What Is a Hazard?
Hazards are conditions that increase the probability of damage or injury, like a crack in a sidewalk, a spill in the aisle, a work truck without proper lighting, or inadequate lighting on the steps in front of a business.
According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), a driving hazard is “Any condition or object that increases the risk of a traffic collision.” Hazards are potential dangers that various factors on the road can present, highlighting the importance of hazard awareness and mitigation for safe driving.
The benefits of recognizing and addressing driving hazards include improved safety for all road users, reduced likelihood of accidents and injuries, and lower vehicle repair costs.
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Small magnets pose risk to children if ingested
We previously published an article warning parents of the health hazards posed to children by Buckyballs, a set of round, high-powered magnets that are meant to be used by adults as a stress-relieving desk toy. Now, the dangers of small magnets are in the headlines again after an article in the Lancet reports two cases of children being injured after swallowing the small magnets in the U.K.
The authors were particularly concerned of the swallowing incidences, one by an 18-month-old and the other by an 8-year-old, since they both happened within the last 18 months and no other cases had occurred in the UK. The 18-month old swallowed ten small, round magnets. The older child swallowed two 2-cm long magnetic strips. Both children had to have the magnets surgically removed, and both made a full recovery. Although the US and Canadian governments have both issued health warnings regarding small magnets, […]
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Parents Urged to Keep Button Batteries Out of Kids’ Reach
In March we published an article regarding the choking hazards posed to children that swallow “Buckyballs,” or small, round magnets from an adult stress-relieving desk toy. Now, health officials are targeting a new choking hazard for children – “button batteries.”
“Button batteries” are common, coin-sized batteries that are found throughout the house. These batteries are found in electronic games and toys, flashlights, calculators, remote controls, key fobs and even in electronic greeting cards. Unfortunately, children find the small, shiny objects appealing and are swallowing the batteries, holding them in their mouths, or inserting them in their ear canal or nasal cavity.
According to a study by the Center for Injury Research and Policy, an estimated 65,788 patients under 18-years-old have visited a hospital emergency room due to a battery-related exposure incident between 1990 and 2009. That equates to nearly 3,289 battery-related emergency room visits annually. […]
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Recent Workplace Fatalities Raise Awareness of Construction Hazards
The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH) was put in place by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to prevent workers from being killed or seriously harmed at work. Under the act, workers are entitled to working conditions that do not pose a risk of serious harm, and all workers have the right to a safe workplace. Unfortunately, no amount of rules or legislation can prevent all accidents, and just this month, at least two men lost their lives in separate workplace accidents.
The Wall Street Journal reports one worker died and two others were seriously injured when the building they were working on in New York City collapsed March 22. The workers were tearing down a two-story warehouse during a Columbia University expansion project in Harlem. The collapse is still being investigated, but preliminary findings suggest the workers cut a structural beam supporting the warehouse “causing steel beams, […]
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“Buckyballs” Magnets Pose Serious Risks to Young Children
Buckyballs magnets pose dangerous swallow hazard for young children
After learning that a 3-year-old child suffered from tears in her lower intestine and stomach after swallowing 37 Buckyballs, the company is once again warning consumers that the magnets are not toys. The Buckyballs magnets were voluntarily recalled by the company in May 2010 after the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) warned of a swallowing hazard to young children.
The Los Angeles Times reported yesterday that the Oregon child underwent surgery to remove the magnets that had snapped together inside her stomach, resembling a bracelet. She is expected to recover. Last year, a sixth-grader in California underwent surgery after swallowing eight of the magnets.
Buckyballs are a set of round, high-powered magnets that are meant to be used by adults as a stress-relieving desk toy. However, a serious danger is raised when a child swallows more than one magnet. […]
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Gas Furnaces Recalled Over Fire Hazard
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), along with Health Canada, announced the recall of nearly 226,000 home furnaces. The furnaces are manufactured by Unitary Products Group (UPG) of York International Corp of York, Pennsylvania, and have been linked to home fires.
York issued a voluntary recall after reporting that the potential exists for the furnaces to overheat and cause the heat-exchanger to crack and create openings that allow flames to be exposed. This poses a fire and smoke hazard to consumers.
The same furnaces had previously been recalled in 2004 when the company received 27 reports of fires. As of the recall announced Feb. 3, the company had received nearly 400 reports of related incidents. Although no injuries have been reported, extensive property damage has been reported.
The recall involves Coleman, Coleman Evcon and Red T brand furnaces. For a full list of models see the CPSC recall notice. […]
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