Be Child Safe

Author: Marianne Halterman

  • Moose Toys Recalls Toy Frogs Due to Chemical and Injury Hazards

    Recall Date: February 22, 2017

    Recall Number: 17-093

    Recall Summary

    Name of Product: Little Live Pets Lil Frog and Lil Frog Lily Pad toys

    Hazard: When the button batteries are removed from the toy frogs, the battery’s cap can become a projectile and the battery’s chemicals can leak, posing chemical and injury hazards.

    Remedy: Replace

    Consumers should immediately stop using the toy frogs, refrain from opening the battery compartment and contact Moose Toys for a free replacement Little Live Pet product.

    Consumer Contact: Moose Toys toll-free at 844-575-0340 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday PT or online at www.moosetoys.com and click on “Product Safety” for more information.

    Photos available here: https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2017/Moose-Toys-Recalls-Toy-Frogs

    Recall Details

    Units: About 427,000 (in addition, 17,800 were sold in Canada)

    Description: This recall involves the Little Live Pets Lil Frog plastic toys. They operate with four button batteries and jump. Little Live Pets Lil Frog has SKU: 28217 and Lil Frog Lily Pad has SKU: 28218 printed on the frog’s lower belly near its left thigh with a manufacture date code under it. The date code range is WS112016 to WS123216. The toy frogs were sold in pink, blue and green colors.

    Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received 17 reports of the battery’s cap becoming a projectile or battery chemicals leaking, including two injuries that resulted in emergency room and doctor’s office visits for eye irritation from the battery chemicals.

    Sold at: AAFES, Target, Toys “R” Us and Walmart stores nationwide and online at Amazon.com from August 2016 through February 2017 for about $15 for the Lil Frog and $25 for the Lil Frog Lily Pad.

    Manufacturer: Moose Toys Proprietary Ltd., of Australia

    Importer: Regal Logistics, of Fife, Wash.

    Manufactured in: China

  • Are Our Cities Safe… for Children?

    Dedicated to the Memory of Lavontay White, 2 years old. – Deceased

    I used to think of this Country as the safest country in the world. I still try to think of it that way, but for children in our inner-cities, I am not convinced. In Chicago, in the past few days, there have been several child fatalities caused by gun violence. The youngest child killed was 2 years old and his name was Lavontay White. The manner of his death is unacceptable to me… and should be to everyone in this Country. And, sadly, Lavontay’s death is only the tip of the iceberg!

    If people are protesting, maybe they should take the time to protest the fact that children are being killed by gun violence in our inner-cities–whether it’s due to gang violence, or drugs and the crime drugs bring to communities, or cultural and economic disparities–it doesn’t matter, the result is still the same.

    Children are dying, caught in the crossfire or intentionally killed. The lights of the most vulnerable among us– and the hope for this Country’s future– are being senselessly put out–and it’s wrong.

    What if it were your child or grandchild? What if it were mine? It seems the severity of punishment for such crimes is not enough to deter the worst bad actors. So, what are the next steps our cities’ mayors, and child and human rights advocates, must take to cure this most sick of societal ills? Do they have a plan? Is preventing harmful gun violence to children a priority on anyone’s agenda? Do children need to be removed from the crime-ridden cities to safe spaces until gun-toting gangs are eliminated and drug dealing thugs can be incarcerated? Please, will you tell me?

  • Britax Recalls Strollers Due to Fall Hazard

    Recall Date: February 16, 2017

    Recall Number: 17-088

    Recall Summary

    Name of Product: Britax B-Agile and BOB Motion Strollers with Click & Go receivers

    Hazard: A damaged receiver mount on the stroller can cause the car seat to disengage and fall unexpectedly, posing a fall hazard to infants in the car seat.

    Remedy: Repair

    Consumers should immediately stop using their Click & Go receiver mounts and contact Britax for a free repair kit for single strollers. Owners of the recalled double strollers should stop using them with car seats attached.

    Consumers can continue to use their stroller or car seat independently without the car seat attached to the stroller.

    Consumer Contact: Britax online at www.us.britax.com and click on the Safety Notice on the homepage or visit us.britax.com/recall, call toll-free at 844-227-0300 from 8:30 a.m.to 7 p.m. ET Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. ET Saturday or email Britax at stroller.recall@britax.com.

    Photos available here: https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2017/Britax-Recalls-Strollers

    Recall Details

    Units: About 676,000 (in addition, about 36,400 were sold in Canada and about 4,600 were sold in Mexico)

    Description: This recall involves Britax B-Agile and BOB Motion strollers (when used as a travel system with a car seat carrier attached). All models are folding, single or double occupant strollers and have Click & Go receiver mounts that attach the car seat carrier to the stroller frame. All colors of the stroller are included. The model number can be found on the inside of the stroller’s metal frame near the right rear wheel for single strollers and in the front middle underside of the frame on double strollers. Recalled model numbers include:

    B-Agile:

    S01298600, S01298700, S01635200, S02063600, S02063700, S02063800, S02063900, S02064000, S03803400, S03803500, S03803700, S03803800, S03803900, S04144400, S04144500, S04144600, S04144700, S04144800, S04144900, S04145000, S04183700, S04183800, S04184000, S04281200, S04281300, S04402800, S04437700, S04628500, S04884200, S04884300, S04884400, S04884500, S04975600, S04978900, S05060600, S05260200, S05511600, S05511700, S865800, S865900, S874300, S874400, S874500, S877200, S890100, S896000, S896200, S896600, S907200, S907300, S907400, S907500, S907600, S910200, S910300, S910400, S910500, S912300, S914300, S914500, S914700, S914900, S915200, S915400, S917400, S921800, S921900, S923700, U341763, U341764, U341782, U341783, U341825, U341826, U341828, U341X82, U34X782, U361763, U361818, U361819, U361825, U391875, U451835, U451837, U451841, U461763, U461764, U461782, U461783, U461825, U461826, U461828, U471818, U471819, U491842, U491843, U491844, U491908, U491909, U491910, U511875, U511877, U551835, U551837, U551841, U551861, U551862, U551863, U551864, U551865, U551905, U551906, U691878, U691879, U691881, U691882, U691884, U691904, U691905, U721895, U721896

    BOB Motion:

    S888600, S890200, S890300, S890400, S890500, S909700, S910600, S910700, S910800, S910900, S912600, U391820, U391821, U391822, U481820, U481821, U481822, U501820, U501821, U501822, U501907

    Incidents/Injuries: Britax has received 33 reports of car seats unexpectedly disconnecting from the strollers and falling to the ground, resulting in 26 reports of injuries to children, including scratches, bruises, cuts and bumps to the head. In addition, Britax is aware of 1,337 reports of strollers with damaged Click & Go receiver mounts.

    Sold at: Babies R Us, buy buy Baby, Target and other stores nationwide, and online at Amazon.com, albeebaby.com, buybuybaby.com, diapers.com, ToysRUs.com and other websites from May 2011 through February 2017 for between $250 and $470 for the strollers and travel systems.

    Importer: Britax Child Safety Inc., of Fort Mill, S.C.

    Manufactured in: China

  • Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Recalls Mickey Mouse Nightlights Due to Fire Hazard

    Recall Date: February 2, 2017

    Recall Number: 17-081

    Recall Summary

    Name of Product: Happy Holidays! Mickey Mouse Nightlights

    Hazard: Liquid from the nightlight can leak onto the electrical outlet, posing a fire hazard.

    Remedy: Refund

    Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled nightlights and contact Walt Disney Parks and Resorts US, Inc. for instructions on returning them for a full refund.

    Consumer Contact: Walt Disney Parks and Resorts US, Inc. toll-free at 844-722-1444 from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or online at www.disneyparks.com and click on “Safety Recall” at the bottom of the page for more information.

    Photos available at: https://cpsc.gov/Recalls/2017/Walt-Disney-Parks-and-Resorts-Recalls-Mickey-Mouse-Nightlights

    Recall Details

    Units: About 3,000

    Description: This recall involves the Happy Holidays! Mickey Mouse Nightlight with a Mickey Mouse face and red and white Santa hat filled with liquid and glitter. The date code FAC # 019808-16150 is printed on the bottom rear of the nightlight. The UPC code, 400009489637, is printed on a sticker on the bottom of the product packaging.

    Incidents/Injuries: Walt Disney Parks and Resorts have received two reports of incidents, including one electrical fire. No injuries have been reported.

    Sold exclusively at: Walt Disney World ® Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., Disneyland® Resort in Anaheim, Calif., Shop Disney Parks mobile app, and online at DisneyStore.com from July 2016 through November 2016 for about $15.

    Importer: Disney Destinations, LLC, d/b/a Disney Theme Park Merchandise, of Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

    Manufactured in: China

  • Measles and Keeping Kids Safe

    Most seniors, those over age 55 in the U.S. population, remember measles, mumps and rubella. Today, many family physicians have never seen cases of measles numbering in the double digits in their practice areas, town and city school districts, as were observed in the 1950s and early 1960s before the MMR vaccine became fully available. Everyone living in the United States today is fortunate to be able to put measles as a major health threat behind them, so far. Children growing up in the 1950s and ‘60s lived with the knowledge that if their school friends had measles, they would most likely get the disease too! At that time, it meant at least one week in bed and out of school–with no visitors except your parent caregiver (usually your mother), and she couldn’t leave the house either, because the family would be quarantined.

    But thanks to scientific research and the work of many great physicians, scientists, virologists, and epidemiologists, children living in the U.S. had first the measles vaccine in 1963. Before that time, however, as noted by the Centers for Disease Control in their history of measles, by the time they were 15 years old, nearly all children had experienced the measles. CDC estimates at that time, “3 to 4 million people in the United States were infected each year,.. an estimated 400 to 500 people died, 48,000 were hospitalized, and 4,000 suffered encephalitis (swelling of the brain) from measles.” 1 Early in the 20th century, the prognosis was far worse, an estimated 6,000 people died from measles each year in the U.S. 2

    What is Measles? Simply, measles is a highly contagious virus, causing respiratory infection, runny nose, fever, red eyes, cough, and a generalized red rash. Coughing, sneezing airborne secretions of mucus and saliva and close personal contact will spread the measles. CDC also points out that every year people who either haven’t been vaccinated and who travel are often exposed to measles, and they can carry the disease from wherever they were exposed into the U.S. So it’s good for most travelers to have been vaccinated (with MMR vaccine) before traveling to places where measles still exists, so they do not contract the disease and spread it to others. Having experienced measles as an adult at 28 years of age, I corroborate that this is not a disease you want to get, and the older you are, the more uncomfortable and dangerous it can be.

    In 2011, 220 people in the United States were diagnosed with measles. Despite the success of eliminating measles by vaccinating people, outbreaks still occur. Some parents have questioned whether the MMR vaccine causes autism–and this concern still lingers and is being studied–despite the fact that there have been repeated studies which indicate otherwise. Yesterday, it was announced in the press 3 that a 7-month old infant in northern New Jersey has contracted measles and may have exposed others between January 17 and 23. The child was treated in hospital and is recovering at home. The hospital is contacting people who may have been exposed in the hope to head off any spread of the disease. It is important that parents and caregivers understand the benefits of vaccinating their children. We must think not only of our own families but of those around us, and be good stewards of community health and be aware of preventive measures that keep families and children healthy and safe.

    __________________

    1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,1600 Clifton Road Atlanta, GA 30329-4027 USA, www.cdc.gov/measles/about/history.html
    2Ibid.
    3Ridgewood Patch, “North Jersey Baby Diagnosed with Measles: State Health Officials”, Hubbard, Daniel, January 30, 2017. http://patch.com/new-jersey/ridgewood/s/g0ltz/north-jersey-baby-diagnosed-with-measles-state-health-officials

  • Bolton Furniture Recalls Dressers Due to Serious Tip-Over and Entrapment Hazards

    Recall Date: January 31, 2017

    Recall Number: 17- 075

    Recall Summary

    Name of Product: Two Over Two 4-drawer dressers

    Hazard: The recalled dressers are unstable if they are not anchored to the wall, posing a serious tip-over and entrapment hazard that can result in death or injuries to children. The dressers do not comply with the performance requirements of the U.S. voluntary industry standard (ASTM F2057-14).

    Remedy: Repair

    Consumers should immediately stop using any recalled dresser that is not properly anchored to the wall and place it into an area that children cannot access. Consumers should contact Bolton Furniture for a free retrofit kit. Consumers can install the retrofit kit or the tip-restraint strap sold with the dressers themselves, or contact Bolton who will provide a one-time, free in-home installation.

    Consumer Contact: Bolton Furniture at 800-545-8982 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or online at www.boltonfurniture.biz and click on the “News” section and then Safety Recall.

    Photos available here: https://cpsc.gov/Recalls/2017/Bolton-Furniture-Recalls-Dressers

    Recall Details

    Units: About 1,000

    Description: This recall involves Bolton Furniture two over two style 4-drawer dressers. Models included in the recall are Cambridge 8614, Emma 8314, Essex 6614, Wakefield 8014 and Woodridge 8414. The dressers were sold in cherry, chestnut, espresso, honey, ivory, natural, and white. Model names and numbers can be found on the QC/production sticker located on back of the dresser.

    Incidents/Injuries: None reported

    Sold at: Full Line Furniture and children’s specialty stores nationwide and online at Amazon.com, Overstock.com, Target.com, ToysRUs.com, Wayfair.com, Zulilly.com and other online retailers from February 2011 to October 2016 for about $700.

    Importer/Distributor: Bolton Furniture, of Morrisville, Vt.

    Manufactured in: China and Vietnam

  • Pulse Performance Recalls Children’s Electric Scooters Due to Fall Hazard

    Recall Date: January 24, 2017

    Recall Number: 17-072

    Recall Summary

    Name of Product: Children’s electric scooters

    Hazard: The knuckle that joins the wheel to the axle can break, posing a fall hazard to the rider.

    Remedy: Refund

    Consumers should immediately take the recalled scooters away from children and contact Pulse Performance Products for a full refund.

    Consumer Contact: Pulse Performance Products toll-free at 844-287-8711 from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. PT Monday through Friday or online at www.pulsescooters.com and click on “CPSC Safety Recalls” for more information.

    Photos available at: https://cpsc.gov/Recalls/2017/Pulse-Performance-Recalls-Childrens-Electric-Scooters

    Recall Details

    Units: About 8,900

    Description: This recall involves Pulse Safe Start Transform electric scooters for children with manufacturing date codes between September 10, 2016 and October 11, 2016. The date code is printed on a label located under the platform in format XX(month)/XX(day)/2016 – 066QY. The scooters were sold in blue and have two wheels in front and one in the rear.

    Incidents/Injuries: None reported

    Sold exclusively at: Target stores nationwide from October 2016 through November 2016 for about $100.

    Manufacturer: Pulse Performance Products, a division of Bravo Sports, of Santa Fe Springs, Calif.

    Importer/Distributor: Target Corp., of Minneapolis, Minn.

    Manufactured in: China

  • Gun Accident Takes an 8-Year Old Girl

    Maybe I’m naive but I keep hoping that people who are informed and trained about safety measures and are knowledgeable in the use and care of firearms will always keep their weapon(s) with safety on and locked up high when not in use. It is beyond sad to think that one more child, an eight-year old girl in New Jersey, has died because her parent, a police person, neglected to put the safety on their weapon and lock it up. I don’t condemn the parents, but feel terribly sorry for them and for her siblings. They will never know what Sailor Righter, their daughter and sister, might have become one day– a mother, a teacher, an olympic athlete–no one will know because her short life was ended tragically by accident. Our hearts go out to this family in their grief.

    The most basic of requirements in the care and handling of a firearm advises gun owners to keep weapons locked and up high when not in use. This time the weapon was loaded, not locked, and placed on a shelf within reach of three children. Now, there is one more statistic to add to the total of unintentional injuries causing the death of those less than 10 years old.

    There are a host of smart gun technologies that preclude the use of a gun by a child. Why are they not in use? Where weapons are kept in the home, any home, they should be. And if the technology isn’t sufficiently developed to be 100% child-proof, why isn’t it?

  • Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Recalls Minnie and Mickey Mouse Infant Hoodie Sweatshirts

    Recall Date: January 4, 2017

    Recall Number: 17-063

    Recall Summary

    Name of Product: Minnie and Mickey Mouse infant hoodie sweatshirts

    Hazard: The snaps on the hoodies can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.

    Remedy: Refund

    Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled infant hoodies and contact Walt Disney Parks and Resorts US, Inc. for instructions on returning them for a full refund.

    Consumer Contact: Walt Disney Parks and Resorts US, Inc. toll-free at 844-722-1444 from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or online at www.disneyparks.com and click on “Safety Recall” at the bottom of the page or at www.disneystore.com/disney-parks-merchandise/mn/1029804/ for more information.

    Photos available here: cpsc.gov/Recalls/2017/Walt-Disney-Parks-and-Resorts-Recalls-Minnie-and-Mickey-Mouse-Infant-Hoodie-Sweatshirts

    Recall Details

    Units: About 15,000

    Description: This recall involves Minnie and Mickey Mouse infant hoodie sweatshirts with a three snap closure. The garments are cotton and polyester blend. They were sold in four sizes: 6M, 12M, 18M and 24M. The size and “Disney Parks” are printed on the inside back of the hoodie’s neck.

    The Minnie Mouse hoodie is black with ears attached to hood of the sweatshirt. A red fabric bow with white polka dots is attached to the top of the hood between the ears. The artwork shows a screen print of Minnie’s body up to neck. The date code FAC-010635-16194 or FAC-010635-16015 is printed on a label sewn into the left side seam. The UPC code is printed on a hangtag at the time of purchase. UPC codes include (6M) 400000175669, (12M) 400000175676, (18M) 400000175683, and (24M) 400000175690.

    The Mickey Mouse hoodie is black with ears attached to hood of the sweatshirt. The artwork shows a screen print of Mickey’s body up to neck. The date code FAC-010635-16220, FAC-010635-16015 or FAC-010635-16280 is printed on a label sewn into the left side seam. The UPC code is printed on a hangtag at the time of purchase. UPC codes include: (6M) 400000145433, (12M) 400000145440, (18M) 400000145457 and (24M) 400000145464.

    Incidents/Injuries: None reported

    Sold exclusively at: Walt Disney World® Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., Disneyland® Resort in Anaheim, Calif., and on the Shop Disney Parks mobile app from April 2016 through October 2016 for about $30.

    Importer: Disney Destinations, LLC, d/b/a Disney Theme Park Merchandise, of Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

    Manufactured in: China

  • A Bad Start for Child Safety in 2017

    I write this with a very heavy heart. It has just come over the newsfeed that the body of a child missing child from his home in Aurora, CO, over New Year’s, David Puckett, age 6, may have been found in a pond not far from his home. His mother was worried about the falling temperatures. A specialty dog pointed the rescue team to the pond. If it is confirmed that it is this child, his family will have the beginning of closure and heartache beyond belief, all at once. BeChildSafe.org sends prayers.

    Not far from my home this week two young boys, brothers, died in a house fire in Mt. Crawford, Virginia. It was an older rental home, a space heater may have been involved. I know members of this family and how they loved all their children. They are devastated. There may have been faulty wiring, the investigation continues. The “family night” was New Year’s Eve. The family now has the terrible job of dealing with their grief.

    And everyone has seen, I assume, the video of the two toddler twin brothers in Utah, when a dresser from Ikea fell over on the one little boy, the other baby figured out how to push the dresser off of his brother. It was filmed on their “Nanny” camera. This was a happy ending. But now there is talk about “maybe there should be charges of neglect filed” against the parents. No, I don’t think so. We should rejoice here that nothing worse happened to the child trapped beneath the dresser… and that his quick-thinking toddler brother was capable and cognizant — instinctively — of what to do to save his brother’s life.

    So, comes the question: Where were the parents? Why didn’t they start searching immediately when they were aware David left the house, why didn’t the parents involved in the house fire make sure that any appliance they used was certified by Underwriters Laboratories (UL)…and that no space heater was used in a confined space where people (children) were sleeping? And about that Nanny Cam, no, one would make sure that their very own eyes were the on their toddlers… and not leave watching young children… to a camera… that cannot think. The parents of the toddlers have another chance. I hope they “get” that, and never, ever put off stabilizing a piece of furniture when they have the chance, again. I know how badly they must have felt–they seem conscientious…they learned a major lesson, and I am sure they are so grateful. Frequently, more frequently than people realize, parents don’t get do-overs.

    In any case, BeChildSafe.org wishes everyone a happy, healthy and safe New Year.