Since mid-2007, stringent federal flammability standards have applied to mattresses and to mattress sets offered for sale in the United States, the rationale being that they present a large source of “fuel load.” These open flame requirements are contained within 16 CFR 1633 and serve to supplement the cigarette ignition requirements contained within the much older (1972) federal regulation of 16 CFR 1632.
Product Safety Tips
Firework Safety
The fourth of July is almost here. Fireworks are now legal in at least 26 states in the U.S.A. While the best way to protect your family is to leave fireworks to the professionals, some folks enjoy using fireworks at home. If you are one of them, please act wisely and check with your town to find out the specific laws for your area. Act with care! Continue reading
Labeling, Your First Line of Defense
The Law Offices of Joanne E. Mattiace has long advised its clients of the importance of having proper labels attached to their products. Indeed, we have long proclaimed that such labels are often a company’s “first line of defense.” Incorrect—or absent labels—can raise the suspicion of government inspectors and lead to intense scrutiny, including vigorous testing, of products. Suspension of sale then can occur, even costly recalls.
It is critical that companies view labeling issues early on and not wait until production is nearing an end to consider such. Further, prudent companies take the opportunity to use their label and point of sale materials as a way to better track their products and be better able to locate any problem units.
Put simply, prudent companies turn their label responsibilities as an opportunity to both communicate, and retrieve, important information.
Hoverboard Safety
While hoverboards are enjoying incredible popularity right now, they do pose certain safety concern, and are currently under investigation by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Dozens have caught fire, and fall injuries have been reported as well. If you decide to purchase a hoverboard, be sure and purchase from credible sources, and always wear protective gear, such as helmets, knee, and elbow pads. If you are a manufacturer, retailer, importer or distributor of toys and sporting equipment, do you know what your product safety responsibilities are? Don’t end up on the CPSC recall list; Contact Attorney Mattiace TOLL FREE today at 877-481-0734 and ask for a free consultation.
Holiday Safety
Happy Holidays from the Law Offices of Joanne E. Mattiace. We are wishing everyone safe holidays this season. Did you know that holiday lights may be coated with lead? Be sure to wash your hands after you deck the halls. Never burn candles near a tree, or unattended, and be sure the tree is not near a heat source.
If you are a manufacturer, retailer, importer or distributor of holiday items, do you know what your product safety responsibilities are? Don’t end up on the CPSC recall list; Contact Attorney Mattiace TOLL FREE today at 877-481-0734 and ask for a free consultation.
October Safety Tip
Incredibly enough, Autumn is already upon us, and you have likely started thinking about pumpkins, pot pies, and trick-or-treating. BEWARE! October weather and shorter days can be a safety nightmare. Be sure and wear reflective tape if you run or bike. As for Halloween costumes, make sure that any masks used do not prevent full visibility, and be careful that costumes aren’t so long that a trip hazard exists. Check the CPSC’s recall list to make sure that you don’t use any recalled items. Always use burning candles in an occupied room and never let young children play near them. Think twice about bumpy hayrides that could potentially tip over. Accompany small children on their Halloween jaunts and always inspect all of their candy for small parts and other hidden dangers. IF IN DOUBT, THROW IT OUT!
If you are a manufacturer, distributor, importer, or a retailer of Halloween products, do you know what your product safety responsibilities are? Don’t end up on the CPSC recall list; Contact Attorney Mattiace TOLL FREE today at 877-481-0734 and ask for a free consultation.
Back to School Safety Tip
It’s almost time to go back to school! When purchasing that all important backpack, keep safety in mind as well as aesthetics. Your child should always wear both straps to evenly distribute weight. The American Chiropractic Association recommends that backpacks weigh no more than 10% of a child’s weight. You might also want to inspect your children’s school playground for sharp edges, trip hazards, lack of maintenance, and head entrapment hazards. Talk to the school officials if anything seems suspect. An estimated 200,000 children are taken to emergency rooms each year because of playground injuries. (See the CPSC handbook on playground safety here: http://www.cpsc.gov/PageFiles/122149/325.pdf). If you are a manufacturer, distributor, importer, or a retailer of children’s products, do you know what your product safety responsibilities are? Don’t end up on the CPSC recall list; Contact Attorney Mattiace today at 877-481-0734, toll free, for a free consultation.
Pool Safety
As the weather warms, and thought is given to water play, first give some thought to water safety! Always make sure there is a locked gate around your pool and be diligent about keeping it closed and locked any time there are no adults in attendance. Remember that drowning is silent and not a loud production as seen on TV. Never leave a child unattended by the pool or other bodies of water; be sure your eyes are on them and not your cell phone as a drowning accident can occur in moments. Be safe! If you are a manufacturer, distributor, importer, or a retailer of swimming and pool products, or of any other consumer products, do you know what your product safety responsibilities are? Don’t end up on the CPSC recall list; Contact Attorney Mattiace today at 877-481-0734, toll free, for a free consultation.
Bicycle, Skateboard, and Scooter Safety
In many parts of the country, May is the time when folks take out their bicycles, skateboards and scooters. Always perform annual check-ups of your outside recreational equipment and seek tune ups so as to keep them in sound condition. Once deemed ready for renewed use, be sure to operate that equipment in a safe environment. Children, of course, should always wear appropriate protective gear such as helmets and elbow and shin guards. Be safe! If you are a manufacturer, distributor, importer, or retailer of recreational products, or of any other consumer products, do you know what your product safety responsibilities are? Don’t end up on the CPSC recall list; Contact Attorney Mattiace today at 877-481-0734, toll free, for a free consultation.
Spring Ahead to Safety
Happy Spring from the Law Offices of Joanne E. Mattiace—for many of you, it has been way too long in coming! Spring Forward, (the second Sunday in March) or the first day of Spring (March 20) is an excellent time to check the batteries in each of your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Be sure to change the batteries at least once each year. IF IN DOUBT, THROW THEM OUT! And when you are working on your Spring cleaning projects, be sure and read all product labels, use such cleaners only as directed and be sure to keep all cleaners out of reach of curious children. If you are a manufacturer, distributor, importer, or retailer of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, or of any other consumer products, do you know what your product safety responsibilities are? Don’t end up on the CPSC recall list; Contact Attorney Mattiace today at 877-481-0734, toll free, for a free consultation.