April 2009 Archives

It seems like each year car seats are recalled. Register your car seat here. The site also contains the ability for the owner to research if their car seat has been recalled for any reason from the manufacturer. I recommend not purchasing car seats used. For one, the technology gets better each year. For another reason, you have no way of determining if the car seat has ever been involved in an accident. If the seat has been involved in a car accident the padding, foam or other safety mechanisms of the seat could be damaged, which could harm the...

An international group of academic, industry and government scientists have called into question the reliability two studies relied upon by the FDA to support its announcement that BPA is safe. BPA is found in food containers, household products and baby bottles. According to the scientists at that meeting, the author of the studies, Rochelle Tyl, has conceded that there were errors in the 2008 study, relied upon by the FDA. Interestingly, both of TYl's studies were paid for by the American Chemistry Council, a trade association for BPA makers. See my earlier blog on this site for the article on...

Each year numerous people are injured or killed on rides at theme parks, carnivals and fairs. While many of these injuries or deaths are related to poor maintenance, an alarming number are alleged to have occurred due the design of the ride itself. In another words, the ride performed exactly as it was designed to do and the rider still became seriously injured or killed. I was alarmed when I recently read an article concerning Florida theme parks, the surprising number of injuries and lawsuits and the failure of the parks to report these injuries and deaths. I recommend reading...

The CPSC has announced a recall of these dog leashes. They were sold at Family Dollar Stores from September 2007 to August 2008. The metal clasp on the leash that attaches to the animal's collar can bend or break and detach from the collar. The reports of injuries at this point in time appear to be mild.  That said, if you have one of these leashes get rid of it or send it back for a refund. I had a case involving a defective retractable dog leash several years ago, and the hook portion of the clasp straightened out and...

On March 27, 2009 a group of safety advocates and victims issued a report shedding light on the alarming problems with Utility Terrain Vehicles (UTV), and highlighting in particular the Yamaha Rhino. If anyone has seen these vehicles, they are not traditional ATVs, and to me at least, resemble golf carts on steroids. The report sets out 38 deaths, many of which are believed to have occurred in Yamaha Rhinos. These Rhinos have also accounted for catastrophic injuries including the loss of limbs and other severe injuries. The report calls for the installation of partial doors, roll cage cushions and...