The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from more than 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction.
Deaths, injuries and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $700 billion annually. The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard or can injure children.
The CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals - contributed significantly to the 30 percent decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.
On a daily basis, all Emergency Department and Urgent Care patient records at the University Medical Center (UMC) in Tucson are reviewed, and data are collected and entered in a standardized database and delivered to CPSC.
Through the NEISS system, we also have participated and continue to participate in special studies. Currently, we are collecting data for special studies of Adverse Drug Events, Assaults, Work-Related Injuries, Self-Inflicted Injuries and Firearms.
The program is under the direction of Esther Berren, RN, who in addition to her work with the Tucson program, is also a consultant and trainer for other CPSC programs.
Contact Esther Berren at esther@aemrc.arizona.edu for more information.