Pediatric Group Warns Parents About Major Safety Risk Of Magnets Found In Reusable Water Balloons
September 5, 2023, Motherly
If you were outside with your kids this summer, chances are that you encountered reusable water balloons. They’re environmentally friendly and they provide hours of entertainment. But the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is issuing a warning about these summer staples—they can be dangerous. Specifically, the high-powered magnets used to keep these balloons closed pose a safety issue. After multiple uses, the materials on the balloon may wear down and the magnets can fall out. Or a young child (or family pet) could chew on these balloons and cause the magnet to come out as well.
U.S. House Budget Threats Jeopardize Proposed PFAS Regulations
September 8, 2023, Kiowa County Press
Environmental groups say a proposal to cut $4 billion from the Environmental Protection Agency budget would gut the regulations designed to clean up toxic chemicals from public water systems across the country. A group of House Republicans is demanding the cuts in exchange for their votes to keep the government from shutting down later his month. But this could jeopardize federal plans to eliminate “forever chemicals” known as PFAS found in U.S. water supplies. A bill in the House Appropriations Committee, which funds the EPA, proposes cutting the agency’s budget by more than one-third in fiscal year 2024.
Learning Is A Learned Behavior. Here’s How To Get Better At It.
May 2, 2018, Harvard Business Review
Many people mistakenly believe that people are born learners, or they’re not. However, a growing body of research shows that learning is a learned behavior. Through the deliberate use of dedicated strategies, we can all develop expertise faster and more effectively. There are three practical strategies for this. Effective learning often boils down to a type of project management. Another practical method is thinking about thinking. Also known as metacognition, this is akin to asking yourself questions like “Do I really get this idea? Could I explain it to a friend?” Finally, reflection is a third practical way to improve your ability to learn. In short, we can all learn to become a better study.
Business In The Dark Over Regulatory Avalanche For EU Trade
September 8, 2023, British Chambers.org
New research by the British Chambers of Commerce has uncovered that the vast majority of businesses are unaware and unprepared for a swathe of fast-approaching changes in EU/UK regulations.The lack of knowledge and preparation for the changes mean that some traders with the EU could face a whole range of new delays and unexpected costs. In some cases, exporters could also find their goods unable to be transited to EU customers.
Opinion: Creating Trust In An Era Of Consumer Skepticism
September 5, 2023, Forbes
In case you haven’t noticed, Americans are having trust issues. We have experienced a steady decline in trust in the federal government since the 1960s. Some see the loss of trust as a sign of societal decline. This is usually seen as an increase in individualism or general loss of reliability and an “I am my brother’s keeper” mentality. Others point the finger at deep societal divisions. The division seems to be linked to suspicion, cynicism and the ability to confidently identify “fake news.” Whatever the case may be, this societal loss of trust also translates to how we make purchase decisions, especially when it comes to our food, our health and our wellness products.
CPSC Warns Two Helmets That Fail To Meet Federal Safety Standards; Sellers Do Not Offer Recall Or Consumer Remedy
September 7, 2023, Bicycle Retailer
The Consumer Product Safety Commission issued warnings to stop using two adult bike helmets because they failed federal safety standard tests. The Cyclingsell Zacro helmets do not comply with federal positional stability, labeling and certification safety standard requirements. The Tengingyue Vera Natura helmets do not comply with federal positional stability, dynamic strength of retention system and label and certification safety standard requirements. The two Chinese sellers have not agreed to a recall or offered consumers a remedy.
Australia Updates Mandatory Toy Standard For Children
September 8, 2023, Bureau Veritas
The Australian mandatory standard for toys for children up to and including 36 months of age has been updated on September 5, 2023. From March 5, 2025, manufacturers must only comply with the updated standard. The mandatory standard sets requirements for the design and construction of toys for children up to and including 36 months of age.
Guidelines To Reduce The Risk Of Sleep-Related Infant Deaths
September 7, 2023, Loma Linda University
It’s a parent’s worst nightmare: putting a baby to sleep and they do not wake up. Every year in the United States, approximately 3,500 infant deaths are linked to sleep-related issues. These include cases of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), accidental suffocation, and deaths with unknown causes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Michelle Parker, Safe Kids Coordinator Inland Empire at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital, dives into the dos and don’ts of ensuring a safe sleep environment for babies.
Peloton “Instantly” Kills Man By Severing Artery, Lawsuit Claims
September 7, 2023, CBS News
The mother of a New York City man is claiming that a “dangerous” Peloton bike led to the death of her son when the fitness equipment fell on him as he was exercising and severed his carotid artery, according to a lawsuit. Johanna Furtado is asking for damages for “pain, suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life and other non-economic damages.” The suit also seeking medical expenses and other damages, including the cost of past and future medical and psychiatric care, according to the suit, which was filed in March in New York Supreme Court.
Consumer Alert: New York State DCP Offers Tips For Keeping Babies Safe
September 5, 2023, WNYpapers.com
The New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection is providing baby-proof safety measures and tips to help prevent some of the biggest dangers for babies. September is Baby Safety Month, an annual event that focuses on raising awareness of critical, lifesaving information to help parents and caregivers keep little ones safe. “The first years of a baby’s life are filled with many milestones and new experiences, and parents and caregivers are often working overtime to keep them safe from harm as they learn and grow,” Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez said. “While the health and safety of a baby matters every day, Baby Safety Month is a great time to highlight these lifesaving tips that can help parents and caregivers create a safe environment for their little ones.”
Philippine Toxic Watchdog Group Pushes For “SAFE TOYS FOR KIDS” Campaign
September 6, 2023, Journal Online
As the “ber” months kick off, shops and stores are inundating their shelves with a wide array of toys. Toxic watchdog group BAN Toxics has taken the initiative to closely monitor these toys which aims to shed light on the presence of toxic chemicals in these playthings and to champion the health and safety of our children. Thony Dizon, Toxics Campaigner at BAN Toxics, stressed the importance of this endeavor, stating, “Every child deserves access to safe and good quality toys, free from potential hazards like choking, laceration, strangulation, eye injury and chemical exposure.”
Safety Warning Issued On Gel Water Beads
September 7, 2023, Irish Examiner
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has issued a warning to parents and caregivers about water beads. Also known as gel beads, sensory beads and by a number of other trademarked names, these small plastic spheres are made of a superabsorbent polymer and can retain hundreds of times their weight in water. ‘Safety Gate’ is an EU-wide system that allows consumer authorities across the EU to share information about dangerous non-food items that have made their way onto the market. Each alert contains information on the product, a description of the risk and the measures taken to deal with it. Every alert is followed up by authorities in each of the member states, who take action if they find the same product in their markets.
