t use the same platter and utensils that previously held the raw meat to serve the cooked foods, unless the platter and utensils have been washed in hot soapy water.
• If you want to partially cook food in the microwave, oven, or stove to reduce grilling time, do so immediately before the food goes on the hot grill.
• Be aware that the grill can brown foods quickly and make them look done, even when they're not, so be sure to check with a food thermometer. 

And one last tip to pass on from one of our own staffers (who admits he should know better): Make sure to clean your grill’s drip pan frequently. He didn’t, and the result was a flaming and dangerous mess.

See also:

• Quiz: Summer safety truths and half-truths
• Safe Food Handling (USDA)
• Barbecue Basics: Tips to Prevent Foodborne Illness (FDA)
• Outdoor Eating Food Safety Tips (FDA)

Stay safe when using gas grills

Each year people are burned using grills and injured in liquid-propane (LP) and natural-gas fires and explosions associated with gas grills. Many of these fires and explosions occur when consumers first use a grill that has been left idle for a period of time or just after refilling and reattaching the gas container to the grill. Defective grills can also pose a danger. See information on recalls at www.recalls.gov to see if your model been recalled.

All LP tanks must now comply with upgraded National Fire Protection Association standards for overfill protection. Noncompliant tanks have a circular or five-lobed valve and aren't refillable, although they can be retrofitted with a three-lobed valve or swapped for a new tank at a hardware store or other refilling facility.

To reduce the risk of fire or explosion, you should routinely perform the following safety checks:

• Replace cracked or brittle propane hoses.
• Check hoses for gas leaks by applying dishwashing soap and water; bubbles indicate a leak. Replace as needed.
• Regularly empty grease pans, trays, or receptacles to minimize fire hazards.
• Never start a charcoal fire with gasoline.
• Never add lighter fluid to a charcoal fire after the fire has started; the flame can follow the stream of fluid to its source.
• Never use an outdoor grill indoors or in a garage, breezeway, carport, porch, or under a surface that can catch fire. Also, keep the grill at least 10 feet away from your house or other structure.
• Do not attempt to repair the valve on a gas tank or the grill yourself. See an LP dealer or a qualified appliance-repair service.

If you're in the market for a new grill, keep these safety checks in mind when shopping:

Case the cart. Give the grill a gentle bump from several angles to see if it tips. The more stable the grill, the safer. Carts with a sliding drawer to hold the fuel tank make it easier to use and change the tank. Also inspect the cart, firebox, and shelves for sharp edges and corners.

Beware of burns. If the curve of a handle places fingers or knuckles too close to the lid, you can get burned. Also, keep in mind that metal handles usually get hotter than wooden or plastic ones.

Check grease-drainage design. Although some flaring is to be expected, the more distance the drainage design puts between the fire and collected grease, the less the chance of sustained flare-ups when you cook fatty foods.

Opt for free assembly. It's easy to cut yourself while assembling a grill. But, remember, an assembled grill is bulkier than one in a box. So unless you have a large vehicle, you'll also have to pay for delivery.

You can get additional information on buying and using grills at ConsumerReports.org. Our free feature includes shopping and maintenance tips, cooking advice and even recipes. Subscribers to ConsumerReports.org can access ratings on more than two dozen models from brands including Weber, Char-Broil and Kenmore.

CPSC recalls 4 million Magnetix toys; issues warning on magnets

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced an expanded recall of Magnetix Magnetic Building Sets, encompassing an estimated 4 million additional units. The recall follows what the CPSC is calling "additional serious injuries to children" reported since the March 2006 recall of 3.8 million Magnetix toys. That recall was prompted by the death of a toddler who swallowed magnets.

To date, the CPSC is aware of one death, one aspiration and 27 intestinal injuries. Emergency surgical intervention was needed in all but one case. At least 1,500 incidents of magnets separating from the building pieces have been reported. While the hazard was previously thought to be a problem for children younger than 6, at least 10 injuries involved children between the ages of 6 and 11.

The recall covers all Magnetix sets except newer sets sold since March 31, 2006 that are age-labeled 6+ and contain the following caution label:

CAUTION:  Do not ingest or inhale magnets. 
Attraction of magnets in the body may cause
serious injury and require immediate medical care.

CPSC spokeswoman Julie Vallese points out that the newer Magnetix products have also been redesigned. "There's a clear design change, where there is a much more prominent lip over the magnet," she says. Consumers should stop using the recalled magnetic sets immediately and contact Mega Brands for a replacement toy.  If consumers are uncertain as to whether their product is being recalled, they can contact Mega Brands at (800) 779-7122 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site.

The CPSC is urging consumers to immediately report any incidents of loose magnets to the CPSC Hotline at (800) 638-2772 or to the CPSC Web site.

Additionally, the CPSC has issued a safety alert about the serious dangers magnets pose to children. As the agency points out, "small magnets can kill children if two or more are swallowed.  If two or more magnets or magnetic components or a magnet and another metal object (such as a small metal ball) are swallowed separately, they can attract one another through intestinal walls.  This traps the magnets in place and can cause holes (perforations), twisting and/or blockage of the intestines, infection, blood poisoning (sepsis), and death. When multiple magnets are ingested surgery is required to remove the magnets and sometimes sections of the intestines need to be removed."

The Magnetix sets aren't the only such toys that have been recalled. Late last year, the CPSC recalled 2.4 million Polly Pocket play sets containing magnets. And earlier this year, MagneBlocks Magnetic Construction Toys were recalled after it was determined that magnetic pieces of the toys could fall out.

As part of its safety alert, the CPSC issued the following guidelines for parents:

• Seek immediate medical attention if you suspect your child may have swallowed a magnet. 
• Look for non-specific abdominal symptoms - abdominal pains, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, etc. 
• Note that objects in x-rays may appear as a single object that could actually be multiple magnetic pieces separated by trapped intestinal walls. 
• Keep small magnets and small pieces containing magnets away from young children who might mistakenly, or intentionally, swallow them. 
• Look out for loose magnetic pieces; regularly inspect toys and children’s play areas for missing or dislodged magnets. 
• Check www.cpsc.gov to make sure your children’s magnetic toys are not recalled products.

Many magnets, such as those used on refrigerators and bulletin boards are colorful and don't contain warning labels. We recommend keeping all magnets and magnet-containing toys and other products away from small children.

Hop on these tips for a safer Easter egg hunt

While the chokable toys hidden within Kinder Surprise eggs may be one of the more obvious safety risks at this time of year, a bigger issue for many people may be the safe handling of real eggs. After all, unlike the chocolate Kinder eggs, real eggs are perfectly legal in the U.S., and are available in stores nationwide. In fact, over a billion eggs will be hunted on lawns around the country this season (according to the bunnies at Hallmark), making egg safety a major issue. Fortunately, it doesn't have to be, if you follow a few simple rules. Here are some tips for safe Easter egg coloring, hunting and eating, from the Food and Drug Administration:

• To prevent the spread of dirt and germs, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water before handling eggs at every preparation step, including cooking, cooling, dyeing, and hiding. 
• Keep hard-cooked Easter eggs refrigerated until just before the hunt. Cold temperatures keep most harmful bacteria from multiplying. 
• Hide eggs in places that are protected from dirt, pets, and other potential sources of bacteria. 
• After the hunt, discard eggs that are cracked or dirty. Bacteria can enter eggs through cracks in the shell. 
• Rinse uncracked eggs, then place them back in the refrigerator until it's time to eat them. 
• Discard eggs or food left unrefrigerated for more than two hours. On a hot day (90°F or higher), reduce this time to one hour.

Previously: Candy racks may contain an unwelcome "Surprise"