WASHINGTON, Oct. 3, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is warning consumers about hidden drowning hazards for small children in and around the home. In 2014*, more than 50 children younger than five fatally drowned in and around the home, excluding pools and spas. About 90% of these drowning deaths occurred in bathtubs.

In addition to bathtubs, five-gallon buckets, often used for household chores, pose a serious threat to toddlers. Their tall, straight sides combined with their stability make it nearly impossible for infants to free themselves when they topple in headfirst.

Toilets are often also overlooked as a drowning hazard in the home. Most incidents involve a child younger than three years of age falling headfirst into the toilet.

Childhood drowning deaths also occur in other containers with liquids, including pails, coolers, sinks, fish tanks and landscape ponds.

CPSC offers safety tips to help prevent children from drowning in and around the home.

• Never leave a baby alone, or with young siblings, in a bathtub even for a second. Always keep baby within arm’s reach. Children can drown quickly and silently.
• Keep the toilet lid down, and keep young children out of the bathroom when unsupervised. Consider placing a latch on the bathroom door out of reach of young children.
• Be sure all containers with liquids are emptied immediately after use. Do not leave empty containers in yards or around the house where they may accumulate water and attract young children.
• Always secure the safety cover on your spa or hot tub.
• Learn CPR. It can be a lifesaver.

For additional information, visit the CPSC’s in-home drowning information center.

Download Spanish PSA: 30 here:   Spanish PSA 
Download photos/images:   HERE 
Download Stop In-Home Drowning poster: HERE

*The most recent year that reporting is considered complete.

For more lifesaving information, follow us on Facebook, Instagram @USCPSC and Twitter @USCPSC or sign up to receive our e-mail alerts. To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury go online to www.SaferProducts.gov or call CPSC’s Hotline at 800-638-2772 or teletypewriter at 301-595-7054 for the hearing impaired.

CPSC Consumer Information Hotline
Contact us at this toll-free number if you have questions about a recall:
800-638-2772 (TTY 301-595-7054)
Times: 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. ET; Messages can be left anytime
Call for product safety and other agency information and to report unsafe products.

Video – http://origin-qps.onstreammedia.com/origin/multivu_archive/PRNA/ENR/ENG17CSPC0130EH.mp4

Photo – http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/566415/CPSC_In_Home_Drowning_Infographic.jpg

Logo – http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/566390/fireworks_logo.jpg

SOURCE CPSC

WASHINGTON, Oct. 4, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Today, 79 Teamster members from across the country departed on a flight out of Newark, N.J. as part of a humanitarian mission organized by labor unions to send volunteers to Puerto Rico to assist in the ongoing hurricane relief efforts. In addition to the 79 Teamsters on the flight, 12 more are flying to Puerto Rico separately from Kentucky and 30 sanitation members from New York are already on the ground.

Photo – http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/567724/Teamster_Puerto_Rico_volunteers.jpg

More than 200 volunteers from various labor unions traveled to the island on the flight donated by United Airlines and coordinated by the AFL-CIO. The volunteers will fill critical roles needed to advance the relief efforts in Puerto Rico. The Teamsters on the flight, who all have a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) or a similar professional license, will primarily be utilized in supply delivery and sanitation support.

“The incredible outpouring of volunteerism that I have witnessed from our membership these past 72 hours is truly inspiring,” said Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa. “We had hundreds of members reach out to us expressing their desire to donate their time and skills to the relief effort despite the challenges they will face in Puerto Rico due to the state of its infrastructure.”

Puerto Rico has slowly made progress recovering from Hurricane Maria, but the scale and enormity of the job ahead of them is daunting, and any assistance they receive from the mainland is welcome.

“I’m proud that the Teamsters and the labor movement are leaders in bringing relief to Puerto Rico,” said Jessica Yance, Teamsters Local 210 member and crane operator at Sims Municipal Recycling traveling to Puerto Rico today. “Many Teamsters have family on the island who were hurt by the hurricane. We will be putting our skills to work getting Puerto Rico back on its feet.”

Teamsters Joint Council 16, which has jurisdiction over Teamsters Local Union 901 in San Juan, spearheaded the effort to identify and select volunteers with the proper skill sets needed in Puerto Rico.

“Our members that volunteered have demonstrated what we can be at our best as Americans,” said Teamsters International Vice President and Joint Council 16 President George Miranda. “Without thought of personal hardship, these union men and women are doing whatever they can to help Puerto Rico recover. I am proud of them and proud of the labor movement.”

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Visit www.teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and “like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/teamsters.

Contact:
Bret Caldwell (202) 624-6911
[email protected]  

Logo – http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/567742/INTERNATIONAL_BROTHERHOOD_OF_TEAMSTERS_LOGO.jpg

SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters

SACRAMENTO, Oct. 4, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — This year, CIOMA members have once again demonstrated their commitment to serving their communities through relief efforts in battling natural disasters across the state, and the country.

Every year, CIOMA members go above and beyond the call of duty to give back to communities that need it most during times of hardship and disaster. This year was no different, with CIOMA members helping in all capacities from joining first-responders in wildfire-fighting and hurricane relief efforts. Heavy equipment needed in disaster response requires fuel to operate, often in settings where fuel is not immediately available.

“When firefighters battle blazes across the state, they are the first in line between us and disaster,” said Interstate Oil President Brent Andrews. “If we can assist them by providing them the fuel they need where they need it, then they can focus on keeping the rest of us safe, without worrying about the availability of crucial resources.”

CIOMA member efforts go even further than assistance close to home. Following the destruction felt across the nation left by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, CIOMA members were among the first responding with life-saving resources. Through the Fuel Relief Fund, CIOMA members have helped to generate tens of thousands of dollars in direct relief funding and are personally on the ground in the most heavily impacted areas, delivering emergency fuel to victims and relief agencies.  

“It is important for everyone in California and around the world to remember the fuel industry is one of the first called to help when disaster strikes, such as the recent hurricanes or the annual wildfires across our state,” said Ryan Hanretty, Executive Director of CIOMA. “These small, family- and minority-owned businesses are engrained in their communities and truly care about their neighbors and the surrounding environment. The fuel industry is proud to help protect and better its community whenever the need arises.”

CIOMA is the industry’s statewide trade association representing the needs of independent wholesale and retail marketers of gasoline, diesel, lubricating oils and other petroleum products; transporters of those products; and retail convenience store operators.

Logo – http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/567972/ciomalogo_hi_ris_print_Logo.jpg

SOURCE California Independent Oil Marketers Association (CIOMA)

ATLANTA, Oct. 4, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — In response to the tragic devastation caused by Hurricane Maria, Puerto Rico native, rapper, producer and “Despacito” singer Daddy Yankee has pledged a personal donation of $250,000 and to raise an additional $1.5 million toward Habitat for Humanity’s plans to help Puerto Ricans repair and rebuild in the aftermath of the storm.

“Seeing the devastation first-hand, I know the reconstruction of my home island will require long-term solutions. I am committed to making sure the largest number of affected families have a safe roof,” said Yankee. “I am making a personal donation to Habitat, and ask you to join me by visiting habitat.org/daddyyankee to make a contribution today.”

With the help of its local office, Habitat is assessing the damage to homes on the island. Habitat for Humanity of Puerto Rico has been building and repairing homes in the U.S. territory since 1997.

Habitat’s long-term post-disaster recovery efforts include repair of damaged homes and construction of new affordable homes. Construction plans are determined after evaluations and are dependent on the level of support received from donors, volunteers, corporate partners and other community organizations.

“We are grateful to Daddy Yankee for his generous donation and his support in raising awareness of the desperate need to help Puerto Ricans rebuild their homes and their lives,” said Jonathan Reckford, CEO, Habitat for Humanity International. “Traditionally nearly 80 percent of disaster funds have gone to relief, while only 20 percent to long-term recovery. We are focused on that long-term component, as this will take years to fully recover.”

Habitat has been responding to disasters since 1997 and to date has helped more than 230,000 families in 52 countries through its disaster response work. Following Hurricane Katrina, Habitat organizations along the Gulf Coast built more than 6,000 homes and removed debris and cleaned more than 2,500 homes in preparation for rehabilitation. Habitat also mounted responses to Superstorm Sandy, tornadoes through the South and Midwest, and earthquakes and typhoons overseas.

Habitat’s ability to respond effectively to this disaster depends on available resources. To donate or learn more, visit habitat.org/daddyyankee.

About Habitat for Humanity

Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity began in 1976 as a grassroots effort on a community farm in southern Georgia. The Christian housing organization has since grown to become a leading global nonprofit working in more than 1,300 communities throughout the U.S. and in more than 70 countries. Families and individuals in need of a hand up partner with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. Through financial support, volunteering or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Through shelter, we empower. To learn more, visit habitat.org.

Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPMYQnfy4nI
Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/567944/HABITAT_FOR_HUMANITY_LOGO.jpg

SOURCE Habitat for Humanity International