MSN reported today that over 50 Million Roman and roll-up shades are being recalled due to risk of strangulation. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced Tuesday that about 50 million window coverings need to be repaired to make them safe for kids. About 5 million Roman shades and 3 million roll-up blinds are sold each year. They reported that 8 children have died and 16 have been injured since 2001. It was reported that the CPSC has issued so many recalls for different types of Roman shades and blinds, the agency is now considering new mandatory design standards to keep kids safe. This is an example of a product that should have undergone rigorous study and testing before it hit the market.

Grain Bin Deaths – Fines Must be Kept High
This morning, NPR broadcast a story about deaths that occur across the County in grain bins. The details of the working conditions and the description of how workers die in grain bins was extremely unsettling.