Earlier this week we launched our Safety Alert partnership with the National Parent Teacher Association and the National Schools Board Association in which we deliver news about recalls and unsafe products directly to the homes of parents and students. Apparently, the program struck a chord with Inez Tenenbaum, chairman of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, who was once the state school superintendent in South Carolina.

“Public programs that place safety information directly into the hands of educators, school children and their parents resonate with my life’s work," she told us. "In turn, I want to recognize the accomplishment of Consumers Union as they launch an exciting new initiative aimed at providing recall notices and alerts about dangerous products to members of the National Parent Teacher Association and National School Boards Association.”

We were pleased to get that pat on the back. If you are interested in receiving the safety alerts, ask the leaders of your PTA or school board to add the link to their e-mail newsletters or district Web sites.

Also in the news
Consumers warned not to eat certain imported dried plums
Food and Drug Administration
The Texas Department of State Health Services is warning consumers not to eat certain imported dried plums and products containing imported dried plums because they have elevated levels of lead. Read more ...

82.7 percent of child-safety seats found improperly installed
The Philadelphia Inquirer
More than 80 percent of child-safety seats inspected in vehicles earlier this month were improperly installed, state police said. Read more ...

Nutro updates information on puppy food recall
Consumer Affairs.com
Nutro Products confirmed that it's removing three types of puppy food from store shelves after discovering pieces of melted plastic in the “production line of select varieties of NUTRO dry dog and cat food products.” Read more.

Vehicle deaths drop 10 percent
The New York Times
Motor vehicle deaths dropped nearly 10 percent in 2008 compared with 2007, pushing down all transportation deaths, the National Transportation Safety Board said. But motorcycle deaths rose for the 11th year. Read more.

Nanomaterials under study by the E.P.A.
The New York Times
The Environmental Protection Agency detailed its plans for research into the possible health and environmental risks of nanomaterials, tiny substances that are finding growing use in products like sunscreens and industrial adhesives. Read more ...


Don't miss these recalls

• 51,000 pieces of Paula Deen hammered cast iron cookware (can crack or shatter)
• 720,000  Lamplight Farms replacement torch fuel containers (fire hazard)
• 20,300 sets of Halcyon diving equipment (pressure valves can fail)
• 90 John Deere compact utility tractors (incorrect differential)