Dangerous products could lurk around every corner of your New York home
When we hear the word “dangerous product,” most people think about toxic chemicals, devices with extremely sharp parts or things that we should keep out of reach of our very young children. But almost any product can be dangerous when a manufacturer fails to warn you of the risks, allows a defective product to pass inspection or even creates a design that is inherently dangerous to users.
Average household items we may consider safe can actually be hazards in disguise and there are some dangerous products in the world of electronics that have caused a shocking number of deaths.
In an ironic twist, baby monitors developed to notify you when your baby is crying or in some kind of danger have caused the death of seven infants since 2002. The monitors only work if they are placed closely to your child’s crib, but according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, those seven children were strangled by the cords running power to the device.
Since 1985, over 60,000 people have managed to swallow tiny button cell batteries that are used to power watches, thermometers or remote controls. Approximately 3,500 of those people suffered serious injuries as a result and another nine have died. According to the medical director with the National Capital Poison Center, the small amount of chemicals contained in the batteries can burn through the esophagus in less than two hours.
What may be considered one of the best disguised dangers is the flat-panel television. According to the CPSC one child is killed every two weeks when a piece of furniture like the flat-screen television becomes dislodged and falls upon them.
We buy products everyday that we assume are safe because we place a certain amount of trust in manufacturers that they will not sell something that could pose a serious risk to consumers. However, dangerous products are out there, and there are attorneys who can help you obtain the compensation that you deserve if you have been injured as the result of a manufacturer’s negligence.
Source: msn Today, “The most dangerous tech products,” Robert E. Calem, Sept. 12, 2011
