PRODUCT SAFETY LETTER View the entire issue in PDF format

GENERATORS KILL MORE PER INCIDENT THAN OTHER ENGINE TOOLS Generators are more likely than other engine-driven tools to be associated with incidents of multiple carbon monoxide (CO) deaths, according to CPSC data issued October 10.

CPSC SAYS TEST KITS OFTEN FAIL TO DETECT LEAD CPSC October 22 said a recent staff study found that home lead test kits do not reliably detect lead.

AIR COMPRESSOR COMPANY SETTLES REPORTING ALLEGATIONS TAP Enterprises will pay a $100,000 civil penalty to settle allegations that it failed to meet Section 15 reporting deadlines, CPSC announced October 16.

CPSC GIVES ANNUAL HALLOWEEN SAFETY ADVICE CPSC October 25 urged parents making Halloween costumes for children to ensure that the materials are fire resistant and contain no sharp items.

RAPEX REPORTS CONTINUE RECORD PACE The EU received 110 RAPEX reports in September. Although the number is less than the 174 received in August, it still keeps the EU’s pace at 50% above the 2006 tally (PSL, 10/1/07, p. 3).

CPSC BRIEFS Briefs on home security, ski boards, treadmills, bike forks, game pieces, boots, pails, bookmarks, puppet theaters, baby seats, concrete grinders, battery chargers, toy boats, children's jewelryu (2 briefs), utility vehicles, chimeneas, bikes (2 briefs), bike brakes, snowmobiles, sprinklers, rugs, hamocks, gas regulatrs, CPSC meetings.

OTHER FEDERAL BRIEFS Briefs on manufactured homes, fire codes, safety seats.

CONGRESSIONAL BRIEFS Briefs on product testing, building codes, lead.

STANDARDS & TESTING BRIEFS Briefs on decks, fire tests, food cutters, food processors, mixers, upholstered furniture, wall covering, appliances, lamps (2 briefs), exercise equipment, burglar alarms, appliances, aquariums, spas, IT equipment, fire protection, air fresheners.

FOREIGN & INTERNATIONAL BRIEFS Briefs on SCUBA, drills, sandals, cintronella, microphones, portable cribs, bean bags, cameras, toys (2 briefs), recalls, vases, decorative lights, yoyo balls, pens, hair straignteners, RAPEX.

STATE ACTIVITY BRIEFS Briefs on phthalates, recalls.