CPSC Announces Carbon Monoxide Safety Poster Contest

WASHINGTON, D. C. -- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is challenging middle school students nationwide to create a poster to help teach families about the dangers of carbon monoxide (CO) in the home. CPSC's poster contest is open to students in grades 6, 7 and 8.

For each grade level, three finalists will be selected for a total of nine finalists. Each finalist will win $250 in prize money. CPSC judges will choose the best overall poster and the winner will receive an additional $500.

CPSC's goal for the poster contest is to raise awareness and to help reverse a deadly trend. CO is an odorless, colorless and deadly gas. It is called the "Invisible Killer" because you cannot see it or smell it and it can kill its victims quickly. Each year more than 150 people die from accidental non-fire carbon monoxide poisoning associated with consumer products in the United States and that number is on the rise. Most of the increase is due to consumers improperly using generators indoors, in attached garages or in other enclosed spaces.

Students' posters will be evaluated on the clarity of their CO safety message, visual appeal and design originality.

The poster contest runs from September 7 through December 31, 2010 during which time submissions will be accepted online or by mail. Find out more about the contest and the rules at www.challenge.gov/cpsc.

• Who: Middle school students in 6, 7 and 8th grades are eligible to participate
• What: Carbon Monoxide Poster Contest
• When: September 7 through December 31, 2010
• Where: Find out more about the contest and the rules and submit posters at www.challenge.gov/cpsc. Posters can also be submitted by mail to CPSC Poster Contest, 4330 East West Hwy, Rm. 519, Bethesda, MD 20814

WOW: Prize Money will be awarded to the top nine finalists!

Learn more about CPSC's carbon monoxide poster contest on Challenge.gov, a new online platform that empowers the Federal Government to bring the best ideas and top talent to bear on our nation's most pressing problems. On Challenge.gov, entrepreneurs, leading innovators and citizen solvers can compete for prizes by providing novel solutions to tough problems and, at the same time, take pride in engaging with their government to advance national priorities. Unveiled today, Challenge.gov is the latest milestone in the Administration's commitment to use prizes and challenges to spur innovation by tapping into the wisdom and experience of the American people.