Community Safety

Ann Arbor, MI — Young people who take opioid painkillers after having their wisdom teeth removed may be more susceptible to developing a long-term pattern of opioid use, a recent University of Michigan study shows.

Columbus, OH – Although safety standards for infant walkers have helped decrease injuries among young children who use them, the products are still “an important and preventable source of injury” and should be banned, according to researchers at the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

Toledo, OH — Exposure to blue light from the sun and electronic devices may destroy cells in the retina and accelerate the onset of blindness, a recent study from the University of Toledo indicates.

Ann Arbor, MI — Cutting junk food from your diet may result in withdrawal symptoms similar to those experienced by people kicking a drug habit, new research from the University of Michigan shows.

Emmitsburg, MD — An estimated 3,900 hotel and motel fires were reported annually between 2014 and 2016, resulting in about 15 fatalities and 100 injuries each year, according to data published in a recent edition of the “Topical Fire Report Series” from the U.S. Fire Administration and FEMA.

Bethesda, MD — Independence comes with a steep safety risk for new teen drivers, according to recent research from the National Institutes of Health.

McLean, VA — Many drivers think texting and driving is dangerous only in certain circumstances, and most still need “a lot of convincing” to understand the risks, according to a recent study from Australia.

Barcelona, Spain — Eating dinner close to bedtime may increase the risk of breast and prostate cancer, a recent study led by Spanish researchers suggests.

Itasca, IL — The American Academy of Pediatrics is advising parents to keep children in rear-facing car seats until they reach the maximum weight or height limit indicated on the seat, rather than using age as a guide.

Washington — Does the thought of your aging parents behind the wheel worry you? Have you voiced your concerns to them? A recent study from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety shows many people avoid talking with loved ones about this sensitive issue.