Recently in the Recalls Category
Posted by Marianne Frederick
"How do these things ever get on the market if they are so dangerous?" worried parents ask. It is one of the worst experiences for parents when they learn a hazard is so serious that a piece of childhood furniture endangers the lives of their infants and young children. The CPSC is now urging parents to immediately stop using crib tents and play yard tents made by Tots in Mind, Inc. due to strangulation and entrapment hazards.
The CPSC has learned of 27 incidents of the crib and play yard tents failing and causing injuries to children and one death of a child that occurred between January 1997 and April 2012 from crib tents and play yard tents made by Tots in Mind, Inc. In 2008, a 2-year old boy became trapped between the bottom and top rails of a play yard tent and died. In 2007, a child sustained a traumatic brain injury when the crib tent inverted and trapped him at the neck. The additional 25 reports involved inverted crib tents and entrapment between the crib tent and the crib or play yards, three of which involved injuries to children.
The CPSC has issued an urgent voluntary recall and the retailers that sold the crib tents/play yards will provide a refund or a full store credit, depending upon from which retailer the crib tent/play yard was purchased. The company, Tots in Mind, Inc., had previously recalled the play yard tents in July 2010 and offered a repair kit at that time which is no longer available as the company is out of business. The CPSC strongly recommends that consumers not attempt to repair the crib and play yard tents.
The products were sold at a variety of retail stores, including Bed Bath & Beyond/Buy Buy Baby, Burlington Coat Factory, Toys R Us/Babies R Us, Walmart, and online from websites including Amazon.com, for in the range of $60 to $85. Consumers should contact the store where the item was purchased to obtain a full refund or store credit. Contact information for the following stores offering a refund or store credit is listed below:
- Amazon.com
No model names or numbers are located on any of the tents; but the crib tents can be identified by the photos on the CPSC website and by the Tots in Mind logo on top of the tent. To view photos of the crib tents and play yard tents being recalled, please visit the CPSC website at:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml12/12179.html.The CPSC reminds all consumers that it is illegal to re-sell recalled products of any type.##
Posted by Marianne Frederick
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), in cooperation with Kolcraft Enterprises of Chicago, has issued a recall of 46,000 Kolcraft Tender Vibes and Light Vibes Baby Bassinets due to a faulty latch system creating a serious fall hazard.
The CPSC is aware of seven reports of injuries due to the faulty latch that is supposed to attach the bassinet base onto the metal frame. The latch can appear to be locked in place while it still remains unlocked; thus the bassinet can become detached from the frame and the entire bassinet can fall to the floor causing injury to the child in the bassinet.
The bassinet models involved in this recall are: Kolcraft Tender Vibes bassinets model numbers KB021-ARC, KB022-VER, KB039-CMR1 and Light Vibes bassinets model number KB043-BNT1. Consumers will find the model numbers on a label on a leg of the metal frame. "Kolcraft Tender Vibes" or "Kolcraft Light Vibes" also can be found on the removable music box attached to the side of the bassinet.
The bassinets were manufactured from July 2008 through May 2010 and sold from July 2008 through May 2012 for from $50 to $100 by mass market and independent juvenile specialty stores throughout the US and online.
Consumers should stop using these bassinets immediately and contact Kolcraft Enterprises for a free repair kit with instructions on how to secure the latch to the metal frame. In the interim, parents should make an alternative safe sleeping arrangement for their child. For additional information on this recall, consumers may contact Kolcraft on their toll-free number 1(888) 624-1908 between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm's website at
www.kolcraft.com.To view photos of the recalled bassinets, please visit the CPSC website at:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml12/12173.html.##
Posted by Marianne Frederick
My friend, Anderson Cooper on CNN, can add this one to his "Ridcu-List": The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Target are recalling the Target Home Bunny Sippy Cups due to an injury hazard.
One of the bunny's ears on the sippy cup can poke a child in the eye when she drinks. Target has received six reports of incidents where the plastic ear poked children while using this Sippy Cup. Cuts and bruises were reported in three of the reports.
It's really disappointing that these Sippy Cups manufactured in China even made it into the children's toy/accessory market in the US and that Target actually sold them. But there are 264,000 of these Sippy Cups out there that were sold by Target stores throughout the United States from February 2012 through April 5, 2012 for $3.
And there are two styles of Target Home Bunny Sippy Cups... one male and one female, one blue and one pink. Each has a corresponding white bunny head screw-on lid with one ear that is folded downward and one ear that sticks straight up. The cups have imprints on the bottom: "TARGET 200020683 (pink) and "TARGET 200020884" (blue).
If you have purchased this Sippy Cup for your child, please do not allow your child to use it further, and take it back to Target for a full $3 refund. For additional information about the Home Bunny Sippy Cups, you may contact Target at 1(800) 440-0680 between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. Central Time, Monday through Friday, or you can visit the firm's website at
www.target.com.To view photos of the Home Bunny Sippy Cups, please visit the CPSC website at:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml12/12162.html.##
by Marianne Frederick
Dorel Juvenile Group (Dorel Industries of Montreal, Quebec, Canada), and the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration are recalling 1,737 child safety car seat "restraint systems", including models IC124FSM (OnBoard 35) and IC 123FSM (Comfy Carry). Consumers may remember that in mid-February 2011, Dorel recalled an estimated 800,000 child safety seats due to a harness locking-and-release button issue.
The child safety car seats being recalled now were manufactured from May 2011 through April 2012, and sold without the separate seat base that contained the required LATCH attachment assembly. Units without the LATCH assembly do not comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Standard No. 213, "Child Restraint Systems" and are more difficult to secure in the vehicle, thus a child may not be adequately protected from injury in the event of an accident or crash.
Dorel Juvenile Group will notify distributors and owners who have registered their child safety seats. According to the NHTSA, bases with LATCH systems will be provided at no cost to consumers who are able to verify they own affected units. Owners who have not registered their child safety seats can contact Dorel Juvenile Group at 1/877-416-8111 or email the company at
infantlatchrecall@djgusa.comTo-date, photos of the recalled child seat restraint systems have not been published to the web. Childsafetyblog.org will upload them to our website when they are available. Dorel notes on its company website that "increased scrutiny is being placed on consumer products in general and the juvenile industry in particular." We would certainly hope that Dorel, as the "world's largest manufacturer of car seats and a leader in other juvenile product categories" would place as much emphasis on bringing safer child products to the market as a leader in the manufacture of child car seats and restraint systems should. In Dorel's opinion, the company is "sensitive" to each and every recall-related incident! Childsafetyblog.org would like to see fewer child safety seat recall-related incidents!
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Posted by Marianne Frederick
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Todson Inc., of North Attleboro, Massachusetts, have announced the recall of 40,000 Topeak Babyseat™ II Bicycle Carrier Seats due to a recent reports of safety hazards.
The Topeak Babyseat has an opening at the grab bar's hinge mechanism where a baby's fingers can be caught and pinched. When an adult attempts to lift the grab-bar to remove the child from the seat, if the fingers are caught in the hinge mechanism, this can cause a laceration or amputation hazard. The firm has received two reports of near amputations requiring stitches and one of report of a child's crushed finger.
The Topeak Babyseats involved are Models number TCS2100, TCS2101 and TCS2102. The model numbers can be located on the product's packaging. The Babyseats are made of gray plastic with "Topeak" embossed on the Babyseat's seat back. The Babyseats were manufactured in Taiwan and imported by Todson Inc.
The Babyseats were sold by J&B Imports, REI, Action and Hawley, independent bicycle dealers, distributors and retail stores throughout the country and online at REI.com, from January 2009 through April 2012. The Babyseats ranged in price from $140 to $180 and were available in several styles: Babyseat, Babyseat with disc brake compatible rack, and Babyseat with non-disc brake compatible rack, according to the CPSC's recall announcement.
Parents and caregivers should stop using the Babyseats immediately and contact the Todson to request a free hinge cover kit. The company may be reached by calling toll free 1(800) 250-3068 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, or by visiting the firm's website at www.todson.com.
To view a photo of the Babyseats being recalled, please visit the CPSC website: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml12/12143.html.
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Posted by Marianne Frederick
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in cooperation with Happy Shirts of Honolulu, Hawaii and Kohl's, has recalled 9,000 toy trucks sold in gift packages that accompanied boys' "Happy Tee-shirts". The toy trucks are the Big Movers Super Car toy trucks that were gifts with the purchase of Big Movers tee-shirts (in sizes small, medium and large).
While the boys' tee-shirts might make parents happy, the trucks certainly will not, as connections in the toy truck's battery compartment can smolder and catch on fire, posing a fire and burn hazard to the child playing with the truck. Happy Shirts has received a report of one toy truck catching fire and three additional reports of toy trucks having smoldered when the batteries were placed in the toy trucks. To-date no reports of injuries have been received.
The trucks were manufactured in China, imported by Happy Shirts of Honolulu, Hawaii, and sold exclusively by Kohl's between February 2012 and March 2012 for about $20. The blue toy trucks are 4 inches in length, have oversized tires and a flashing light on the top of the truck. A yellow, red and blue logo appears on the hood of the toy truck. (In addition, the trucks are noted to have small parts and represent a choking hazard for children less than 3 years of age.)
Parents need to remove the toy trucks from their children's access and remove the battery in the truck. Consumers may contact the firm, Happy Shirts, for instructions on obtaining a refund by calling toll-free at (855) 354-2779 between noon and 8 p.m. PT (9 a.m. to 5 p.m. HT) Monday through Friday or visit the firm's website at
www.happyshirts.com.For photos of the Big Movers Super Car toy truck and the tee shirts that accompanied them, parents can visit the CPSC website at
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml12/12140.html.##
By Marianne Frederick
Parents and caregivers may be dismayed to learn that some recalled products are still out there and kids are playing with and using them. With the tremendous amount of information available about recalls, one could assume that parents and caregivers are aware of children's toy, clothing, furniture, medicine and even nutritional product recalls. After all, there's the Internet, most recalls of children's products get a sound byte on the TV news programs and videos of faulty products make the rounds on social networking sites. But the truth is some products which have been recalled, have been re-sold. Recently, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced that some products originally sold by Meijer were found to have been resold by discounters after the products had been recalled. The products originally recalled were found to have been subsequently offered for sale at discount retailers, dollar stores, liquidation firms, flea markets and thrift stores nationwide at various prices. Those products include:
- The Infantino "Sling Rider" Baby Sling - the Sling Rider baby sling was originally recalled in March 2010. The dates it continued to be resold were from March 2010 through July 2011. The reason for the recall was the slings posed a suffocation hazard to infants and children younger than 4 months old. If you have purchased one of these baby slings, please contact Infantino toll-free at 1(866) 860-1361 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's website at
- Fisher-Price Ocean Wonders Kick n' Crawl Aquarium (H8094) - The original recall date was September 2010. It also continued to be resold from September 2010 through July 2011. The reason for the recall was the inflatable ball in the toy which can become detached from the toy and pose a choking hazard to young children. Consumers can call Fisher-Price at 1(800) 432-5437 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's website at
- Fisher-Price Little People Wheelies Stand n' Play Rampway - The toy was originally recalled in September 2010. It continued to be resold from September 2010 through July 2011. The reason the toy was recalled was wheels on the purple and the green cars can become detached from the toy, again, posing a choking hazard to young children.
- Munchkin Bathtub Subs - This was originally recalled October 18, 2010--The hazard was the intake valve on the bottom of the submarine toy can suck up loose skin, posing laceration hazard to children. This product, too, continued to be sold after its recall date until July 2011. Parents can call Munchkin at (877) 242-3134 anytime or visit the company's website at
- Fisher-Price Barbie Tough Trikes (M5727) and Fisher-Price Kawasaki Tough Trikes-Both recalled September 2010 and continued to be sold until July 2011. The hazard was the child can strike, sit or fall on the protruding plastic ignition key resulting in serious injury.
As parents and caregivers, we also need to think "caveat emptor" for "Buyer beware!"-- or Be Aware of children's products which look like they might not be safe. If it looks unsafe, if it has too many small parts, has too sharp edges, makes too loud noises, or like it might not roll safely or sit well, yes, be aware of possible safety concerns. You can always leave it on the shelf and check it out on the CPSC.gov recall website before purchasing, and please continue to follow us on Childsafetyblog.org so we can keep you informed.
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Posted by Marianne Frederick
It's ironic, isn't it? "Safety 1st" Push n' Snap Cabinet locks are being recalled because the locks fail. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in cooperation with Dorel Juvenile Group (DJG) Inc., of Columbus, Indiana, is recalling 900,000 of these locks made in China and imported to the U.S., because children can gain access to things which may be unsafe. The product was sold at Bed, Bath and Beyond, retail stores throughout the U.S. and by Amazon's online store for approximately $2 to $4, from January 2004 through February 2012.
According to the CPSC, 200 reports have been received by the company, DJG, about faulty locks which did not completely secure cabinets. Some reports noted the locks were damaged. DJG has also been made aware that 140 children from 9 months to 5 years old were able to disengage the locks and gained access to the cabinet's contents. Three children who were able to gain access to items in the cabinets with faulty locks either "handled or swallowed" dishwashing detergent, window cleaner or oven cleaner. The children were treated and released from emergency rooms.
This recall includes Safety 1st Push 'N Snap Cabinet locks model numbers 48391 and 48442. The model numbers are located on the back of the product and on packaging. The locks are supposed to secure cabinets with two straps that wrap around knobs or handles on a cabinet door. Locks manufactured between January 2004 and November 2010 are being recalled. The date of manufacture (DOM) is embossed on the back of the lock. A green triangle on the device is supposed to indicate that the product is in the lock position.
Consumers should immediately remove the locks from their cabinets and contact the company for a free replacement. Consumers should pay special attention to the contents of cabinets that are no longer locked and remove any dangerous items from children's access. To contact DJG toll free, consumers may call 1 (866) 762-3212 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm's website at
www.djgusa.com.To view photos of the locks being recalled, please visit the CPSC website at:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml12/12136.html.##
Posted by Marianne Frederick
This is one example of a great idea for a children's toy gone bad for its lack of safety where young children are involved. The 4-in-1 Dramatic Play Theater was a great idea. Children love to express themselves during play with puppets. But here's a theater that can tip over on the children who are playing or simply watching the fun. A little more care in the manufacture could have made play with this particular children's toy item a great deal safer.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Health Canada and Guidecraft Inc. of Winthrop, Minnesota, announced March 13 that it is recalling 1,800 in the U.S., and 350 in Canada, Dramatic Play 4-in-1 Puppet Theaters, model number G51062, because the toy theaters pose tipping and entrapment hazards to young children. The CPSC has received several complaints, including two reports of the theater tipping over, one report involving injury to a young child.
This toy theater looks as though it is made of wood--or something that looks like wood--from the photos in the recall notice. The structure's composition is not stated in the recall announcement. The puppet theater weighs about 46 pounds. If a 5 lb. bag of sugar falls on your foot, you would certainly feel it. Multiply that weight by 10, add to that the height from which the item is falling and the velocity of tipping, and imagine what the puppet theater's tipping over could do to a young child!
A few adjustments in the manufacture of this toy puppet theater--which was made in China--might have made this a much safer play item. It is difficult to comprehend how this particular item was imported and sold to over 2,000 consumers for children's use and play before it was noted that the puppet theater was "tippy". Since this particular toy did not come assembled, the retailer would have assembled it one or more times for display or demonstration purposes. However, it was sold mostly through catalogs and by Guidecraft's online and other online stores nationwide--so it might have been difficult for consumers to find that the theater was unstable until it was assembled.
These play theaters were sold from July 2010 through April 2011 for about $180. Guidecraft also currently advertises another floor-based toy puppet theater on their website, called the "Center Stage Puppet Theater," which sells for about $135, appears to be similarly constructed, weighs 26 pounds, but apparently has not been recalled due to any complaints or problems. We advise caution in purchasing any floor-based or table top puppet theater for children's use that might be questionable in the safety category, and we urge parents to see an assembled model in person if possible before purchasing.
To help consumers and parents identify the 4-in-1 Dramatic Play Theater, it has two interchangeable panels with different themes on each side, including puppet theater, diner, doctor's office and post office. Model number G51062 can be found in the assembly instructions and also printed on a sticker affixed to the bottom of the center crossbar. The dimensions of the assembled puppet theater are 4 feet high by 3 feet wide. To view photos of the 4-in-1 Dramatic Play Theater, consumers may go to the CPSC website at:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml12/12131.html.This 4-in-1 Dramatic Play Theater should be removed from children's access and parents and consumers should contact Guidecraft for a refund or to receive a replacement product. Guidecraft's toll free number is 1(888) 824-1308 and may be reached by calling anytime from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central Time Monday through Friday. Consumers may also visit the company's website at
www.guidecraft.com.##
By Marianne Frederick
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission in cooperation with Kelty, a division of American Recreation Products of Boulder, Colorado, has recalled approximately 3,000 Kelty Single and Double Jogging Strollers, due to a fall and injury hazard. The strollers are called the Kelty Speedster Swivel Deluxe single jogging strollers and Swivel Deuce double jogging strollers.
Kelty says that because the front wheel can become loose, the stroller can tip over posing a fall and injury hazard to children in the stroller and to adults pushing the stroller. Three incidents have been reported with regard to these strollers which resulted in minor injuries, including cuts and scrapes to children and adults, and fractured bones to adults.
According to the CPSC announcement, the strollers were built with an aluminum frame and have a cloth seat and canopy. The strollers were sold in blue and gray and orange and gray. The name "Kelty Kids" is sewn onto the front of the stroller in the child's leg area.
The Kelty strollers were manufactured in the Philippines, imported by Kelty, and sold at children's product and sporting goods stores throughout the United States and online by
www.kelty.com from January 2010 through February 2012 for between $375 and $475.Kelty Stroller Models and Model numbers affected by this recall are as follows:
|
Kelty Swivel Deluxe (single jogging stroller) Model Number |
Kelty Swivel Deuce (double jogging stroller) Model Number |
|
20090116 |
20090216 |
|
20090116B |
20650611 |
|
20650411BLU |
|
|
20650411CU |
|
Consumers should stop using these strollers immediately and contact the Kelty company for additional information and to receive "updated assembly and maintenance instructions." For more information and to contact Kelty, please call: Kelty toll-free at (866) 349-7225 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. MT, or visit the firm's website at
www.kelty.com.To view photos of the Kelty Swivel strollers being recalled, please visit the CPSC website at
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml12/12116.html.##
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