Recent Posts in Safe Living Category

The Associated Press reports that the Department of Justice wants tobacco companies to fess up, publicly. The government released "corrective statements" that it proposes that tobacco companies should be required to make.

Here are a few of the statements, as reported by the AP:

• "A federal court is requiring tobacco companies to tell the truth about cigarette smoking. Here's the truth: ... Smoking kills 1,200 Americans. Every day."
• "We falsely marketed low tar and light cigarettes as less harmful than regular cigarettes to keep people smoking and sustain our profits."
• "For decades, we denied that we controlled the level of nicotine delivered in cigarettes," a third statement says. "Here's the truth. ... We control nicotine delivery to create and sustain smokers' addiction, because that's how we keep customers coming back."
• "We told Congress under oath that we believed nicotine is not addictive. We told you that smoking is not an addiction and all it takes to quit is willpower. Here's the truth: Smoking is very addictive. And it's not easy to quit."
• "Just because lights and low tar cigarettes feel smoother, that doesn't mean they are any better for you. Light cigarettes can deliver the same amounts of tar and nicotine as regular cigarettes."
• "The surgeon general has concluded" that "children exposed to secondhand smoke are at an increased risk for sudden infant death syndrome, acute respiratory infections, ear problems and more severe asthma."

Not surprisingly, these statements are met with opposition from the tobacco companies. Phillip Morris wants the Justice Department to water down those corrective statements to comply with an appellate court decision stating that corrective statements must be purely factual and uncontroversial.

The tobacco companies must respond to the proposed statements by March 3.

Credit Pete Yost of AP via MSNBC

Avoid car accidents and breakdowns out there on the road in these colder months. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers the following tips to be safe this winter.

Get your car serviced now.

• Visit your mechanic for a tune-up and other routine maintenance.
• Have your entire vehicle checked thoroughly for any leaks, bad hoses, or other needed parts, repairs, and replacements.
• Check your battery. When the temperature drops, so does battery power. Also, be aware that it takes more power to start your vehicle in cold weather than in warm. Find out if your battery is up to the challenges of winter by:
• Having your mechanic check your battery for sufficient voltage;
• Having the charging system and belts inspected;
• If necessary, replacing the battery or making system repairs, including simple things like tightening the battery cable connections.

Check your cooling system.

When coolant freezes it expands. This expansion can potentially damage your vehicle's engine block beyond repair. Don't let this happen to your vehicle this winter.

• Make sure you have enough coolant in your vehicle and that it's designed to withstand the winter temperatures you might experience in your area.
• A 50/50 mix of coolant to water is sufficient for most regions of the country. See your vehicle owner's manual for specific recommendations.
• Thoroughly check the cooling system for leaks or have your mechanic do it for you.
• If your system hasn't been flushed (draining the system and replacing the coolant) for several years, have it done now. Over time, the rust inhibitors in antifreeze break down and become ineffective. Coolant also needs to be refreshed periodically to remove dirt and rust particles that can clog the cooling system and cause it to fail.

Fill your windshield washer reservoir.

You can go through a lot of windshield wiper fluid fairly quickly in a single snowstorm, so be prepared for whatever Mother Nature might send your way.

• Completely fill your vehicle's reservoir before the first snow hits.
• Use high-quality, "no-freeze" fluid.
• Buy extra to keep on hand in your vehicle.

Check your windshield wipers and defrosters.

Safe winter driving depends on achieving and maintaining the best visibility possible.

• Make sure your windshield wipers work and replace worn blades.
• If you live in an area that gets a lot of snow and ice, consider installing heavy-duty winter wipers.
• Check to see that your window defrosters (front and rear) work properly.

Inspect your tires.

• If you plan to use snow tires, have them installed now. Check out www.safercar.gov for tire ratings before buying new ones. For existing tires, check to ensure they are properly inflated (as recommended by your vehicle manufacturer), the tread is sufficient with no uneven wear, and that the rubber is in good overall condition. Note that tire rubber starts to degrade after several years, and older tires need to be replaced even if they have not seen much wear.
• Regardless of season, you should inspect your tires at least once a month and always before setting out on a long road trip. It only takes about five minutes. If you find yourself driving under less-than-optimal road conditions this winter, you'll be glad you took the time.
• Check tire pressure and make sure each tire is filled to the vehicle manufacturer's suggested PSI (pounds per square inch) of air pressure, which is listed in your owner's manual and on a label inside the driver's door.
• Keep a tire pressure gauge in your vehicle at all times and check pressure when tires are "cold" -- meaning they haven't been driven on for at least three hours.
• Look closely at your tread and replace tires that have uneven wear or insufficient tread. Tread should be at least 1/16 of an inch or greater on all tires.

Know your car.

Every vehicle handles differently; this is particularly true when driving on wet, icy, or snowy roads. Take time now to learn how to best handle your vehicle under winter weather driving conditions.

• Practice cold weather driving when your area gets snow -- but not on a main road. Until you've sharpened your winter weather driving skills and know how your vehicle handles in snowy conditions, it's best to practice in an empty parking lot in full daylight.
• Drive slowly. It's harder to control or stop your vehicle on a slick or snow-covered surface. On the road, increase your following distance enough so that you'll have plenty of time to stop for vehicles ahead of you.
• A word of caution about braking: Know what kind of brakes your vehicle has and how to use them properly. In general, if you have antilock brakes, apply firm pressure. If you don't have antilock brakes, pump the brakes gently.
• If you find yourself in a skid, stay calm and ease your foot off the gas while carefully steering in the direction you want the front of your vehicle to go. This procedure, known as "steering into the skid," will bring the back end of your car in line with the front.

Plan your travel and route.

Keep yourself and others safe by planning ahead before you venture out into bad weather.

• Check the weather, road conditions, and traffic; plan to leave early if necessary.
• Don't rush! Allow plenty of time to get to your destination safely.
• Familiarize yourself with directions and maps before you go, and let others know your route and anticipated arrival time.
• Keep your gas tank close to full. If you get stuck in a traffic jam or in snow, you might need more fuel to get home or keep warm. Note: To avoid carbon monoxide poisoning when stuck in snow, be sure to keep your vehicle's exhaust pipe clear of snow and ice, run your vehicle only in the open with the windows partially down, and run it only long enough to keep warm.
• If road conditions are hazardous, avoid driving if possible. Wait until road and weather conditions improve before venturing out in your vehicle.

Stock your vehicle.

Carry items in your vehicle to handle common winter driving tasks, such as cleaning off your windshield, as well as any supplies you might need in an emergency. Keep the following on hand:

• Snow shovel, broom, and ice scraper;
• Abrasive material, such as sand or kitty litter, in case your vehicle gets stuck in the snow;
• Jumper cables, flashlight, and warning devices such as flares and markers;
• Blankets for protection from the cold;
• And a cell phone, water, food, and any necessary medicine (for longer trips or when driving in lightly populated areas).

Learn what to do in a winter emergency.

If you are stopped or stalled in wintry weather, follow these safety rules:

• Stay with your car and don't overexert yourself;
• Put bright markers on the antenna or windows and keep the interior dome light turned on;
• To avoid asphyxiation from carbon monoxide poisoning, don't run your car for long periods with the windows up or in an enclosed space. If you must run your vehicle, clear the exhaust pipe of any snow and run it only sporadically -- just long enough to stay warm.

Protect yourself and your loved ones.

• Remember to always wear your seat belt.
• Do not text or engage in any other activities that may distract you while driving.
• While thick outerwear will keep your children warm, they can also interfere with the proper harness fit of your child in their car seat. Place blankets around your child after the harness is snug and secure. 

While the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration works to increase awareness of the dangers of distracted driving, drivers will soon be updating Twitter and Facebook on the road.

As the Chicago Tribune reports, drivers of 2011 GM models may be tweeting and updating Facebook statuses through Onstar's voice-activated control of texts, e-mail and Web searches.

Apparently, Ford's SYNC infotainment system will not be implementing a Facebook function, although users will be able to connect to Twitter.

These are voice activated features, but does that make them safe? Or will accessibility to social media in the car increase distracted driving in 2011?

The FDA is urging consumers to "get smart" about antibiotic use, to help combat antibiotic resistance.

Antibiotics are drugs used for treating infections caused by bacteria. Also known as antimicrobial drugs, antibiotics have saved countless lives.

Misuse and overuse of these drugs, however, have contributed to a phenomenon known as antibiotic resistance. This resistance develops when potentially harmful bacteria change in a way that reduces or eliminates the effectiveness of antibiotics.

* Home
* > News & Events
* > Newsroom
* > Press Announcements

Section Contents Menu

* Newsroom
* Press Announcements
* 2009
* 2008
* 2007
* 2006
* 2005
* 2004

-
FDA NOTE TO CORRESPONDENTS

For Immediate Release: Nov. 15, 2010
Media Inquiries: Erica Jefferson, 301-796-4988, erica.jefferson@fda.hhs.gov
Consumer Inquiries: 888-INFO-FDA

FDA Urges Consumers to be 'Smart' about Antibiotic Use
Agency partners with CDC to kick off Get Smart about Antibiotics Week

This year, millions of antibiotics will be prescribed. Antibiotics can be used to treat bacterial infections; however, they are commonly over-prescribed. Patients sometimes ask their health care professional to prescribe antibiotic drugs for viral infections, like the common cold, despite the fact that they will not work and may lead to potentially harmful side effects. The misuse of antibiotics has contributed to one of the world's most pressing public health problems today, antibiotic resistance.

Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria change in a way that reduces or eliminates the effectiveness of antibiotic drugs.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has teamed up with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other health care professional, government, academic, international and industry partners to support Get Smart About Antibiotics Week (Nov. 15-21) as part of a joint effort to encourage the appropriate use of antibiotics.

What happens when antibiotics are misused, leading to antibiotic resistance?

When antibiotics don't work, the result can be

• longer illnesses

• more complicated illnesses

• more doctor visits

• the use of stronger and more expensive drugs

• more deaths caused by bacterial infections

Examples of the types of bacteria that have become resistant to antibiotics include the species that cause skin infections, meningitis, sexually transmitted diseases and respiratory tract infections such as pneumonia.

The FDA offers the following tips for using antibiotics properly:

• Don't skip doses and take your medicine as prescribed. Antibiotics are most effective when taken as prescribed.

• Don't save antibiotics. The drug is meant for a particular infection at that time. Don't use leftover medicine. Taking the wrong drug can delay the appropriate treatment and your infection might get worse.

• Don't take antibiotics prescribed for others. Only a health care professional can determine the right treatment for your infection.

Click here for more information from the FDA.

According to the Reno Gazette Journal, the Reno Police are relaunching a $36,000 campaign to increase traffic safety. Under the campaign, pedestrians and bicyclists may receive citations for violating safety laws.

Reno Wheelmen official Spencer Ericksen estimates that 25 percent of bicyclists regularly break traffic laws.

Common problem areas are bicyclists failing to stop at stop signs, riding against traffic, and riding on sidewalks. Bicyclists are not allowed to ride on sidewalks in downtown Reno, but they can ride on sidewalks elsewhere as long as they yield to pedestrians.

The Reno Police Dept. offers tips to bicyclists and motorists:

Bicyclist safety tips:

• Ride with traffic, not against it.
• Make turns the same way drivers do, using the same turn lanes.
• Signal turns.
• Maintain bicycles, including checking brakes and tires.
• In darkness, use good reflectors and wear bright clothing.
• Wear helmets.
• Use a rear view mirror attached to a helmet, glasses or handle bars.

Motorist Safety Tips

• Look for bicyclists before opening car doors when parked on the street.
• Do not overtake a bicyclist and make a right turn in front of the bicyclist.

On November 4, 2009, the FDA introduced its "Safe Use Initiative," an effort to collaborate with the health care field to reduce the preventable harm resulting from medication use and misuse.

The Initiative is in response to the millions of consumers who are harmed each year because of the misuse of medications. The inappropriate use of medications can be a result of several factors, including (1) incomplete access to information, (2) unintentional misuse of medications, medication abuse, and attempts by people to harm themselves with medications, or (3) taking prescription drugs prescribed for other people.

Taking prescription drugs prescribed for other people is a serious abuse, as even one single dose of certain medications, such as opioid drugs, can cause severe harm or death to the person not prescribed the medication.

Through the Initiative, the FDA will work alongside health care professionals to identify drugs that are linked to preventable harm. The FDA intends to collaborate with health care professionals to (1) evaluate consumer medication information, (2) communicate about the risk of inadvertent overexposure to acetaminophen, (3) apply safeguards against surgery fires caused by alcohol-based surgical preparations, and (4) avoid contamination of multiple-use medication vials.

The Las Vegas Sun reported that a four-year-old boy drowned last Saturday in an apartment complex pool. The tragic incident marks the seventh child drowning this year in Nevada.

ABC reports that there are approximately 1,500 child deaths each year from drowning.

Although swimming pools offer fun and refreshment during the hot summer months, they are dangerous if proper caution is not used. Here are some tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics:

• Never leave your children alone in or near the pool, even for a moment. An adult who knows CPR should actively supervise children at all times.

• Practice touch supervision with children younger than 5 years. This means that the adult is within an arm's length of the child at all times.

• You must put up a fence to separate your house from the pool. Most young children who drown in pools wander out of the house and fall into the pool. Install a fence at least 4 feet high around all 4 sides of the pool. This fence will completely separate the pool from the house and play area of the yard. Use gates that self-close and self-latch, with latches higher than your children's reach.

• Keep rescue equipment (such as a shepherd's hook or life preserver) and a telephone by the pool.

• Do not use air-filled "swimming aids" as a substitute for approved life vests.

• Remove all toys from the pool after use so children aren't tempted to reach for them.

• After the children are done swimming, secure the pool so they can't get back into it.

• A power safety cover that meets the standards of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) may add to the protection of your children but should not be used in place of the fence between your house and the pool. Even fencing around your pool and using a power safety cover will not prevent all drownings.

• Remember, teaching your child how to swim DOES NOT mean your child is safe in water. 

America's love affair with the open road has grown to become its love affair with recreational vehicles. Today, there are over 30 million RV enthusiasts, and more on the way. With more than 16,000 publicly and privately owned campgrounds nationwide, RVs give us the freedom to roam from coast to coast and any stop in between. But getting safely from here to there takes planning.

Be an Informed Buyer

Make sure your vehicle can safely tow an RV. Most full and mid-size family cars can pull a trailer, and so can today's popular vans, 4x4s and light-duty trucks. The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association suggests that you discuss these basic factors with your RV and auto dealers when evaluating trailer/tow vehicle options: engine horsepower; transmission and axle capacity; cooling equipment; suspension; springs and shocks; power brakes; power steering; and battery capacity.

- Check the owner's manual to find the trailer types that your vehicle can haul and the maximum load weight it can pull. Obtain a "trailering guide" for your vehicle.

- You'll also want to follow your RV dealer's advice on the type and size of hitch and ball, tire inflation and anti-sway devices.

- If you tow a boat, get the right-sized trailer to minimize swaying.

- Make sure your trailer has the right tires. Never use automotive radial tires on a boat or other trailer. Carry a spare.

- If you're thinking of buying an RV, call 1-888-GO-RVING.

Towing A Small Trailer

Make a thorough check of your vehicle and trailer when you use it.

- Be sure vehicle and trailer are hitched correctly.

- Connect brakes and signal lights. Always check that the trailer's brakes, turn signals and tail lights work and are synchronized with the towing vehicle's.

- Check tire pressure, and lug nuts for tightness.

- Don't overload the towing vehicle or the trailer. Check the manuals. Place a slightly higher percentage of cargo weight toward the front of the trailer. This will improve the connection by increasing weight on the hitch.

- Balance the load from side to side, and secure it so it won't shift.

- Once the trailer is loaded, make sure all doors are closed and secure. Be sure safety chains are attached, in good condition, and not dragging on the ground.

- On the road, steer as little as possible to avoid swaying. Try to avoid applying the brakes suddenly. It's better to release the gas pedal and slow down naturally.

- Trailer tires can get very hot while in use, especially tires on smaller trailers. Follow the manufacturer's directions for recommended maximum speeds. On hot days travel under the speed limit.

- Check and grease your trailer's wheel bearings once a year, and after each immersion in water.

Big Tow

Whether driving a motorized RV, or towing a travel trailer, special precautions are required.

- Before leaving on a trip, sit in the driver's seat and adjust all mirrors for optimal road views. Equip a towing vehicle with large mirrors for the fenders on both sides.

- Check for leaks in propane gas bottles, heating equipment, and related tubing. Turn off all valves.

- Load tools and emergency and foul weather items in an accessible location in the towing vehicle.

- While moving, don't let anyone stay in the towed vehicle. It is dan­gerous and illegal in many states.

- Allow for your vehicle size when turning.

- Increase your normal following distance.

- Allow more time to brake, change lanes, and enter a busy road, since bigger vehicles take more time to accelerate and slow down.

- After passing, allow plenty of room before changing lanes again.

- Most trailering mishaps occur when going downhill and the trailer begins pushing the towing vehicle. When descending steep hills it is important to use a lower gear to achieve some braking action from the engine rather than depending solely on the braking system.

- Back up with care. Use someone outside the vehicle to assist the driver. If there's no one to help, get out and inspect the area.

- Always carry tire changing instructions when you travel.