Did You Know That the The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is Now on Twitter and Has a Blog?

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is applauded for their launch into the social media arena. They now join the ranks of other organizations like CDC , March of Dimes plus more.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from thousands of types of consumer products under the agency’s jurisdiction. The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. The CPSC’s work to ensure the safety of consumer products – such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals – contributed significantly to the decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC’s Hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC’s teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270. Click here to join a CPSC e-mail subscription list

Consumers can also obtain recall and general safety information by logging on to CPSC’s Web site

In additon:

• Visit their NEW Blog read it and make comments
• Follow them on Twitter at http://twitter.com/OnSafety
• See their photos on Flicker

Now there is little reason not to Be In The Know about important product safety issues affecting our families.

Can You Tell If Your Child May Have a Developmental Problem? Take the Act Early Quiz

The Milestones Quiz – Text Version »

Should Adults Wear Bike Helmets?

There is such a focus on bike helmets for children. Yet, so often adults will not model the same safety behavior. Why? Many feel that they know how to ride a bike and very careful so a helmet just is not needed. Others may feel that a quick ride to the local store on bike just does not need a helmet. Yet, this very informative article in the New York Times challenges any reason an adult may have for not wearing the needed helmet.

What do you think?

Mold-How to Protect Your Family After a Flood

After natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods, excess moisture and standing water contribute to the growth of mold in homes and other buildings. When returning to a home that has been flooded, be aware that mold may be present and may be a health risk for your family.

The statement above is the first paragraph in a Center for Disease’s Fact Sheet on Mold. It is important that you protect yourself and your family from the damage mold can do not only to your home but to your body. The last couple of days New Jersey has seen a lot of flood activity.  But this information is relevant to anyone who has experianced flooding in their home.

In addition, this excellent fact sheet tells you who is at greater risk for mold exposure. It also provides links to other resources of vital importance. So, please take time to read the articles below.

Fact Sheet from CDC

Get Rid of Mold

This 2-page flyer contains pictures and easy to read information that can be shared with everyone. Below is the same information in Spanish.

Get Rid of Mold-Spanish

What to do if your heating or air-conditioning system was under water

Re-entering your flooded home

So, take a few minutes to read  and share these  publications regarding mold prevention and how to get rid of existing mold. We Just want you to Be in the KNOW!

On and Off the Ice: Learn to Prevent, Recognize, and Respond to Concussions

CDC has recently teamed up with USA Hockey to develop the Heads Up: Concussion in Hockey initiative to offer information about concussions to coaches, parents, and athletes involved in youth sports.

This educational campaign is an expansion of CDC’s Heads Up: Concussion in High School and Heads Up: Concussion in Youth Sports initiatives.  These initiatives include materials and information for coaches of all sports to help identify concussions and take immediate steps to respond when one is suspected.

* Check with your league or school about concussion policies.
* Insist that safety comes first.
* Learn more about concussion and review the signs and symptoms.
* Keep the four-step action plan with you at games and practices.

Children Don’t Have Strokes? Do They?

An article appearing in the Health section of the January 19, 2010 NY Times tells a story of 7 year boy who had a stroke.  According to the article, children do have strokes and at higher rates than you might expect.

Do You Know About NORD?

NORD is the National Organization of Rare Diseases.

The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD), a 501(c)3 organization, is a unique federation of voluntary health organizations dedicated to helping people with rare “orphan” diseases and assisting the organizations that serve them. NORD is committed to the identification, treatment, and cure of rare disorders through programs of education, advocacy, research, and service.

NORD provides information about diseases, referrals to patient organizations, research grants and fellowships, advocacy for the rare-disease community, and Medication Assistance Programs that help needy patients obtain certain drugs they could not otherwise afford.

We want you to Be In The Know!

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