PRODUCT SAFETY LETTER View the entire issue in PDF format.

CPSC GETS MOSTLY POSITIVE COMMENTS TO GENERATOR NPR CPSC received mostly supportive comments to its notice of proposed rulemaking (NPR) for carbon monoxide (CO) labeling on portable generators.

NHTSA’s DATA GIVE INSIGHT ON RESTRAINTS, HELMETS AND BIKES The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) November 17 estimated that 420 lives were saved in 2005 due to child restraint use.

ANNUAL PRE-SHOPPING TOY WARNINGS PRECEDE THANKSGIVING U.S. Public Interest Research Group’s November 20 Trouble in Toyland annual report focused not only on its usual targets like choking hazards and too-loud toys, but also emphasized the group’s desire for more CPSC action on recent toy-related safety concerns like magnetic toys, lead in toy jewelry and yo-yo balls.

WATCH ISSUES 10-WORST TOYS LIST Allegations in World Against Toys Doing Harm’s (WATCH) 10 Worst Toys List include:

PIRG POINTS TO ALLEGEDLY DANGEROUS TOYS Allegations in U.S. Public Interest Research Group’s (PIRG) Trouble in Toyland include:

CANADA EYES CHILD RESTRAINT AMENDMENTS FOR OPEN CARS The Canadian Department of Transportation November 18 proposed amending the nation’s child restraint regulations related to convertible cars and other open vehicles.

SWISS CONDUCT WIDE RADON TESTS OF HOMES Switzerland’s Bundesamt f r Gesundheit (Federal Health Agency) November 21 reported that last winter it found 500 out of 15,000 tested homes had elevated radon levels.

CPSC BRIEFS Briefs on magnetic toys, candles, school labs, CSPC meetings.

OTHER FEDERAL BRIEFS Briefs on child restraints, TVs/microwaves, falls.

STANDARD & TESTING BRIEFS Briefs on helmets, amusement rides, photographic equipment, air fresheners, fans, electric signs, outlet boxes, transfer switches, termination boxes, A/V equipment.

RESEARCH & JOURNALS BRIEFS Briefs on child injuries, bike visibility, MP3 players, chest protectors.

FOREIGN & INTERNATIONAL BRIEFS Briefs on snow boots, dresses, humidifiers, toys, pedestrians, Australian rules, RAPEX.

STATE ACTIVITY BRIEF Brief on air cleaners.