Cook County Personal Injury Lawyer - Defective & Dangerous Products

Buyer Beware: Dangerous Toys for Children

Kristina Labanauskas — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 16:13:00 GMT

It’s officially the holiday shopping season, and Black Friday is just around the corner. If you have any intention of shopping for children’s toys this year, however, you should read the below information regarding some potentially dangerous toys on the market.

World Against Toys Causing Harm Inc., also known as WATCH, recently released its annual list of 10 toys it considers dangerous. WATCH is a nonprofit organization dedicated to children’s causes and to teaching children to become responsible consumers.

This year’s list includes an assortment of gifts and gadgets, from a simple ball to a purse pet.

1) Inflatable Giga Ball

2) Sportsman Shotgun

3) Animal Alley Purse Pet

4) Go Go Minis Pullback Vehicle

5) Spider-Man Adjustable Toy Skates

6) Walk’n Sounds Digger the Dog

7) Pucci Puppies- My Own Puppy House Golden Retriever

8) Meadow Mystery Play-a-Sound Book With a Cuddly Pooh

9) Extreme Spiral Copters

10) TMNT Ninja Battle Gear – Michelangelo Hazard

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the top 5 toy hazards are:

1) Scooters and other Riding Toys – Riding toys, skateboards and in-line skates go fast and falls could be deadly. Helmets and safety gear should be worn at all times and be sized to fit.

2) Small Balls and other Toys with Small Parts – For children younger than age three, avoid toys with small parts, which can cause choking.

3) Balloons - Children under eight yrs. can choke or suffocate on un-inflated or broken balloons. Keep un-inflated balloons from children. Discard broken balloons at once.

4) Magnets – For children under age six, avoid building or play sets with small magnets. If magnets or pieces with magnets are swallowed, serious injuries and/or death can occur.

5) Chargers and Adapters – Charging batteries should be supervised by adults. Chargers and adapters can pose thermal burn hazards to children.

Also, the CPSC suggests that once gifts are open, immediately discard plastic wrappings, be sure to keep toys that are appropriate for older kids away from the younger ones, and pay attention to instructions and warning on battery chargers to avoid overcharging.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Kristina Labanauskas

Back to School: Child Backpack Safety

Kristina Labanauskas — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 16:27:00 GMT

The start of August means that another summer will soon be a distant memory. It also means for many kids that less time will be spent at pool parties and more time will be spent gearing up for the next school year. This is not all bad news, though. There are many great things about the beginning of the school year. There is excitement about a new teacher, new lessons, familiar faces and new friends and classmates. And, you can’t overlook the excitement of back-to-school shopping. Typically the school will assign a basic school supply list: 5 black pens, 10 #2 pencils, 3 pocket folders, etc. Aside from what to buy, though, in many cases the student gets the freedom of putting his or her own personal stamp on the supplies.

One of the most personal and fun purchases is a new back-to-school backpack. Studies indicate that the wrong backpack can cause immediate pain and long term damage to a child’s back. So, in making this purchase parents need to ensure that beyond looking cool, their child’s backpack is safe and appropriate for everyday use.

There are increasing reports of childhood back pain. By the end of their teen years, more than 50% of youths experience at least one low back pain episode. And, research indicates that this increase may be due to improper backpack use.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that nearly 5,000 emergency room visits each year result from injuries related to book bags and back carriers.

As a parent, there are several things you can do to help prevent back pain and injuries:

1) Make sure the backpack is well-built and appropriate sized; purchase child-sized backpacks if available

2) Look for packs with padded shoulder straps and waist straps that help distribute the load;

3) Prioritize the items your child carrier and eliminate unnecessary contents so that the pack’s weight does not exceed 15% of your child’s weight;

4) Teach your child to pack the backpack by evenly distributing the pack contents;

5) Advise your child never to carry a backpack over one shoulder (for example, a messenger-style bag); he or she should use both shoulder straps as well as the waist strap, of course in the manner advised by the manufacturer

Another option is to use a rolling backpack, especially for students who must carry a heavy load. Typically, a grade-school student will not be carrying such heavy loads as, for example, a college or graduate student. Grade-school textbooks simply are not as heavy and burdensome as higher education textbooks. Still, unless your child will be inconvenienced by having to roll the backpack up stairs or through snow and rough terrain, it might not be a bad idea to invest in a rolling backpack at an early age to prevent or alleviate back pain or injury.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Kristina Labanauskas

Cell Phones & Cancer: A Controversial New Warning

Kristina Labanauskas — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 17:47:34 GMT

Talking less on your cell phone might save more than just minutes. For the first time, an academic cancer research institute has made a warning linking cancer and cell phone use.

Dr. Ronald B. Herberman, director of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, issued a warning to faculty and staff Wednesday to limit cell phone use due to the possible risk of cancer.

He advised that children should use cell phones only for emergencies because their brains are still developing and that adults should keep the phone away from their head. The better alternative is to use a speakerphone or wireless headset. He also warned against using cell phones in public places because it exposes others to the cell phone’s electromagnetic fields.

According to the National Cancer institute, there is no definitive link between electromagnetic radiation and tumors of the brain and central nervous system. Still, there are studies being done and results that have not been completed or published. This is Dr. Herberman’s concern, and his warning is based on unpublished data. He feels, however, that people should not wait for definitive data to be published, which takes time.

Dr. Herberman’s warning goes against many studies that deny a link between cancer and cell phone usage. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is not overly concerned, either, noting that if there is a risk it is probably very small.

Currently, the published evidence is inconclusive in terms of finding a direct link between cancer and phone use. But, making some of these minor adjustments to our lives might not be that difficult and might have benefits in the long run. Is it that difficult switch to the speakerphone or a head set as we await more conclusive studies? Or, is it really that much of a problem to keep kids off the cell phones, unless in the case of emergencies? Mull it over, as, at least for now, the majority is of the opinion that there is no need for alarm.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Kristina Labanauskas