CELLULAR TELEPHONE USE CAN BE FATAL

As the debate continues on whether or not cellular telephones have health risks such as cancer, other problems relating to these instruments have continued to surface. The Jamaican Marketplace has seen a great influx of cellular telephone instruments and increased usage by consumers. However many persons are still unaware of the hazards presented by cellular telephone use in certain circumstances. The Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC) would therefore like to remind all consumers to exercise caution when using these cellular telephones.

Risks associated with cellular phone use are:

• Fire at gas stations. Persons run the risk of igniting a fume when they use cellular telephones at gas stations.
• Interference with electronic devices.
• Increase in the risk of traffic accidents as a result of distracted drivers.
• Potential changes in the brain’s activity which impact on reaction time, sleep patterns and ultimately productivity.

To reduce your chances of falling victim to any of these risks, the Consumer Affairs Commission recommends that you should:

1. Restrict the use of cellular phones to essential calls.
2. Make calls short.
3. Use a hands free device when driving.
4. Turn off the instrument at gas stations, hospital and other medical institution and when on an airplane.
5. Keep informed by following up on new developments and research findings.

Tell us what issues you want addressed

Send e-mail to: cacjam@infochan.com or star@gleaner.com

Write to us at: 1B Holborn Road, Kingston 10 Or call us at: 926-1650-2 or toll free 1-888-991-4470, ask for our Information Desk