Posted by Bill on December 28, 2007 at 12:43 pm
Responding to Parents pleas for help, the US House of Representatives passed H.R. 4040. Dubbed as the Consumer Product Safety Modernization Act, this bill would tighten product safety standards should it become law.
This bill specifically calls for a ban on lead in toys. Please note that such a ban, according to this bill, is simply a dramatic reduction in permitted lead levels in toys. It also provides for mandatory third party testing for certain children’s products.
The bill also requires reform at the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), which is something that has been long overdue. It’s a known fact that the CPSC was neutered years ago and lacked any real authority. This bill would restore some of their authority by improving their ability to recall unsafe products, raise civil penalties for product safety violators, and allow for criminal prosecution in the most severe cases. Read the rest of this entry »
Archived under Product Safety
Posted by Bill on December 21, 2007 at 5:56 pm
Cleveland Ohio is ranked as one of the poorest major metropolitan cities in the nation. And it did not get this way on its own.
Cleveland City Councilman Zack Reed just recently completed alcohol rehabilitation, which was the result of his drunken driving charge. According to this article (good mug shot of him as well), this was his second alcohol related offense in three years.
Martin J. Sweeney, Cleveland City Council President, was accused of sexual harassment by Clerk Emily Lipovan. The City of Cleveland has reportedly agreed to settle the sexual harassment claim for $60,000. More information regarding Martin J. Sweeney and the sexual harassment claim can be found here.
And recently Joe Santiago, Ward 14 Councilman, defeated a recall attempt. It’s important to note that he is the City of Cleveland’s first openly gay Councilman. Read the rest of this entry »
Archived under Cleveland
Posted by Bill on December 14, 2007 at 8:46 pm
Chinese parents, concerned about the health of their children, are increasingly seeking foreign made toys for their children. This interesting news story on MSNBC describes why some parents are shunning toys made in their own country.
In the news story, a mother was quoted saying that some Chinese made toys have “indescribable odors.” As American parents, we too have witnessed the same horrible odors emanating from a newly unwrapped toy.
The problem we face is that it is difficult to find American made toys. Truth in labeling is non existent in reality. A toy made in the USA could have paint that was supplied by a Chinese manufacturer. As is the case with automobiles, as long as it is assembled in the USA, then it’s American made.
Read the rest of this entry »
Archived under Product Safety
Posted by Bill on December 14, 2007 at 11:38 am
On Decmember 13th, 2007, yet another toy recall was announced. This recall involves approximately 300,000 toys from Dollar Tree Stores.
I’ve often criticized our Government for wasting money, but allowing lead tainted toys to reach the hands of our children is a display of complete incompetence.
It is becoming evident that our Government can not be trusted to protect our children, so as parents we must take matters into our own hands.
I have been doing some research on testing toys for lead. Consumer Reports has given a thumbs up to three brands. The most affordable of these, is the Homax Household Lead Test Kit. At the time of writing, this kit sells for $5.75 and tests up to four items for toxic levels of lead. Read the rest of this entry »
Archived under Product Safety
Posted by Bill on December 14, 2007 at 10:53 am
Now that we are well in to the holiday season, many victims of the mortgage mess are waiting for Santa to leave them anything but homeless.
Today there was an interesting article on MSNBC titled “Mortgage Crisis Inflicts Collateral Damage.” The news story describes how marriages, families, and local tax revenues are negatively affected by foreclosures. Not that any reasonable person needs a news story to point this out, but the reality is financial ruin destroys lives.
The interesting part of this mortgage crisis is how many renters are losing their homes after the owner’s default on their mortgages. In the story noted above, they describe how a 67 year old women was evicted even after paying her $900 monthly rent. And this woman uses an oxygen tank to help her breathe.
Congress is now considering legislation that would prevent renters from being evicted, because of foreclosure, for 90 days. Well, I’ve got some news for Congress… You had better buy more band-aids because the housing and economic problems in this country are only going to get worse. Read the rest of this entry »
Archived under Housing
