Be Child Safe

Author: Marianne Halterman

  • Porter World Trade Recalls Ron Jon Surf Shop Sippy Cup Due to Violations of Federal Lead Content and Phthalates Bans

    Recall Date: October 28, 2020

    Recall Number: 21-015

    Recall Summary

    Name of product: Ron Jon Surf Shop Sippy Cup

    Hazard: The plastic characters on the recalled Sippy Cup contain levels of lead that exceed the federal lead content ban and contain levels of a regulated phthalate that exceed the prohibition of specific phthalates. Lead and banned phthalates are toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health issues.

    Remedy: Refund. Consumers should immediately take the recalled Sippy Cup away from children and contact Porter World Trade for instructions on how to return the product for a full refund.

    Consumer Contact: Porter World Trade at 800-282-2777 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, email at recall@porterworldtrade.com, or online at www.porterworldtrade.com and click on “Product Recall” at the bottom of the page for more information.

    Pictures available here: https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2021/Porter-World-Trade-Recalls-Ron-Jon-Surf-Shop-Sippy-Cup-Due-to-Violations-of-Federal-Lead-Content-and-Phthalates-Bans

    Recall Details

    Units: About 9,700

    Description: This recall involves 13.5-ounce Ron Jon Surf Sippy Cups. The main body of the cup is either orange, blue, pink, or green. There is a rubber-like grip material around the cup. The rubber-like material has images of turtle, crab, fish, boat, and sea grass and the RON JON SURF SHOP design. The product has UPC number 1082-0405 printed on the bottom of the product.

    Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

    Sold At: Ron Jon Surf Shops in Miami, Sunrise, Medley, Cocoa Beach, Orlando, Tampa and Panama City, Fla.; Myrtle Beach, S.C.; Ship Bottom, N.J.; and Stellarbay store in the Tampa, Fla. International Airport, from May 2014 through March 2020 for about $7.

    Manufacturer(s): Yitak Industry Company Limited, of China

    Importer(s): Porter World Trade Inc., of Cape Canaveral, Fla.

    Manufactured In: China

  • Prestone Products Recalls Antifreeze Due to Failure to Meet Child Resistant Packaging Requirements; Risk of Poisoning

    Recall Date: October 7, 2020

    Recall Number: 21-002

    Recall Summary

    Name of product: Antifreeze products

    Hazard: The antifreeze products contain the substance ethylene glycol which must be in child resistant packaging as required by the Poison Prevention Packaging Act. The products’ caps were not rotated enough during manufacturing to engage the child resistant mechanism, posing a risk of poisoning if the contents are swallowed by young children.

    Remedy: Repair. Consumers should immediately inspect the product and twist the cap to ensure the child resistant mechanism is engaged.

    Consumer Contact: Prestone Products toll-free at 888-269-0750 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or online at www.prestone.com and click on Safety Notice at the top of the homepage for more information.

    Pictures available here: https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2021/Prestone-Products-Recalls-Antifreeze-Due-to-Failure-to-Meet-Child-Resistant-Packaging-Requirements-Risk-of-Poisoning

    Recall Details

    Units: About 687,000

    Description: This recall involves fourteen different models of pre-diluted or concentrated antifreeze sold under six different brand names: Prestone®, AutoZone®, Highline®/Prime Guard®, Supertech®, Prime® and Starfire®. The one-gallon antifreeze bottles are black, gray, orange, white or yellow. The brand is printed on the front of the antifreeze. The date code and model numbers can be found on the back informational panel of the product. Only antifreeze products with the following brand name, model number and date codes are included on this recall:

    Product NameModel NumberDate CodesImage
    PRESTONE 50/50 Antifreeze AF2100/G2FOF20118 
    OF20128 
    OF20129
    OF20132 
    OF20133 
    OF20134 
    OF20135 
    OF20141    		PRESTONE 50/50 Antifreeze
    PRESTONE Concentrate AntifreezeAF2000/G2FOF20128
    OF20134 
    OF20135 
    OF20141    		PRESTONE Concentrate Antifreeze
    PRESTONE COMMAND® Nitrite Free 50/50AFC12100/FOF20062PRESTONE COMMAND® Nitrite Free 50/50
    PRESTONE Heavy Duty Antifreeze 50/50AF5200/FOF20062 OF20063PRESTONE Heavy Duty Antifreeze 50/50
    PRESTONE AMM 33% Export Antifreeze AF2033OF20111PRESTONE AMM 33% Export Antifreeze
    AUTOZONE AMAM 50/50 Antifreeze540721/1FOF20036 OF20037 OF20038 OF20041 OF20050 OF20055 OF20056 OF20085 OF20086 OF20094 OF20113 OF20133 OF20134 OF20135AUTOZONE AMAM 50/50 Antifreeze
    AUTOZONE Concentrate 50/50 Antifreeze000367/1FOF20041 OF20042 OF20056 OF20057 OF20062 OF20135 OF20139AUTOZONE Concentrate 50/50 Antifreeze
    HIGHLINE AMAM “Prime Guard” 50/50 AntifreezeHLAMAM5050GL/FOF20007 OF20008 OF20042 OF20043 OF20050HIGHLINE AMAM "Prime Guard" 50/50 Antifreeze
    HIGHLINE AMAM “Prime Guard” Concentrate AntifreezeHLAMAMGL/FOF20042HIGHLINE AMAM "Prime Guard" Concentrate Antifreeze
    SUPERTECH Antifreeze Pre DilutedST4053/FOF20006 OF20007 OF20051 OF20055 OF20084 OF20070 OF20085SUPERTECH Antifreeze Pre Diluted
    SUPERTECH AntifreezeST4003/FOF20141SUPERTECH Antifreeze
    PRIME Antifreeze AMAMAF3000/FOF20049 OF20078 OF20140PRIME Antifreeze AMAM
    PRIME Antifreeze AMAMAF3100/FOF20043 OF20044 OF20078 OF20079 OF20140PRIME AMAM 50/50 Antifreeze
    STARFIRE Antifreeze AMAM 50/50CPAMAM5050/FOF20057STARFIRE Antifreeze AMAM 50/50

    Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

    Sold At: Ace Hardware, Advance Auto Parts, AutoZone, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Highline, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Pep Boys and Walmart stores nationwide and online from January 2020 through May 2020 for between $10 and $22.

    Manufacturer(s): Prestone Products Corporation, of Rosemont, Ill.

    Manufactured In: United States

  • Active Brands Recalls Bicycle Helmets Due to Risk of Head Injury:

    Recall Date: August 12, 2020

    Recall Number: 20-165

    Recall Summary

    Name of product: Sweet Protection brand Ripper Jr., Ripper MIPS Jr., and Ripper MIPS bicycle helmets

    Hazard: The bicycle helmets do not comply with the U.S. CPSC federal safety standard for bicycle helmets, posing a risk of head injury.

    Remedy: Refund. Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled helmets and return to the store where sold or contact Active Brands/Sweet Protection for a full refund.

    Consumer Contact: Active Brands AS at 800-364-4385 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. MT Monday through Friday, email at orders.na@activebrands.com or online at www.sweetprotection.com, and click on Safety Notices at the bottom of the page for more information.

    Pictures available here: https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2020/Active-Brands-Recalls-Bicycle-Helmets-Due-to-Risk-of-Head-Injury

    Recall Details

    Units: About 300

    Description: This recall involves Active Brand AS Sweet Protection-branded Ripper Jr., Ripper MIPS Jr. and Ripper MIPS bicycle helmets. The Ripper Jr. and Ripper MIPS Jr. helmets were sold in one size, fitting head circumference from 48 cm to 53 cm (18.9 to 20.9 inches). The Ripper MIPS helmet was sold in one size, fitting head circumference from 53 cm to 61 cm (20.9 to 24.0 inches). The helmets were sold in matte colors: black, white, blue, gray, green, pink and purple. “Sweet Protection” is printed on the side of the helmets. All helmets have the manufacturing date printed inside the helmet with 2019 as the production year and a number between 9 and 12 as the production month. The model name is printed on a label on the rear back side of the helmet. The bicycle helmets are tested and certified according to the European standard for bicycle helmets, EN1078 and were only meant to be sold in the European market.

    Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

    Sold At: Evo and Rogers Ski and Sport sporting goods stores in California, Colorado, Montana, New Hampshire, Utah, Washington and Wyoming and online at Expert Voice Pro Purchase (www.expertvoice.com) from February 2020 through June 2020 for between $50 and $90.

    Manufacturer(s): Active Brands AS, of Norway

    Importer(s): Active Brands NA, of Broomfield, Colo.

    Manufactured In: China

  • Thule Recalls Strollers Due to Injury Hazard

    Recall Date: August 12, 2020

    Recall Number: 20-164

    Recall Summary

    Name of product: Thule Sleek strollers

    Hazard: The stroller’s handlebar can detach, posing an injury hazard to children.

    Remedy: Replace. Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled strollers and contact Thule Group to arrange for the return of the product and to receive a free replacement Sleek stroller frame.

    Consumer Contact: Thule Group toll-free at 855-929-3531 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, email at thulesleek18@thule.com or online at www.thule.com/recallthulesleek or www.thule.com and click on Support/Safety Notice for more information.

    Pictures available here: https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2020/Thule-Recalls-Strollers-Due-to-Injury-Hazard

    Recall Details

    Units: About 4,000 (In addition, about 880 were sold in Canada)

    Description: This recall involves Thule Sleek strollers. The recalled strollers were sold in black, dark gray, light gray, navy blue and red with a silver or black frame. Only strollers without a QC2020 sticker next to the product label and manufactured between May 2018 through September 2019 are included in this recall. The manufacture date code in YY/MM format, Thule Sleek and product number: 11000001-5, 11000017, 11000330 or 11000337-342 can be found on the product label located on the lower inside frame of the stroller. UPC code 091021978485, 091021883703, 091021460256, 091021761773, 091021079779, 091021070585, 091021349001, 091021433137, 091021514386, 091021037090,091021091900, 091021648937 or 091021190214 can be found on the product packaging.

    Incidents/Injuries: Thule has received one report of the stroller’s handlebar detaching. No injuries have been reported.

    Sold At: Buy Buy Baby, REI and others stores nationwide and online at Thule.com and Amazon.com from July 2018 through June 2020 for between $830 and $850.

    Importer(s): Thule Group, of Sweden

    Manufactured In: Poland

  • CPSC and Crown Darts UK Warn Consumers to Stop Using and Dispose of Banned Lawn Dart Sets; Recalling Firm is Unable to Conduct Recall:

    Recall Date: August 12, 2020

    Recall Number: 20-163

    Recall Summary

    Name of product: Lawn dart sets

    Hazard: Lawn darts are banned in the U.S. due to serious risks of skull punctures and other serious injuries, particularly to children.

    Remedy: Dispose. Crown Darts UK is unable to conduct the recall.  Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled lawn dart sets and destroy and dispose of them to prevent further usage.

    Consumer Contact: CPSC’s Hotline at 800-638-2772 for more information.

    Pictures available here: https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2020/CPSC-and-Crown-Darts-UK-Warn-Consumers-to-Stop-Using-and-Dispose-of-Banned-Lawn-Dart-Sets-Recalling-Firm-is-Unable-to-Conduct-Recall

    Recall Details

    Units: About 19,400 darts (In addition, about 4,048 were sold in Canada)

    Description: The recalled lawn dart sets were sold for 2, 4 and 5 players and contained 4, 8 and 10 units (darts) respectively, as well as individual spare darts.  The lawn darts are about a foot long (30 cm), have polypropylene flights (fins) designed to be held at the tail, with a brass body ending in a stainless steel spigot (peg).  The lawn darts were sold in assorted colors including red, blue, yellow, purple, pink, orange, ivory and green.  The CROWN DARTS logo is printed on the product.

    Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

    Sold At: Online at www.crowndarts.com from May 2004 through June 2020 for between $15 and $139.

    Manufacturer(s): Crown Darts UK, of United Kingdom

    Importer(s): Crown Darts UK, of United Kingdom

    Manufactured In: United Kingdom

  • Do What Is Necessary and Proper to Prevent the Spread of Covid-19

    An open letter to Covid-19: Okay, you virulent, infectious Virus, you–I have kept silent thus far, hoping we human beings would instinctively do the right thing in order to keep safe and not give you a platform from which to spring person to person! But it seems you are nastier than we ever anticipated. M Halterman

    We had a wonderful kindergarten teacher in Ridgewood NJ, Miss Bevins. The thing I most remember about dear Miss Bevins (c. 1955) is how she reminded the classroom full of 30+ 5-year olds, repeatedly, to WASH OUR HANDS after using the lavatory…for most of you, that’s the bathroom! In those days, people were frightened about getting and spreading POLIO. Poliomyeltitis was the viral scourge of that era, which spread from person to person and paralyzed parts of the body. It put frightened children in iron lung machines to save their lives and keep them breathing, it crippled many, many children–and killed others! It left an indelible mark on families and put a big dent in children’s immune systems. Thank God for Drs. Jonas Salk and Albert Sabin, who developed vaccines that were used to immunize children against polio. Dr. Salk was an American virologist and medical researcher who developed one of the first successful polio vaccines. Dr. Sabin was best known for developing the oral polio vaccine that helped to nearly eradicate the disease. And the vaccines were given to us in our schools, by the way! Just as the Tine tests for tuberculosis were given to us at school–we had no choice in those days. Our parents were tasked to do the right thing. No vaccination, no tests–no school.

    Families were used to spending more time together–and television hadn’t become the major recreational focus of the family unit. People were more disposed in those days to doing what was right by their family and by their neighbors. Community organizations promoting the good in society formed to help people. Organizations like Kiwanis, Rotary, Lions, and many others, sprang up across the country to try to help children and families get through the day-to-day challenges that poverty presented. Devastating crises had left people starving and without work: World War I, the Spanish Flu in 1916-17, the Dust Bowl, the Stock Market crash of 1929 (leaving people bereft through 1939), World War II, Korea, and the Philippines…and on…These were crises that could not be solved by television and social media. People either had to be self-reliant and get up off their rusty-dusty, and work IF they could find it, in order to survive–or they would not eat.

    The American people–this melting pot of different languages, cultures, races and creeds–is very self-reliant when the going gets tough. We got tough again during 9/11 and we are tough now, in case you haven’t noticed. Over 4 million cases and CDC projects 160,000 deaths by August 2020 is a sobering statistic. Simply, each of us bears a certain responsibility to do the right thing, by ourselves, by our families and by our neighbors. We need to NOT SPREAD this infectious disease. We don’t even know everything about it yet–and the after effects are many! It’s not the common cold, it’s not simple bronchitis or even pneumonia, it’s a superbug that infects and kills without much warning. So WASH your HANDS, WEAR a MASK when you go out of the house, SOCIAL DISTANCE, yes, and restrict your goings and comings to the least necessary! DO the right thing–until a viable vaccine is available– to help minimize the spread.

  • BioMed Balance Recalls Wintergreen and Sweet Birch Essential Oils Due to Failure to Meet Child Resistant Packaging Requirements; Risk of Poisoning:

    Recall Date: July 22, 2020

    Recall Number: 20-154

    Recall Summary

    Name of product: BioMed Balance Wintergreen and Birch Tar Essential Oils

    Hazard: The products contain the substance methyl salicylate which must be in child resistant packaging as required by the Poison Prevention Packaging Act (PPPA). The packaging of the products are not child resistant, posing a risk of poisoning if the contents are swallowed by young children.

    Remedy: Refund. Consumers should immediately store the product in a safe location out of reach of children and contact BioMed Balance for a full refund.

    Consumer Contact: BioMed Balance collect at 206-763-1086 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday and email at sales@biomedbalance.com for more information.

    Pictures available here: https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2020/BioMed-Balance-Recalls-Wintergreen-and-Sweet-Birch-Essential-Oils-Due-to-Failure-to-Meet-Child-Resistant-Packaging-Requirements-Risk-of-Poisoning

    Recall Details

    Units: About 60

    Description: This recall involves BioMed Wintergreen and Sweet Birch Essential Oils in blue and glass 30 mL bottles, respectively, with black caps. “BioMed Balance” and “Organic WinterGreen” or “Organic Birch Tar” are printed on the label. The UPC code is located on the left side of the label.

    [ultimatetables 38 /]

    Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

    Sold Exclusively At: Online at www.azurestandard.com from October 2019 through June 2020 for between $7 and $11.

    Manufacturer(s): BioMed Balance, of Kent, Wash.

    Manufactured In: United States

  • Manhattan Toy Recalls ‘Manhattan Ball’ Activity Toys Due to Choking Hazard; Sold Exclusively at Target:

    Recall Date: July 22, 2020

    Recall Number: 20-152

    Recall Summary

    Name of product: Manhattan Ball

    Hazard: The toy’s plastic tubes can detach from the center ball and release the small silicone teethers that are threaded on the tubes, posing a choking hazard to young children.

    Remedy: Refund. Consumers should immediately take the recalled toy away from children and contact Manhattan Toy or return it to any Target Store for a full refund.

    Consumer Contact: Manhattan Toy at 800-541-1345 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT Monday through Thursday, email at help@manhattantoy.com, online at www.manhattantoy.com and click on ‘Recall Information’ for more information.

    Pictures available here: https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2020/Manhattan-Toy-Recalls-Manhattan-Ball-Activity-Toys-Due-to-Choking-Hazard-Sold-Exclusively-at-Target

    Recall Details

    Units: About 22,100

    Description: This recall involves ‘Manhattan Ball’ plastic activity toys. The toy has a hard plastic center ball with 12 soft plastic tubes inserted into the center ball and 7 silicone teethers threaded on the tubes. “The Manhattan Toy Company” and lot code 325700EL or 325700IL are printed on the center ball.

    Incidents/Injuries: Manhattan Toy has received six reports of the plastic tubes detaching from the center ball. Two of the six reports included a silicone teether being separated from the toy. The firm also reported one incident of a child mouthing the silicone teether after it came off.

    Sold At: Exclusively at Target stores nationwide and online at Target.com from July 2019 through June 2020 for about $10.

    Importer(s): The Manhattan Toy Company LLC, of Minneapolis, Minn. and Target Corp., of Minneapolis, Minn.

    Manufactured In: China

  • Island Wear Recalls Strollers Due to Violation of Federal Stroller and Carriage Safety Standard; Fall and Choking Hazards:

    Recall Date: June 10, 2020

    Recall Number: 20-132

    Recall Summary

    Name of product: Umbrella strollers

    Hazard: The recalled strollers violate the federal Carriages and Strollers Safety standard. The location of the restraint system creates a large gap between the restraint and the seat. The child can slip through the gap, posing a fall hazard. In addition, the covering on the grab bar can detach and expose foam, posing a choking hazard to children.

    Remedy: Refund. Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled strollers and contact Island Wear for instructions on how to receive a full refund.

    Consumer Contact: Island Wear toll-free at 844-449-4144 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or email at Islandwearoc@gmail.com.

    Pictures available here: https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2020/Island-Wear-Recalls-Strollers-Due-to-Violation-of-Federal-Stroller-and-Carriage-Safety-Standard-Fall-and-Choking-Hazards

    Recall Details

    Units: About 940

    Description: This recall involves Island Wear umbrella strollers with a grab bar and footrest. The strollers were sold in blue and multi rainbow colors.

    Incidents/Injuries: None reported

    Sold At: Paradise Island, Outrageous Outlet, and Grand Resort Wear in Ocean City, Md. from April 2019 through October 2019 for about $20.

    Importer(s): Island Wear. Inc., of Ocean City, Md.

    Manufactured In: China

  • Watching Over Your Children While They Are on the Internet

    It’s been awhile since I have posted on this blog. Not that there were less safety issues related to kids–no, certainly not. Many events have intervened, Covid-19 has restricted everyone’s mobility. Family travel in order to shelter in place safely took time and planning. Masks, gloves, social distancing, use of hand-sanitizer, grocery shopping shocks–What, no toilet paper?–no Kleenex, no papertowel, no coffee filters…huh?!

    Obtaining things necessary to make sheltering in place palatable and passable for family requires some extra efforts in shopping for safety as well as shopping safely. Makes one feel a little bit as families must have during World War II, with the inability to purchase food staples (I’m talking sugar, flour, and yeast!!! They were just not on the shelves where I live!), rationing your family’s food because you don’t know if meat or poultry will be available next week and saving your pennies, because even though price gouging is forbidden, it occurs in small ways.

    Other disconcerting issues that go along with the concerns about the Pandemic’s spread are what do we do (or do we?) about people who don’t and will not wear masks…I don’t really get what that is about–are they such gorgeous human beings that they don’t want to cover their faces… are they inept at making a mask or they don’t have the materials (a bandana or scarf will work)… or are they just plain reticent or lazy? Do they not understand how germs are spread? Really?! It hurts me when I see a parent bringing children into the local grocery…and none of them have masks on. So mom is exposing the whole crew to whatever may be floating in the air while she checks the potatoes…

    This brings up another glitch in the proceedings…how about people who pick up a product with their ungloved hands (where have those hands been? And what have they touched?) and put it back on the shelves as they didn’t want it anyway… okay, now their germs are on that product (along with the shelf stocker’s, the truck unloader’s and possibly the store manager’s and soon the check-out person’s…who knows?). How many hands have touched your store’s products since they left the processing plant…before they left the processing plant? And did the people in the processing plant have Covid-19…get tested? Who knows?! I know people who wipe down their groceries with disinfectant wipes upon bringing them into their homes. I always wash fresh produce, but while it seems ridiculous, it may be necessary to protect your family!

    Back to child safety. Right NOW, parents need to be paying more attention than ever to their kids’ Internet habits. Apparently this stay-at-home period of sheltering in place has spawned some very bad actors on the Internet, including child predators. Please, moms and dads, pay attention to what your kids are looking at, chatting with, reading, playing games with, on their computers and cell phones! A sex offender in New Jersey recently solicited an 11 year-old girl to provide undressed selfies. Fortunately, this man was arrested…But how many of these bad-deed-do’ers are not found out? It takes watchful parents to keep kids safe!