Nine out of 10 primary school pupils are still loaded with weighty satchels but textbook are not the main culprit
The issue of weighty schools at chels is back in the public limelight.
The Consumer Council has just completed a survey which indicates that the problem is clearly far from over.
As far back as 1989 the Council has already drawn attention to the need to alleviate the onerous load created by weighty satchels on school pupils.
The latest survey, based on a sample of 500 Primary Three to Secondary Two pupils, has revealed findings that are as shocking as they are enlightening to this seemingly perennial problem.
In every 10 primary pupils, nine are loaded excessively with school satchels that exceed the generally recommended limit of not more than 10% of the body weight of their users.
The survey shows that the average load of school satchels weighed 4.98 kg (10.98 lbs) representing 15.55% of the body weight.
In the most extreme case, a Primary Five pupil's schoolbag was found to weigh 7.02 kg (15.48lbs) representing nearly 30% of his body weight. Understandably, the satchel he used was a trolley-type of considerable weight.
The situation with secondary students fares slightly better. Nearly 7 out of 10 (66%) had schoolbags that were in excess of 10% of their body weight. The average load was 5.50 kg (12.13 lbs) representing 12.03% of their body weight.
The survey also investigates into the main components that constitute the total loads. Surprisingly, in the case of primary pupils, it was not the textbooks that formed the main bulk of the weight.
In fact, they contribute least to the problem of weighty satchels. The weight of textbooks- excluding workbooks, exercises, dictionary, etc. - represented only 22.8% of total loads for primary pupils.
The main portion of weight was found to come largely from such non-textbook-related items as water and food containers, pencil cases, notebooks, musical instrument, coat and sport shoes, etc. Together they represented nearly 43% of total loads.
It was observed that parents might unwittingly have a role to play in adding to the load of their children. For instance, a raincoat was discovered in the satchel on a reasonably clear day.
In the case of secondary students, the reverse is true: textbooks took up 46.2% of total loads, followed by workbooks (27.5%) and sundry items (26.3%).
The survey found also that students who have access to cabinets or lockers in schools and those who pack their schoolbags regularly have less of a load to carry than those who do not.
Students,and with guidance from parents for younger pupils, should adopt the good practice of packing their schoolbags while schools should install more cabinets or lockers for use by students.
Carrying overweighed schoolbag for a prolonged period of time can affect health and cause pain in hands, waist and back. In serious cases, it may affect the normal growth of bones.
For details of the survey and advice, parents and interested parties are urged to consult this February (268th ) issue of the Council's monthly magazine CHOICE.
Advice for mobile phone users as countdown on Mobile Number Portability next month gets underway
Mobile Number Portability due to take effect next month presents new opportunities to mobile phone users.
In this 268th issue of CHOICE is a timely report offering comprehensive guidance to consumers who may contemplate switching their subscription from one mobile phone operator to another:
- Check whether you have any contractual or prepayment arrangements that need to be settled with the old mobile operator.
- If you want to retain your old handset, check whether it is suitable for the network of the new operator.
- Because the porting of mobile number involves communication between the operators themselves, it needs time. Ascertain from the new operator the time it will take. It could be anything from one to several days.
- You can port away the mobile number, but not the value-added services such as IDD or call forward. So don't forget to subscribe these services with the new operator again, if necessary.
- Check the bills of both the new and old mobile operators upon the transfer. The old operator should not charge you on the grounds of porting away the mobile number.
Further, the report notes that if you are buying a new handset, don't just throw the old one away. Many old handsets still have good value if you are able to re-sell them.
There are different mobile phone systems including CDMA, DAMPS, GSM and PCS. A key consideration for choice depends on whether you require international roaming services and in which countries you will use roaming. Each system has its own different limitations in roaming feasibility when abroad. For details, consult this issue of CHOICE.
Many consumers are confused with the different characteristics of dual band handsets and dual band networks. Overall, the performance of mobile network depends on many factors such as coverage, capacity, and reliability, etc. and dual band may not always be better than single band.
Users beware! Substandard fluorescent lamp starters could be source of potential fire risk to homes and offices
Many fire accident involving fluorescent tubes has been linked to an electrical accessory fitted to the lighting device.
The accessory in question is the "starter" which, as the name implies, acts as an automatic switch to control and create suitable conditions for the fluorescent lamp to light up.
At least 10 accidents relating to starters or fluorescent light fittings have been reported since 1990. Typical examples include:
- In an office where starters of the same model were fitted to all its fluorescent lightings, fire came ablaze on the lightings on two occasions. Since the starters were replaced by a model of different brand, no similar incidents have been reported.
- In December 1996, fire accidents were reported in the same commercial building on three occasions. The fluorescent lighting on the false ceiling caught fire. Area close to the starter was found to be more seriously affected.
- The fluorescent tube in use over a long period of time was seen flickering and soon afterwards automatically came ablaze in fire. Again the starter was most severely damaged.
In view of the potential fire hazard and a recently amended safety standard on starters, the Consumer Council has conducted a test on 10 models of this electrical accessory. The Council first tested starters in 1992 and found some to be substandard.
In this latest test, the results are far from encouraging. Out of 10 models tested, only 4could pass the safety test. One model, however, could not be recommended due to its unsatisfactory starting performance.
The remaining 6 models all had problems in the adequacy of their dimensions that might resulting poor electrical contact and possible overheating. One in particular had resistance-to-heat problem which could result in the insulation material being deformed under pressure at high temperature.
The safety of starters for fluorescent lamps is presently under the control of the Electrical Products (Safety) Regulation. The supply of unsafe starters is an offence under the law.
Although the findings of the test are not sufficiently conclusive to trace starters to the cause of fire accidents, consumers are advised to take every precaution possible to safeguard against such potential hazard :
- Regularly check the starters for any sign of overheating or deformation.
- Promptly repair any abnormally operated fluorescent lighting (e.g. flickering, darkening or repeated starting).
- Remove dust accumulated on such lighting.
- Use only those products in compliance with the safety standard.
Keep your eyes open when choosing optometrists for lens prescription as some can practise only within limits
Consumers are advised to take a closer look at the qualifications of optometrists before having their vision tested for lens prescription.
The reason: not all optometrists are equally qualified to practise without restriction.
Consumers should therefore check the Certificate of Registration of the optometrists to make sure they are allowed to perform a certain function, and that they are the same persons on the certificate as some optical shops may not have a registered optometrist at all time.
Under the law (Supplementary Medical Professions Ordinance), this certificate should be displayed in a conspicuous position in the optical shop or premises in which a registered optometrist practises his or her profession. Consumers should be aware that:
Only optometrists who are registered in Part I of the Register of Optometrists Board, can practise without restriction. Optometrists registered in Part II cannot use diagnostic drugs other than staining agents.
Those registered in Part III can only engage in activities related to refraction. Part IV registration is provisional - the restrictions of practice of optometrists registered in this part are stated at the bottom of their Certificate of Registration.
Very briefly, all registered optometrists (Part I to IV) are qualified to conduct eye test for lens prescription for spectacles. But only optometrists registered in Part I, II and some qualified optometrists in Part IV can prescribe for contact lenses.
For further details, consumers can consult this February issue of CHOICE.
In the report, it was pointed out that optometrists must not rely only on computerized eye tests when providing a refractive prescription or vision care, their own subjective judgement is essential. Hence, the skills of individual optometrists are important.
In contact lens practice, an optometrist is required to make arrangements for continuing aftercare and supervision compatible with the clinical need of the client.
An optometrist must keep adequate records of all clients for a minimum period of 5 years from the date on which the client last consulted the optometrist.
Consumers should report to the police any one practising the optometry profession without registration. And in cases of professional misconduct, consumers can direct their complaints to the Optometrists Board.
Order your flowers early to avoid delay in delivery - and disappointment - on Valentine's Day
Besides people in love, the florists are probably among the happiest on Valentine's Day, too.
Customers are aplenty despite inflated prices because of a sudden surge in demand for flowers on that very day.
Typical examples which the Consumer Council has received relating to florist service include: flowers are not as originally agreed; temporary shortage of some flowers; failure to deliver on time, or even non-delivery; etc.
In this February issue of CHOICE is contained a timely report with useful practical advice to consumers on the topic of Valentine's Day and Lunar New Year flowers.
As fresh flowers are easily perishable commodities, consumers should lodge any complaint with their florists immediately if anything should go wrong with the flowers they so carefully select and arrange for delivery to their love ones.
Secondly, place your order early as Valentine's Day is the busiest day of the year for flowers delivery service. Florists are urged to make prior appropriate arrangements for delivery service to avoid customer dissatisfaction.
Thirdly, consumers will do well to have the florists record down in detail your own particular needs so as to ensure that the flowers of your choice and design will be delivered promptly at the time you specify.
In the report is also contained useful price information for the reference of shoppers for the traditional Lunar New Year flowers.