Toddler dies after winds send pumpkin patch bounce attraction flying
October 5, 2018, Orlando Sentinel
High winds mixed with a bounce attraction have led to another tragedy. A 2-year-old boy in Nebraska died after nearly 60-mph winds caused a bounce pad at a pumpkin patch to break loose of its tie-downs and
and send him and his 5-year-old sister flying 30 to 40 feet in the air, according to the Lincoln Journal-Star. Caleb Acuna died at the hospital from severe head trauma one day after the incident, according to a GoFundMe page for the family set up to help pay for funeral expenses.
CPSC survival tips for after Hurricane Michael
October 11, 2018, cpsc.gov
Powerful Hurricane Michael, now a tropical storm, leaves a path of destruction in Florida and elsewhere, including flooding and downed power lines. Hundreds of thousands of people are without power. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is warning residents in hurricane-impacted areas about the deadly dangers that exist during and after the storm. “The aftermath of the storm is very dangerous and consumers need to take appropriate safety precautions to keep their families safe,” says CPSC Acting Chairman Ann Marie Buerkle.
CPSC Commission-Decisional Matter: Final Rule to revise current fireworks regulation
October, 2018, cpsc.gov
The decisional meeting will take place on October 17, 10:00 a.m., in Bethesda, MD at the CPSC headquarters building. A live webcast of the Meeting can be viewed at https://www.cpsc.gov/live
AP Exclusive: Toxic metal found in chain stores jewelry
October 11, 2018, Washington Times
Jewelry with the toxic metal cadmium is showing up on the shelves of national retailers including Ross, Nordstrom Rack and Papaya, according to newly released test results. Analysis done for the nonprofit Center for Environmental Health revealed some jewelry sold with women’s dresses and shirts was nearly pure cadmium, which can cause cancer and reproductive harm after prolonged exposure.
October 29 free webinar to discuss details of professional certification
October 15, 2018, Saint Louis University
Details about the new Consumer Product Safety Professional Certification program at Saint Louis University will be featured in a 45-minute webinar on October 29. The webinar will present information about the value of certification programs, the structure of the professional certification courses, along with other details about the program. Presentation will be led by Beth-Anne Yakubu, executive director of the Emerson Leadership Institute at Saint Louis University and Don Kornblet, President of ADK Information Services and product safety advisor to the Richard A. Chaifetz School of Business at the university.
Minnesota Mother draws praise, backlash after wearing her son while giving weather forecast
October 11, 2018, Grand Forks Herald
A Twin Cities mother is drawing mixed reactions after she wore her 1-year-old son on her back Friday, Oct. 5, while giving an on-air weather forecast. Susie Martin, who is a meteorologist with Eden Prairie-based weather company Praedictix, said she wore her son to work to promote International Babywearing Week, an annual week-long outreach event that promotes baby wearing as a universally accepted practice.
Canada’s new regulatory framework for vaping products
October 9, 2018, National Law Review (Keller and Heckman)
Bill S-5 (“An Act to amend the Tobacco Act and the Non-smokers’ Health Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts”) became law in Canada, representing a major shift in Canada’s regulatory framework, as the Bill establishes a nationalized approach to the regulation of vaping products and tobacco products through the implementation of the Tobacco and Vaping Products Act (TVPA).
Philippines: EcoWaste Coalition warns of hazardous chemicals in children’s toys
October 10, 2018, Manila Bulletin.com
A cause-oriented group has warned the consumers against the purchase of children’s toys that contain hazardous chemicals. The EcoWaste Coalition issued the warning after it discovered that some children’s toys were laden with phthalates following their test buys in Divisoria shopping district in Tondo, Manila.
Retailers vie to fill supply void left by Toys “R” Us
October, 1018, The Strategic Sourceror
Halloween may be only weeks away, but with Christmas being the biggest shopping holiday of them all, retailers are seeking supply chain optimization by stocking their shelves with some of the season’s most highly coveted merchandise. But for the first time in 70 years, Toys “R” Us will not be partaking in the annual ritual after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Looking to fill the sizeable void the toy titan left behind, several rival big box retailers are stocking up on kids’ favorites, aiming to seize more customers in the process.
Kids’ toy squishies urgently recalled
October 11, 2018, Leicestershire Mercury
A children’s toy shaped like a cake is being urgently recalled after it is feared children may choke on it. The toy Squishy is being labelled as dangerous and the European Commission said children could mistake the toy for actual food. Further to that, parents are being warned that the plastic packaging was too big for the toy and that children could choke on it report the Daily Mirror .
Congress approves massive water projects bill
October 10, 2018, WCJB
Congress has approved a sprawling bill to improve the nation’s ports, dams and harbors, protect against floods, restore shorelines and support other water-related projects. If signed by President Donald Trump, America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 would authorize more than $6 billion in spending over 10 years for projects nationwide, including one to stem coastal erosion in Galveston, Texas, and restore wetlands damaged by Hurricane Harvey last year. The bill also would help improve harbors in Seattle; Savannah, Georgia; and San Juan, Puerto Rico, and extend a federal program to improve drinking water quality in Flint, Michigan and other cities.
Opinion: Stop worrying and trust the evidence; Roundup is very likely not to cause cancer
October 8, 2018, Medical Press
The common weed killer Roundup (glyphosate) is back in the news after a US court ruled it contributed to a man’s terminal cancer (non-Hodgkin lymphoma). Following the court’s order for manufacturer Monsanto to compensate the former school ground’s keeper US$289 million, more than 9,000 people are reportedly also suing the company. In light of this, Cancer Council Australia is calling for Australia to review glyphosate’s safety.
