Be Child Safe

Author: Marianne Halterman

  • VTech Recalls Infant Rattles Due to Choking Hazard

    Recall Date: January 25, 2018

    Recall Number: 18-083

    Recall Summary

    Name of Product: Shake & Sing Elephant Rattles

    Hazard: The ears on the elephant rattles can break off, posing a choking hazard to young children.

    Remedy: Refund

    Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled rattles and contact VTech for a full refund or credit for a replacement product.

    Consumer Contact: VTech at 800-521-2010 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or online at vtechkids.com and click on Support for more information or at https://www.vtechkids.com/support/support_form.

    Recall Details

    Units: About 280,000

    Description: This recall involves Vtech Shake and Sing Elephant rattle with model number 80-184800. The rattle has a purple elephant with yellow and blue ears at one end and a black and white plastic teething ring at the other end. VTech is stamped on the elephant. The rattle is about seven inches long and the number 1848 is printed on the back of the rattle adjacent to the battery door. The rattle sings when a button is switched on.

    Incidents/Injuries: Vtech has received five reports of the ears breaking off of the rattle. No injuries have been reported.

    Sold At: Walmart, Kmart, Meijer, Mills Fleet Farm, Seventh Avenue, and online at Amazon.com and zulily.com from November 2015 through November 2017 for about $8.

    Importer: VTech Electronics North America LLC, of Arlington Heights, Ill.

    Distributor: VTech Electronics North America LLC, of Arlington Heights, Ill.

    Manufacturer: VTech Electronics Limited, of China

    Manufactured in: China

  • Fashion Accessory Bazaar Recalls Fidget Spinner Keychains Due to Choking Hazard

    Recall Date: January 24, 2018

    Recall Number: 18-082

    Recall Summary

    Name of Product: Fidget spinner keychains

    Hazard: The center post on the fidget spinner can become loose or fall out, posing a choking hazard.

    Remedy: Refund

    Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled keychains and contact Fashion Accessory Bazaar for instructions on how to receive a full refund.

    Consumer Contact: Fashion Accessory Bazaar toll-free at 888-320-3299 any time, email at supportdesk@fabny.com or online at www.fabny.com and click on “Recall Information” for more information.

    Recall Details

    Units: About 20,000

    Description: This recall involves Pokemon fidget spinner keychains. The keychains have a silver metal key ring with a metal bar attached to it with a Pokemon-themed fidget spinner on the end of the metal bar. The fidget spinner is red and white in the center and yellow around the outside. They measure about ½ inch high by 2 1/2 inches wide by 4 ½ inches long.

    Incidents/Injuries: None reported

    Sold At: Bonita Marie Int., Gamestop, Wonderland stores and others nationwide and online at Amazon.com and other websites from September 2017 through November 2017 for between $7 and $10.

    Importer: Fashion Accessory Bazaar, of New York, N.Y.

    Distributor: Fashion Accessory Bazaar, of New York, N.Y.

    Manufacturer: Fashion Accessory Bazaar, of New York, N.Y.

    Manufactured in: China

  • Skip Hop Recalls Convertible High Chairs Due to Fall Hazard

    Recall Date: January 9, 2017

    Recall Number: 18-078

    Recall Summary

    Name of Product: Tuo Convertible High Chairs

    Hazard: The front legs on the highchair can detach from the seat, posing fall and injury hazards to children.

    Remedy: Replace. Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled high chairs and contact Skip Hop for a free replacement.

    Consumer Contact: Skip Hop toll-free at 888-282-4674 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or online at www.skiphop.com and click on “Recalls” for more information.

    Pictures available here: https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2018/Skip-Hop-Recalls-Convertible-High-Chairs-Due-to-Fall-Hazard

    Recall Details

    Units: About 7,900 in U.S. (In addition, 2,000 in Canada)

    Description: This recall involves the charcoal colored Tuo convertible high chair, which can be converted into a toddler chair. The style numbers are 304200 and 304200CN with a date code found on the back of the chair as follows: HH102016, HH11/2016, HH3/2017 and HH4/2017. The highchairs have a reversible seat pad, removable tray, 5-point harness, beechwood footrest and legs.

    Incidents/Injuries: Skip Hop has received 13 reports of the legs of the high chairs detaching, resulting in two reports of bruises to children.

    Sold At: Babies ”R” Us, Buy Buy Baby, Target, Kohls, Dillards and other children specialty stores nationwide and online at Amazon.com and Skiphop.com from December 2016 through September 2017 for about $160.

    Importer(s): Skip Hop, Inc., of New York

    Manufactured In: China

  • CPSC Offering $1.1 Million in Pool Safely Grants to Help Prevent Drownings and Drain Entrapments

    Release Date: January 2, 2018

    Release Number: 18-075

    CPSC Offering $1.1 Million in Pool Safely Grants to Help Prevent Drownings and Drain Entrapments; State and Local Governments Encouraged to Apply

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) today announces a 90-day solicitation seeking applications for a special Pool Safely Grant Program (PSGP) offered to state and local governments. CPSC expects to award $1.1 million in two-year grants to assist jurisdictions in reducing deaths and injuries from drowning and drain entrapment incidents in pools and spas. The Pool Safely grant program is a part of CPSC’s national effort to make drowning and drain entrapment prevention a critical public safety priority.

    The grant program is made possible through the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (VGB Act), legislation that was authored and advanced by Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D) Florida. Congress passed the VGB Act, and President George W. Bush signed the measure into law, in December 2007. The PSGP seeks to provide state and local governments with assistance for education, training and enforcement of pool safety requirements.

    “These grants provide critical support for state and local officials to educate consumers about drowning and entrapment dangers and to enforce pool safety laws in their communities,” said CPSC Acting Chairman Ann Marie Buerkle. “During this 10-year anniversary of the VGB Act, we are recognizing the important role of the VGB grant program in helping to reduce the number of drowning and drain entrapment incidents. These funds will assist state and local programs to continue this lifesaving work to reduce such tragedies.”

    Applicants must be a state or local government or U.S. Territory that has an enacted or amended state and/or local law(s) that meet the requirements in Sections 1405 and 1406 of the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (15 U.S.C. §§ 8004 and 8005).

    Prospective applicants are encouraged to review the solicitation on Grants.gov, under grant opportunity CPSC-18-001. Applications will be accepted through April 2, 2018.

    CPSC’s website: www.PoolSafely.gov, has supplemental information about the Pool Safely Grant Program and the VGB Act. PoolSafely.gov has a broad range of free, downloadable information for the general public, state and local officials, the swimming pool and spa community and the media.

    The requirements of this child safety law will help to reduce the risk of drowning. The requirements include installing new safety drain covers and physical barriers, such as a fence completely surrounding the pool with self-closing, self-latching gates, and, if the house forms a side of the barrier, using alarms on doors leading to the pool area and/or a power safety cover over the pool. See additional pool safety tips at: www.PoolSafely.gov.

  • Wohali Outdoors Recalls Children’s Sleepwear Due to Violation of Federal Flammability Standard; Sold Exclusively at Bass Pro Shops

    Recall Date: December 21, 2017

    Recall Number: 18-070

    Recall Summary

    Name of Product: Children’s three-piece pajama sets

    Hazard: The children’s pajama sets fail to meet flammability standards for children’s sleepwear, posing a risk of burn injuries to children.

    Remedy: Refund

    Consumers should immediately take the recalled pajama sets away from children and contact Wohali for instructions on receiving a pre-paid shipping label to return the pajama sets to Wohali in exchange for a full refund in the form of a Bass Pro gift card.

    Consumer Contact: Wohali toll-free at 833-282-0442 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or by email cs@wohalioutdoors.com.

    Recall Details

    Units: About 26,800 in the U.S. (In addition, 2,000 units were sold in Canada)

    Description: This recall involves children’s 100 percent polyester, three-piece pajama sets that include a printed long-sleeve shirt, pants and a coordinating solid color robe that has matching printed lapels and cuffs. The sets have a printed label with “BASS PRO SHOPS” on the back of the neck of the long-sleeve shirt and robe and at the back of the pants. Each of the garments also has a sewn-in side label that has “RN number 74747” printed on it, and underneath that label another sewn-in label that has PO# 3515 or 3516, a style number, and the phone number 1-800-BASS PRO. Only sleepwear in the style numbers below and with a label identifying PO# 3515 or 3516 are included in the recall.

    [ultimatetables 18 /]

    Incidents/Injuries: None reported

    Sold Exclusively At: Bass Pro Shops stores, catalog, and online at basspro.com from October 2016 through August 2017 for about $25.

    Importer: Wohali Outdoors LLC, of Broken Arrow, Okla.

    Manufactured in: China

    In Conjunction With: Canada

    Health Canada’s press release is available at: http://healthycanadians.gc.ca/recall-alert-rappel-avis/hc-sc/2017/65454r-eng.php

  • CPSC Approves New Federal Safety Standard for Children’s Folding Chairs and Stools

    Release Date: December 20, 2017

    Release Number: 18-068

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has approved a new federal standard intended to improve the safety of children’s folding chairs and stools.

    The new federal safety standard incorporates the most recent voluntary standard developed by ASTM International (ASTM F2613-17a, Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Children’s Chairs and Stools), but limits the scope of the CPSC standard to children’s folding chairs and stools. The mandatory standard contains several requirements for children’s folding chairs and stools, including:

    1. latching and locking mechanism or adequate hinge-line clearance requirements,
    2. rearwards and sideways stability testing, and
    3. warning labels.

    Between January 2003 and August 2017, CPSC received a total of 153 reports of incidents, including 105 injuries, related to children’s folding chairs and stools.

    The most frequent injuries associated with children’s folding chairs and stools include pinching, finger injuries and tip-overs due to instability.

    The effective date for the new mandatory children’s folding chairs and stools standard is six months after the final rule is published in the Federal Register.

    The Commission is required by the Danny Keysar Child Product Safety Notification Act, Section 104(b) of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA), to issue consumer product safety standards for durable infant or toddler products. In the past 7 years, the Commission has approved new federal safety standards for durable infant or toddler products, including full-size cribs, non-full-size cribs, play yards, baby walkers, baby bath seats, children’s portable bed rails, strollers, toddler beds, infant swings, handheld infant carriers, soft infant carriers, framed infant carriers, bassinets, cradles, portable hook-on chairs and infant sling carriers.

    The Commission voted unanimously (4-0) to approve the standard on December 8, 2017.

    https://www.cpsc.gov/Newsroom/News-Releases/2018/CPSC-Approves-New-Federal-Safety-Standard-for-Childrens-Folding-Chairs-and-Stools

  • Dream On Me Recalls Crib & Toddler Bed Mattresses Due to Violation of Federal Mattress Flammability Standard

    Recall Date: December 12, 2017

    Recall Number: 18-058

    Recall Summary

    Name of Product: Crib and toddler bed mattresses

    Hazard: The mattresses fail to meet the mandatory federal flammability standard for mattresses, posing a fire hazard.

    Remedy: Repair

    Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled mattresses and contact Dream On Me to receive a free mattress cover to bring the mattress into compliance with the federal flammability standard.

    Consumer Contact: Dream On Me toll-free at 877-201-4317 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or online at www.dreamonme.com and click on “Customer Care” for more information.

    Recall Details

    Units: About 23,400

    Description: This recall involves Dream On Me spring and foam mattresses for cribs and toddler beds. The recalled mattresses were sold in a variety of colors and prints. The model number and date of manufacture are printed on a tag on the top center of the mattress.

    [ultimatetables 17 /]

    Incidents/Injuries: None reported

    Sold at: Amazon.com, Kohls.com, ToyRUs.com, Walmart.com and Wayfair.com from January 2016 through December 2016 for between $40 and $90.

    Manufacturer: Dream On Me, of Piscataway, N.J.

    Manufactured in: U.S.

  • Put Safety at the Top of Your List When Decorating this Holiday Season!

    As the nation gears up to decorate their homes for the holiday season, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reminds consumers of decorating dangers and provides tips for a safe holiday. CPSC demonstrated some of the hazards, including Christmas tree and candle fires at its laboratory in Rockville, Md. See CPSC’s broadcast quality video.

    “Safety should be part of all your decorating efforts,” said CPSC Acting Chairman Ann Marie Buerkle. “Make sure your live Christmas tree has plenty of water, keep lit candles away from flammable items, and use caution when standing on a ladder or a chair to hang decorations.”

    Holiday decorating-related injuries:

    CPSC estimates the following holiday decoration-related emergency room-treated injuries nationwide during last year’s holiday season.

    • 14,700 holiday decorating related ER-treated injuries. That’s an average of about 240 injuries per day during the holiday season of November and December!
    • The most frequent holiday decorating incidents involved falls (41%), lacerations (10%) and back strains (5%).
    • 3 deaths involving ladder falls.

    Fires involving Christmas Trees and Candles

    [ultimatetables 16 /]

    *Average annual estimates from 2012 to 2014 entire calendar year.
    **Average annual estimates from 2012 to 2014 for the months of November through December.

    Follow these CPSC safety tips to keep your family safe:

    Trees and Decorations

    1. Buying a live tree? Check for freshness. A fresh tree is green, its needles are hard to pull from branches, and its needles do not break when bent between your fingers. The bottom of a fresh tree is sticky with resin, and when tapped on the ground, the tree should not lose many needles.
    2. Setting up a tree at home? Place it away from heat sources, such as fireplaces, vents, and radiators. Heated rooms rapidly dry out live trees, be sure to monitor water levels daily and keep the tree stand filled with water. Place the tree out of the way of foot traffic and do not block doorways with the tree.
    3. Buying an artificial tree? Look for the label: “Fire Resistant.” Although this label does not mean that the tree will not catch fire, the tree is more resistant to catching fire.
    4. Decorating a tree in homes with small children? Avoid sharp or breakable decorations. Keep trimmings with small removable parts out of the reach of small children who could swallow or inhale small pieces. Avoid trimmings that resemble candy or food that may tempt a child to try to eat them.

    Candles

    1. Keep burning candles within sight. Extinguish all candles before leaving the room.
    2. Keep candles on a stable, heat-resistant surface where children and pets cannot reach them or knock them over. Place lit candles away from items that can catch fire such as trees, decorations, curtains and furniture.

    Lights

    1. Only use lights tested for safety by a nationally recognized testing laboratory. Lights for both indoor and outdoor usage must meet strict standards that testing laboratories are able to verify.
    2. Check each set of lights, new or old, for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections. Throw out damaged sets and do not use electric lights on a metallic tree.
    3. Check each extension cord to make sure it is rated for the intended use and is in good condition. Do not use cords with cuts or signs of fraying.
    4. Check outdoor lights for labels showing the lights have been certified for outdoor use and only plug them into a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI)-protected receptacle or a portable GFCI.

    Fireplaces

    1. Use care with “fire salts,” which produce colored flames when thrown onto wood fires. Fire salts contain heavy metals that can cause intense gastrointestinal irritation and vomiting if swallowed. Keep them away from children.
    2. Do not burn wrapping paper in the fireplace. A flash fire may result because wrappings can ignite suddenly and burn intensely.

    Smoke alarms

    1. CPSC recommends having working smoke alarms on every floor of the home and in every bedroom. The early warning provided by smoke alarms saves lives.
    2. Test your smoke alarms every month to make sure they are working properly.
    3. Change batteries in smoke alarms every year.

    You can also find more fire safety tips and information in our fire safety information center.

  • Kroger recalls ‘Comforts For Baby’ water because of mold

    © Food Safety News – www.foodsafetynews.com

    By Kelsey M. Mackin | December 4, 2017

    The Kroger Co. is recalling almost six months worth of its Comforts For Baby brand purified water with fluoride because samples have tested positive for mold contamination. Various grocery chains in 14 states are recalling the implicated infant water.

    “The FDA is issuing this consumer alert to reach parents and caregivers who may have bought the product, which is intended for infants,” according to the alert posted on the Food and Drug Administration’s website today.

    Kroger testing identified Talaromyces penicillium mold in the water after consumers complained about mold in the product. Although the water is sold in clear containers, consumers may not be able to see mold that is present. Anyone with the recalled water is urged to throw away any unused portions or return to the place of purchase for a refund.

    The 1-gallon plastic jugs of the “Comforts For Baby Purified Water with Fluoride” are labeled with “DISTRIBUTED BY THE KROGER CO, CINCINNATI, OHIO 45202.” The affected products also bear the plant code 51-4140 and the UPC number 0 41260 37597 2. Consumers can also identify the recalled water by looking for “sell by” dates between April 26, 2018, and Oct. 10, 2018.

    According to the consumer alert, Kroger distributed the recalled water to retailers including Food 4 Less, Jay C, Jay C Food Plus, Kroger, Kroger Marketplace, Owen’s, Payless Super Market, and Ruler stores. Those retailers with locations in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia have been ordered to recall the infant water.

    Symptoms of exposure to mold, including Talaromyces penicillium, can cause immediate or delayed allergic reactions from inhaling or touching the mold or microscopic mold spores. Allergic reactions can include including sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, skin rash and anaphylactic shock.

    Mold can also cause asthma attacks. Molds can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs, even in people who aren’t allergic to them, according to FDA.

    “Drinking water or other products contaminated with Talaromyces penicillium may affect infants who have HIV or other conditions that cause immune compromise,” according to the alert.

    “These individuals may become infected and this may lead to serious health consequences.”

    Consumers should consult a health care professional if they believe their infant has consumed any of the recalled water.

  • Toy Safety for the Holidays 2017

    At no time, are we more conscious of child safety than during this joyous ramp-up to the holidays when gift purchasing and giving is at all-time high. Various websites, including the website for the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), call to our attention the incidents and injuries that have parents quaking in their boots: Tip-overs of childhood furniture are still occurring and causing fatalities. The CPSC estimates there were 174,100-toy related emergency department-treated injuries and seven deaths in 2016 to children younger than 15. Riding toys, especially non-motorized scooters were associated with the most injuries and almost half of toy-related deaths (most involved a motorized vehicle).1

    Our government makes a great effort to keep kids safe vis a\ vis toys on the market, and to that end seized 745,000 toys at our ports of entry for violating toy safety standards. Approximately 360,000 toys containing lead in some amount were also seized in 2017. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) helped stop dangerous toys from entering the U.S. and from being placed on the market and sold to parents, caregivers and family members of kids.

    As we do each year, we urge parents and those who buy gifts for kids to follow the age-related recommendations on the packaging. Check the label, choose age-appropriate toys. Children under 3 years of age should not have toys with small parts, due to the threat of possible choking if parts become detached. Also please avoid toys with marbles and small balls for children under age 3. If you purchase riding toys, buy the safety gear that goes with them, including properly fitting helmets. Parents need to know that magnets, especially high powered magnet sets, can be dangerous and should be kept away from children under 14, and especially from small children. Young children should not have access to any toy or accessory with button batteries.

    Proper supervision of kids when they use toys is important too. And please report any safety incidents involving toys or other products at www.SaferProducts.gov as soon as possible. Beyond their threat to human life, deaths, injuries and property damage due to consumer product incidents cost our Nation more than $1 trillion annually–and because our children are our most precious asset of all, we continue preach child safety every day of the year! Not just at Halloween and Christmas! But please be especially watchful this holiday season. To report a dangerous product or toy, or injury due to use of a toy or product, go online to www.SaferPrroducts.gov or call CPSC’s Hotline at 800-638-2772.

    And have a wonderful holiday season!

    1U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, “Don’t Play With Toy Safety: CPSC Tips for Safe Gifts”, www.cpsc.gov