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BuildingBlocksto SafetyA newsletter for prevention ofchildhood injuriesNorth Dakota Department of HealthSpring 2009Division of Injury Prevention and ControlIs the Pool or Spa You Use Safe?Can you imagine being sucked into a poolcirculation drain and not being able to get yourselfout? According to the U.S. Consumer ProductSafety Commission (CPSC), between 1997 and2007 they received 74 reports of circulation entrapments occurring in pools and spas. Of the 74reports, nine people were killed, sixty-three wereinjured and two were unharmed. Individuals in the5- to 9-year-old category had the highest frequencyof entrapment reports.What kind of pools were involved in thesedangerous entrapments? The bad news is theyoccurred in both public and residential pools.Unfortunately, there are still many unsafe poolsand spas in the world that are not safely covered toprotect swimmers. The good news is thatmandatory safety guidelines have been put inplace that should reduce these dangers toswimmers.On Dec.19, 2007, the Virginia Graeme Baker Pooland Spas Safety Act was signed by the president.The act specifies that on or after Dec. 19, 2008,swimming pool and spa drain covers must meetspecific performance requirements. Additionally,public swimming pools, wading pools, spas andhot tubs must meet requirements for installation ofcompliant drain covers. Pool and spa operatorsneed to come into compliance or the pool or spacould be closed due to noncompliance with afederal act.For more information, visit the CPSC website atwww.cpsc.gov.Evenflo High Chairs UnsafeCPSC and Evenflo Company Inc. are recalling95,000 Majestic High Chairs. Plastic caps andmetal screws on both sides of the high chair canloosen and fall out, posing both fall and chokinghazards to children. Plastic caps and screws thatbecome loose and fall out can cause the seatbacksuddenly to fall back or detach from the high chair.Evenflo has received 140 reports of seatbacksreclining, falling back and/or detachingunexpectedly, which resulted in at least 47 reportsof injuries. In addition, Evenflo has received 1,000reports of plastic caps and screws falling out of thehigh chairs.The high chairs were soldat juvenile product andmass merchandise storesnationwide, including ToysR Us, Babies R Us,Burlington Coat Factoryand Shopko and online atWalmart.com from January2006 through May 2007.Consumers should stopusing the high chairs and contact Evenflo at800.233.5921 to receive a free repair kit.
Jardine Crib RecallExpandedThe CPSC and Jardine Cribs arerecalling an additional 56,450cribs (320,000 units werepreviously recalled in June 2008).The wooden crib slats can break, creating a gap thatcan pose an entrapment and strangulation hazard toinfants and toddlers. CPSC has received 19 additionalincidents of crib slats breaking. Innine of these incidents, consumersreported that their infant or toddlerbroke the slat while in the crib.The recall involves three models ofJardine wooden cribs with the datecodes identified below. The date code and modelnumber are printed on the label located on the insideof the bottom rail of the headboard or footboard.Model #DescriptionDatesDA715BCDark Pine Olympia Lifetime2/04 - 1/070108L00Antique Walnut Capri Single7/06 - 11/070308C00White Capri Lifetime12/05 - 11/07Kids World, Geoffrey Stores, Toys R Us and Babies RUs stores nationwide sold thecribs from March 2004 throughJanuary 2009. Consumers shouldstop using the recalled cribs andcontact Jardine at 800.646.4106 toreceive full credit toward thepurchase of a new crib.Sweatshirts RecalledCPSC and Ms. Bubbles Inc. are recalling 55,000 girlsblue denim passport jackets. The jackets have adrawstring through the hood that can pose astrangulation hazard to children. In February 1996, theCPSC issued guidelines to manufacturers to helpprevent children from strangling or getting entangledon the neck and waist drawstrings in upper garments,such as jackets or sweatshirts.The recalled blue denim jackets have a whiteterrycloth underlay lining and drawstring. The stylenumber BF1400 KP is printed on the hang tag attachedto the garment.The product was sold at T.J. Maxx, J.C. Penney andForman Mills stores nationwide from August 2007through December 2007. Consumers should removethe drawstrings from the sweatshirt to eliminate thehazard, or return the garment to either the place ofpurchase or to Ms. Bubbles Inc. to receive a refund.For more information, consumers should contact Ms.Bubbles at 866.342.3802.Hockey HelmetsRecalledThe CPSC and Reebok-CCMHockey are recalling 1,000hockey helmets. The helmet’schinstrap can unexpectedlydisengage while in use. If thishappens, the helmet can fall off, posing a head andneck injury risk to consumers.The recall involves RBK and CCM brand hockeyhelmets. Helmets included in this recall have a HECCsticker with a date code JUN – 2013. HECC stickersand model numbers are located on the back of thehelmets. Models included in the recall areHT8K, HT6K, HT6K Combo, HT4k, HT4K Combo,HTV10, HTV10 Combo, HTV08, HTV08 Combo,HT692, HT692 Combo.The helmets were sold at sporting good storesnationwide and Internet retailers from May 2008through July 2008. Consumers should stop using thehelmet and return it to the place of purchase for a freereplacement helmet. For more information contactReebok-CCM at 800.451.4600.Visit the following websites for more information about productsafety and injury prevention:www.cpsc.govwww.ndhealth.govBuilding Blocks to Safety has been published quarterly by theInjury Prevention Program, Division of Injury Prevention andControl since 1991.North Dakota Department of Health600 E. Boulevard Ave., Dept 301Bismarck, N.D. 58505-0200800.472.2286Terry Dwelle, M.D., State Health OfficerMary Dasovick, Division of Injury Prevention & Control DirectorDawn Mayer andCarol Meidinger, EditorsThis newsletter can be accessed atwww.ndhealth.gov/injury
What’s Your New Year’s Resolution?Maybe you want to lose weight or learn a new activity. But there’s another resolution you don’t want to neglectthis year, and that’s the safety of your home and family. Whatever you resolve to do, put safety at the top of thelist.CPSC has tips to keep you and your family safe for 12 months a year – you can start by doing a few simplethings every month. Making a commitment to safety can make a huge difference in protecting your loved onesfrom hazards in and around the home.Cut here and keep on the refrigerator for a year-round safety reminder.JanuaryHome Heating/CarbonMonoxide (CO)SafetyHave your heatingsystem and chimneysprofessionallychecked every year.Install a CO alarm inyour home.MayElectrical SafetyInspect cords forexcessive wear beforeplugging them in, anddon’t use cords orequipment that havebeen damaged. Insertplastic safety capsinto unused outletswithin reach of youngchildren.SeptemberFebruaryBurn AwarenessStore flammableliquids in containerswith child-resistantcaps.JuneDrowningPreventionIf you have a pool orspa, make sure tohave layers ofprotection (fences orother barriers,alarms, covers, etc.)Also, eliminatedrowning hazards byemptying portablepools and bucketswhen not in use.OctoberBaby SafetyFire SafetyCheck your baby’ssleeping area: removeall pillows; inspectcribs for instability ormissing/broken parts;do not add extrapadding or mattressesto play yards; andmake sure children donot have access to thecords of blinds andshades.Have smoke alarmsin each bedroom,outside sleepingareas and on eachfloor, and make surethey have freshbatteries. Prepare andpractice family firedrills.MarchPoisonPreventionUse containers withchild-resistant capsfor your medicinesand householdchemicals. Keep themout of reach and outof sight of children,preferably in a lockedcabinet.AprilHelmet SafetyFrom bikes toscooters to ATVs,make sure you andyour kids have theright helmet andknow the safety rules.JulyAugustFireworks SafetyBack to SchoolSafetyNever allow childrento play with or ignitefireworks. Evensparklers can causeserious burns tochildren.NovemberMake sure children goto school with clothesthat do not havedrawstrings and withsupplies that arenon-toxic.DecemberToy ShoppingSafetyHolidayDecorating SafetyShop with safety inmind: buy ageappropriate toys andcheck CPSC’swebsite for recalledproducts.Keep your tree freshby watering daily, andcheck lights forexposed, frayed ordiscolored wires.Extinguish candleswhen you leave theroom and keep themaway fromcombustiblematerials.
Fisher-Price RecallsSimplicity Play YardDeath Prompts Recall ofBlindsCPSC is recalling 200,000 Rainforest Portable PlayYards manufactured by Simplicity Inc. and SFCA Inc.One or more of the rails can collapse unexpectedly,posing a fall or entrapment hazard to young children.There have been 1,350 reports of the rails collapsing.CPSC and IRIS and IKEAHome Furnishings arerecalling 670,000 blinds.Strangulations can occur whena child places his or her neckin an exposed inner cord onthe backside of the romanblinds. CPSC received a reportof a 1-year-old girl who became entangled in the innercord of blinds and was strangled. The child was foundpartially suspended with the inner cord of the blindwrapped twice around her neck.The recall involves all sizes of IRIS and ALVINERoman blinds in white. The blinds have a sewn-inlabel at the top edge of the blind with the IKEAlogotype, article name (IRIS or ALVINE), five-digitsupplier number 19799 or 21369, four-digit date stamp(YYWW) and the words Made in India.This product was sold at IKEA stores nationwide fromJuly 2005 through June 2008. Consumers should stopusing the recalled blinds immediately and return them toany IKEA store to obtain a full refund. For moreinformation, contact IKEA toll-free at 888.966.4532.Division of Injury Prevention and ControlNorth Dakota Department of Health600 E. Boulevard Ave., Dept. 301Bismarck, N.D. 58505-0200The play yards were sold at retailers and specialtychildren’s storesnationwide from January2007 through January2009. Consumers shouldstop using the play yardsand call Fisher-Price (inplace of Simplicity) at800.432.5437 for moreinformation.RETURN SERVICE REQUESTEDThe recalled play yards are portable and were sold witha bassinet, changing table and mobile features. Theproduct has a Rainforest TM patterned fabric, rainforestthemed artwork and have the Fisher-Price logo. TheSimplicity Inc. model numbers are 5310 RNF and5310RNFW. The model number is located on a stickeron one of the legs underneath the play yard.
TheBuckleUpdateHow North Dakota Kids RideThe North Dakota Department of Health hascompleted its biennial observation surveys tomeasure restraint use by children younger than 11.The surveys were conducted between May andOctober 2008 by certified child passenger safetyinstructors and were done in Bismarck, Jamestown,Valley City, Fargo, Wahpeton, Grand Forks, DevilsLake, Minot, Williston and Dickinson.Specific goals of the surveys included:1. To measure restraint use by infants younger than1, toddlers ages 1 through 5 and children ages 6through 10.2. To determine type of restraint (car seat, boosterseat or seat belt) used by children in the differentage categories.3. To assess the child’s seating position in thevehicle – front seat or back seat.4. To compare usage rates between communities inthe surveys.5. To compare usage rates with similar surveys donein previous years.Data was recorded on 2,173 children, of whom 236were infants younger than age 1; 861 were toddlersages 1 through 5; and 1,076 were children ages 6through 10. Survey findings included: 98.7 percent of infants younger than 1 were ridingin a car safety seat. 92.9 percent of toddlers ages 1 through 5 werebuckled in a car seat, booster seat or seat belt. 80.1 percent of children ages 6 through 10 wererestrained in a seat belt, booster seat or car seat. Overall restraint use by children younger than age11 was 87.2 percent.Infants(Younger than 1)Toddlers(Age 1-5)Children(Age 6-10)All Children(Younger than 11)200698.4 %200898.7 %90.5 %92.9 %82.2 %80.1 %87.1 %87.2 %For seating position, the data showed the older thechild, the more likely the child was to be riding in thefront seat. Very few infants (2.1 percent) and toddlers(4.2 percent) were riding in the front seat. However,31.9 percent of children ages 6 through 10 were in thefront seat.During the survey, observers were encouraged towrite comments that provided additionalinformation about how children ride. Although thecomments were not part of the data analysis, thefollowing observations were mentioned frequently inthe comment section of the survey form: Misuse of seat belts, with the shoulder beltportion placed behind the child’s back or under thearm. This is a dangerous practice and indicates thechild is too small for the seat belt. Booster seats being used with a lap-only seat belt.Booster seats must be used with a lap and shoulderbelt. Misused car seats, including unbuckled car seats,loose harnesses, and children too large for their carseats or too small for a booster seat. Children in the front seat in vehicles with air bags.The National Highway Traffic SafetyAdministration recommends that children youngerthan 13 ride in the back seat.
Chicco Infant CarChicco, in conjunction with theNational Highway Traffic SafetyAdministration, has recalled thebase on its KeyFit and KeyFit 30infant car seats. The recallinvolves bases manufacturedbetween Feb. 26 and March 17,2008.According to Chicco, some of the bases have amanufacturing defect that can prevent achieving a tightfit when the base is installed using the LATCH system.The webbing used to tighten the base can slip throughthe adjustment lock, which could cause the childrestraint to move in a crash.Consumers who have bases with serial numbersbetween 08 02 26 and 08 03 17 should call Chicco at800.807.8817 for instructions on getting a new base.Until the base is replaced, it should be installed onlyusing the vehicle seat belt and not the LATCH system.Safety Recall Noticeon Britax Frontier CarSeatBritax Child Safety Inc., withthe National Highway TrafficSafety Administration, isreporting a defect in thefollowing Frontier car seats: Models E9L54E7,E9L54H6, E9L54H7,E9L54M6 – made April 1 through Sept. 14, 2008 Model E9L5490 – made April 1 through Sept. 17,2008If the harness straps are repeatedly loosened one strapat a time, the straps may become detached from themetal yoke located on the back of the car seat. To fixthe problem, Britax is providing two vinyl caps to beplaced over the ends in the metal yoke. The caps willprevent the harness from detaching from the yoke.Owners of the affected car seats should contact Britaxat 800.683.2045 or visit www.Britaxusa.com.Peg Perego PrimoViaggio Car SeatRecalledPeg Perego is replacing theharness adjuster covers on itsPrimo Viaggio SIP 30/30 carseats made from July 1, 2007,through March 15, 2008.According to Peg Perego,some harness adjuster covershave sharp edges that havecaused minor cuts to 91 infants.Owners of this infant car seat should contact PegPerego at 888.734.6030 to request a replacementharness cover.North Dakota Department of HealthChild PassengerSafety CertificationTrainings ScheduledThe North Dakota Department of Health is sponsoringfour trainings to certify individuals as child passengersafety technicians. The classes provide participantswith the technical skills and knowledge to assistfamilies with correct use of their child restraints.Courses will be held in: Bismarck – April 27-30, 2009Fargo – May 12-15, 2009Grand Forks – June 15-18, 2009Dickinson – August 17-20, 2009For more information, contact Dawn Mayer, NorthDakota Department of Health, at [email protected] orcall 800.472.2286.Spring 2009Division of Injury Prevention & Control
Hockey Helmets Recalled The CPSC and Reebok-CCM Hockey are recalling 1,000 hockey helmets. The helmet’s chinstrap can unexpectedly disengage while in use. If this happens, the helmet can fall off, posing a head and neck injury risk to consumers. The recall involves RBK and CCM brand hockey helmets.
