PRODUCT SAFETY LETTER View the entire issue in PDF format. (Print-only subscribers must CLICK HERE to log in.)

CPSC ASSURES THRIFT SHOPS ABOUT TESTING CPSC January 8 told thrift stores and other used-goods sellers that they are not bound by the testing requirements in the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA).

EXPECT A RESURGE IN CPSIA ACTIVITY Not surprisingly, the holidays saw a halt to the large volume of information coming out of CPSC concerning the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA).

VALLESE TO LEAVE CPSC; MARTYAK TO FILL IN CPSC Public Affairs Director Julie Vallese will leave CPSC January 16. She plans to join Burston Marsteller.

LASKO PAYS $500K TO SETTLE ALLEGATIONS Lasko Products will pay $500,000 to settle CPSC Section 15 allegations. The agency had asserted that the company failed to report in time that various models of Lasko, Air King and General Electric portable fans had electrical faults that risked fires.

NFPA REVIEWS HOME HEATING FIRE DATA There were about 64,100 home heating fires in 2006, accounting for 540 civilian deaths, 1,400 civilian injuries and about $943 million in direct property damage, according to a January report form the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

CPSC BRIEFS Briefs on jackets, bikes, toasters, cribs, CPSIA preemption, CPSC activity, CPSC meetings.

OTHER FEDERAL BRIEFS Briefs on makeup remover, safety seats.

STANDARDS & TESTING BRIEFS Briefs on appliances, power conversion, motors, heating elements, power units, roof vents.

FOREIGN & INTERNATIONAL BRIEFS Briefs on skating, ski helmets (2 briefs), video games, bunk beds, luggage straps, personal watercraft, pajamas, bike forks, jewelry, hairspray, ski bindings, sleep bags, yo-yo balls, safety seats, plush toys, brake cleaner, nursery furniture RAPEX.