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CNN
7 hours ago
- Politics
- CNN
US safety commissioners blast Trump appointee's delay of ruling on water beads
Source: CNN Water beads have long been criticized for being dangerous, even fatal, for kids. Now two members of a government watchdog are tearing into a decision by the acting chair of the body to delay a final ruling on the toys. For years, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which is responsible for issuing safety requirements and recalls of consumer products, has been stressing the danger of water beads. The agency said it is aware of a 10-month-old girl who died in 2023 related to swallowing water beads. The CPSC was scheduled to issue a final rule on water beads Wednesday, but two members of the commission say that it's been blocked without explanation. 'Yesterday, July 16, 2025, we were supposed to see a final rule that would have protected children from life-threatening hazards tied to water beads,' Consumer Product Safety Commission member Richard Trumka, Jr. said in a scathing statement Thursday. Instead acting chair Peter Feldman, who was nominated by President Donald Trump, 'blocked the agency from delivering on that promise, without even bothering to explain why,' Trumka, Jr. wrote. Trumka also accused Feldman of canceling this year's priorities hearing, in which consumers would share their testimonies about the dangers of water beads. 'Children's lives are too important for inaction. Acting Chair Feldman, it's time to get off the sidelines and start working for consumer safety,' Trumka wrote. Another commissioner, Alexander Hoehn-Saric, also issued a statement expressing disappointment with the delays on both draft final rules, urging Feldman 'to be transparent with the public and explain why.' In a statement, the CPSC denied rules were delayed and said the agency was 'adhering to the appropriate process' and that Trump's executive orders are to 'promote interagency review of proposed regulations.' 'It is unfortunate that the Democrats have chosen children's safety as a pretense to protest the President. Despite their deliberate attempts to frustrate President Trump's agenda, CPSC is not beholden to any artificial deadline set by the Commission's Democrats,' a CPSC spokesperson said. The stinging words come as the president has attempted to purge the independent watchdog of commissioners appointed by Biden, firing three members of the five-person commission in the past year before they were reinstated by judges. The case is pending before the Supreme Court. The tiny balls made out of extremely absorbent polymer material can expand to 100 times their initial size and weight when exposed to liquid – including liquids inside the body when they're ingested. When children swallow them, they're in danger of suffering a blocked digestive or respiratory tract, or poisoning by toxic chemicals. The CPSC currently has a warning for water beads and urges parents and caregivers to remove those products from any environment with children. Amazon, Walmart and Target all voluntarily stopped selling water beads marketed for children after pressure from consumers, the CPSC, lawmakers and public health officials. The CPSC is made up of four commissioners and the acting director, Feldman. Feldman was nominated by Trump to be a commissioner in his first term, was then renominated and confirmed, and became acting chairman in January 2025. In May, Trump fired three Biden-nominated CPSC commissioners – Trumka, Hoehn-Saric and Mary Boyle – before their terms ended. But in June, a federal district court reinstated those members. The Trump administration filed an appeal, asking the Supreme Court to step in on an emergency basis to permit the firings. Trump notched a victory in May when the Supreme Court said Trump didn't have to re-hire officials at two independent federal labor agencies. The CPSC also delayed a ruling last week on button battery hazards in childrens' toys without explanation. When these small batteries are swallowed, a child's saliva could connect the circuit which could then burn the child's esophagus. CNN's Shania Shelton and Michael Williams contributed to this report. See Full Web Article
CNN
2 days ago
- Politics
- CNN
US safety commissioners blast Trump appointee's delay of ruling on water beads
Water beads have long been criticized for being dangerous, even fatal, for kids. Now two members of a government watchdog are tearing into a decision by the acting chair of the body to delay a final ruling on the toys. For years, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which is responsible for issuing safety requirements and recalls of consumer products, has been stressing the danger of water beads. The agency said it is aware of a 10-month-old girl who died in 2023 related to swallowing water beads. The CPSC was scheduled to issue a final rule on water beads Wednesday, but two members of the commission say that it's been blocked without explanation. 'Yesterday, July 16, 2025, we were supposed to see a final rule that would have protected children from life-threatening hazards tied to water beads,' Consumer Product Safety Commission member Richard Trumka, Jr. said in a scathing statement Thursday. Instead acting chair Peter Feldman, who was nominated by President Donald Trump, 'blocked the agency from delivering on that promise, without even bothering to explain why,' Trumka, Jr. wrote. Trumka also accused Feldman of canceling this year's priorities hearing, in which consumers would share their testimonies about the dangers of water beads. 'Children's lives are too important for inaction. Acting Chair Feldman, it's time to get off the sidelines and start working for consumer safety,' Trumka wrote. Another commissioner, Alexander Hoehn-Saric, also issued a statement expressing disappointment with the delays on both draft final rules, urging Feldman 'to be transparent with the public and explain why.' Feldman and the CPSC did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The stinging words come as the president has attempted to purge the independent watchdog of commissioners appointed by Biden, firing three members of the five-person commission in the past year before they were reinstated by judges. The case is pending before the Supreme Court. The tiny balls made out of extremely absorbent polymer material can expand to 100 times their initial size and weight when exposed to liquid – including liquids inside the body when they're ingested. When children swallow them, they're in danger of suffering a blocked digestive or respiratory tract, or poisoning by toxic chemicals. The CPSC currently has a warning for water beads and urges parents and caregivers to remove those products from any environment with children. Amazon, Walmart and Target all voluntarily stopped selling water beads marketed for children after pressure from consumers, the CPSC, lawmakers and public health officials. The CPSC is made up of four commissioners and the acting director, Feldman. Feldman was nominated by Trump to be a commissioner in his first term, was then renominated and confirmed, and became acting chairman in January 2025. In May, Trump fired three Biden-nominated CPSC commissioners – Trumka, Hoehn-Saric and Mary Boyle – before their terms ended. But in June, a federal district court reinstated those members. The Trump administration filed an appeal, asking the Supreme Court to step in on an emergency basis to permit the firings. Trump notched a victory in May when the Supreme Court said Trump didn't have to re-hire officials at two independent federal labor agencies. The CPSC also delayed a ruling last week on button battery hazards in childrens' toys without explanation. When these small batteries are swallowed, a child's saliva could connect the circuit which could then burn the child's esophagus. CNN's Shania Shelton and Michael Williams contributed to this report.
CNN
2 days ago
- Politics
- CNN
US safety commissioners blast Trump appointee's delay of ruling on water beads
Water beads have long been criticized for being dangerous, even fatal, for kids. Now two members of a government watchdog are tearing into a decision by the acting chair of the body to delay a final ruling on the toys. For years, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which is responsible for issuing safety requirements and recalls of consumer products, has been stressing the danger of water beads. The agency said it is aware of a 10-month-old girl who died in 2023 related to swallowing water beads. The CPSC was scheduled to issue a final rule on water beads Wednesday, but two members of the commission say that it's been blocked without explanation. 'Yesterday, July 16, 2025, we were supposed to see a final rule that would have protected children from life-threatening hazards tied to water beads,' Consumer Product Safety Commission member Richard Trumka, Jr. said in a scathing statement Thursday. Instead acting chair Peter Feldman, who was nominated by President Donald Trump, 'blocked the agency from delivering on that promise, without even bothering to explain why,' Trumka, Jr. wrote. Trumka also accused Feldman of canceling this year's priorities hearing, in which consumers would share their testimonies about the dangers of water beads. 'Children's lives are too important for inaction. Acting Chair Feldman, it's time to get off the sidelines and start working for consumer safety,' Trumka wrote. Another commissioner, Alexander Hoehn-Saric, also issued a statement expressing disappointment with the delays on both draft final rules, urging Feldman 'to be transparent with the public and explain why.' Feldman and the CPSC did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The stinging words come as the president has attempted to purge the independent watchdog of commissioners appointed by Biden, firing three members of the five-person commission in the past year before they were reinstated by judges. The case is pending before the Supreme Court. The tiny balls made out of extremely absorbent polymer material can expand to 100 times their initial size and weight when exposed to liquid – including liquids inside the body when they're ingested. When children swallow them, they're in danger of suffering a blocked digestive or respiratory tract, or poisoning by toxic chemicals. The CPSC currently has a warning for water beads and urges parents and caregivers to remove those products from any environment with children. Amazon, Walmart and Target all voluntarily stopped selling water beads marketed for children after pressure from consumers, the CPSC, lawmakers and public health officials. The CPSC is made up of four commissioners and the acting director, Feldman. Feldman was nominated by Trump to be a commissioner in his first term, was then renominated and confirmed, and became acting chairman in January 2025. In May, Trump fired three Biden-nominated CPSC commissioners – Trumka, Hoehn-Saric and Mary Boyle – before their terms ended. But in June, a federal district court reinstated those members. The Trump administration filed an appeal, asking the Supreme Court to step in on an emergency basis to permit the firings. Trump notched a victory in May when the Supreme Court said Trump didn't have to re-hire officials at two independent federal labor agencies. The CPSC also delayed a ruling last week on button battery hazards in childrens' toys without explanation. When these small batteries are swallowed, a child's saliva could connect the circuit which could then burn the child's esophagus. CNN's Shania Shelton and Michael Williams contributed to this report.
CNN
2 days ago
- Politics
- CNN
US safety commissioners blast Trump appointee's delay of ruling on water beads
Water beads have long been criticized for being dangerous, even fatal, for kids. Now two members of a government watchdog are tearing into a decision by the acting chair of the body to delay a final ruling on the toys. For years, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which is responsible for issuing safety requirements and recalls of consumer products, has been stressing the danger of water beads. The agency said it is aware of a 10-month-old girl who died in 2023 related to swallowing water beads. The CPSC was scheduled to issue a final rule on water beads Wednesday, but two members of the commission say that it's been blocked without explanation. 'Yesterday, July 16, 2025, we were supposed to see a final rule that would have protected children from life-threatening hazards tied to water beads,' Consumer Product Safety Commission member Richard Trumka, Jr. said in a scathing statement Thursday. Instead acting chair Peter Feldman, who was nominated by President Donald Trump, 'blocked the agency from delivering on that promise, without even bothering to explain why,' Trumka, Jr. wrote. Trumka also accused Feldman of canceling this year's priorities hearing, in which consumers would share their testimonies about the dangers of water beads. 'Children's lives are too important for inaction. Acting Chair Feldman, it's time to get off the sidelines and start working for consumer safety,' Trumka wrote. Another commissioner, Alexander Hoehn-Saric, also issued a statement expressing disappointment with the delays on both draft final rules, urging Feldman 'to be transparent with the public and explain why.' Feldman and the CPSC did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The stinging words come as the president has attempted to purge the independent watchdog of commissioners appointed by Biden, firing three members of the five-person commission in the past year before they were reinstated by judges. The case is pending before the Supreme Court. The tiny balls made out of extremely absorbent polymer material can expand to 100 times their initial size and weight when exposed to liquid – including liquids inside the body when they're ingested. When children swallow them, they're in danger of suffering a blocked digestive or respiratory tract, or poisoning by toxic chemicals. The CPSC currently has a warning for water beads and urges parents and caregivers to remove those products from any environment with children. Amazon, Walmart and Target all voluntarily stopped selling water beads marketed for children after pressure from consumers, the CPSC, lawmakers and public health officials. The CPSC is made up of four commissioners and the acting director, Feldman. Feldman was nominated by Trump to be a commissioner in his first term, was then renominated and confirmed, and became acting chairman in January 2025. In May, Trump fired three Biden-nominated CPSC commissioners – Trumka, Hoehn-Saric and Mary Boyle – before their terms ended. But in June, a federal district court reinstated those members. The Trump administration filed an appeal, asking the Supreme Court to step in on an emergency basis to permit the firings. Trump notched a victory in May when the Supreme Court said Trump didn't have to re-hire officials at two independent federal labor agencies. The CPSC also delayed a ruling last week on button battery hazards in childrens' toys without explanation. When these small batteries are swallowed, a child's saliva could connect the circuit which could then burn the child's esophagus. CNN's Shania Shelton and Michael Williams contributed to this report.
USA Today
03-07-2025
- USA Today
July 4th fireworks 2025: What's the minimum age to buy fireworks?
The July 4th holiday is typically a time for family gatherings, barbecues, and of course, fireworks. While many cities and towns, big and small, set off professional pyrotechnics to celebrate Independence Day, Americans have a long tradition of buying their own fireworks. Unlike the more powerful explosives, which are federally regulated, each state gets to decide if selling fireworks is legal. Age restrictions for purchasing fireworks vary widely across the U.S., ranging from no age limits to a maximum of 21 to know about buying fireworks, and at what age. More: Fireworks injuries were way up last year. How to protect yourself this year. How old do you have to be to buy fireworks? Only two states, Maine and New Hampshire, require buyers of fireworks to be 21 years of age or older, according to the American Pyrotechnics Association. But in most states, the age requirement to purchase fireworks is 18. This includes: Alaska, Arizona, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Montana, New York, Ohio, South Dakota, Virginia, West Virginia and states, however, do allow 16-year-olds to purchase fireworks: Alabama, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Louisiana, Michigan, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and minimum age to buy fireworks in Missouri is 14, and in four states: Arkansas, Mississippi, North Dakota and Oklahoma, 12-year-olds are allowed to purchase Pennsylvania, Washington, DC, Wisconsin and Wyoming have no age restrictions, but local ordinances usually require that an adult (over the age of 18) be present. Which state has banned fireworks? Since 1943, Massachusetts has banned the possession, use, and sale of fireworks by individuals without a license. The state's regulations only allow fireworks at public, permitted events. Also, the law prohibits fireworks bought and transported from other states to Massachusetts. Any safety tips for handling fireworks? In 2024, there were 11 fireworks-related deaths, mainly due to misuse and malfunctions, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Injuries rose sharply to an estimated 14,700, a 38% increase in deaths and 52% in injuries compared to 2023. About 1,700 of these injuries involved sparklers and required emergency room treatment. 'Behind these numbers are real people, real families — and often, preventable incidents,' said CPSC Acting Chairman Peter Feldman in a June 25 statement. 'Fireworks injuries don't just happen on the Fourth of July. We urge everyone to celebrate responsibly — because safety must always come first.'
