Enter the CPSC Lab

The Consumer Product Safety Commission tests products that are potentially dangerous to consumers. For a recall to occur, a product needs to be found to be unsafe by one of the scientists working for the CPSC. But exactly what does that mean? This video provides a fascinating inside view on the CPSC labs, including an outdoor power sports testing lab, a children's toy lab, a bike helmet testing lab, a flammability lab, and a chemistry lab that tests for lead and paint. Check it out below. 

Smoke Alarm Safety

Several deadly fires have recently made the news in Las Vegas, and today we want to bring smoke alarm safety to your attention. Smoke alarms are critical for fire detection and can mean the difference beween life and death. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, every year about 3,000 people die in residential fires. Typically, fatal fires occur because toxic gases spread throughout the home, resulting in inhalation. Smoke alarms alert sleeping residents of the presence of smoke before the toxic gases can spread. 

About two-thirds of home fire deaths occur in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms. The CPSC recommends the following:

Install a working smoke alarm on every level of the home, outside sleeping areas, and inside bedrooms. 

Replace smoke alarm batteries at least annually, such as when resetting clocks in the fall or spring. 

Test all smoke alarms in your house once a month.  

Do not place a smoke alarm too close to a kitchen appliance or fireplace, as this may result in nuisance alarms. 

Avoid locating alarms near bathrooms, heating appliances, windows, or ceiling fans. 

Replace smoke alarms that are more than 10 years old. Smoke alarms don’t last forever. 

Develop and practice a fire escape plan, because working smoke alarms and a fire escape plan will increase your protection in case of a fire.

For more information on fire safety, visit the CPSC website here. 

Tomorrow's Drivers

Parents have a reason to worry about their kids when they first get behind the wheel. Car accidents are the number one cause of death among teens. We feel strongly about educating kids about the dangers of getting behind the wheel, and support organizations like Countdown2Drive, which helps families build passenger agreements to bridge the gap, setting a tone of mutual respect as today's younger teens move closer to becoming tomorrow's drivers. Check out the video below, and visit Countdown2Drive's website here. 

Foley and Oakes & Bishop Gorman HS

Join Danny Foley, class of '75, and Foley and Oakes Law Firm in giving back to Bishop Gorman High School with a Facebook fundraiser. The fundraiser will give back to Gael Force, which directly benefits Bishop Gorman students through Tuition Assistance. Over 40% of Gorman students, and 500 families receive aid every year through this Annual Appeal. It is the most direct way we can give back to our students! For more information on Gael Force, click here.

From today until March 8, Foley and Oakes will donate we will donate $5 to Gael Force for each new person that "likes" our Facebook Page. The goal is to raise $1,000 for Gael Force, so please help us spread the word by sharing this fundraiser with your family and friends, and "liking" our Facebook page here.

Motorcycle Safety Issues

Drivers of motorcycles are at a significantly higher risk of injury and death than car and truck drivers. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that in 2006, 13.10 cars out of 100,000 ended up in fatal crashes, while the rate for motorcycles is 72.34 per 100,000 registered motorcycles. Additionally, per vehicle mile traveled, motorcyclists' risk of a fatal crash is 35 times greater than a passenger car (source). Unless motorcyclists quit riding altogether, these statistics won't change unless we can do our best to promote car and motorcycle safety on the roads. Here are some things we can do to keep all vehicles safe on the roads:

• Because of its small size, a motorcycle can appear farther away than it actually is. Predict a motorcycle is closer than it appears.
• Motorcycles can easily (and accidentally) hide in blind spots, so don't just rely on your mirrors when changing lanes.
• Motorcyclists often change speed by downshifting instead of braking. Give ample room behind a motorcycle in case his speed changes unexpectedly. 
• Stopping distance for motorcycles is nearly the same as for cars, but slippery pavement makes stopping difficult. Allow more following distance for a motorcycle than you may for a car.

You can find more motorcycle safety tips here.