Be Child Safe

Author: Marianne Halterman

  • Trek Recalls Kickster Bikes Due to Fall Hazard

    Recall Date: July 24, 2019

    Recall Number: 19-173

    Recall Summary

    Name of product: Trek Kickster

    Hazard: The steer tube clamp on the bike can break, posing a fall hazard to children.

    Remedy: Repair. Consumers should immediately take the recalled bikes away from children and take it to a Trek retailer for a free repair.

    Consumer Contact: Trek at 800-373-4594 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or online at www.trekbikes.com and click on Safety & Recalls at the bottom of the page for more information.

    Pictures available here: https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2019/Trek-Recalls-Kickster-Bikes-Due-to-Fall-Hazard

    Recall Details

    Units: About 11,560 (In addition, 1,800 were sold in Canada)

    Description: This recall involves all model year 2013 through 2019 Trek Kicksters. The bikes are made for toddlers who are learning how to ride a two wheeler. The kicksters do not have pedals so children can focus on balancing. They come in black, blue, red and pink and “TREK” is written on the crossbar.

    Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled bikes away from children and take it to a Trek retailer for a free repair.

    Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received 11 reports of broken steer tube clamps, including one injury with minor scrapes and bruising.

    Sold At: Independent bicycle stores nationwide and online at www.trekbikes.com and other online retailers from August 2012 through April 2019 for about $170.

    Manufacturer(s): Lee Chi Enterprises Co., of Taiwan

    Importer(s): Trek Bicycle Corporation, of Waterloo, Wis.

    Distributor(s): Trek Bicycle Corporation, of Waterloo, Wis.

  • Join the Effort to Prevent Another Child from Dying in a Hot Car

    On July 31, recognize National Heatstroke Prevention Day by educating your community about the dangers of leaving children in hot cars

    Responding to a call for a child who dies of heatstroke in a hot car is one of those events that EMS and other public safety professionals never forget, and those who haven’t experienced it hope they never do. Since 1998, more thank 800 children have died from heatstroke in hot cars in the U.S., including 52 in 2018. On average, one child dies from heatstroke inside a vehicle nearly every 10 days in the U.S.

    Where's BabyMost cases occur when a child is mistakenly left inside or gets into a vehicle unattended – and then becomes trapped. It doesn’t take an especially hot day for a child to die from heatstroke. When the outside temperature is as low as 60 degrees, the temperature inside a vehicle can reach all the way up to 110 degrees. If a child’s body temperature reaches 107 degrees, that child will die from heatstroke.

    The Office of EMS encourages the EMS community to join NHTSA’s efforts to educate parents, caregivers and the public by sharing campaign materials available on https://www.nhtsa.gov/heatstroke and remembering to #checkforbaby on and off the clock.

    To promote further social awareness and amplify the conversation about this vitally important safety issue, NHTSA will host a “Tweet-Up” on National Heatstroke Prevention Day. Every 15 minutes, beginning at 7 a.m. ET on July 31, NHTSA officials will post stats, prevention tips and heatstroke awareness messages using the hashtags #heatstrokekills and #checkforbaby on all the agency’s social media channels. Share these messages with your colleagues and community members to make sure they know the dangers of heatstroke.

    Act Fast. Save a Life.

     

    This year, NHTSA is also asking everyone to participate in the Heatstroke Awareness Challenge.

    Create a 15- to 30-second video about the dangers of heatstroke – then share your video on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram using the hashtags #checkforbaby or #heatstrokekills and tag @NHTSAgov.

     

    More information including downloadable campaign materials and fact sheets are available online. For questions about the campaign, please contact Mike Joyce at Mike.Joyce@dot.gov or 202-366-5600.

  • The Boppy Company Recalls Infant Head and Neck Support Accessories Due to Suffocation Hazard

    Recall Date: July 23, 2019

    Recall Number: 19-171

    Recall Summary

    Name of product: Boppy Infant Head and Neck Support Accessories

    Hazard: The head support area can be overstuffed and cause the infant’s head to be tilted too far forward, posing a suffocation hazard

    Remedy: Refund. Consumer should immediately stop using the head support and contact The Boppy Company for a full refund.

    Consumer Contact: The Boppy Company toll-free at 888-772-6779 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. MT Monday through Friday, email at info@boppy.com or online at www.boppy.com and click on important recall information at the top of the page for more information.

    Pictures available here: https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2019/The-Boppy-Company-Recalls-Infant-Head-and-Neck-Support-Accessories-Due-to-Suffocation-Hazard

    Recall Details

    Units: 14,000

    Description: This recall involves Boppy Head and Neck support sold in two styles: Ebony Floral and Heathered Gray with model numbers 4150114 and 4150117. The model number is printed on the fabric label on the back of the head support. The product is an accessory to be used in infant swings, bouncers and strollers.

    Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received three reports of babies’ heads being pushed forward chin to chest by the product. No injuries have been reported.

    Sold At: Target, Buy Buy Baby and other juvenile products and discount furniture stores nationwide and online at Amazon.com from March 2019 through May 2019 for about $20.

    Importer(s): The Boppy Company LLC, of Golden, Colo.

    Manufactured In: China

  • Child Heat Stroke Prevention

  • Lidl Recalls Wooden Grasping Toys Due to Choking Hazard

    Recall Date: July 11, 2019

    Recall Number: 19-164

    Recall Summary

    Name of product: Playtive Junior Wooden Grasping Toy

    Hazard: The wooden wheels can detach and release small parts, posing a choking hazard to young children.

    Remedy: Refund. Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled toys and return the product to any Lidl store for a full refund.

    Consumer Contact: Lidl toll-free at 844-747-5435 from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET everyday, or online at www.lidl.com and click on “Product Recalls” for more information.

    Pictures available here: https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2019/Lidl-Recalls-Wooden-Grasping-Toys-Due-to-Choking-Hazard

    Recall Details

    Units: About 300

    Description: This recall includes the Playtive Junior Wooden Grasping Toy. The grasping toy is made of wood in the shape of an elephant with four blue wheels on the bottom. There is a space in the center of the toy. The model number, HG04414, is located on the underside of the toy.

    Incidents/Injuries: None reported in the U.S.

    Sold At: Lidl stores in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York from March 2019 through May 2019 for about $4.

    Importer(s): Lidl US Trading LLC, of Arlington, Va.

    Manufactured In: China

  • Disney Recalls the Forky 11” Plush Toy Due to Choking Hazard

    Recall Date: July 8, 2019

    Recall Number: 19-159

    Recall Summary

    Name of product: Forky 11” Plush Toys

    Hazard: The “googly” plastic eyes on the toy can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.

    Remedy: Refund. Consumers should immediately take the recalled toy away from children and return it to any Disney Store retail location,Walt Disney World, or Disneyland Resort theme park retail store location for a full refund.

    Consumer Contact: Disney toll-free at 866-537-7649 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, Saturday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sunday 1:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. or for additional information email personal.shoppers@shopDisney.com

    Pictures available here: https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2019/Disney-Recalls-the-Forky-11%E2%80%9D-Plush-Toy-Due-to-Choking-Hazard

    Recall Details

    Units: About 80,000 (In addition, about 650 in Canada)

    Description: This recall involves an 11” “Forky” plush toy from Disney Pixar’s Toy Story 4. The toy has poseable arms, a base, rainbow screen art on top of foot and plastic rolling “googly” eyes. The eyes are comprised of three parts; a white plastic base, a clear plastic dome and a small black plastic disc within the dome, which represents the character’s pupil. The tracking code information is included on the sewn in label attached to the base of the toy.

    Tracking Numbers:

    FAC-024868-18338
    FAC-024868-19032
    FAC-024868-19060
    FAC-024868-19091

    Incidents/Injuries: None reported

    Sold At: Disney Stores nationwide, Disney Theme Parks, online at shopdisney.com and through the Disney store on Amazon Marketplace from April 2019 through June 2019 for about $20.

    Manufacturer(s): Dream International Limited, Co., of Hong Kong

    Importer(s): Disney Merchandise Sourcing & Distribution, LLC, of Burbank, Calif.

    Manufactured In: China

  • BRP Recalls Coolers Due to Entrapment and Suffocation Hazards

    Recall Date: June 27, 2019

    Recall Number: 19-153

    Recall Summary

    Name of product: BRP Sea-Doo marine coolers

    Hazard: The cooler latch can automatically lock when the lid is closed, allowing a person to become locked inside the air tight container posing entrapment and suffocation hazards.

    Remedy: Repair. Consumers should immediately put the coolers out of the reach of children. Contact a BRP Sea-Doo dealer for a free repair.

    Consumer Contact: BRP toll-free at 888-272-9222 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET Monday through Sunday or online at https://www.sea-doo.com/form/contact-us.html or www.sea-doo.com and click on “Owner Center,” then “Safety” for more information.

    Pictures available here: https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2019/BRP-Recalls-Coolers-Due-to-Entrapment-and-Suffocation-Hazards

    Recall Details

    Units: About 2,500

    Description: This recall involves Sea-Doo LinQ™ 13.5 gallon or 51 liter marine coolers sold separately or with model year 2019 Sea-Doo Fish Pro personal watercraft. The coolers are made for use on boats and marine environments. Part number 269800817 is engraved under the cooler and can also be found on a sticker under the cooler. The coolers are white with black storage pocket, rod holder system and trolling slots.

    Incidents/Injuries: None reported

    Sold At: Sea-Doo dealers nationwide and online on sea-doo.com, Amazon.com, and other websites from September 2018 through June 2019 for about $650 when sold separately.

    Distributor(s): BRP U.S. Inc., of Sturtevant, Wis.

    Manufactured In: United States

  • Fisher-Price Recalls Inclined Sleeper Accessory Included with Ultra-Lite Day & Night Play Yards Due to Safety Concerns About Inclined Sleep Products

    Recall Date: June 27, 2019

    Recall Number: 19-151

    Recall Summary

    Name of product: Inclined sleeper accessory included with all models of Fisher-Price Ultra-Lite Day & Night Play Yards

    Hazard: Infant fatalities have been reported while using other inclined sleep products, after the infants rolled from their back to their stomach or side while unrestrained, or under other circumstances.

    Remedy: Refund. Consumers should immediately stop using the inclined sleeper accessory and contact Fisher-Price for a refund or voucher. Consumers can continue to use the play yard portion of the product without the inclined sleeper accessory, and can also continue to use the changing station clutch accessory and carry bag.

    Consumer Contact: Fisher-Price online at www.service.mattel.com and click on “Recalls & Safety Alerts” or at 800-432-5437 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday for more information.

    Pictures available here: https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2019/Fisher-Price-Recalls-Inclined-Sleeper-Accessory-Included-with-Ultra-Lite-Day-Night-Play-Yards-Due-to-Safety-Concerns-About-Inclined-Slee-Products

    Recall Details

    Units: About 71,000

    Description: This recall involves the inclined sleeper accessory sold with all Ultra-Lite Day & Night Play Yards with model numbers CBV60, CHP86, CHR06, CJK24, and DJD11. The model number is located on the fabric label inside of the play yard and on the fabric label on the back of the inclined sleeper pad. The product is a portable play yard with inclined sleeper and changing station clutch accessories and a carry bag; the inclined sleeper accessory is the only portion of the product that is being recalled.

    Incidents/Injuries: None reported

    Sold At: Juvenile product stores and mass merchandisers nationwide from October 2014 through June 2019 for between $90 and $110.

    Importer(s): Fisher-Price, of East Aurora, N.Y.

    Manufactured In: China

  • Aegean Apparel Recalls Children’s Sleepwear Due to Violation of Federal Flammability Standard

    Recall Date: May 29, 2019

    Recall Number: 19-128

    Recall Summary

    Name of Product: Children’s robes and pajama pants

    Hazard: The children’s sleepwear garments fail to meet the flammability standard for children’s sleepwear, posing a risk of burn injuries to children.

    Remedy: Refund

    Consumers should immediately take the recalled sleepwear away from children and contact Aegean Apparel for a full refund.

    Consumer Contact: Aegean Apparel at 800-864-9403 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday email at contactus@aegeanapparel.com or online at www.aegeanapparel.com and click on “Product Safety Recall” for more information.

    Recall Details

    Units: About 500

    Description: This recall involves Aegean Apparel children’s robes and pajama pants. The robe is a 100 percent polyester micro fleece. It is hooded with long sleeves, a belt sewn into the back and two front pockets. The robe is light green with a gray and orange cat print with cat ears sewn onto the robe’s hood. The pajama pants are 100 percent polyester in white with a black and gray dog wearing a Santa hat print. Both garments were sold in children’s sizes small through extra large and have “Kings n Queens by Aegean Apparel” on its label.

    Incidents/Injuries: None reported

    Sold At: Online at www.aegeanapparel.com from November 2016 through October 2018 for $30 for the pants and about $60 for the robe.

    Importer: Aegean Apparel, Inc. of Dayton, Ohio

    Manufactured in: China

  • The Dangers of ATVs

    My husband was a “car guy” so, in addition to our regular vehicles, we had a golf cart and at one time, a 4-wheel ATV. We took the ATV off road through the woods in Virginia, he drove and I sat behind him, literally hanging on for dear life. We did wear helmets, so we thought we were fairly safe. We didn’t go too fast. At one point, we crossed a creek–this is where it got dicey. We hit a rock in the trail, the ATV became unsteady for a moment, and I lost my grip and almost fell off the ATV…and I knew then I would never, ever, ride one again. This moment of danger happened so quickly that I hadn’t the time to even take a breath. My husband was scared and I was too (and he had driven and ridden motorcycles, hotrods, scooters, and go-carts… pretty much everything that had wheels, all his life). Not long afterward, the ATV was stolen–but we never replaced it. We were both secretly relieved. Accidents happen quickly. We knew we dodged what could have been a bad accident.

    In 2017-2018, there were over 150 ATV accidents and many fatalities. Most of the fatalities were of children under 18. Some as young as 4 years old. Dr. Vince Iannelli, a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, has written a July 2018 article for VeryWellFamily, that I have encapsulated here. 1-4 He lists the fatalities–after reading that list, do we need more evidence that ATVs can be very dangerous? Here’s the list– read it– and consider the families who have lost their children due to ATV accidents and whether the thrill of an ATV ride was worth their children’s lives.

    “ATV accidents aren’t rare. There are about 100 to 150 ATV related deaths in children and teens under age 16 each year and about 40,000 injuries treated in emergency rooms. Some more recent ATV accidents involving kids and teens include:

    • a 13-year-old in Augusta, Kansas died when the ATV he was riding in with a friend rolled over on top of him.
    • a 17-year-old in Freeport, Minnesota died when he crashed his ATV at the end of his driveway.
    • a 17-year-old in Washington, Vermont died when he crashed into a tree while riding on his ATV. The teen was a popular ATV racer.
    • a 14-year-old near Holland, Indiana died when he lost control of his ATV, which then hit a tractor.
    • a 13-year-old near Grantsville, Utah died when the ATV he was driving toppled on top of him as he swerved to avoid a branch. His father, who was riding with him, escaped with minor injuries.
    • an 11-year-old in Hebron, Ohio died when the Polaris ATV he was driving, with two other boys, overturned.
    • a 4-year-old in Box Butte County, Nebraska died when the ATV she was riding on with an 8-year-old flipped over.
    • a 4-year-old in Summit, Pennsylvania died when the ATV he was riding on rolled on top of him.
    • a 12-year-old in Mannsville, Oklahoma died when the ATV she was riding on overturned.
    • a 17-year-old in Johns Creek, Georgia died when the ATV she was riding on overturned during a team-building retreat with her varsity volleyball team.
    • a 9-year-old in Marble Falls, Texas died when the ATV he was driving flipped over.
    • a 13-year-old, his 13-year-old cousin, and his mother died when the ATV they were riding in was hit by a car in Leake County, Mississippi. A 2-year-old was also seriously injured.
    • a 16-year-old from Smithville, Mississippi died of a head injury when he lost control of his ATV, which went off the road, down an embankment, and into the woods.
    • a 4-year-old near Dagmar, Montana died when the ATV she was riding on turned over.
    • 9-year-old twins near Mount Vernon, Iowa died in an ATV accident in a creek that ran through a pasture.
    • Four teens, 14-year-olds who were coming home from the Epworth Town & Country Days parade in rural Iowa died after their John Deere Gator utility vehicle was hit by a pickup truck that had run a stop sign.
    • A 2-year-old in Johnson County, Iowa who died after he fell off an ATV he was riding on with his 11-year-old brother.
    • An 8-year-old in Drumore Township, Pennsylvania who died when the ATV he was riding on rolled while he was riding by himself on his family’s farm.
    • A 13-year-old near Hamilton, Illinois who died when she ran a stop sign and was hit by a pickup truck. Another teen on the ATV was seriously injured.
    • A 14-year-old near Sycamore, Kansas who died when a Polaris Ranger ATV overturned on top of him. From Texas, the teen was visiting family on their farm.
    • A 13-year-old near Opp, Alabama who died when his Polaris Ranger ATV overturned.
    • A 10-year-old near Five Mile Pass, Utah who died when the ATV he was riding on with his babysitter stalled and rolled down a steep hill, throwing them both off the 4-wheeler.
    • A 13-year-old in Darlington County, South Carolina who died while riding an ATV with her twin sister and cousin.
    • An 11-year-old in Jacksonville, Florida who was one of two passengers on an ATV driven by a 14-year-old. He was thrown off the back of the ATV when it hit a bump, causing fatal injuries.
    • An 8-year-old in Portageville, Missouri who died when he pulled onto a farm road and was hit by a pick-up truck while riding his ATV.
    • A 10-year-old near Blue Grass, Iowa died when the ATV he was riding on to close a gate in a pasture overturned, and he was pinned under it.
    • A 5-year-old in Denver Township, Michigan died when the ATV he was riding on flipped over after its 15-year-old driver lost control.
    • An 8-year-old near Coward, South Carolina died when the ATV he was riding on, which was being driven by a 13-year-old, was in an accident caused by a deer running in front of the ATV, causing it to flip over. He was not wearing a helmet.
    • A 15-year-old in Wilcox County, Alabama, who had been missing for three days, was found at the base of a steep trail, apparently killed in an ATV accident while riding on a mud track near some deep woods.
    • A 14-year-old in Oliver Springs, Tennessee died when the ATV she was driving overturned while she was on some off-road trails near her house.
    • A 14-year-old in Cheshire Township, Ohio died when he hit a truck head-on while riding his ATV around a curve in the wrong lane of a public road.
    • A 12-year-old in Kershaw County, South Carolina died after running off the road and into an embankment while riding an ATV without a helmet.
    • A 12-year-old near Hagerstown, Maryland died at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center a few days after the ATV he was riding on overturned in the driveway of his home.
    • A 12-year-old near Palatka, Florida died this week after the three-wheeled ATV he was riding flipped over and landed on him. He was not wearing a helmet and was riding on private property.
    • A 7-year-old boy from Butte, Montana died when the ATV he was riding on with his 12-year-old brother rolled over.
    • A 16-year-old died when his ATV crashed into a tree in Havre de Grace, Maryland.
    • A 14-year-old died when she lost control of the ATV she was driving near Williamsburg, Virginia.
    • Two teens were killed and another was in critical condition after their ATV crashed near El Paso, Texas.
    • A 7-year-old was killed when the ATV she was riding on with another 7-year-old and an 11-year-old hit a retaining wall and rolled on top of her near Wagoner, Oklahoma.
    • A 14-year-old from South Carolina died when the ATV he was driving overturned and struck a tree. A passenger of the ATV was seriously injured and is reportedly in the hospital.
    • A 14-year-old was critically injured in an ATV accident when the ATV she was riding with three other people hit a light pole near Katy, Texas.
    • A 14-year-old suffered a serious head injury when he fell off his ATV in South Texas.
    • A 9-year-old girl near Lake Texoma, Oklahoma died when the ATV she was driving flipped over, also injuring an 8-year-old passenger on the ATV.
    • A 15-year-old in Allegan County, Michigan, died when his ATV rolled on top of him as he tried to make a turn at too high a speed. He was wearing a helmet.”

    As Dr. Iannelli advises, please think twice before letting your kids ride an ATV, and make sure you — and they — understand the risks to their safety. It’s no joke!
    ##

    1Iannelli, Vince, MD, July 26, 2018 https://www.verywellfamily.com/atv-accidents-atvs-for-kids-2633671
    2American Academy of Pediatrics Policy Statement. All-Terrain Vehicle Injury Prevention: Two-, Three-, and Four-Wheeled Unlicensed Motor Vehicles. Pediatrics 2000 105: 1352-1354.
    3U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. ATV Safety Messages.
    4U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission News Alert. CPSC Warns Memorial Day Weekend Among the Deadliest Holidays for ATV Riders.