Welcome to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Podcast for May 26, 2006.

CPSC is urging consumers to take steps to safeguard their families when using a portable generator. If your power is out due to a hurricane, or for any reason, operating your generator safely can mean the difference between life and death.

The exhaust from generators contains poisonous carbon monoxide, an odorless, invisible killer. The amount of carbon monoxide from one generator is equivalent to hundreds of idling cars and can kill you and your family in minutes.

In 2005, at least 55 people died from carbon monoxide poisoning associated with portable generators. The aftermath of last year’s four major hurricanes resulted in the majority of those deaths.

CPSC urges consumers to follow these safety tips when operating a portable generator after a storm or other event that has caused a power outage.

• Never use a portable generator indoors, including in your home, garage, basement, crawlspace, shed or partially-enclosed area – even with ventilation. Opening doors and windows or using fans will not prevent CO buildup in the home.

• Only use a portable generator outdoors in a dry area far away from doors, windows and vents that can allow CO to come indoors.

• Install battery-operated CO alarms or plug-in CO alarms with battery back-up in your home. Test the alarms frequently and replace dead batteries.

• If you are concerned about theft, secure your generator outside.

To reach consumers with this lifesaving information, CPSC has developed new warning labels for newly manufactured generators. Underwriters Laboratories (UL) has adopted the same labels in its new procedure for certifying portable generators. Any manufacturer that wants the UL certification will have to place the new warning label on its generators. Generators must also have ground fault circuit interrupters to prevent electrocution if they get wet.

In other news, Rainbow Play Systems is voluntarily recalling about 18,400 swing seats. These swing seats can unexpectedly break in half, causing the users to fall to the ground. Rainbow has received 84 reports of broken swing seats, including one report of an injury. A 2-year-old girl suffered a broken wrist when she fell to the ground after the sling swing unexpectedly broke in half.

The recall involves sling swing seats sold as an accessory with Carnival, Sunshine, and Rainbow Series residential play structures manufactured by Rainbow Play Systems, Inc.

Rainbow distributors and dealers nationwide from July 2004 through February 2005 as part of Carnival, Sunshine and Rainbow Series play structures. Consumers should immediately stop using these sling swings and contact Rainbow Play Systems, Inc. or return them to their place of purchase for a free replacement swing.

For additional information, contact Rainbow Play Systems at (800) 724-6269, or visit Rainbow’s Web site at www.rainbowplay.com

For additional information on all CPSC recalls and safety news, visit our Web site at www.cpsc.gov. Until next time, stay safe.

End.