Safety Answers

Each year, more than 6,600 children die as a result of car crashes, drowning, fire and burns, poisoning, choking and other unintentional injuries. Plastic safety devices can help keep children safe and out of harm's way. This section explores the many ways plastics have improved home safety devices. This section should be used in conjunction with the quiz found at the end of the safety game.

Firefighter's Coat
Answer: D - All of the above.
A firefighter's coat is made of heavy-duty vinyl, which protects firefighters from the dangerous flames they encounter doing their job. Vinyl products are inherently flame-retardant, do not readily ignite, and most will not continue to burn once a flame source is removed.

Note: The following links will open in a new window, taking you outside of the Hands On Plastics Jr ™ site.

Visit the Vinyl Institute for:

Top.

Ski Hat
Answer: D - All of the above.
Polypropylene is often used as an alternative to wool in hats and other winter clothing. It dries up to five times faster than wool, meaning you stay drier and warmer in cold, wet conditions.

Recycled milk jugs are also being used to spin new, dynamic fibers, including polar fleece.

Note: The following links will open in a new window, taking you outside of the Hands On Plastics Jr.™ site.

Top.

Beach Ball
Answer: D - Baseballs are made from leather.
Talk about a great toy! Inflatable plastic balls are used everyday for countless games and sports. The balls are commonly made with vinyl, a versatile and cost-effective plastic. Vinyl allows the balls to be soft but durable.

Note: The following links will open in a new window, taking you outside of the Hands On Plastics Jr.™ site.

Top.

Smoke Alarm
Answer: D - All of the above.
Over the past two decades, the residential fire-related death rate has declined 55 percent among children. Studies have shown that a working smoke alarm cuts the chances of dying in a residential fire in half. Smoke alarms in the early 1960s were metal devices that were prohibitively expensive at $120 each and not readily available to the public. Today, plastic smoke alarms are lightweight, durable, cost as little as $10 and are easily purchased at retail outlets in every community.

Note: The following links will open in a new window, taking you outside of the Hands On Plastics Jr.™ site.

Top.

Mittens
Polypropylene is often used as an alternative to wool in mittens and other winter clothing. It can dry up to five times faster than wool, meaning you can stay dry and warm in cold, wet conditions.

Recycled milk jugs are also being used to spin new, dynamic fibers, including polar fleece.

Note: The following links will open in a new window, taking you outside of the Hands On Plastics Jr.™ site.

Top.

Snow Boots
Many types of plastics are used in snow boots to help keep feet warm, dry and safe. Tough plastic soles help keep feet dry and protected from hazardous objects. Recycled vinyl is rapidly becoming a popular material in the construction of boots.

Note: The following links will open in a new window, taking you outside of the Hands On Plastics Jr.™ site.

Visit VinylInfo.org to:

Top.

Flotation Device
Flotation Device
Many lives have been saved by plastic flotation devices. The plastics that make these devices possible have helped parents and children prevent unintentional injuries, which are the leading cause of death among children ages 14 and under.

Note: The following links will open in a new window, taking you outside of the Hands On Plastics Jr.™ site.

Top.

Firefighter's Helmet
Answer: - B. Kevlar® helps protect police officers in bulletproof vests.
Though Kevlar® is most often associated with bulletproof vests, it is also a common type of plastic in a firefighter's helmet. Because it is lightweight and exceptionally strong, this plastic is well suited for items used in extreme conditions. As a result of the materials' durability and versatility, NASA has incorporated Kevlar® into the Mars Pathfinder program.

Note: The following links will open in a new window, taking you outside of the Hands On Plastics Jr.™ site.

Top.

Knee Pads
Tough plastics in protective athletic gear help prevent injuries. Plastics like polyurethane are light, yet able to withstand some of the pressures of falling and crashing. Safety equipment like kneepads, helmets, and wristguards can help reduce injury by as much as 85 percent.

Note: The following links will open in a new window, taking you outside of the Hands On Plastics Jr.™ site.

Top.

Bike Helmet
Answer: D - All of the above.
Nearly non-existent 20 years ago, today's plastic bike helmets have rapidly become lighter, sleeker, and more effective in protecting children. Protective polystyrene and fiberglass designs absorb impact, and have helped contribute to a decline in the death rate from bicycle-traffic related injury by 60 percent among
children 14 and under, in the past 18 years.

Note: The following links will open in a new window, taking you outside of the Hands On Plastics Jr.™ site.

Top.

Sand Shovel
Plastics make a day at the beach more enjoyable for everyone. Kids can build sandcastles and moats with plastic sand shovels and buckets. Today's lightweight and durable shovels and buckets are made from resilient plastics that can handle the tough work of castle building.

Note: The following links will open in a new window, taking you outside of the Hands On Plastics Jr.™ site.

Top.