Health, Safety and External Resources Disclaimer The Hope Bear Project is an outreach initiative of Action & Awareness for Suicide Prevention—AASP THEY MATTER. It is intended to provide encouragement, connection and a reminder that every person matters. Not Medical or Environmental-Health Advice AASP THEY MATTER, its officers, team members, volunteers and representatives are not acting as physicians, licensed healthcare providers, environmental-health professionals, industrial hygienists, mold inspectors or mold-remediation specialists through this project or website. Information provided on this page concerning mold, damp or water-damaged environments, Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, chemical sensitivities, allergies, asthma, cleaning practices, contamination or other health-related matters is provided for general educational and awareness purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any medical condition, and it should not be used as a substitute for individualized medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Health conditions and environmental sensitivities can affect people differently. Anyone with questions or concerns about symptoms, allergies, mold exposure, chemical sensitivity or the safety of handling a Hope Bear should consult a trusted, qualified healthcare professional. Questions concerning mold contamination, environmental testing or remediation should be directed to an appropriately qualified environmental professional. If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or seek immediate emergency medical assistance. Hope Bear Cleaning and Contamination Notice The Hope Bear is a soft, porous item that may be passed between individuals and may enter different homes, buildings, vehicles and environments. After the bear leaves AASP THEY MATTER, our organization cannot inspect, monitor or control every environment in which it is kept, the substances to which it may be exposed, or the cleaning methods used by each recipient. AASP THEY MATTER cannot guarantee that a Hope Bear will remain free from mold particles, allergens, dust, pet dander, fragrances, smoke, cleaning-product residue, bacteria, viruses or other environmental substances. Cleaning may reduce some surface dirt or residue, but no cleaning method described on this page is represented or guaranteed to remove every possible allergen, mold particle, microorganism, chemical residue or contaminant. If the Hope Bear has been kept in an environment with known or suspected mold, ongoing moisture intrusion, flooding, water damage, a persistent musty odor or visible microbial growth, do not pass the bear to another person. Because the Hope Bear is made from porous materials, ordinary washing may not make a mold-exposed bear suitable for transfer. The bear should also not be passed forward when: It has visible mold, unusual staining or a persistent musty odor. It has been exposed to smoke, strong fragrances, pesticides or other potentially irritating chemicals. It is wet, damp or has not dried completely after cleaning. Someone in the household currently has a potentially contagious illness. There is any reasonable concern that transferring the bear could affect the next recipient’s health or safety. Do not use bleach, ozone, fogging treatments, disinfectant sprays, perfumes, essential oils or strongly scented products in an attempt to make a contaminated bear safe for another person. When there is uncertainty, please keep the physical bear and continue the chain of love in another way. You may share an encouraging message, offer an act of kindness or remind someone personally that U MATTER BUDDY™. Protecting another person from a possible exposure is also an act of compassion. Voluntary Participation and Personal Responsibility Receiving, handling, cleaning, keeping or passing a Hope Bear is voluntary. Each participant is responsible for considering their own health circumstances, the condition of the bear and the environment in which the bear has been kept before deciding whether to handle or transfer it. Recipients should never pass the bear to another person when they know or reasonably suspect that it has been contaminated or that it could create a health concern. AASP THEY MATTER makes no warranty or guarantee that every Hope Bear will be appropriate for every individual. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, AASP THEY MATTER is not responsible for reactions, illnesses, injuries, property contamination or other damages arising from environmental exposure, improper cleaning, undisclosed contamination, or the handling or transfer of a Hope Bear after it has entered a recipient’s possession. External Links Disclaimer This page may contain links to websites, articles, agencies, organizations or resources operated by third parties. These links are provided solely for general education, awareness and convenience. A link does not mean that AASP THEY MATTER sponsors, endorses, recommends or is affiliated with the third party, its organization, its services, its products, its treatments or every statement presented on its website. AASP THEY MATTER does not control third-party websites and cannot guarantee that their information is complete, accurate, current, applicable to every person or free from errors. Third-party websites may also have their own privacy policies, accessibility practices, terms of use and data-collection procedures. Visitors should independently evaluate external information and discuss health-related questions with a trusted, qualified healthcare professional before making decisions concerning their health, treatment or environment. No Guarantee of Results The Hope Bear Project is designed to offer encouragement and promote compassionate connection. AASP THEY MATTER does not guarantee any particular emotional, medical, psychological or health-related result from receiving, keeping or passing a Hope Bear.