Representative Don Humason



DANGEROUS TOYS By State Representative Don Humason, Jr. December 6, 2008 With Black Friday and Cyber Monday behind us and Christmas only a few weeks away now is the time when many shoppers are looking to purchase toys for their kids. Last week I attended a press conference at the Amelia Park Children’s Museum held by MASSPIRG, the Massachusetts Public Interest Research Group, where they released their 23rd annual toy safety report entitled, “Trouble in Toyland.” In essence the report warned parents that many hazardous toys, such a s those with small parts or those containing toxic chemicals, can be found on store shelves everywhere. In the Executive Summary of the report it states “…that no government agency tests toys before they are put on shelves…the agency charged with protecting Americans from unsafe products – the Consumer Product Safety Commission – is a little agency with a very big job to do. Congress responded by passing the first major overhaul of the CPSC since it was established during the Nixon Administration, when it passed the landmark Consumer Product S afety Improvement Act in August 2008.” According to the report, “Choking on small parts, small balls and balloons remains a leading cause of toy-related deaths and injuries. Between 1990 and 2007, at least 190 children died after choking or asphyxiating on a toy or toy part; eight children died in 2007 alone. Since 1979, the federal Consumer Produce Safety Commission has banned small parts in toys for children under three and 1994 legislation requires an explicit, prominent warning label on toys with small parts for children between the ages of six and three.” The report continues, “Some toys can pose hidden hazards, exposing children to dangerous and bio-accumulative chemicals linked to reproductive and developmental effects, lowered IQ, other serious health problems or even death.” The report talks about lead as well as something called “phthalates” in toys. What does MASSPIRG recommend for consumers? “Be vigilant this holiday season, and re member the CPSC does not test all toys and not all toys on store shelves meet CPSC standards. There is no comprehensive list of potentially hazardous toys. Examine toys carefully for potential dangers before you make a purchase.” I think that’s good advice. Parents need always be on their guard for the safety of their children. Be vigilant, use common sense. To read the report “Trouble in Toyland,” visit MASSPIRG.org. For more information about toy safety go to www.toysafety.net. Report unsafe toys or toy-related injuries to the Consumer Product Safety Commission by calling 800-638-2772 or go to www.cpsc.gov. Speaking of kids, I want to invite all my constituents to FREE ICE SKATING at Amelia Park Ice Arena, 21 South Broad Street in Westfield, on Saturday, December 13th, from 6 – 7 PM. This is an open invitation to people of all ages from Westfield to join me for some ice-skating, cookies and hot chocolate at Amelia Park. It’s going to be a great family event at a beautiful facility, and the best part is it’s free! Free ice time, skate rentals, and delicious refreshments are compliments of me and the Committee to Elect Don Humason State Representative. It has been my honor and pleasure to serve as Westfield’s State Representative for the past 6 years and this is my way of saying thank you. So tell your friends, mark your calendars, and I’ll see you on the ice Saturday December 13. I want to congratulate the Westfield High School Bombers football team for their terrific victory this past week in the playoffs and for making it, once again, to the Division 1A Super Bowl. The Super Bowl game will be played this Saturday afternoon at the Westfield State College turf complex behind the Woodward Center on Western Avenue. I went to the playoff game Tuesday night, which was also held at Westfield State, and I was excited to see how many Westfield fans were at the game. Many told me how impressed they were with the college’s athletic facilities and how great it was to be able t o watch these games so close to home. WHS Band Director Pat Kennedy and I were talking on the sidelines and Pat was bragging, rightly so, about the magnificent and mighty Westfield High School Marching Band, “the Best Band in the Land!” that played enthusiastically in the cold to rally the fans and spur on the team. I agreed with him. I look forward to another great game on Saturday and another big victory. Good luck Bombers! Go! Fight! Win! * * * Representative Humason and his Legislative Aide Jonelle Gingrich may be reached at his State House office, Room 542. Boston, MA 02133. (617) 722-2803. Representative Humason and his Chief of Staff Sarah Latour may be reached at his Westfield district office, 64 Noble Street, Westfield, MA 01085. (413) 568-1366. Representative Don Humason’s website is www.DonHumason.org
This Site Designed and Maintained by: The Barre Group

DANGEROUS TOYS

By State Representative Don Humason, Jr.

December 6, 2008

With Black Friday and Cyber Monday behind us and Christmas only a few weeks away now is the time when many shoppers are looking to purchase toys for their kids.

Last week I attended a press conference at the Amelia Park Children’s Museum held by MASSPIRG, the Massachusetts Public Interest Research Group, where they released their 23rd annual toy safety report entitled, “Trouble in Toyland.”

In essence the report warned parents that many hazardous toys, such a s those with small parts or those containing toxic chemicals, can be found on store shelves everywhere.

In the Executive Summary of the report it states “…that no government agency tests toys before they are put on shelves…the agency charged with protecting Americans from unsafe products – the Consumer Product Safety Commission – is a little agency with a very big job to do. Congress responded by passing the first major overhaul of the CPSC since it was established during the Nixon Administration, when it passed the landmark Consumer Product S afety Improvement Act in August 2008.”

According to the report, “Choking on small parts, small balls and balloons remains a leading cause of toy-related deaths and injuries. Between 1990 and 2007, at least 190 children died after choking or asphyxiating on a toy or toy part; eight children died in 2007 alone. Since 1979, the federal Consumer Produce Safety Commission has banned small parts in toys for children under three and 1994 legislation requires an explicit, prominent warning label on toys with small parts for children between the ages of six and three.”

The report continues, “Some toys can pose hidden hazards, exposing children to dangerous and bio-accumulative chemicals linked to reproductive and developmental effects, lowered IQ, other serious health problems or even death.” The report talks about lead as well as something called “phthalates” in toys.

What does MASSPIRG recommend for consumers? “Be vigilant this holiday season, and re member the CPSC does not test all toys and not all toys on store shelves meet CPSC standards. There is no comprehensive list of potentially hazardous toys. Examine toys carefully for potential dangers before you make a purchase.”

I think that’s good advice. Parents need always be on their guard for the safety of their children. Be vigilant, use common sense.

To read the report “Trouble in Toyland,” visit MASSPIRG.org. For more information about toy safety go to www.toysafety.net. Report unsafe toys or toy-related injuries to the Consumer Product Safety Commission by calling 800-638-2772 or go to www.cpsc.gov.

Speaking of kids, I want to invite all my constituents to FREE ICE SKATING at Amelia Park Ice Arena, 21 South Broad Street in Westfield, on Saturday, December 13th, from 6 – 7 PM.

This is an open invitation to people of all ages from Westfield to join me for some ice-skating, cookies and hot chocolate at Amelia Park. It’s going to be a great family event at a beautiful facility, and the best part is it’s free! Free ice time, skate rentals, and delicious refreshments are compliments of me and the Committee to Elect Don Humason State Representative.

It has been my honor and pleasure to serve as Westfield’s State Representative for the past 6 years and this is my way of saying thank you. So tell your friends, mark your calendars, and I’ll see you on the ice Saturday December 13.

I want to congratulate the Westfield High School Bombers football team for their terrific victory this past week in the playoffs and for making it, once again, to the Division 1A Super Bowl. The Super Bowl game will be played this Saturday afternoon at the Westfield State College turf complex behind the Woodward Center on Western Avenue.

I went to the playoff game Tuesday night, which was also held at Westfield State, and I was excited to see how many Westfield fans were at the game. Many told me how impressed they were with the college’s athletic facilities and how great it was to be able t o watch these games so close to home.

WHS Band Director Pat Kennedy and I were talking on the sidelines and Pat was bragging, rightly so, about the magnificent and mighty Westfield High School Marching Band, “the Best Band in the Land!” that played enthusiastically in the cold to rally the fans and spur on the team. I agreed with him.

I look forward to another great game on Saturday and another big victory. Good luck Bombers! Go! Fight! Win!

* * *

Representative Humason and his Legislative Aide Jonelle Gingrich may be reached at his State House office, Room 542. Boston, MA 02133. (617) 722-2803.
Representative Humason and his Chief of Staff Sarah Latour may be reached at his Westfield district office, 64 Noble Street, Westfield, MA 01085. (413) 568-1366.
Representative Don Humason’s website is www.DonHumason.org

This Site Designed and Maintained by: The Barre Group