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Page 7 • PLAIISDEALER-HERALD. FRIDAY, JULY S, 198S Nation/World Consumer group asks for risk labels on toys By Thomas Ferraro United Press International WASHINGTON - Citing more than 100,000 hospital-treated in­ juries a year, a consumer group Tuesday asked the government to require age and risk labels on children's toys. "This is one example of a pro­ gram that could help protect America's children," said Ann Brown, chairman of the Consumer Affairs Committee of the Americans for Democratic Ac­ tion. In recent years, the Consumer Product Safety Commission has prodded the toy industry with mix­ ed success to voluntarily fasten products with age and risk warn­ ings. But as matter of policy under the Reagan administration, the agency has generally steered clear of mandatory regulations, favoring, when possible, volun­ tary compliance. "The commission is not doing all it Can to curtail the risk of (toy- related)in]ury," Brown said. She cited agency statistics that "show there were over 118,000 toy- related injuries reported in hospital emergency rooms in 1983, Just the tip of the iceberg." Presently, many toys are label* ed for use by children of certain ages. But the committee said most parents mistakenly believe the labels inform them only of the mental ability needed to play with the toy, not the product's safety risk. "Besides, most parents think their kids are baby geniuses and will buy a toy labeled for ah older child without even considering the danger^," said Fred Goldberg, a committee attorney. Goldberg said parents should also take into consideration the size of the toy's parts, which could be swallowed by a youngster, as well as the sharpness of the pro­ duct's edges. Elaine Tyrrell, child safety pro­ ject manager with the Consumer Product Safety Commission, agreed with Goldberg's concern and said the agency is trying to develop "comprehensive and ob­ jective labeling guidelines" for toy makers. FAA's exit elimination hit by critics By Bud Newman United Press International WASHINGTON -- A once-secret Federal Aviation Administration decision allowing airlines to eliminate two of 10 emergency ex­ its on Boeing 747 jets has come under attack on Capitol Hill and from airline safety advocates. Consumer advocate Ralph Nader told a Monday hearing of the House Public Works and Transportation oversight Subcom­ mittee that the FAA's decision was "a clear, inexcusable and un­ mitigated reduction in passenger safety." Experts recommend padlock on the frig By United Press International WINDSOR LOCKS, Conn. - Padlocking the refrigerator is the standard recourse for parents of children who, because of a rare birth defect, never feel full no matter how much they eat, ex­ perts say. There is no cure in sight for those suffering from Prader-Willi Syndrome, and without the padlock, parents and profes­ sionals familar with the problem wy victims can eat themselves to death after ballooning to 400 or more pounds. More than 350 parent and those dealing with the condition attend­ ed the seventh annual national cohference on the syndrome, which ended Friday. The syndrome was first describ­ ed by three Swiss physicians in 1966, but specialists said identify­ ing Prader-Willi victims among other mentally retarded patients remains difficult. Babies born with the condition are weak and have trouble suckl­ ing. Parents spend the first few months struggling to feed their in­ fant. ' "Feeding becomes a reward," explained Dr. Suzanne Cassidy, an assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Connecticut Health Center. "Parents get stuck on the idea that the only way to show love and affection and be successful with their baby is to feed it." By adolescence, too much eating becomes the problem, Cassidy said. While the parents try to keep food away, neighbors or doting relatives slip the child extra food. "It's hard to say no to a little, cute fat kid," Cassidy said. While experts said rigid dietary control is the only way to improve the lives of the victims, they acknowledge it is difficult to achieve because in addition to an inability to stop eating, victims are mentally retarded and often throw tantrums when frustrated. Exactly what causes the condi­ tion is unknown. The computer is programmed to allow Amundsen to leave thfe house without violation of proba­ tion twice a day, once to go to his job and to attend alcohol treatmea^Bsions. He must stay home the time. Man prisoner in his home By United Press International ALBANY, Ore. - Ralph Amundsen is doing time -- 30 days for drunken driving -- only he's home instead of in jail. On his leg is a 5-ounce signaling device that will turn stool pigeon if he makes a break. Amundsen, 30, who has had eight drunken-driving convictions in the last 10 years, is the first per­ son in Oregon to be under house a r r e s t u n d e r e l e c t r o n i c surveillance. Authorities said the program of sentencing drunken drivers would help relieve jail overcrowding as well as minimizing disruption of an offender's life. While probation officers Cyn­ thia Lane and Nancy White fasten­ ed the device to his leg Thursday, Amundsen said: "I think it's great." THE 3%ided (Zottayc AND boutique LTD. • BRIDAL GOWNS • AAOTHEROF THE WEDDING • INVITATIONS • PROM DRESSES Hours: •BRIDESMAIDS •TUXEDO RENTAL •ACCESSORIES •LINGERIE •AFTER5 DRESSES 'Your Special Occasion Experts" Mon. AThurs. 12-8:30 TuM.-Wsd.-Fri. 10-6 Sat 10-4 Brides Please CaN For Appointment 40»N. FRONT STREET (RT. 31 SOUTH), McHENRY (81S) 385-5508 'EAST ON THE1 FOURTH! EXCITEMENT EVERYDAY JULY 4 thru 7 A food test filled with summer fun thrills in an old fashioned setting... ( Shoot-em-up action. Live wild west \\ \ cowboy gunfight shows...with stunts and ~ real pistol-packin' drama every day. • Food and mora food! Our mass munch-out includes chicken, ribs, and 'burgers...all cooked outdoors in our old west village setting. • STAGE COACH RIDES • GAMES FOR THE KIDS • MUSEUM DISPLAYS • OLD TIME MOVIES SEVEN ACRES ANTIQUE VILLAGE MUSEUM 815/923-2214 We're located in Union, at Route 20 and South Union Road. National Transportation Safety Board Chairman Jim Burnett call­ ed the decision "ill-considered and not in the interest of safety of the traveling public. "The safety board is deeply con- cered about the FAA's approval for the removal of 20 percent of an airplane's existing evacuation capability," Burnett said. He said more than 70 exit modification kits have already been sold by Boeing to foreign operators of.747s. Among the pur­ chasers, Burnett said, are British Airways, KLM, Cathay Pacific and Thai Airways. No domestic carrier has pur­ chased the modification kits. Today, the subcommittee will address the issue of emergency doors again when a stewardess is scheduled to testify about the passenger panic she observed when a 747 had to abort its takeoff last fall in Honolulu and several emergency slides did not work. The FAA last year, without public comment or hearings, decided to allow elimination of two over-wing emergency exit doors on Boeing 747 Jumbo Jets, leaving a 72-foot space between emergency exits. The decision, made by the FAA's Northwest Mountain Region, was not disclosed publicly until this year. Nader, some subcommittee members, the Air Line Pilots Association and other groups op- nose the change. in other testimony Monday, Nader charged the FAA with a "massive under-reporting of near mid-air collisions." One reason for the under­ reporting, he said, was to give the impression of safe skies after President Reagan fired more than 14,000 striking traffic controllers in 1981. "Those numbers (of near mid air collisions) were kept down falsely," Nader charged. AH YOU mw IN The McHenry Area? Do You Know Someone New? We Would Llk* To Extend A Royal Welcome To Every Newcomer To Our Area!!! CALL 385-5475 °8UG° tIOH ROYAL WELCOME Know Your Area -- Royal Welcome Does It Beet Factory 4th Anniversary Sale £ 40%-50% SAVINGS Available direct to the public new outdoor or indoor furniture with all weather cushions. Includes chairs. 42". 48". and 55' Wer relit round table tops (or S2 * 42 Merialit oval table tops.) loveseats. sin|le and double Maintenance Free! No chipping, peeling or rust. Many lovely pieces and styles. gliders, servinf carts, coffee tables, lamps, umbrellas to match cushions and for the Ulti­ mate in comfort and pleasure try our chaise lounge Furniture available in white or vanilla also cushions in 20 colors to choose from. BKST ON THK MARKET 3 yr. Warranty... Manufacturers of PVC furniture/ for Indoor/outdoor lawn, patio and deck. MpiyfMfiniortvNyB* i SI. 72 UKPnt sAi i#>i«wctttN0oaiva«oiLatati, n. (312)428-0707 Look tor our Blgn Hours: Men.-Prl.f-7 Sat. Sun. 10-5 Tyrrell said some toy manufac­ turers now use labeling "to get around" the commission's ban prohibiting toys with small parts for children under age 3. She said some of those toys are labeled for children over age 3 without mentioning the potential of toddlers to choke on the pro­ ducts' small Darts. Punk is out at Disney By United Press International ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Two teenage girls on their way to a party at Disneyland were turned away from the "Magic Kingdom" because officials said their punk hair styles violated the park's dress code. The park's refusal to admit the girls -- one with a teased bouf­ fant and the other with heavy eye makeup and her hair in jet-black spikes -- was the second time in six months Disneyland has cited its dress code in refusing to let a customer inside. m * $ THANK YOU TO THE SPONSORS OF MEGHAN FIDLER ILLINOIS STATE'STARS OF TOMORROW" SUPER STAR We'd like to thank all supporters, for without have been possible: of Meghan's sponsors their help this would and not Christopher's Men's Wear Butt Ford Bel Photography Ace Hardware McHenry Drags Mteheal's Hair Design Don's Dairy Frost Palace Bowl ...and special thanks to: Grandpa and Grandma • Paul and Nel Fidler - Locker's flowers - "Aunt Agnes and Aunt Marga­ ret" - Rhonda's Studio of Dance - Rhonda Fiu- metto • Sullivan's Foods • Tom Sullivan - Dr. Boon Charoenying. Main Paint Custom Gun Repair Adams Auto Body Palmer's Four Seasons Adams Bros. 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