December 14, 2011

Toys Distribution Inc. Recalls Rattles Due to Choking Hazard

Name of Product: Baby Rattles

Units: About 50

Hazard: The recalled rattles can break into small parts, posing a choking hazard to young children and violating the federal safety requirements for rattles. In addition, the size of the handle on some of the rattles is small enough to enter an infant's mouth, lodge in the throat and cause a choking hazard or lead to bruises and lacerations.

Description: The recall includes plastic rattles sold in various pastel colors and shapes, including a toy phone, animal, small buggy and sea horse. The rattles were sold in sets of five or eight rattles per box. "HANDBELL TOYS" is printed in the upper left corner of the package. "MADE IN CHINA" is printed on the bottom of the package. One set has "JUNYI" printed on the front upper right corner of the package and "ITEM NO. 58083801" printed on the back lower corner on a white sticker. Another set has "XIN DA MEI" printed on the front upper right corner of the package and "ITEM NO. 308363" printed on the back lower corner on a white sticker.

Sold at: Small toy stores in Colorado and Texas from December 2009 through December 2010 for about $2.

Remedy: Consumers should take the recalled rattles away from children immediately and return them to the place of purchase or contact Toys Distribution Inc. to receive a full refund or replacement product.

Customer contact: For additional information, contact Toys Distribution Inc. collect at (323) 266-8088 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday. Consumers can also e-mail the firm at mailbox@shoptdi.com

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November 26, 2011

Serious Head Injuries to Infants Continue Due to Falls from Bumbo Baby Seats Used on Elevated Surfaces. Injuries occurring despite previous recall warning; parents urged to use caution

Due to the serious risk of injury to babies, CPSC and Bumbo International Trust of South Africa ("Bumbo International") are urging parents and caregivers to never place Bumbo Baby Seats on tables, countertops, chairs or other raised surfaces. Infants aged 3-10 months old have fallen out of the Bumbo seat and suffered skull fractures and other injuries.

CPSC and Bumbo International are aware of at least 45 incidents in which infants fell out of a Bumbo seat while it was being used on an elevated surface which occurred after an October 25, 2007 voluntary recall of the product. The recall required that new warnings be placed on the seat to deter elevated usage of the product. Since the recall, CPSC and Bumbo International have learned that 17 of those infants, ages 3-10 months, suffered skull fractures. These incidents and injuries involved both recalled Bumbo seats and Bumbo seats sold after the recall with the additional on-product warnings.

CPSC and Bumbo International are also aware of an additional 50 reports of infants falling or maneuvering out of Bumbo seats used on the floor and at unknown elevations. These incidents include two reports of skull fractures and one report of a concussion that occurred when babies fell out of Bumbo seats used on the floor. These injuries reportedly occurred when the infants struck their heads on hard flooring, or in one case, on a nearby toy.

The Bumbo seat is labeled and marketed to help infants sit in an upright position as soon as they can support their head. The product warnings state that the seat "may not prevent release of your baby in the event of vigorous movement." Infants as young as 3 months can fall or escape from the seat by arching backward, leaning forward or sideways or rocking.

At the time of the 2007 recall announcement, CPSC was aware of 28 falls from the product, three of which resulted in skull fractures to infants who fell or maneuvered out of the product used on an elevated surface. CPSC and Bumbo International are now aware of at least 46 falls from Bumbo seats used on elevated surfaces that occurred prior to the 2007 recall, resulting in 14 skull fractures, two concussions and one incident of a broken limb.

Approximately 3.85 million Bumbo seats have been sold in the United States since 2003.

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November 3, 2011

Dutailier Group Recalls Drop-Side Cribs Due to Entrapment and Fall Hazards

Name of Product: Drop-side cribs

Units: About 440 cribs

Hazard: The slats on the drop side can detach from the top and bottom rails creating a space between the slats. An infant or toddler’s body can become entrapped in the space, which can lead to strangulation and/or suffocation. A child can also fall out of the crib.

Description: This recall involves full-size, drop-side wooden cribs with part numbers that begin with E1230C2, E3500C2, E3540C2, E5100C2, E5140C2, E5530C2, E9000C2 and E9100C2. The Dutailier logo and the part number can be found on labels on the inside of the end panels See Products.

Sold at: Children’s products stores and other baby specialty stores from January 2009 through February 2010 for between $425 and $775.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled cribs and contact Dutailier Group to receive a free repair kit which consists of a new fixed side to replace the drop-side of the crib. In the meantime, parents are urged to find an alternate, safe sleeping environment for the child, such as a bassinet, play yard or toddler bed depending on the child’s age.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact the Dutailier Group toll-free at (800) 363-9817 on Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m to 5:00 p.m ET, and on Fridays from 8:30 a.m.to 4:00 p.m. ET.

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October 21, 2011

LittleLife Baby Carriers Recalled by Lifemarque Due to Fall Hazard

Name of Product: LittleLife Discoverer Child Carriers

Units: About 40 in the United States and 10 in Canada

Hazard: The carriers were sold without bolts that attach the carrier’s main frame to the metal stand. Missing bolts cause the carrier to disconnect from the stand and fall backwards, posing a fall hazard to  child in the carrier.

Description: This recall involves LittleLife Discoverer child carriers. “LittleLife” is printed on the back of the carriers. Number LS55060 is printed on a tab sewn underneath the care label. The carriers are green and gray with a black metal frame at the back with a folding leg bracket to enable the carriers to stand.

Sold at: Outdoor stores nationwide, Champaign Surplus in Champaign, Ill., Skinny Skis in Jackson, Wy., Base Camp stores in Montana, and online at www.amazon.com, www.skinnyskis.com, www.thebasecamp.com, and www.MadAthlete.com from January 2011 through July 2011 for about $200.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the carriers and check to make sure there are two bolts on each side where the carrier’s main frame attaches to the metal stand. If the bolts are missing, contact LittleLife for a free replacement product.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact the firm toll-free at (877) 922-5462 between 12 p.m. and 7 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, email the firm at customer.services@littlelife.co.uk or visit the firm’s website at www.littlelife.com

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September 30, 2011

Shermag Recalls to Repair Drop-Side Cribs Due to Entrapment, Suffocation and Fall Hazards

 
 
Name of Product: Drop-side cribs

Units: About 2,300; about 800 in Canada

Hazard: The drop-side rail hardware on the cribs can break or fail, allowing the drop side to detach from the crib. When the drop side detaches, a hazardous gap is created between the drop-side rail and the crib mattress in which infants and toddlers can become wedged or entrapped, posing risks of suffocation and strangulation. In addition, children can fall out of the crib when the drop-side rail falls unexpectedly or detaches from the crib. Drop-side rail failures can also occur due to incorrect assembly or with age-related wear and tear.

Incidents: CPSC and the firm are aware of 21 incidents involving drop sides that failed or detached.

Description: This recall involves wooden drop-side cribs with hidden drop-side hardware. The cribs were sold in various colors. Model numbers 202647, 211047 and 272547 are included in this recall. The cribs were sold separately and as part of the “City Lights,” “Fairy Tales” and “Dormez Vous” furniture collections. “Shermag” is printed on a tag on the mattress springs. The model numbers can be found on stickers and warning labels on the crib’s headboard or footboard.

Sold at: The Land of Nod and other baby specialty stores from September 2004 through December 2008 for between $400 and $800.

Remedy: Consumers should stop using these cribs immediately and contact the firm to request a free repair kit that will immobilize the drop-side. In the meantime, parents are urged to find an alternate, safe sleeping environment for the child, such as a bassinet, play yard or toddler bed depending on the child’s age.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Shermag at (800) 567-3419 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s website at http://www.shermag.com

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September 1, 2011

Wooden Rattle Recalled by Manhattan Group Due to Choking Hazard

Name of Product: Twirlla™ Wooden Rattle

Units: About 3,300 in the United States and 145 in Canada

Hazard: The toy's U-shaped parts can break, posing a choking hazard.

Description: The painted wood rattle is approximately 6 inches long and has a yellow ball at each end, two U-shaped pieces (red and pale blue) and an orange bead in the center with a green center post connecting all pieces. The moving parts make noise when they come together.

Sold at: Baby and gift and specialty stores nationwide and online at ManhattanToy.com from March 2011 through July 2011 for about $12.

Remedy: Consumers should take the rattles away from children immediately and return them to the store where purchased to receive a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Manhattan Group at (800) 541-1345 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or visit the firm's website at www.manhattantoy.com

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August 17, 2011

Table-Top Clip-on Chair Recalled by phil&teds USA Due to Fall and Amputation Hazards

 
 
Name of Product: "metoo" Clip-on Chair

Units: 54,000 (these were the subject of a product safety alert issued May 6, 2011)

Hazard: Missing or worn clamp pads allow the chairs to detach from a variety of different table surfaces, posing a fall hazard. In addition, when the chair detaches, children's fingers can be caught between the bar and clamping mechanism, posing an amputation hazard. Also, user instructions for the chairs are inadequate, increasing the likelihood of consumer misuse.

Incidents/Injuries: phil&teds and CPSC have received 19 reports of the chairs falling from different table surfaces, including five reports with injuries. Two reports of injuries involved children's fingers being severely pinched, lacerated, crushed or amputated. The three other reports of injury involved bruising after a chair detached suddenly and a child struck the table or floor.

Description: The product is an infant/toddler chair with a nylon fabric seat and a metal frame that clamps onto tables using two metal vise clamps. The upper part of each clamp rests on the table top and has either a rubber pad on its underside or a rubber boot covering the clamp. The chair is sold in three fabric colors - red, black and navy. Chairs subject to this recall do not have black plastic spacers between the cross bar and the clamps.

Sold through: Buy Buy Baby, Target, Toys R Us and their online sites; philandteds.com; Amazon.com; other online retailers; and a variety of independent juvenile specialty stores from May 2006 to May 2011 for between $40 and $50.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the product and contact the company to receive a free repair kit and revised user instructions. Consumers who previously received a repair kit with only rubber boots should also stop using the chair and contact the company for the new repair kit.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact phil&teds USA at (855) 652-9019 or visit the company's website at www.philandteds.com/support

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July 27, 2011

Prime-Line Products Recalls Child Bathtub Non-Slip Pads Due To Fall Hazard

Name of Products: Bathtub Non-Slip Pads

Units: About 8,000

Hazard: Some pads do not stick to the bathtub surface, posing a fall hazard to consumers.

Description: The recalled items are whale-shaped, white, vinyl, non-slip bathtub pads with textured surfaces and adhesive backings and are used to help prevent children from slipping and falling in bathtubs. The pads come in sets of 12 and 15. Each set contains pads that range in size from 2 to 4 inches tall. The model number is S-4630 and SKU number is 049793846303. Both are printed on the back of the packaging.

Sold at: Ace Hardware & Menards nationwide between May 24, 2010 and June 13, 2011 for about $6.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the pads and contact Prime-Line to receive a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Prime-Line at (855) 839-9555 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT. Consumers also can visit the Prime-Line website at www.prime-line-products.com

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July 27, 2011

Child Safety Latches and Outlet Covers Recalled by Prime-Line; Screw Breaks Can Allow Unintended Access

Name of Product: Safety Latches and Outlet Covers

Units: About 37,000

Hazard: The screws on the safety latches and outlet covers can loosen and/or break. When this happens, young children can gain access to electrical outlets and other potentially hazardous items.

Description: This recall involves Prime-Line child safety drawer and cabinet latches and outlet covers with rotating receptacle covers. These products were sold under the brand name Child Safe.

The drawer and cabinet latches were sold three per package, in model number S 4439 with SKU 049793044396, and model number S 4444 with SKU 049793044440.
The outlet covers were sold one per package, in ivory, model number S 4447 with SKU 049793044471, and white, model number S 4461 with SKU 049793044617.
The model number and SKU are printed on the back of the package See Products.  

Sold at: Drawer and cabinet latches were sold at Ace Hardware, Bostwic-Braun, Cal-Do-It Centers, Do-It-Best, Friedman Brothers, Menards, Orgill, The Andersons Inc. and True Value stores nationwide between October 2010 and June 2011 for between $2.50 and $2.70. Outlet covers were sold at Ace Hardware, Cimarron Lumber & Supply, Do-It-Best, Friedman Brothers, Handy Hardware, Menards and W.E. Aubuchon stores nationwide between October 2009 and June 2011 for about $3.50.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately contact Prime-Line to receive a free replacement kit.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Prime-Line toll-free at (855) 839-9555 anytime, or visit the firm's website at www.prime-line-products.com

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June 21, 2011

Only New, Safer Cribs will be Available for Consumer Purchase on June 28, 2011. CPSC votes to grant extension of time to comply with new rules to crib rental companies

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In less than two weeks, a new generation of safer cribs will be for sale in retail stores across the country. On June 28, 2011, anyone that manufactures or sells baby cribs will be required to meet new and improved crib safety standards approved by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission on December 15, 2010.

Today, the Commission voted 4-0-1 to extend the length of time that short-term crib rental companies have to comply with the new mandatory standards for full-size and non-full-size baby cribs. This extension gives crib rental companies until December 28, 2012 to update their inventory with compliant cribs, which is the same deadline for the public accommodation facilities that these companies serve.

When the Commission approved the new rules in 2010, child care facilities, such as family child care homes and infant Head Start centers, and places of public accommodation, such as hotels and motels, were given until December 28, 2012 to have compliant cribs in their facilities.

Today’s vote by the Commission does not change the requirements on manufacturers or retailers of cribs. The Commission voted 3-2 today against granting an extension for retailers to comply with the new crib safety requirements. In turn, the Commission will continue to require companies that manufacture or sell cribs in the United States to comply with the new federal safety standards effective June 28, 2011.

Federal mandatory crib standards had not been updated in nearly 30 years and the new rule will usher in a safer generation of cribs. These mandatory standards will: 1) stop the manufacture and sale of dangerous, traditional drop-side cribs; 2) make mattress supports stronger; 3) improve slat strength, 4) make crib hardware more durable; and 5) make safety testing more rigorous.

The new safety standards aim to keep children safer in their cribs and prevent deaths resulting from detaching crib drop-sides and faulty or defective hardware.

These crib standards were mandated by the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA). For more information on crib safety and safe sleep environments for baby, visit CPSC’s crib information center at: www.cpsc.gov/cribs

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