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This week in safety: More about the Toyota investigation
Our car team reported this week that the investigation into the Toyota/Lexus sudden acceleration, which prompted the largest recall in the company’s history to remove floor mats that could interfere with the accelerator pedal, isn’t over yet.
While the debate goes on, our car guys have been busy at the test track. They advise that whatever the cause of unintended acceleration, the best defense is to know how to safely regain control of your car should it happen to you. They wrote that putting a car in neutral might save your life. And their latest tests show that pumping the brakes at full throttle can make a bad problem even worse, as demonstrated in this video from ABC News. Read more about this issue on our Cars blog.
More safety news Salmonella victims angry over no prosecutions MSNBC.com At the height of the nationwide salmonella outbreak nearly a year ago, FBI agents raided two peanut plants and carried away boxes of evidence. FDA inspectors found roaches, mold and a leaky roof. Despite the fanfare over the criminal probe of one of the largest product recalls ever, no one has yet been charged in the outbreak, which was linked to hundreds of illnesses and nine deaths. Read more …
Target, Kmart and Toys ‘R’ Us agree to settle lead claims Los AngelesTimes Three major retailers have agreed to pay nearly half a million dollars to settle a lawsuit stemming from the companies’ sale of toys containing excessive amounts of lead, the California attorney general’s office said. Under the agreement, Target Corp., Toys ‘R’ Us Inc. and Kmart would pay a total of $454,000 in civil penalties and other fines. Read more …
FDA warns companies against marketing illegal flavored cigarettes Food and Drug Administration Enforcement of the flavored cigarette ban is the FDA’s effort to remove cigarettes that contain certain candy or fruit flavors from the marketplace. Removal of these products from the market will assist in the prevention of children and adolescents from starting to smoke and in the reduction in death and disease caused by smoking. Read more …
Flammability problem with chenille garments Product Safety Letter Recently there have been a rash of burn injuries leading to 9 deaths due to robes made of chenille yarn. Why all of sudden do we have this unusual problem? There are possibly a number of reasons. Read more …
Study: Increasing number of injuries from hot tubs Science Daily Though hot tubs, whirlpools and spas are widely used for relaxation and fun, they can pose serious risk for injury. A recent study conducted by the Center for Injury Research and Policy of The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital found that from 1990-2007, the number of unintentional hot tub-related injuries increased by 160 percent, from approximately 2,500 to more than 6,600 injuries per year. Read more …
Recalls of dog chewies
Don’s miss these recalls
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