Safety Rules, As You Head Back to School!

News provided by

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Aug 20, 2019, 13:48 ET

WASHINGTON, Aug. 20, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Blog and images for download: https://onsafety.cpsc.gov/blog/2019/08/20/safety-rules-as-you-head-back-to-school/

It's hard to believe that the lazy days of summer are coming to an end and it's back to the books for children everywhere. As kids head back to school, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is urging parents and students to keep safety top of mind. Every year thousands of children are injured doing normal activities like bike riding, sports and running about on the playground. Let's take a look at some of the data and smart safety tips.

Distracted Walking:
For the 5-year period from 2014-2018, there were an estimated 6,500 ER-treated injuries associated with walking-while-texting. Smart Tip: Keep your head up! Don't text or talk on your phone while walking. Distracted walking can be dangerous, especially near traffic and cross walks.

Bicycles:
From fractures to contusions and lacerations, there were an estimated annual average of 154,200 ER-treated bicycle injuries from 2016 to 2018, for children under the age of 16 years old. Smart Tip: Biking, skateboarding or riding a scooter to school? Use your head and wear a helmet!

Playgrounds:
Each year there are more than 230,000 injuries associated with playgrounds. CPSC has investigated 40 deaths associated with playground equipment that occurred since 2014. Smart Tip: Leave necklaces and clothing with drawstrings at home to reduce strangulation hazards.

Backpacks:
Children shouldn't say "Oh my aching back!" If they do, it could be the result of a heavy backpack. From 2016-2018 there were an estimated annual average of 7,400 kids under 19 years old that were treated in emergency rooms for injuries related to backpacks. Smart Tip: Lighten the load! Make sure backpacks for your students are not too heavy.

Movable Soccer Goal Deaths and Injuries:
The CPSC is aware of 10 reported fatalities involving children under the age of 16 between 2000 and 2016, due to soccer goal tip overs or structural failure. During 2000 to 2018, there were about 3,300 emergency department-treated soccer goal tip over- or structural failure-related injuries involving children under the age of 16. Smart Tip: Make sure movable soccer goals are anchored securely!

Remember Safety Rules! Think Smart, Think Safe!

About U.S. CPSC:
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical or mechanical hazard. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters and household chemicals – contributed to a decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 40 years.

Federal law bars any person from selling products subject to a publicly-announced voluntary recall by a manufacturer or a mandatory recall ordered by the Commission.

For more lifesaving information, follow us on Facebook, Instagram @USCPSC and Twitter @USCPSC or sign up to receive our e-mail alerts. To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury go online to www.SaferProducts.gov or call CPSC's Hotline at 800-638-2772 or teletypewriter at 301-595-7054 for the hearing impaired.

CPSC Consumer Information Hotline
Contact us at this toll-free number if you have questions about a recall:
800-638-2772 (TTY 301-595-7054)
Times: 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. ET; Messages can be left anytime
Call to get product safety and other agency information and to report unsafe products.

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SOURCE U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission