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CPSC Warns Parents About Dangers Of Opening Windows

by on April 10, 2012 in Accident, accidental death, concussions, CPSC, fall, window fall, wrongful death

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a timely warning for all families, especially for those with young children.

As spring approaches, many start opening their windows and although opened windows bring relief from the heat, they may also bring danger to those who are on the inside.

According to data from the CPSC, about 3,300 children five years and younger are treated yearly for window falls and about eight children die yearly. About 34 percent of those who fall, must be hospitalized as they recover from their injuries.

The National Safety Council recommends parents and caregivers take these steps to help prevent falls of young children.

- Avoid placing furniture young children can climb on near windows.

- Do not lean on screens or rely on them to prevent a window fall. Insect screens are designed to keep bugs out, not to keep children in the home.

- Supervise children to prevent them from playing near windows, balconies or patio doors.

- Install building code-compliant devices such as window guards (with quick-release mechanisms in case of fire).

- Teach your children how to safely use a window to escape during an emergency.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a fall from a window, the Chicago personal injury attorneys at Dwyer & McDevitt may be able to assist you. Contact our offices today for a free, initial consultation.

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Aqua Dots Settles; Owes $1.3M Civil Suit

by on November 1, 2011 in CPSC, defective product

Spin Master, Inc. agreed to pay a civil penalty of $1.3 million after the Consumer Product Safety Commission alleged the company knew about a defect and hazard associated with Aqua Dots, but failed to report to CPSC immediately, as required by law.

The CPSC said not only did the company fail to report the hazards, but they continued to import and sell Aqua Dots even though the items were a toxic and banned hazardous substance.

Aqua dots had been part of a child-geared craft project containing small beads that, when sprayed with water, would stick together to create various objects.

In fall 2007, the company received reports that children and a dog had become sick and received medical care after ingesting the Aqua Dots.

In mid-October 2007, the company learned that the Aqua Dots contained 1,4-butylene glycol (TMG), which metabolized to the controlled substance, gamma hydroxybutyrate. They also discovered that TMG was harmful if swallowed and targeted the kidneys as well as a person’s central nervous system.

They continued to receive reports of children who had become ill after ingesting the Aqua Dots through the time the voluntary recall was announced. The company failed to report to the CPSC within 24 hours about the know hazards, which is required by federal law.

In early November 2007, the CPSC received reports of children becomming ill and the CPSC, along with Aqua Dots announced a voluntary recall.

The kits were available from various retailers from April 2007 until they were recalled in November 2007 and ranged from $17 to $30.

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CPSC: Tip-Over Deaths Not Decreasing

by on October 1, 2011 in CPSC

A new report from the Consumer Product Safety Commission said that despite safety warnings, deaths of children from furniture and television tip overs has not slowed down.

The CPSC said in the past decade, they have received reports of 245 tip-over-related deaths involving children ages 8 and younger. More than 90 percent of those involved children ages 5 and younger.

The report found that in more than half of the fatalities, a child was crushed by a falling TV, furniture or appliance.

Additionally, more than 22,000 children ages 8 and younger are treated yearly for injuries caused in tip-over accidents.

The CPSC offers some tips for parents to help prevent tip-over accidents and deaths.

  • Anchor all furniture to the wall or floor.
  • Place televisions on sturdy, low bases.
  • Or anchor the furniture and the TV on top of it or push the TV as far back on the furniture as possible.
  • Keep television and/or cable cords out of reach of children.
  • Make sure all appliances are installed with anti-tip brackets.

If you or your loved one has been seriously injured in an accident, contact our offices. We can help you seek fair compensation for your injuries.

Click here to view the report (PDF)

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54,000 Clip-on High Chairs Recalled

by on August 20, 2011 in Accident, CPSC, product liability

The U.S. Consumer and Products Safety Comission issued a recall for 54,000 clip-on chairs after determining the chairs could fall when the clamps were worn, causing injury to the child in it.

The chairs, which clip on to a table, pose a hazard because missing or worn clamp pads allow chairs to detach from table surfaces. There have been reports of children’s fingers being pinched, cut, crushed or amputated and children have suffered bruising from the chairs as well.

The chair is for infants and toddlers. It has a nylon fabric seat and a metal frame with clamps.  There were available from Target, Toys R Us, Buy Buy Baby, and online from Amazon and philandteds.com from between $40 to $50 each. They were available from May 2006 to May 2011.

Consumers should immediately stop using the chairs and contact Phil and Ted’s at 1-855-652-9019 or visit their web site at www.philandteds.com/support for additional information.

If you or your loved one has been injured by a defective product, contact the Chicago personal injury lawyers at Dwyer & McDevitt. We can help you determine if you have a products liability claim and can help walk  you through the process if you do.

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Honeywell Recalls 77,000 Thermostat Units

by on August 1, 2011 in CPSC, product liability

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Honeywell issued a voluntary recall of 77,000 units of electric baseboard and fan heater thermostats Thursday.

According to a news release from the CPSC, the thermostat can overheat, causing it to melt and smoke and posing a burn hazard to the consumer. Honeywell has reportedly received 16 reports of thermostats melting, but has not received any reports of injuries.

The recalled thermostats are rectangular, white, programmable thermostats with either the name “Honeywell” or “Cadet” printed on the front.

The models were sold at home improvement stores, HVAC and electrical stores and through contractors from January 2000 through December 2007. They retailed for $80 – $300 and were made in Singapore.

The affected models are:
Honeywell   CT1950A1003
Honeywell   CT1950B1002
Honeywell   CT1957A1008
CADET           T4700B1030
CADET           T4700A1040
Honeywell   T4700B1014
Honeywell   T4700A1016

The recall urged the consumers to immediately stop using the thermostats by turning them off or setting them to 45 degrees. The company is offering free replacement models.

For more information, contact Honeywell toll-free at 1-888-235-7363 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. CST on weekdays or visit their Web site.

If your or your loved one has been injured by a defective product, our firm may be able to assist you. Contact us today for your free case evaluation.

CPSC release

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New Crib Safety Standards Released

by on June 30, 2011 in accidental death, CPSC, health news, wrongful death

New guidelines from the Consumer Product Safety Commission went into effect this week regarding baby cribs and represent the first major revision of crib safety standards in more than 30 years.

The CPSC has recalled more than 11 million cribs since 2007, including many drop-side cribs. According to the CPSC, at least 32 infant suffocation and strangulation deaths have been reported since 2000 associated with drop side cribs with detaching side rails. Other deaths were associated with faulty or defective crib hardware.

The new mandatory rules for cribs include:

  • Halting all manufacturing and selling of drop-side cribs
  • Strengthening mattress supports and crib slats
  • Requiring crib hardware to be more durable
  • Making safety tests more rigorous

The changes will not be mandatory for child care facilities, hotels and motels and rental companies until the December 2012.

The new safety standards make it illegal to sell cribs that do not meet the criteria, even second-hand at a garage sale or consignment store.

If you or your loved one has been injured by an unsafe product, our offices may be able to assist you. Contact the offices of Dwyer & McDevitt today for your free case evaluation.

CPSC Crib Safety Standards

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