Author: Marianne Halterman

By Dr. Mehmet Oz and Dr. Mike Roizen, MDs

What do credit cards, hockey helmets, kids’ toys, trashcans, toothpaste, deodorants, and shaving creams have in common? They all could contain triclosan, which for a long time has been touted as an effective antimicrobial agent for killing bacteria.

Then it was discovered that triclosan could contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant germs — super bugs — and the Food and Drug Administration banned its use in hospital cleaning agents and consumer soaps.

Unfortunately, the FDA can’t regulate paints, clothes, sporting equipment, or furniture. That’s why you still can find triclosan in those products, as well as anything else that advertises itself as having “antimicrobial properties.”

And it continues to cause problems, both for the biosphere and for you.

A study published in the journal Antimicrobial Agents & Chemotherapy revealed how triclosan can help bacteria become more resistant to antibiotic treatments for diseases such as urinary tract infections. Researchers from Washington University in St. Louis found that repeated triclosan exposure makes bacteria able to survive “normally lethal concentrations of antibiotics,” including Cipro.

Previous research has found that triclosan alters hormone regulation and could be harmful to your immune system.

Be on your guard for clothing, house paints, toys, etc. that claim to control or kill germs and bacteria. There’s a good chance they contain triclosan. Manufacturers are not required to put that information in their labeling.

Washing your hands thoroughly with plain soap and water is just as effective at getting rid of unwanted bacteria as so-called antimicrobials.

Release Date: May 23, 2023

Release number: 23-209

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Memorial Day weekend is the traditional kick-off for summer, a time when many people will enjoy more outdoor activities. From riding off-highway vehicles (OHVs), to taking a swim and firing up the grill, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is reminding consumers of the hazards involved and the steps to help protect themselves and their families, especially children.

ATV Riding

All-terrain vehicles are the most popular of the OHVs. They can be a lot of fun, but they can also be dangerous if not used properly. According to CPSC’s latest report, from 2017 through 2019, there were 2,178 deaths associated with OHVs, nearly 70% were ATVs and 283 OHV deaths were children under 16 years old. CPSC estimates that in 2021, there were 106,600 emergency room treated injuries associated with OHVs and 29% were to children under 16 years old. The dangers of riding OHVs are real and include overturning, collisions, and occupant ejection.

It is important to follow these ATV safety tips to ensure a safe and enjoyable ride. 

• Training: Get hands-on training from a qualified instructor. 
• Seats: Never ride with more passengers than there are seats. Most ATVs are designed for one rider. 
• Stay Off Roads: Stay off paved roads. Never ride on public roads, except to cross, where permitted by law. 

• No Drinking: Avoid drinking alcohol before or while driving an ATV.
• Age Limits: Riders younger than 16 should drive only age-appropriate youth models -never adult models. 
• Safety Gear: Always wear a helmet and other protective gear, such as eye protection, boots, gloves, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt. 

Pool Safely                 

A dip in the pool may be a good way to escape the heat, but it is important to remember to stay vigilant when it comes to water safety. From 2017 through 2019, there were an average of 389 yearly pool- or spa-related, fatal drownings involving children younger than 15 years old and in 2021, there were nearly 6,800 nonfatal drowning injuries treated in emergency departments for that age group. Children under 5 years old accounted for 73% of the fatal child drownings. 

To prevent tragedies from happening at the pool, CPSC recommends following these safety tips:

• Supervision: Never leave children unattended in or near a pool, and always designate an adult to watch over the pool area.
• Barriers: Install barriers around the pool, to prevent unsupervised access by children.
• Swimming Skills: Learn how to swim and teach your child how to swim.
• Drains: Keep children away from pool drains and ensure that they are properly covered to prevent entrapment.
• CPR: Learn how to perform CPR on children and adults.
• See additional pool safety tips and kids pool games at www.poolsafely.gov.

Outdoor Cooking and Grilling

Outdoor cooking and grilling are popular summer activities, and while fun and enjoyable, they can also be dangerous if not done with safety in mind. On average, 13 deaths occur every year, and in 2022, there were 5,400 ER-treated injuries associated with grills, burns being the most common.

Common grilling hazards include fires, burns, and carbon monoxide poisoning. To reduce these risks and have a safe grilling experience, follow some general safety tips.

• Recalls: Check www.cpsc.gov to see if the grill has been recalled – follow the remedy if recalled.
• Inspect: Look over the grill and any gas hoses for cracking, brittleness, holes and leaks. Replace, if necessary. 
• Location: Use grills outside only, in well-ventilated areas and never indoors, in a garage, breezeway, carport, porch or under a surface that will burn. 
• Starters: Only use appropriate fire starters and only before lighting the fire. Never add liquid fuel after trying to start a fire.
• Observe: Never leave a hot grill unattended and keep children away from the grill area. 
• Clean up: Clean your grill with a ball of aluminum foil or nylon brushes, instead of wire grill brushes, to prevent stray wire brush strands from ending up in the food.
• Extinguishers: Keep a fire extinguisher nearby and make sure that everyone knows how to use it.

Report any unsafe products or any incidents where someone was hurt by a product to CPSC at SaferProducts.gov.

Additional Resources:

Consumer Educational Brochure: Simple Water Safety Steps Save Lives (English / Spanish)
Charcoal Grill Safety Tips (English & Spanish)

Individual Commissioners may have statements related to this topic.  Please visit www.cpsc.gov/commissioners to search for statements related to this or other topics.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – June 1 marks the start of the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is warning consumers about the increased risk of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, fires and electric shock after hurricanes and severe storms hit.

“Hurricanes and major storms in the U.S. have increased in frequency and severity in recent years. This hurricane season may bring widespread destruction that could impact millions of Americans,” said CPSC Chair Alex Hoehn-Saric. “I urge consumers to follow CPSC’s safety tips to prepare ahead of storms to prevent loss of life in a storm’s aftermath.”

Consumers need to be especially careful when storms knock out electrical power. CO poisoning from gasoline-powered portable generators can kill in minutes. CO is called the invisible killer because it is colorless and odorless. CO poisoning from portable generators can happen so quickly that exposed persons may become unconscious before recognizing the symptoms of nausea, dizziness or weakness.

An average of nearly 100 consumers die in the U.S. each year from CO poisoning from portable generators, according to CPSC’s latest report on Non-Fire Carbon Monoxide Deaths Associated with the Use of Consumer Products (54-page PDF).

CPSC data show African Americans are at higher risk of death 

An earlier CPSC report (38-page PDF) shows that from 2011 through 2021, where race was known, non-Hispanic Black or African Americans accounted for 23 percent of generator-related CO deaths, which is much higher than their share in the U.S. population.

Consumers should follow these safety tips to protect their families during hurricane season. The Atlantic hurricane season typically lasts from the beginning of June to the end of November.

Loss of Power—Using a Generator Safely

• NEVER operate a portable generator inside a home, garage, basement, crawlspace or shed. Opening doors or windows does not provide enough ventilation to prevent the buildup of lethal levels of CO.
• Operate portable generators outside only, at least 20 feet away from the house, and direct the generator’s exhaust away from the home and any other buildings that someone could enter, while keeping windows and other openings closed in the path of the generator’s exhaust. Do not operate a generator on an outside porch or in a carport. They are too close to the home. 
• Follow portable generator instructions about electrical shock hazards in inclement weather, which may include use of an NFPA-rated non-combustible generator tent or may state to wait until rain passes.
• Check that portable generators have been maintained properly, and read and follow the labels, instructions, and warnings on the generator and in the owner’s manual.
• Look for portable generators that have a CO shut-off safety feature, which is designed to shut the generator off automatically when high levels of CO are present around the generator. These models may be advertised as certified to the latest safety standards for portable generators–PGMA G300-2018 and UL 2201–which are estimated to reduce deaths from CO poisoning by 87% and 100%, respectively. UL 2201 certified models have reduced CO emissions in addition to the CO shut-off feature.

Check CO and Smoke Alarms

• Working smoke and CO alarms save lives! Install battery-operated CO alarms or CO alarms with battery backup on each level and outside separate sleeping areas at home. Interconnected CO alarms are best; when one sounds, they all sound. 
• Make sure smoke alarms are installed on every level and inside each bedroom at home.
• Test CO and smoke alarms monthly to make sure they are working properly and replace batteries, if needed. Never ignore an alarm when it sounds. Get outside immediately. Then call 911.

Dangers with Charcoal and Candles

• Never use charcoal indoors. Burning charcoal in an enclosed space can produce lethal levels of carbon monoxide. Do not cook on a charcoal grill in a garage, even with the garage door open.
• Use caution when burning candles. Use flashlights or battery-operated candles instead. If using candles, do not burn them on or near anything that can catch fire. Never leave burning candles unattended. Extinguish candles when leaving the room and before sleeping.

Dangers with Wet Appliances:

• Look for signs that your appliances have gotten wet. Do not touch wet appliances that are still plugged into an electrical source.
• Before using your appliances, have a professional or your gas or electric company evaluate them for safety. Replace all gas control valves, electrical wiring, circuit breakers and fuses that have been under water.

Dangers with Gas Leaks: 

• If you smell or hear gas leaking, leave your home immediately and contact local gas authorities from outside the home. Do not operate any electronics, such as lights or phone, before leaving.

CPSC resources:

PSA – Hurricane Safety Tips (English)

PSA – Hurricane Safety Tips (Spanish)

Carbon Monoxide Safety Center

Hi Neighbor!

May is National Bicycle Safety Month and May 19th is Bike to Work Day. Whether you ride to work or school, hit the trails, or cycle with the whole family, remember to always wear a bike helmet to reduce the risk of injury.    

Helmets are also essential gear for other sports, including scootering and skateboarding. 

Did you Know? There were more than 405,000 estimated bicycle-related injuries (non-powered bikes) treated in hospital emergency departments for all ages last year; and more than 79,000 of those were head injuries.  

Learn more about helmet safety in our “print and share” infographic below.

Download PDF of poster (242 KB)