Commissioners set strategic goals for 2004

CPSC Monitor, Feb-March, 2004

As noted in January's CPSC Monitor, Chairman Hal Stratton mentioned, among others, three strategic goals for the agency in 2004. They are: (1) reducing residential fires, (2) reducing childhood drownings in and around the home, and (3) reducing the number of carbon monoxide deaths.

The strategic goals are reflected in the new Fiscal 2004 Operating and Performance Plan the Commission adopted in February.

Under the Residential Fires Strategic Goal, CPSC plans to accelerate its work on upholstered furniture and mattress/bedding projects. It will also continue work on smoke alarm research, including contractor work on wireless technology for smoke alarms.

CPSC will also work on a review of electrical codes and standards, fire/gas codes and standards, fire death and fire injury reports, and clothing textile flammability.

Under Child Drownings, the agency plans regional meetings to gather information on addressing child drowning hazards. The agency will also work on studies of new sensor technologies that can help prevent young children from accessing backyard pools.

Baby Bath Seat studies will be continued, analyzing public comments on a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPR).

The agency is also considering a proposal to recommend a change to the current UL standard on carbon monoxide alarms.