RC2 Recalls The First Years™ Children’s Feeding Seats Due to Fall Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: The First Years Newborn-to-Toddler Reclining Feeding Seats

Units: About 100,000

Importer/Distributor: RC2 Corp., of Oak Brook, Ill.

Hazard: The restraining straps can pull out of the waist strap slots, posing a fall hazard to young children.

Incidents/Injuries: RC2 has received 38 reports of straps pulling out or nearly pulling out of waist strap slots. There have been 12 reports of children falling out of the chairs.

Description: The First Years Newborn-to-Toddler Reclining Feeding Seat can be adjusted between reclining and upright positions. The seat includes a tray, reversible cushion and a three-point safety belt. One side of the seat cushion has a sewn-in label at the top which says "the first years by Learning Curve." This recall includes all feeding seats except those with an "R" stamped inside a raised circle located on the far left and right of the back of the seatback or those with waist strap slots that are nine inches apart.

Manufactured in: United States

Sold at: Various retailers nationwide from November 2006 through October 2007 for about $30.

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the feeding seat immediately and contact RC2 to obtain free replacement straps.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact RC2 toll-free at (866) 725-4407 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.recalls.rc2.com

Fears of unsafe products prompt parents to make their own toys

The return of the cardboard box!

The recalls since June of more than 4 million toys with lead paint — from certain Winnie the Pooh play sets to some Barbie accessories — have educated many local parents, causing them to rethink their approach to toys.

Susan and Dace Campbell, of Seattle's Queen Anne neighborhood, for example, now make many toys themselves for 1-year-old son Arlan. They keep it simple, making blocks from old boxes covered with contact paper, or creating rolling toys made from oatmeal containers. Their son often adds his own touch with stickers.

In addition to knowing where their toys came from, Susan Campbell says it also forces them to be creative.

It can't hurt. Read the rest here from the Seattle Times.

Photo by Jason Cartwright; some rights reserved.

Largest crib recall over: over 1,000,000

From the Chicago Tribune:

Federal regulators today recalled about 1 million cribs made by Simplicity Inc. because the drop rail on some of the nation's best-selling models can detach from the crib, creating a dangerous gap that has led to the deaths of at least three children.

Following a Chicago Tribune investigation to be published this weekend, the Consumer Product Safety Commission announced the recall of cribs sold under both the Simplicity and Graco name. It is the largest recall of full-size cribs since the agency was created in the 1970s.

"We want parents to know,'' CPSC spokesman Scott Wolfson said in an interview. "We do not want your child in that crib tonight.

Click here to read more.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission bulletin released today follows:

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is announcing today a voluntary recall with Simplicity Inc., of Reading, Pa., of about 1 million cribs. The drop-side can detach from the crib, which can create a dangerous gap and lead to the entrapment and suffocation of infants. CPSC is aware of two deaths in Simplicity manufactured cribs with older style hardware, including a 9-month-old child and a 6-month-old child, where the drop-side was installed upside down. CPSC is also aware of seven infant entrapments and 55 incidents in these cribs.

CPSC is also investigating the death of a 1-year-old child in a Simplicity crib with newer style hardware, in which the drop-side was installed upside down. CPSC is warning parents and caregivers to check all Simplicity cribs to make sure the drop-side is installed right side up.

The drop-side failures result from both the hardware and crib design, which allow consumers to unintentionally install the drop-side upside down. This, in turn, can weaken the hardware and cause the drop-side to detach from the crib. When the drop-side detaches, it creates a gap in which infants can become entrapped.

CPSC is also aware of two incidents that occurred when the drop-side was correctly installed with older style hardware, though the upside down installation greatly increases the risk of failure.

The recalled Simplicity crib models include: Aspen 3 in 1, Aspen 4 in 1, Nursery-in-a-Box, Crib N Changer Combo, Chelsea and Pooh 4 in 1. The recall also involves the following Simplicity cribs that used the Graco logo: Aspen 3 in 1, Ultra 3 in 1, Ultra 4 in1, Ultra 5 in 1, Whitney and the Trio.

The recalled cribs have one of the following model numbers, which can be found on the envelope attached to the mattress support and on the label attached to the headboard: 4600, 4605, 4705, 5000, 8000, 8324, 8800, 8740, 8910, 8994, 8050, 8750, 8760, and 8996.

The cribs, which were made in China, were sold in department stores, children’s stores and mass merchandisers nationwide from January 1998 through May 2007 for between $100 and $300.

As an immediate precaution, consumers should check to see if the drop-side is installed right side up. To do this, check to see that the slightly rounded rail with the decorative groove is installed at the top and the plain rail is on the bottom. Next, consumers should make sure the drop-side is securely attached to the tracks in all four corners.

Close-up of a Correctly Installed Drop-side

Close-up of an Incorrectly Installed Drop-side

If the drop-side is installed upside down or not securely attached, consumers should stop using the crib immediately. Incorrect installation can cause permanent damage to the hardware and re-installing the drop-side using the same hardware is unsafe.

Consumers should check to see if their crib contains the recalled hardware. Recalled hardware has a flexible tab at the bottom of the lower tracks and the top of the lower tracks are open. Newer hardware, which is not subject to the recall, has the flexible tab located at the top of the lower track, and a permanent stop at the bottom.

Photo of Older Style Hardware





Photo of Newer Style Hardware

Consumers who have a crib with older style hardware can receive a free repair by immediately contacting Simplicity toll-free at (888) 593-9274 between 8:30 a.m. and 10 p.m. ET Monday through Thursday, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET on Friday, and between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET on Saturday, or by visiting the firm’s Web site at www.simplicityforchildren.com

Consumers who have a crib with newer style hardware and have installed the drop-side upside down or have broken hardware, should also contact Simplicity immediately.

NettoCollection Cribs recalled for safety hazard

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, has announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: "Moderne" and "Loft" Cribs

Units: About 400

Importer/Distributor: NettoCollection LLC, of New York, N.Y.

Hazard: The crib slats can separate from the side rails, posing an entrapment and strangulation hazard to young children.

Incidents/Injuries: NettoCollection has received three reports of the side rail spindles separating from the top rail. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The crib side rails are made of wood and sold with a brown finish. Only cribs with model numbers NC-137 and NC-140 and date codes 9/03 and 02/04 are included in the recall. The model numbers, date codes and "Made in Poland" are printed on a label on the crib end panels.

Sold at: Juvenile furniture stores nationwide from October 2003 through June 2005 for about $1,350.

Manufactured in: Poland

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the crib immediately and contact NettoCollection to receive two replacement side rails.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact NettoCollection toll-free at (866) 996-3886 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm's Web site at www.nettocollection.com

Crib mattresses recalled for entrapment hazard

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, has announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Sleepi Crib Foam Mattresses

Units: About 1,000

Manufacturer: Stokke, of Kennesaw, Ga.

Hazard: The crib mattresses are not properly sized, creating a gap, posing an entrapment hazard to young children.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: Only oval shaped Sleepi cribs with foam mattresses sold under the following model numbers are the subject of this recall: 660321, 660320, 660301,660305, 660318, 652268, 652269, 652246, 652247 and 652248. The cribs were sold in a variety of colors, including white, walnut, natural, cherry and whitewash. The model number can be found on the packaging and underside of the crib.

Sold at: Juvenile product retailers nationwide and via the Internet from September 2006 through March 2007 for between $750 and $850.

Manufactured in: Italy

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the cribs immediately and contact Stokke LLC to receive a free replacement mattress.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Stokke toll-free at (877) 978-6553 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.stokkeusa.com

Teether books recalled because of choking hazard

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, has announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Priddy "Trucks" Shaker Teether Books

Units: About 35,000

Manufacturer: St. Martin's Press, LLC, of New York, N.Y.

Hazard: Small pieces of the teether can break off, posing a choking hazard to young children.

Incidents/Injuries: St. Martin's Press has received two reports of children biting off pieces of the teethers. No injuries reported.

Description: The recalled cloth teether book entitled "trucks" has a yellow dump truck on the front cover on a blue background. Attached to the top of the book is a yellow rattle with a green teether attached on the right side of the rattle and an orange teether attached to the left side of the rattle.

Sold at: Barnes & Noble and other bookstores and retailers nationwide from January 2006 to June 2007 for about $7.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take these toys away from young children and contact St. Martin's Press for instructions on returning the product for a free replacement product.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact St. Martin's Press at (800) 347-9411 between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.priddybooks.com/recall

Magnetic alphabet and number trains recalled because of lead paint

The following product safety recall was voluntarily conducted in cooperation with the CPSC. Consumers should stop using the product immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Magnetic Toy Train Sets

Units: About 27,000

Importer: Hampton Direct, of Williston, Vt.

Hazard: The paint on the trains contains excessive amounts of lead, posing a risk of lead exposure to young children.

Incidents/Injuries: None.

Description: This recall involves Magnetic Alphabet and Number train sets. The train sets include a wooden engine, caboose, letters and numbers. The miniature train sets are sold in a rainbow of colors and have either a letter or number attached to the top of a base with four wooden wheels. The alphabet train set contains 28 pieces, and the number train set contains 12 pieces. Each car in the train set is 2 ½ x 2 ½ x 2 inches in size.

Sold by: Johnson Smith Company, The Paragon Gifts Inc., and Starcrest Products of California catalogues nationwide from December 2005 through July 2007 for about $30.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should stop using and dispose of the recalled trains. Consumers of record of these three above catalogues will receive a letter in the mail with further information on how to obtain a free replacement train.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Hampton Direct at (800) 208-4050 between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.hamptondirect.com - consumers can also e-mail the firm at trainrecall@hamptondirect.com

Fisher-Price Recalls Licensed Character Toys Due To Lead Poisoning Hazard

More lead paint concerns from Chinese products

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firms named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Sesame Street, Dora the Explorer, and other children’s toys

Units: About 967,000

Importer: Fisher-Price Inc., of East Aurora, N.Y.

Hazard: Surface paints on the toys could contain excessive levels of lead. Lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The recalled involves various figures and toys that were manufactured between April 19, 2007 and July 6, 2007 and were sold alone or as part of sets. The model names and product numbers for the recalled toys, which are all marked with “Fisher-Price,” are listed below. The toys may have a date code between 109-7LF and 187-7LF marked on the product or packaging.

Sold at: Retail stores nationwide from May 2007 through August 2007 for between $5 and $40.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled toys away from children and contact Fisher-Price. Consumers will need to return the product and will receive a voucher for a replacement toy of the consumer’s choice (up to the value of the returned product).

Consumer Contact: For additional information contact Fisher-Price at (800) 916-4498 anytime or visit the firm’s Web site at www.service.mattel.com

Product List:

33662 Elmo Light Up Musical Pal 33664 Big Bird Light Up Musical Pal 39038 Elmo Tub Sub 87946 Elmo Keyboard 90609 Elmo Collectible 90612 Zoe Collectible 90614 Big Bird Collectible 93068 Elmo Boom Box 93307 Press N Go Elmo 93492 Cookie Saxophone 93615 Splash Tub Puzzle B7554 Count To Beat Elmo B7987 Elmo In The Giggle Box B9620 Dora's Talking House C6908 Dora, Backpack, Perrito Figure Pack C6909 Diego Figure Pack C6911 Boots, Tico Figure Pack G5112 Sing With Elmo's Greatest Hits H2943 Grow With Me Elmo Sprinkler H3344 Birthday Dora H5570 Elmo & Pals (Elmo, Zoe, Bigbird) H4628 Water Fun Tote H8237 Blue 3 Pack Figures In Tube H9124 Chef Dora H9186 Giggle Grabber Ernie J0338 Diego Talking Field Journal J0344 Go Diego Go Deep Sea Rescue J0346 Go Diego Go Talking Rescue 4 X 4 J5936 Giggle Grabber Chef Cookie Monster J6537 Sesame Street Giggle Toolbelt J6763 Royal Boots And Tico J7983 Sesame Street Tub Pots & Pans J9692 Dora's Talking Pony Place K3414 Diego - Talking Gadget Belt K3580 Fairytale Adventure Dora K4140 Toucan Motorcycle Rescue L3194 Surprise Inside Diego Eggs L3488 Sesame Street Birthday Figure Pack L3507 Sesame Street - Super Boom Box L5202 Birthday Dora L8905 Pablo & Pals M0352 Dora Figures Diego & Bear M0527 Sesame Street Giggle Doodler M2051 Lets Go Rescue Center

33663 Ernie Light Up Musical Pal 34658 Elmo Stacking Rings 39054 Sesame Street Shape Sorter 90267 Ernie Splashin' Fun Trike 90611 Cookie Collectible 90613 Ernie Collectible 90745 Construction Playset 93107 Action Fire Engine 93308 Rev & Go Cookie Monster 93493 Elmo's Guitar 93780 Music And Lights Phone B7888 Shake, Giggle & Roll B7989 Silly Parts Talking Elmo C6910 Swiper Figure Pack G3825 Dora Talking Vamonos Van G9717 Giggle Doodler H3343 Cousin Daisy H5569 Elmo & Pals (Elmo, Cookie, Ernie) H4187 Dora Figures In Tube H8236 Dora 3 Pack Figures In Tube H8238 Sponge Bob 3 Pack Figures In Tube H9125 Bedtime Dora H9188 Giggle Grabber Oscar The Grouch J0343 Go Diego Go Antarctic Rescue J0345 Go Diego Go Mountain Rescue J5935 Giggle Grabber Soccer Elmo J6762 Queen Mami J6765 Prince Diego J9518 Sesame Street Giggle Drill K0617 Twins Nursery K3571 Go Diego Go Mobile Rescue Unit K4139 Go Diego Go Dinosaur Rescue L0305 Dora Figure L3215 Sesame Street Elmo Jack-In-The-Box L5813 Diego Tub Trike M0351 Dora Figures Dora & Kitty M0524 Go Diego Go Talking Gadget M0732 Dora's Talking House M2052 Fairytale Castle

The Top 5 Hidden Home Hazards

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has released its list of the top 5 hidden home hazards, and they're not what most people think:

1. Magnets:

Today’s rare-earth magnets can be very small and powerful making them popular in toys, building sets, and jewelry. As the number of products with magnets has increased, so has the number of serious injuries to children. In several hundred incidents, magnets have fallen out of various toys and been swallowed by children. Small intact pieces of building sets that contain magnets have also been swallowed by children. If two or more magnets, or a magnet and another metal object are swallowed separately, they can attract to one another through intestinal walls and get trapped in place. The injury is hard to diagnose. Parents and physicians may think that the materials will pass through the child without consequence, but magnets can attract in the body and twist or pinch the intestines, causing holes, blockages, infection, and death, if not treated properly and promptly.

Safety tip: Watch carefully for loose magnets and magnetic pieces and keep away from younger children (less than 6). If you have a recalled product with magnets, stop using it, call the company today, and ask for the remedy.


2. Recalled products:

CPSC is very effective at getting dangerous products off store shelves, such as recalled toys, clothing, children’s jewelry, tools, appliances, electronics and electrical products. But once a product gets into the home, the consumer has to be on the lookout. Consumers need to be aware of the latest safety recalls to keep dangerous recalled products away from family members.

Safety tip: Get dangerous products out of the home. Join CPSC’s “Drive To One Million” campaign and sign up for free e-mail notifications at www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx - an e-mail from CPSC is not spam – it could save a life.


3. Tip-overs:

Furniture, TVs and ranges can tip over and crush young children. Deaths and injuries occur when children climb onto, fall against or pull themselves up on television stands, shelves, bookcases, dressers, desks, and chests. TVs placed on top of furniture can tip over causing head trauma and other injuries. Items left on top of the TV, furniture, and countertops, such as toys, remote controls and treats might tempt kids to climb.

Safety tip: Verify that furniture is stable on its own. For added security, anchor to the floor or attach to a wall. Free standing ranges and stoves should be installed with anti-tip brackets.


4. Windows and coverings:

Children can strangle on window drapery and blind cords that can form a loop. Parents should use cordless blinds or keep cords and chains permanently out of the reach of children. Consumers should cut looped cords and install a safety tassel at the end of each pull cord or use a tie-down device, and install inner cord stays to prevent strangulation. Never place a child’s crib or playpen within reach of a window blind.

The dangers of windows don’t end with window coverings and pull cords. Kids love to play around windows. Unfortunately, kids can be injured or die when they fall out of windows. Do not rely on window screens. Window screens are designed to keep bugs out, not to keep kids in.

Safety tip: Safeguard your windows: repair pull cords ending in loops and install window guards or stops today.


5. Spa and pool drains:

The suction from a pool drain can be so powerful that it can hold an adult under water, but most incidents involve children. The body can become sealed against the drain or hair can be pulled in and tangled. Missing or broken drain covers are a major reason many entrapment incidents occur. Pool and spa owners can consider installing a Safety Vacuum Release System (SVRS), which detects when a drain is blocked and automatically shuts off the pool pump or interrupts the water circulation to prevent an entrapment.

Safety tip: Every time you use a pool or spa, inspect it for entrapment hazards. Check to make sure appropriate drain covers are in place and undamaged.

Pacifiers Decorated with Crystals Recalled Due to Aspiration and Ingestion Hazards

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firms named below, announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer products on July 26, 2007. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Pacifiers

Units: About 1,000

Retailers: Dara Linda’s Baby Bling and Jewelry Design, of Davie, Fla.; Bling Toes, of Cherry Valley, Ill.; Baby Bling Things, of Appleton, Wis.; PeaNaPod Bling and Accessories, of Fort Wayne, Ind.; and MJM Crystal Designs, of Boca Raton, Fla.

Hazard: These pacifiers fail to meet federal safety standards for pacifiers. The pacifiers’ crystals can separate easily, posing an aspiration and ingestion hazard to young children.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The recall involves pacifiers that were purchased from stores, decorated with Swarovski crystals, then resold to consumers. The crystals were glued on the pacifier's handle and guard. They come in different colors and designs. The chart below lists additional information about the products sold.

(Note: Although these products were advertised by third parties as Swarovski products or containing Swarovski crystals, Swarovski does not manufacture these products or endorse their use.)

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should take these pacifiers away from young children immediately and contact the firm for instructions on obtaining a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For more information, contact the firms above.

Pottery Barn Kids recalls crib bumpers

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, has announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Matelassé Crib Bumpers

Units: About 31,000

Manufacturer: Pottery Barn Kids, of San Francisco, Calif.

Hazard: The decorative stitching on the bumper’s edge can come loose, posing an entanglement hazard to young children.

Incidents/Injuries: Pottery Barn Kids has received two reports of incidents involving the decorative stitching coming loose. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves the Diamond Matelassé, Floral Matelassé and Polka Dot Matelassé crib bumpers made of 100% cotton. The Diamond Matelassé bumpers are white and have decorative thread in pink, blue, green, yellow or chocolate stitched along the scalloped edge. The Polka Dot and Floral bumpers come in assorted colors with matching decorative stitching. A label on the bumper reads “pottery barn kids”.

Sold at: Pottery Barn Kids stores nationwide, its catalog, and online stores from February 2003 through June 2007 for about $90.

Manufactured in: Portugal

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the bumpers immediately and remove any exposed stitching, or contact Pottery Barn Kids for a refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, call Pottery Barn Kids toll-free at (877) 800-9720 between 7 a.m. and 12 a.m. ET daily or visit the company’s website at www.potterybarnkids.com