In December 2012, we posted an OnSafety blog, warning of furniture, television and appliance-related tip-over incidents. At that time, CPSC reported nearly 350 deaths, most involving young children. Since then, more than 80 people have died when a dresser, TV, bookcase, table, appliance or other large item tipped over and fell on them. A new report from our staff indicates that 430 tragic deaths occurred between 2000 and 2013, and an estimated 38,000 annual injuries, many of which were serious, from 2011 through 2013.
In most of the incidents, a child was crushed by the product or struck on the head by the product. What is remarkable is the number of families who have turned tragedy into advocacy. Jackie Collas, a Philadelphia-area resident, is using social media to honor her son, Curren, and encourage parents to anchor their furniture. Lisa Seifert of Chicago created Shane’s Foundation to honor her precious son and to increase awareness, education and safety.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7085251-cpsc-reports-430-tip-over-deaths-anchor-it-and-protect-a-child/
In an effort to help parents better understand why ignoring dental health can have serious consequences, and educate families about good dental health habits, the Ad Council and The Partnership for Healthy Mouths, Healthy Lives created new Public Service Ads (PSAs) for the Kids’ Healthy Mouths campaign. The new PSAs are humorous depictions of life lessons which make the point that while parenting can be tricky at times, getting kids to brush for two minutes, twice a day can be easier than most other things parents will try to teach their children. The new PSAs debut today at the American Dental Association (ADA) annual meeting and are now available for nationwide distribution.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7343051-kids-healthy-mouths-and-ad-council-launch-new-public-service-announcements/
An estimated 15 million babies around the world are born premature each year and more than one million of them do not survive their early birth. Although the United States has seen sustained improvement in its preterm birth rate, it has one of the highest rates of preterm birth of any industrialized country.
Next month, organizations and individuals around the globe will observe Prematurity Awareness Month and World Prematurity Day. World-famous photographer Anne Geddes, and international superstars Thalia and Hilary Duff, will join other celebrity parents to spread the word that premature birth is a very serious health problem for babies worldwide.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go http://www.multivu.com/players/English/65164-march-of-dimes-march-for-babies-2014/
The Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University, the premier center for celiac disease research and treatment, unveiled the I Didn’t Know video campaign, offering an inside look at the serious impact of celiac disease on patients at the 13th Anniversary gala on November 13th in New York City. The series chronicles the lives of several patients experiencing a wide range of debilitating symptoms associated with undiagnosed celiac disease, including an inability to walk, developmental delays, multiple miscarriages and infertility.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7322351-celiac-disease-center-at-columbia-university-public-service-announcements-and-gala/
A level IV trauma center in Washington State has installed copper components throughout its facility as another way of reducing hospital-acquired infections and keeping their patients safe.
Pullman Regional Hospital has become an early adopter of antimicrobial copper after studies found that the age-old metal could continuously kill deadly bacteria.
Each year, 2 million people in the United States are diagnosed with a hospital-acquired infection and nearly 100,000 people die. These infections are caused by common bacteria such as E. coli, MRSA, C. diff, CRE and VRE.
“It is a very serious problem,” said Ed Harrich, the director of surgical services for Pullman Regional Hospital. “I think every hospital across the nation is doing everything they can to try to deal with it the best that they can. But there’s bioburden on everything and people aren’t good at hand washing and there’s cross-contamination everywhere you go.”
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7378651-copper-development-association-cda-pullman-regional-hospital-keep-patients-safe-antimicrobial-copper/
Eight out of 10 people will be affected by back pain at some point during their lives, making it the No. 1 cause of disability worldwide and resulting in as much as $200 billion in lost wages and productivity. Many sufferers struggle for years to find relief, but treatment options often only provide short-term relief or, in the case of pain medication, carry serious side effects, including drowsiness, liver damage and potential for addiction. Now, thanks to Hocoma, a leader in the development of robotic and sensor-based medical devices for functional movement therapy, consumers have a new way to improve and sustain low back health in the comfort of their own home.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7370551-hocoma-innovative-medical-device-therapeutic-gaming-technology-valedo-low-back-health/
BLACK+DECKER announces two new high-voltage, cordless stick vacuums – the 36V MAX* and 24V MAX* Lithium Stick Vacuums with ORA™ Technology. ORA, or Optimized Runtime & Airflow Technology, provides fade-free power and no loss of suction†. The 2-n-1 design allows each vac to function as an upright stick vacuum as well as a detachable hand vacuum, offering versatility and convenience for the homeowner.
With streamlined designs and the latest vacuum technology, the output of each new vac is maximized for serious power. The hand vac is the central component in each vacuum. It achieves 40 Air Watts max of power and incorporates a 12 Air-Cyclone System. These features capitalize on the power potential of the unit by helping to prevent material from clogging the unit and letting air flow freely through the cyclones, helping to maintain high performance throughout the cleaning task.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7253252-black-and-decker-2-n-1-stick-vac/
Wildfires are a serious risk to property and lives in every state in the country. Last year alone the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) reported there were 63,212 fires in the U.S. and Puerto Rico that burned 3,595,613 million acres – that’s roughly the size of Connecticut! In an effort to help raise community and homeowner awareness about preparing for wildfires, State Farm and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) are working together and encouraging residents to take action during national Wildfire Community preparedness Day.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to: http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7452831-state-farm-weather-preparedness/
Lightning may not seem as destructive as other natural disasters, yet a strike can cause serious damage to business equipment and electrical appliances, disrupt electrical service for long periods of time, and spark wildfires. In 2014, State Farm paid nearly $149 million dollars for insurance claims as a result of damage from lightning strikes.
June, July, and August are the times of year when lightning is most frequent. Even though lightning is weather-related and not a preventable event, there are ways to reduce your chance of damage from a power surge or fire. That is why State Farm has joined forces with the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) in recognition of Lightning Awareness Week, June 21-27.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7452831-state-farm-weather-preparedness/
The St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a volunteer-powered charity dedicated to funding children’s cancer research, is recognizing National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month with a number of activities planned throughout September. As the leading non-governmental funder of childhood cancer research grants, St. Baldrick’s is asking people to get involved by helping to raise awareness and funds for childhood cancer research.
“One in five kids with cancer will die in the first five years of diagnosis, and those that do survive face a lifetime of serious health issues caused by the toxicity of their cure,” said Kathleen Ruddy, CEO of St. Baldrick’s. “The American public wants kids with cancer to be a national health priority, but our leaders are leaving these kids behind with the lack of federal research funding. We are calling upon everyone to speak up about the need for increased childhood cancer research funding as well as to stand up in support of kids with cancer during this important month.”
Today, as part of the official kickoff for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, St. Baldrick’s will ring the opening bell at the NASDAQ Stock Market. St. Baldrick’s board members will be joined by researchers, as well as children and families directly affected by childhood cancer.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7610751-st-baldricks-childhood-cancer-awareness-month/
Lake Research Partners and Bellwether Research and Consulting recently released a new national poll sponsored by the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) that finds likely 2016 voters have widespread and serious concerns about ethanol’s unintended consequences—including damage to engines, land conversion and food prices.
“Voters across party lines express grave concerns for the impacts of the corn ethanol mandate from the Renewable Fuel Standard that touch many parts of their lives from the cars they drive to the food they buy,” said Celinda Lake, president of Lake Research Partners. “They strongly support bi-partisan proposals that would reduce the impact of corn ethanol, and particularly support the Environmental Protection Agency reducing the amount of corn ethanol required by law.”
As the EPA recently closed the comment period on its proposed ethanol volumes for 2014, 2015 and 2016, the poll also shows that 67 percent of people favor the agency setting ethanol volumes below what is required by law, with 68 percent of Democrats and 71 percent of Republicans supporting volumes lower than the statute.
To view the multimedia release go to: http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7576751-ama-national-ethanol-voter-poll/
In an effort to inform children and their families about the importance of food safety, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Ad Council are joining 20th Century Fox to launch a series of public service advertisements (PSAs) featuring footage from the upcoming film Alvin & the Chipmunks: The Road Chip.
An estimated 1 in 6 (48 million) Americans get sick from foodborne illness each year, resulting in roughly 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Children are among the most vulnerable to food poisoning because their immune systems are still developing, so parents and caregivers need to take extra precautions when preparing food for children under five.
The new PSAs, featuring everyone’s favorite Chipmunks – Alvin, Simon, and Theodore – highlight the four food safety steps consumers can use to prevent foodborne illness. The Chipmunks’ antics and hilarious situations in which they find themselves provide a perfect platform to illustrate these four steps: Clean, Separate, Cook, and Chill. The PSAs help explain actions anyone can take to safely prepare their food, using the Chipmunks as the tool to bring fun and relevancy to a serious topic. The partnership includes TV, radio, out-of-home and web advertising, and parents and children can also find kid-friendly activities that further reinforce the food safety steps by visiting FoodSafety.gov.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7652251-ad-council-food-safety/
