Looking ahead while checking the rear view mirror

2008 was certainly a banner year for product safety. Despite ongoing problems with the safety of products imported from China, we made some major strides toward enhancing product safety in the future. Most importantly, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 was signed into law in August. Among other things, this massive bill will breathe some fresh air into the foundering Consumer Product Safety Commission, place tighter restrictions on how children's products are made and sold, and require manufacturers to test children's products before they're sold.

Other important laws were passed in 2008. The Cameron Gulbransen Kids Transportation Safety Act addresses some automobile dangers—it enhances rearward visibility of vehicles to prevent back-over incidents, makes power windows safer, and helps prevent the accidental roll-away of vehicles. The Children's Gasoline Burn Prevention Act closes a loophole that had exempted gas cans from requiring child-resistant closures. In addition, the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act took effect just a two weeks ago. This bill helps eliminate drain entrapments in pools and spas, and earmarks federal funds for education campaigns to reduce drowning incidents, the second leading cause of accidental death for children ages 1 to 14.

Consumers Union helped to get these laws passed by testifying before congressional committees, discussing the issues with congressional representatives and their staffs on a regular basis, speaking out at press conferences on Capitol Hill, and engaging our consumer activists to help push our safety agenda. And of course, we used the power of the media, including this blog, to keep consumers informed.

There's more to do. In the year ahead we will continue to actively watch how the new administration enforces the safety laws. We will continue to push for new regulations that will make vehicles safer. We will work to develop stronger safety standards for children's products, including cribs. And we will focus our efforts on enhancing the safety of our food supply to prevent contamination from chemicals such as melamine and from bacteria like salmonella. We're pleased with the safety achievements of 2008 and look forward to meeting the challenges of 2009.

Happy New Year!