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Consumer Product Safety: The Safety of Our Children February 25, 2010
Transcript of Consumer Product Safety: The Safety of Our Children › wp-content › uploads › 2016 › 08 ›...
Consumer Product Safety:The Safety of Our Children
February 25, 2010
Our Vision
""Through our people and our search for knowledge we strive for ...
A Canada where products are safe and used safely."
Our Mandate
To improve and maintain the quality of life through To improve and maintain the quality of life through reduction and prevention of injuries, adverse reduction and prevention of injuries, adverse reactions, illnesses and death associated with the reactions, illnesses and death associated with the use of ...use of ...
consumer productsconsumer products cosmetics and personal use productscosmetics and personal use products
How We Fulfill Our MandateRegulatory and Enforcement Programs Regulations, Inspections, Complaint Investigations, Recalls
Voluntary Programs Develop voluntary standards, Commitment by industry
Information Programs Education, Exhibits, Public advisories, Media
Our Legislation
Hazardous Products Act Provides the authority to restrict and prohibit certain products More than 30 prohibited and 30 regulated products
Food and Drugs Act Regulates sale of cosmetics
Why We Have Regulations
Cribs and Cradles1972 to 1986 43 fatalities1986 to present 37 fatalities (36 from pre-1986 cribs)
Baby Gates1971 to 1990 2 fatalities, 15 near misses (pre- regulation)After regulation no fatalities, no near misses
Prohibited Products
Examples of consumer goods prohibited under the Hazardous Products Act:
Baby Walkers Yo-yo Balls Re-light candles Balloon Blowing Kits Lawn Darts with Elongated Tip
Regulated ProductsExamples of items regulated by Consumer Product Safety Toys & Infant Products (pacifiers, rattles) Children’s Sleepwear Children’s Furniture (cribs, strollers, playpens) Cigarette lighters Consumer Chemicals (lamp oil, automotive chemicals,
paints, glues) Mattresses, including futons
Child Safety – In & Around the Household
Children are naturally curious and do not easily recognize and avoid hazards
Children do not always use a product the way it was intended
Many parents/caregivers aren’t aware of the dangers associated with some products in the home
Many injuries can be avoided by supervising children carefully and by making their surroundings more safe
Childcare Products
Cribs and cradles
Playpens
Carriages and Strollers
Car Seats
Bath Seats/ Rings
Baby Gates
Baby Walkers
Pacifiers
Children’s & Other Household Products
Toys
Children’s Jewellery
Sleepwear & Clothing
Hockey and other sporting helmets
Lighters
Consumer Chemicals
Blind Cords
Bunk Beds
Mattresses/Futons
Cribs – What to Look For: If manufactured prior to Sept 1986 – not compliant
Mattress supports, Spacing between slats, Mattress fits snugly, No Corner Posts
Generally well maintained
Label: Name, address of manufacturer/ importer Model name/ number Date of Manufacture Warning Statement re: assembly, size of mattress and proper use of
product
Cribs – Safe Use: Ensure mattress is at lowest position when baby is able to push
up on hands and knees Remove mobiles and toy bars when baby begins to push up on
hands and knees After placing baby in the crib, ensure sides are up and locked
securely in position Do not leave baby in a crib with necklaces, elastics, scarves, or
pacifiers on a long cord Avoid use of soft pillows, comforters, stuffed toys, and bumper
pads as they pose a suffocation hazard Keep crib away from window covering cords, lamps, appliances,
or anything else that can hurt a baby
Cradles Safe place for an infant to sleep until
6 months of age, or when they can sit up on their own
Permanently affixed label (same info as cribs)
Gaps between slats no more than 6cm Mattress dimensions not >3cm
shorter/narrower than interior dimensions of cradle; not >8cm thickness
Does not swing/rock beyond a 20 degree angle
Safe Sleep Practices Never place a baby to sleep on the same sleep surface as an adult
or another child.
Infants can become entrapped between objects such as the sleeping surface, the body of the parent or caregiver, the wall and otherobjects
Infants sleeping on an elevated surface can fall and be seriously injured
Infants can suffocate in soft bedding materials, such as pillows or comforters
Permanently affixed label (same info as cribs)
Newer mesh style sides, no sharp edges/ hinges
No exposed bolts, screws, or other fasteners that could snare/ entrap limbs or fingers
Generally well maintained
Playpens – What to look for:
Playpens – Safe Use Never leave a baby in playpen with side down
Do not add blankets, pillows or an extra mattress to a playpen.
Check that the mattress pad is firm, and not worn down in any area.
A playpen is not designed as a sleeping surface
Carriages and Strollers
A stroller must have a functioning braking device.
A stroller must have a lap belt attached to the frame or upholstery and a restraint to prevent the child from sliding downward.
Carriages and Strollers – Safe Use Exercise caution when using strollers with hinge mechanisms as
they can pose a risk of injuries such as minor cuts, bruising, lacerations or even fingertip amputations.
Do not carry additional children, items, or accessories in or onstroller except as recommended by manufacturer
Do not use pillows & blankets as padding
Labelling requirements Must meet Canadian Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard (CMVSS) Functional restraint system; forward
facing seats need tether strap
Car Seats – General Info
For information about car seats, contact Transport Canada:
Telephone: 1-800-333-0371Web Address: www.tc.gc.ca
A safe chair is stable and has a wide base to reduce the risk of tipping.
Restraining straps should always be used, securely attached and work properly.
High Chairs
Infant Bath Seats/ Rings
Supervise children in the bath tub at all times. Keep them in sight and within reach.
If you have to leave the room for ANY reason, take the baby with you.
These products are NOT SAFETY DEVICES, but they give caregivers a false sense of security. Babies seem well-supported and safe in the products.
Safety (Expansion) Gates Entrapment and strangulation hazards exist with
accordian-style baby gates that have large V-shaped openings along the top edge and diamond-shaped openings – these DO NOT meet safety regulations (pre-1990)
Do not use pressure gates at the top of stairs use hardware mounted gates as they are more secure
Avoid gates with holes that children can use to climb over the gate
Openings in gate should be small enough to prevent a child’s head from fitting through.
Baby Walkers –
Not to be confused with ride-on toys and stationary activity centers.
Baby walkers are banned in Canada (since 2004).
It is a criminal offence to sell, advertise, or import new or used baby walkers, even for your own use.
It is also a criminal offence to give them away.
Pacifiers
Inspect pacifiers daily Check nipples for tears, holes, etc. Discard when noted
Ensure nipple and ring/handle remain firmly attached when pulled
Replace regularly – ie: every 2 months Never tie or hang a pacifier or other object
around the neck of a baby or young child
Children’s Sleepwear Loose fitting sleepwear made of 100% cotton, acrylic, acetate, or
blends of these fibers cannot be sold due to their failure to meet flammability standards
These garments should be made of 100% polyester, 100% nylon or polyester/nylon blends to meet the flammability requirements
Children’s Clothing
Hood and neck drawstrings can become entangled on playground equipment, cribs and other common items.
Waist drawstrings can become entangled in a bus door.
Bunk Beds
The upper bunk should never be used for children under six.
The upper bunk should have guard rails on all sides.
The mattress should fit tightly against all four sides.
Bunk beds should meet the ASTM standard.
Toys
Toys intended for use by children less than 3 years of age should not contain separable parts or small pieces which could pose a choking hazard.
Rattles should have all ends or protrusions large enough so they will not easily fit into a child’s throat.
Toys With Batteries
Batteries in toys for young children should be properly installed and not accessible to the child.
Only adults should install batteries
DO NOT let children take battery operated toys to bed – burns can result from batteries leaking or overheating
Balloons
The leading non-food cause of choking death in children.
Keep un-inflated balloons away from children.
Supervise children when playing with balloons.
Dispose of burst balloons promptly.
Toy Boxes
Toy boxes are required to have holes in 2 or more adjacent sides to prevent suffocation of a child who climbs inside
They should have lightweight lids and good supporting hinges to prevent entrapment and injury to fingers
Small Magnets Small, powerful “rare earth”
magnets used in jewellery, household items, children’s building toys, action figures, science kits and craft kits can break away from the product.
If a child ingests more than one magnet over a short period of time, the magnets can attract in the intestines
This may lead to blockage or tearing of the intestines and can result in serious injury or death.
Children’s Jewellery Lead is often used to make jewellery
because it is inexpensive and easy to shape Items made with a high percentage of lead
are heavy for their size Usually greyish in colour and may leave a
grey mark when rubbed against a piece of white paper
Sucking, chewing or swallowing this type of jewellery may have harmful effects on the development of infants and young children.
Playground and Backyard Play Equipment
Remove cords and drawstrings from children’s hoods, hats and jackets.
Take off bicycle helmets before using playground equipment.
Make sure children do not tie ropes to slides and other playground equipment.
Household Chemicals
Keep household chemicals in their original containers. Never mixthem together.
All chemical products should be locked and out of the sight and reach of children.
Teach children that the symbols mean DANGER: DO NOT TOUCH
Flammable Corrosive Poison Explosive
Corded Window Coverings
Awareness campaign launched Nov. 2005
“Out of Reach”
Cord Solutions Use a clip, clothes pin, or tie the cord to itself
with a knot to keep out of reach of children
Wrap the cord around a cleat that you have attached to the wall near the top of the curtains or blinds
Get rid of the loop in the cord by cutting the cord in half. (Put plastic tassels or a breakaway device at the ends of the cord.)
Hockey and other Sports Helmets
Hockey helmets and face protectors are regulated in Canada, and must be CSA certified.
Some are multi-impact, some single. Be aware of type, and use accordingly.
Other sporting helmets are not regulated Industry standards may apply
Second Hand Products
PUT SAFETY AHEAD OF SAVINGS!
Look for labels on products. Some products, such as cribs and car seats, need to have information stating the manufacturer, the model number, and the date of manufacture.
Ask questions. Ask the seller about the history of the product, for example: How old is it? How much use has it had? Have any repairs been made to it?
Check if the product is damaged. Check for cracks and broken, loose, or missing parts.
Recalls of Children’s Products
For recall information check:
Company website Consumer Product Safety’s
recall list www.hc-sc.gc.ca/cps
Healthy Canadians website Product Recall Database
www.healthycanadians.ca
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