Children Injury and Dangerous Products
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, (CPSC) more than 2.5 million children are injured or killed by hazards in the home each year. That’s despite the fact that, as the Home Safety Council points out, parents of young children are often the most safety-conscious of all Americans.
It is almost impossible to think of everything in your home that can pose a hazard. It is easy to miss dangers lurking in common household products and children's toys. Manufacturers make products which seem so innocent until tragedy strikes. Too many caustic liquids which may appeal to young children do not have child-proof caps. Small toys can present a choking hazard to infants and toddlers.
While there are safety standards for manufacturers, many standards for equipment and baby care evolve over time. For example, walkers that once were popular are now strongly discouraged because children are likely to tumble down flights of steps. Or infant mobiles that attach to a baby’s crib should be removed once the infant is able to pull himself or herself up. By the time children are crawling, safety gates should be placed at the top of stairs, poisons should be locked up, and electrical outlets should be plugged.
Many older playpens and cribs have slats that are too far apart and create a risk of entrapment and strangulation. Likewise, accordion-style baby gates have been linked to child injuries and deaths. Older-style toy chests can be hazardous because lids can slam
shut, or children can accidentally be locked inside and suffocate.
As we have done in past postings and on our web site, we will continue to highlight recalls of dangerous consumer products as part of our commitment to our colleagues, our clients and our community. You can always visit the web site of the CPSC to check on product recalls.
