Despite mounting evidence that padded crib bumpers, designed to keep a baby from hitting her head on crib slats, are a suffocation hazard and may be linked to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, in September 2016, Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) staff released an analysis of child deaths associated with crib bumpers that was scientifically questionable,…
November 10th saw the passing of Clarence M. Ditlow, III, since 1976 the Executive Director of the Center for Auto Safety. For four decades Mr. Ditlow’s persistent pressure on safety agencies and automakers forced improvements in the auto industry in safety, reliability, and fuel efficiency. His accomplishments included millions of safety recalls and lemon laws in 50 states….
Health insurance premiums through the exchanges are expected to rise by an average of 25% in 2017, with fewer health insurance plans available to choose from as health insurance companies continue to drop out of the exchanges. About 75 percent of people enrolled in plans this year get subsidies to help pay their premiums, and…
October is usually warmly welcomed as the weather gets cooler and kids are eager to trick-or-treat. People get worked up over who they will “be for Halloween” and the greatest concern for parents is that their kids will eat too much candy. But this year, the onset of October brought upon a creepy clown epidemic that…
Stanford University researchers have discovered that aluminum may be the sought after alternative to volatile lithium commonly used in batteries. Superior Recharging Capacity of Aluminum Battery Stanford University professor Hongjie Dai has developed a high-performance aluminum battery that may replace lithium-ion batteries, which occasionally burst into flames. Unlike previous unsuccessful attempts with aluminum, his battery uses a graphite…
Driving any vehicle under the influence of marijuana, whether for medicinal or recreational use, is illegal in Oregon. While a blood alcohol level of 0.08 percent of a driver’s blood, by volume, will conclusively establish that a driver is under the influence, when marijuana is involved, any amount that was in the driver’s blood or…
What does it take to make a cell phone user put down the phone? Thousands of Samsung Galaxy Note 7 cell phones owners continued to ignore warnings and held onto their devices, using them until replacement. Galaxy Note 7 Sales and Use Continues after Safety Warnings Warnings by safety agencies and technology experts that users…
If you’re a seasoned Portland cyclist, you probably already know that the Southeast Division is booby-trapped. If you enjoy using a bike as transportation and are new to Portland, you may wish to avoid the Southeast Division altogether. Statistics demonstrate that, while on the whole biking is becoming safer in Portland, some of the most…
When we last covered Portland’s homeless crisis, a lawsuit was in the works against Mayor Hales and the city for refusing to enforce anti-camping laws. The Portland Business Alliance, the Overlook and Pearl District Neighborhood Associations, the Cartlandia food truck pod, and others calling themselves Safe & Livable Portland filed a complaint in Multnomah County Circuit Court in April…
More adults over age 26 are using marijuana in Oregon than in any other part of the country. Since recreational marijuana was officially legalized in 2015, marijuana use has been climbing at a rate above that of the national average. Legalization has ushered in a wave of users who downplay the negative effects of the…