U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Report shows continuing decline in ATV injuries
March 16, 2020, Motorcycle & Powersports News
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s 2018 Annual Report of ATV-Related Deaths and Injuries, released in February 2020, confirms that injuries related to all-terrain vehicles continue to decline. Assessing a 10-year period (2009-2018), CPSC staff cited a statistically significant overall decrease of 38% in ATV-related emergency department-treated injury estimates.
The national toilet paper scare: Why our supplies are safe
March 16, 2020, Forbes
Shoppers panicked by the coronavirus have emptied store shelves in the past week, desperate to stock up on essential household items, none more so than toilet paper. There’s really no need. Unlike so many products that are shipped in from overseas markets, paper products are made mainly at domestic factories.
Commentary: Supply chain caucus established in U.S. House of Representatives
March 16,2020, Freight Waves
Is this caucus the most important body in the U.S. House? A strong argument could be made that “Supply Chain Risk” should be the Person of the Year for 2020. A strong argument could also be made that, over time, the newly formed Supply Chain Caucus will be considered the most important body within the U.S. House of Representatives.
Chinese factories face new threat: US anti-virus controls
March 18, 2020, New York Times
Factories in China, struggling to reopen after the coronavirus shut down the economy, face a new threat from U.S. anti-disease controls that might disrupt the flow of microchips and other components they need. The shock threatens to set back the ruling Communist Party’s efforts to revive the world’s second- largest economy after it declared victory over the outbreak.
How to avoid touching your face
March 17, 2020, BBC
There is a reason why humans are susceptible during disease outbreaks like that of Covid-19 – we keep touching our faces. Why, and what can we do about it?\
Another child crushed by home elevator after US regulators decided against safety recall
February 14, 2020, Independent (UK)
Another child crushed by home elevator, months after US regulators decided against safety recall.The little boy was pinned under the elevator. No one in the family could imagine how it could’ve happened. But the elevator industry understood. So did federal safety regulators. But the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) decided over the summer to not require companies to fix the elevators or conduct a safety recall, despite repeated pleas from victims’ families.
Common household products that can destroy novel coronaviruse
March 17, 2020, Consumer Reports
The good news from Consumer Reports is that coronaviruses are some of the easiest types of viruses to kill with the appropriate product, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Even if you can’t get your hands on hand sanitizer or Clorox wipes, here are a number of cleaning products that stores are likely to have in stock, that are effective in deactivating the novel coronavirus. CR also will tell you the products that don’t work,
Health care and consumer industry groups concerned about supply shortages during coronavirus pandemic
March 15, 2020, CNN
Health care and consumer industry groups and even federal agencies have been sounding the alarm that the US may face major problems in keeping basic medical, food and retail supplies available during the coronavirus pandemic. The group representing food and retail companies like Clorox, Procter & Gamble and PepsiCo told the State Department and the US Trade Representative they fear other countries cutting off exports to the US, which could exacerbate the public health emergency.
Children’s toy age recommendations: The truth behind the numbers
March 12, 2020, Fatherly
While it may seem like a regimented approach is taken for age ranges on children’s toys, that’s not necessarily the case. When Buckyballs, a set of rare-earth magnet toys meant for desktop amusement use, went on sale in 2009, the product packaging cautioned that the magnets were intended for children ages 13 years and up. As one CPSC staffer said, “The onus is on the industry to determine the proper age range for a toy.”
GRAYDON: Here’s why Canadians can keep calm about food and consumer goods
March 17, 2020, Toronto Sun
Staple foods, hand-soap and sanitizer, household cleaners, and medical supplies are on the front line of Canada’s response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). These products play a direct role in keeping the virus off our hands and out of our immune systems (the power of washing with simple soap and water is a truly amazing thing). They also help us stay healthy, content, and well-fed at home as well as keeping us out of public places.
