[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 212 (Thursday, November 3, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-27314]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: November 3, 1994]


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CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION

 

Notification of Proposed Collection of Information; Structured 
Group Interviews Regarding the Use of Baby Walkers and the 
Acceptability of Alternate Products

AGENCY: Consumer Product Safety Commission.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1981 (44 
U.S.C. Chapter 35), the Consumer Product Safety Commission has 
submitted to the Office of Management and Budget a request for approval 
of a proposed collection of information in the form of a series of 
structured interviews of parents and adult caretakers of young children 
concerning use of baby walkers and the acceptability of alternative 
products. The requested expiration date is April 1, 1995.
    A baby walker is a device that supports a child so that the child 
can use its feet to move about before or while learning to walk. 
Typically, a baby walker consists of a fabric seat which has leg 
openings and is mounted to a rigid plastic deck. The deck is attached 
to a base which usually is mounted on wheels to allow mobility.
    Earlier this year, the Commission published an advance notice of 
proposed rulemaking to announce that the agency is considering whether 
mandatory design, performance, or labeling requirements may be needed 
to eliminate risks of death and injuries to young children associated 
with baby walkers. In 1993, an estimated 25,000 children were treated 
in emergency rooms for injuries associated with baby walkers. The 
majority of these injuries resulted from falls down stairs or steps.
    To issue a mandatory safety rule for baby walkers, the Commission 
is required by law to make and support findings about the expected 
effects of the rule on the cost, utility, and availability of the 
products which would be subject to those requirements.
    The Commission plans to interview six groups of approximately 12 
persons each. The individuals in these groups will be parents or adult 
caretakers of young children. The participants will be asked to 
describe their perceptions of the benefits, if any, and disadvantages, 
if any, of conventional baby walkers. Participants will also be asked 
about the acceptability of various products which might be substituted 
for conventional baby walkers.
    The Commission will use this information to assess the utility of 
baby walkers to consumers; to determine if mandatory performance, 
design, or labeling requirements would diminish the utility of baby 
walkers, and if so, to what extent; and to evaluate consumer acceptance 
of alternatives to baby walkers.
    The Commission has requested clearance of this request for approval 
of a collection of information within 30 days in accordance with 
provisions of regulations implementing the Paperwork Reduction Act (5 
CFR 1320.18).

Additional Details About the Request for Approval of a Collection 
of Information

    Agency address: Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington, DC 
20207.
    Title of information collection: Structured Group Interviews 
Regarding the Use of Baby Walkers and the Acceptability of Alternate 
Products.
    Type of request: Approval of a new plan.
    Frequency of collection: One time.
    General description of respondents: Parents and adult caretakers of 
young children.
    Total number of respondents: 69.
    Number of responses per respondent: 1.
    Hours per response: 2.
    Total hours for all respondents: 138.

    Comments: Comments about this request for approval of a collection 
of information should be addressed to Donald Arbuckle, Desk Officer, 
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and 
Budget, Washington, DC 20503; telephone (202) 395-7340. Copies of the 
request for approval of a collection of information are available from 
Francine Shacter, Office of Planning and Evaluation, Consumer Product 
Safety Commission, Washington, DC 20207; telephone (301) 504-0416, 
extension 2245.
    This is not a proposal to which 44 USC 3504(h) is applicable.

    Dated: October 31, 1994.
Sadye E. Dunn,
Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission.
[FR Doc. 94-27314 Filed 11-2-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6355-01-P