Be Child Safe

Author: Marianne Halterman

  • Lutron Electronics Recalls Roman Shades Due to Strangulation Hazard

    Recall Date: November 24, 2015

    Recall Number: 16-042

    Recall Summary

    Name of Product: Roman shades

    Hazard: Strangulations can occur when a child places his/her neck between the exposed ribbon (hobble tape) and the fabric on the backside of the shade or when a child pulls the tape out and wraps it around his/her neck.

    Remedy: Refund, Replace

    Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled Roman shades and contact Lutron Electronics for a full refund or a free replacement shade.

    Consumer Contact: Lutron Electronics toll-free at 844-478-2033 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or online at www.lutron.com and click on Important Safety Notice.

    Photos available at http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2016/Lutron-Electronics-Recalls-Roman-Shades/

    Recall Details

    Units: About 240 in United States

    Description: This recall involves hobbled-style, motorized or manual, custom-made Roman shades. They were made out of fabric mounted on a metal frame, manufactured between December 17, 2009 and July 23, 2015. Each shade has two to six vertical mesh lift bands that are 8 inches wide, secured by lift band clamps at the bottom of the shade, and a 1-inch wide vertical hobble tape running the length of the shade. Lutron Electronics Inc. and the manufacture date appear on a white label on the shade tube at the top of the shade; which can be located when the shade is fully extended. Consumers should contact Lutron Electronics if the label cannot be located.

    Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

    Sold at: 54 Electric (formerly, Pfeiffer Electric), Bekins, Burgin Drapery Workroom, Don Fillers & Associates (DFA), Rosenburg Power Window Treatments and other residential window shading dealers from December 2009 through July 2015 for between $675 and $8,000.

    Manufacturer: Lutron Electronics Co. Inc., of Coopersburg, Pa.

    Manufactured in: United States

  • Collaborating Across Borders: North American Regulators Working Together to Protect Children from Harmful Toys

    Release Date: November 19, 2015

    CPSC Release No.: 16-040

    MEXICO CITY – Shoppers across North America are gearing up for the holiday toy shopping season, and federal regulators in the United States, Mexico and Canada are joining forces to help consumers shop with confidence.  The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Health Canada and Mexico’s Consumer Protection Federal Agency (PROFECO) are holding their Third North America Consumer Product Safety Summit in Mexico City this week, and protecting young children from dangerous and illegal toys is a shared goal among the safety agencies.

    Collaboration among the regulators has taken place through joint industry trainings, consumer outreach and education, and three trilateral recall announcements of harmful toys and children’s products. Additional efforts have included joint oversight of product supply chains and timely responses to emerging product hazards. The vision for creating a safer marketplace for consumers across the continent includes: (1) strong safety standards that are enforced, (2) inspections at import, and (3) an emphasis on quality safety manufacturing overseas.

    “As we approach the holiday season, our three jurisdictions are working as one to protect children in all three nations from harmful toys,” said CPSC Chairman Elliot F. Kaye.  “Despite our real advances in toy safety, we are still finding too many violative toys at our borders. All consumers, regardless of which of our three nations they come from, deserve us working together to protect them.  This is why working toward seamless surveillance across North American borders is a critical part of our collaboration with Health Canada and PROFECO.”

    “In today’s global marketplace, close collaboration between countries is important for keeping Canadians safe,” said Dr. Jane Philpott, Minister of Health, Health Canada. “I look forward to continuing Health Canada’s partnership with the CPSC and PROFECO on our shared goals for consumer product safety, including promoting toy safety this holiday season. As a mom and as Canada’s new Minister of Health, I’m committed to helping keep families safe.”

    “Coordinated work among the consumer protection agencies in our region is the starting point to successfully face, in the near future, the challenges presented by the global economy; and, at the same time, assure every consumer that not only are their rights safeguarded, but also that the law exists to assist and protect them,” said Lorena Martínez, Mexico’s Federal Attorney for Consumer Protection (Profeco). “Only by strengthening strategic alliances and sharing efforts and experience, we will reach our mutual goals.”

    In addition to working with Health Canada and Profeco, CPSC works closely with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to keep violative products off of store shelves and out of consumers’ homes. In the past six years, the U.S. government has stopped more than 17 million units of about 6,200 different toys that violated applicable standards from coming into the United States.

    Click here to view the North American joint statement.

    Here are some safety tips for all consumers to keep in mind this holiday season:

    • Magnets – Children’s magnetic toys are covered by a strong safety standard that aims to prevent magnets from being swallowed. High-powered magnet sets that have small magnets are dangerous and should be kept away from children. Whether marketed for children or adults, building and play sets with small magnets should also be kept away from small children.
    • Balloons – Children can choke or suffocate on deflated or broken balloons. Children can also be strangled by a balloon string. Keep deflated balloons away from children younger than 8 years old. Discard torn balloons immediately.
    • Small balls and other toys with small parts – For children younger than age 3, avoid toys with small parts, which can cause choking.
    • Scooters and other riding toys – Riding toys, skateboards and in-line skates go fast, and falls could be deadly. Helmets and other safety gear should be worn properly at all times, and they should be sized to fit. Avoid riding scooters on streets or roadways.

    Once gifts are open:

    • Keep toys appropriate for older children away from younger siblings.
    • Battery charging should be supervised by adults. Chargers and adapters can pose thermal burn hazards to young children. Pay attention to instructions and warnings on battery chargers. Some chargers lack any mechanism to prevent overcharging.

    CPSC Release: http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Newsroom/News-Releases/2016/Collaborating-Across-Borders-North-American-Regulators-Working-Together-to-Protect-Children-from-Harmful-Toys/

  • Children Caught in the Crossfire?

    Growing up, I know I was fortunate: I never had to be concerned about being caught in the middle of a gun battle, unless my playmates and I were playing cops and robbers in the backyard. In those days, their “guns” were their fingers, a stick, or a toy. But this is the real deal, folks. The Ridgewood-Glen Rock Patch reported this week that a young girl, 8 years old, in Asbury Park, New Jersey, was watching TV in her home. A gun battle apparently ensued on her street, police chased a suspect who obtained a gun… shots were fired, one shot went through the child’s residence. The child was hospitalized. This should NOT happen, and I believe any sane person will agree that too many times recently, people recklessly brandishing weapons are harming children who are nearby.

    Gang culture and criminal drug distribution frequently play a part in this stupidity. Gang violence often catches children unawares. They get in the way and are shot. One look at Cook County, Illinois’, murder stats for the past two years (if you can find them on the Internet!) will show there were more than 2,000 deaths by gun violence. I don’t know how many of these were children–and frankly, I am afraid to look at the numbers because I am told they are quite high. The law enforcement community is aware that drug dealers have been known to use children as human shields hoping to throw off observant neighbors or law enforcement. The national news has now alerted the public that a six-year old child was shot–by the police–during a car chase. The parent was the subject of the chase. The child’s death? Sadly, collateral damage. And THIS should NOT happen. Children should never become collateral damage. Children should never be used as human shields. They are the most vulnerable among us, so what is wrong with this horrible picture?

    In my view, we are becoming numb to the most horrific crimes and accidents involving firearms, because their numbers are increasing, so much so that we are losing count. 142 School shootings since Newtown! So much so that we refuse to talk about these crimes–or publish essays about them in our newspapers–we wouldn’t want to detract from business or tourism in our communities. I never had to think about guns when I was in school! School and guns were two mutually exclusive terms. I never had to think about being beaten on the street on the way to my classes.

    Kids in Chicago and in other “rough” areas of our big cities are lucky to make it to class unscathed, not to mention what may happen to them while in school. This is simply wrong–and it has to stop. The Chicago Reporter’s Angela Caputo, reported in 2012, that “from 2008 through 2012, nearly half of Chicago’s 2,389 homicide victims — 1,118 — were under the age of 25 (chicagoreporter.com/youths-are-the-no-1-target-in-chicagos-homicide-epidemic/). That number has since increased to 1,336 through April 20, [2012]. Of the young people who have been murdered, nearly 500 are 18 or younger (chicagoreporter.com/homicides-chicago-down-number-children-killed-stays-same/).” Three years down the road, not much has changed, the numbers of childhood deaths by violence are still high.

    At some point, America is going to have to roll back the liberal way we have allowed firearms- and weapons-related crimes to seep into our lives and to proliferate while allowing the gun-toting criminals who cause them, to live with all the benefits in our prisons.

    Meanwhile the children–our country’s future– have been and are being sacrificed by the most selfishly evil elements in our society.

    Know this! Children are our only real hope for the future, they are given to us as a blessing. They are the precious fruits of God’s love for us. Is this the way we treat God’s gift?

  • Pottery Barn Kids Recalls Avengers and Darth Vader Water Bottles Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

    Recall Date: October 28, 2015

    Recall Number: 16-022

    Recall Summary

    Name of Product: Avengers and Darth Vader Themed Water Bottles

    Hazard: The gray paint on the metal portion of the water bottle can contain excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

    Remedy: Refund

    Consumers should immediately take the recalled water bottles from children and return them to the nearest Pottery Barn Kids store or contact the firm’s toll-free number for free shipping information. Consumers will have the option of a full refund or replacement water bottle, plus a $20 Pottery Barn Kids gift card.

    Consumer Contact: Pottery Barn Kids toll-free at 844-421-8062 from 7 a.m. to midnight ET daily, or online at www.potterybarnkids.com and click on Safety Recalls at the bottom of the page for more information.

    Photos available at www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2016/Pottery-Barn-Kids-Recalls-Avengers-and-Darth-Vader-Water-Bottles/

    Recall Details

    Units: About 15,200 (in addition, 430 units were sold in Canada)

    Description: This recall involves Avengers and Darth Vader themed stainless steel water bottles with images of Thor, The Incredible Hulk and Iron Man on one and an image of Darth Vader and the Death Star on the other style. The water bottles are gray with a blue or black plastic top, a vacuum-valve stopper and are 5 ½ inches tall by 2 ¾ inches in diameter. SKU number 7939721 (Avengers) or 7939721 (Darth Vader) is printed on the price sticker affixed to the bottom of the bottle, along with one of the following date codes: 12/2013, 8/2014 or 12/2014. A tracking label imprinted on the underside of the bottle contains the date code printed along with the words, “Pottery Barn Kids,” “LOT 1, BATCH 1” and “JINHUA, CHINA.”

    Incidents/Injuries: None reported

    Sold exclusively at: Pottery Barn Kids and Pottery Barn Outlet stores nationwide, through the Pottery Barn Kids catalog and online at www.potterybarnkids.com from June 2014 through September 2015 for about $16.

    Importer: Pottery Barn Kids, of San Francisco, Calif.

    Manufacturer: Amax Enterprises (HK) Limited, of China

    Manufactured in: China

    Note: Health Canada’s press release is available at healthycanadians.gc.ca/recall-alert-rappel-avis/hc-sc/2015/55598r-eng.php

  • Burley Design Recalls Child Bicycle Trailers Due to Injury Risk

    Recall Date: October 28, 2015

    Recall Number: 16-019

    Recall Summary

    Name of Product: Child bicycle trailers

    Hazard: Trailers with black plastic tow bar receivers can separate from the tow bar when they appear to be connected, posing a crash hazard to the child in the trailer.

    Remedy: Repair

    Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled bicycle trailers and contact Burley for a free safety strap kit with tools and instructions for installation and a coupon for a 20 percent discount on the purchase of any Burley accessory. Consumers should also inspect the black plastic tow bar receiver. If it appears to be cracked or damaged, consumers should also request a free replacement tow bar receiver.

    Consumer Contact: Burley Design at 800-311-5294 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday or online at www.burley.com and click on “Recall Information” for more information.

    Photos available at www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2016/Burley-Design-Recalls-Child-Bicycle-Trailers/

    Recall Details

    Units: About 34,000 (in addition about 820 were sold in Canada)

    Description: This recall involves seven models of Burley Design child bicycle trailers manufactured from 2009 to 2015. The trailers allow cyclists to tow children behind their bicycles while riding. The trailers are connected to the bicycle by a tow bar, which attaches to the rear axle of the bicycle on one end and to a tow bar receiver on the trailer at the other end. The tow bar receiver is on the front left side of the trailer as it faces the rear wheel of the bicycle. Recalled trailers have a black plastic tow bar receiver with an integrated wheel guard. Recalled trailers can be identified by the first four characters of the serial numbers on the trailer. The serial number is on a sticker in the rear cargo area behind the seat of the trailer on the left inside frame bar. The following seven trailer models and serial numbers are being recalled:

    Model Serial Numbers:

    Cub K943
    Rental Cub K943
    D’Lite and D’Lite ST D948 and K948
    Encore K942
    Solo and Solo ST D939, K939 and KK939

    Trailers with aluminum tow bar receivers are not included in the recall.

    Incidents/Injuries: Burley Design has received 35 reports of trailers with black plastic tow bar receivers separating from the tow bar, including two incidents that resulted in abrasions to a child.

    Sold at: REI, Sport Chalet and other sporting goods stores and bike shops nationwide, and at Amazon.com and other online retailers from January 2009 to October 2015 for between $300 and $700.

    Importer: Burley Design LLC, of Eugene, Ore.

    Manufactured in: China

    Note: Health Canada’s press release is available at healthycanadians.gc.ca/recall-alert-rappel-avis/hc-sc/2015/55590r-eng.php.

  • LaRose Industries Recalls Peanuts Flying Ace Ride-On Toys Due to Choking Hazard

    Recall Date: October 27, 2015

    Recall Number: 16-018

    Summary

    Name of Product: Peanuts Flying Ace Ride-On Toys; Sold Exclusively at Target

    Hazard: The toy’s blue hubcaps can detach from the wheel’s axle, posing a choking hazard to young children.

    Remedy: Refund

    Consumers should immediately take the recalled ride-on toys away from children and return the product to any Target store for a full refund.

    Consumer Contact: Target at 800-440-0680 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or online at www.target.com, click on Product Recalls at the bottom of the homepage under the Help section. Consumers can also click on the Product Recalls tab on Target’s Facebook page for more information. Consumers can also visit LaRose’s website at www.cra-z-art.com and click on the Product Recall tab at the bottom of the page.

    Photos available at: www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2016/LaRose-Industries-Recalls-Peanuts-Flying-Ace-Ride-On-Toys/

    Recall Details

    Units: About 11,000

    Description: This recall involves Peanuts Flying Ace ride-on toys modeled after older style airplanes. The toys are intended for children ages 12 months to 2 years. The body of the plane is red, the steering wheel, propeller and wings are yellow and the hubcaps are blue. “Snoopy Flying Ace” is printed on the front of the toy airplane and Snoopy characters are printed on each wing and on the front. The ride-on toys measure 19 inches long by 19 ½ inches wide (wing span) by 13 inches high. A hang tag attached to the product at purchase has “#38126” printed on it and one of the following date codes:

    • BCHTAR616A13-0515

    • BCHTAR614A13-0515

    • BCHTAR615A11-0515

    • BCHTAR684A20-0515

    • BCHTAR682A05-0615

    • BCHTAR683A05-0615

    Incidents/Injuries: None reported

    Sold at: Target stores nationwide from July 2015 through August 2015 for about $40.

    Manufacturer: LaRose Industries, of Randolph, N.J.

    Manufactured in: China

  • Hallowe’en Is A Comin’– Safety Tips Are Too!

    It’s almost that time of year. Parents, family members and caregivers are out there hunting for just the right costumes for their little ones. Some families are making them at home, and children are getting very excited in anticipation of Hallowe’en! The thought of all that candy, Hallowe’en parties, tricks, treats and fun is almost too much to bear.  Because we want you to “Booooooo!” not Boo-Hoo the day after, here are a few safety suggestions for parents, family members and caregivers to keep in mind about Hallowe’en trick or treating and costumes, in general:

    1. Accompany your young children on a familiar route in your own neighborhood or on a route you and they know well. If you are crossing streets with them, hold their hands (please!). And you and they should wear some reflective clothing too–so cars can see you and them!
    2. Take a flashlight with you to help navigate steps and curbs! Do not go where you don’t feel safe, for any reason.
    3. Make sure children’s costumes do not drape the ground that they might trip or prevent them walking safely–or running–because you know they WILL run!
    4. Make sure children’s costumes are breathable–that any mask (especially masks of rubber, plastic, or fake fur) covering their face has plenty of air holes and that arms, legs, neck, and head are not restricted from movement. Also make sure costumes themselves have air holes–you don’t want them to become overheated.
    5. Encourage children to choose wrapped candy when possible.  Review their candy when they get home to make sure there’s nothing weird or inappropriate in the candy haul!
    6. Make sure before you go out that in case you are separated your children know their names, your cell phone number and their home address. Attach a card in their coat with their name and address on it if need be!  Also, if they have a cell phone, make sure they know to call 911 if they feel in danger!
    7. Tell children not to approach any vehicle,  occupied or not, unless you are with them!
    8. Do not let children enter a home unless you are with them!  If your children are older (12+), encourage them to remain in a group as they trick-or-treat and not to become separated!
    9. Make sure children are warm enough in their costume if it’s cold… or cool enough if it’s warm/hot where you are!

    You will find more tips on the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children  website. If you want to donate to NCMEC, so that they can keep bringing missing children home to their families, please visit www.ncmec.org

  • Safety 1st Recalls Décor Wood Highchairs Due to Fall Hazard

    Recall Date: October 8, 2015

    Recall Number: 16-006

    Recall Summary

    Name of Product: Décor Wood Highchair

    Hazard: A child can remove the highchair’s tray, posing a fall hazard.

    Remedy: Repair

    Consumers should immediately stop using these recalled highchairs and contact the firm to receive instructions on receiving a new tray with labels.

    Consumer Contact: Safety 1st toll-free at (877) 717-7823 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, email at decorwoodhighchair@djgusa.com or online at www.safety1st.com and click on “Safety Notices” at the top of the page for more information.

    Recall Details

    Photos available: at www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2016/Safety-1st-Recalls-Decor-Wood-Highchair/

    Units: About 35,000

    Description: This recall includes Safety 1st Wood Décor highchairs in three models: HC144BZF (Casablanca), HC229CZF (Gentle Lace) and HC229CYG (Black Lace). The model numbers are printed under the highchair seat. These A-frame black wood highchairs have a removable fabric, black and white print seat pad with a blue or pink border on the top and bottom of the seat pad. The highchairs have a white plastic, detachable tray with a cone-shaped center divider that fits between a child’s legs. “Safety 1st” is printed on the front center of the tray.

    Incidents/Injuries: Safety 1st has received 68 reports of children removing the trays including 11 reports of injuries such as lacerations, chipped teeth and bruises.

    Sold at: Babies R US and Toys R Us retail stores nationwide and online at www.Amazon.com , www.BabiesRUs.com , www.ToysRUs.com and www.Walmart.com and other online retailers from May 2013 through May 2015 for about $120.

    Importer: Dorel Juvenile Group, of Columbus, Ind.

    Manufactured in: China

  • Bexco Expands Recall of DaVinci Brand Cribs Due to Entrapment, Fall and Laceration Hazards

    Recall Date: October 1, 2015

    Recall Number: 16-002

    Recall Summary

    Name of Product: DaVinci Cribs

    Hazard: A metal bracket that connects the mattress support to the crib can break, creating an uneven sleeping surface or a gap. If this occurs, a baby can become entrapped in the crib, fall or suffer lacerations from the broken metal bracket.

    Remedy: Repair

    Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled cribs and contact Bexco for a free replacement mattress support which includes replacement brackets.  In the meantime, parents are urged to find an alternate, safe sleeping environment for the child, such as a bassinet, play yard or toddler bed depending on the child’s age.

    Consumer Contact: DaVinci toll-free at 888-673-6652 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. PT Monday through Friday. Consumers can also visit www.davincibaby.com/safetyrecall3 or www.davincibaby.com and click on “Safety Recall” for more information.

    Recall Details

    Units: About 6,000 (in addition, 13 were sold in Canada) (Bexco recalled an additional 11,600 Bexco cribs in July 2015)

    Description: The recall includes DaVinci brand full-size cribs including the Reagan crib (model #M2801), the Emily crib, (model #M4791), the Jamie crib (model #M7301), and the Jenny Lind crib (model #M7391) manufactured from May 2012 through December 2012. The model number, serial number and manufacture date are printed on a label affixed to the bottom right hand side panel of the crib. Cribs included in the recall have serial numbers that begin with “N00,” followed by one of the following numbers.  The previous recall included the same model numbers, but had different serial numbers.

    Model Number and Name

     

     

    		 Serial Number (N00 + number below)

    *new serial numbers added in this recall expansion
    M2801 Reagan 4959/ 5035/ 5109, *5254, *5350 or *5035
    M4791 Emily 4648/ 4669/ 4962, *5249, *5380, *5534 or *5193
    M7301 Jamie 4954/ 5029, *5108 or *5381
    M7391 Jenny Lind

     

     

    		 4954/ 4620/ 4669/ 4758/ 4934/ 4994/ 5041/ 4648, *5214, *5100, *5227, *5313, *5382, *5094, *5524 or *5644

    Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received five additional reports of the mattress support brackets breaking and detaching. No injuries have been reported.

    Sold at: Target and juvenile products stores nationwide and online at Amazon.com from May 2012 to December 2013 for between $150 and $250.

    Manufacturer: Bexco Enterprises Inc., of Montebello, Calif.

    Manufactured in: China

  • Chewbeads Recalls Pacifier Clips Due to Choking Hazard

    Recall Date: September 29, 2015

    Recall Number: 15-255

    Recall Summary

    Name of Product: Pacifier clips

    Hazard: The “D” ring on the pacifier clip can break, allowing beads to detach, posing a choking hazard.

    Remedy: Refund or replacement

    Recall Details

    Consumer Contact: Call Chewbeads Inc. toll-free at 888-786-7790 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, email at service@chewbeads.com or online at www.chewbeads.com and click on the Product Recall link at the bottom of the page for more information.

    Units: About 45,000 in United States (in addition about 5,900 were sold in Canada)

    Description: This recall involves five styles of Chewbeads Baby pacifier clip holders. The “Where’s the Pacifier?” pacifier clips styles include shapes of a Butterfly, Dinosaur, Heart, Sheriff Badge and a white baseball with red stitching and a major league baseball team logo. “Chewbeads baby” is imprinted in raised letters on the rubber shape attachment. The pacifier clips have eight multi-colored beads threaded through a narrow satin ribbon that attaches to a pacifier on one end and a plastic D-ring on the other. The clip and beads are about six inches long. The garment clip has the following number code on the back of the plastic clip: 3/31/14, 08/08/14, 12/01/14, 14/30/09, 15/02/09, 25/04/14.

    Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received seven reports of the beads detaching. No injuries have been reported.

    Remedy: Consumers should immediately take these recalled pacifier clips away from young children and contact Chewbeads for a free replacement pacifier clip or a refund of the purchase price.

    Sold at: Buy Buy Baby and small boutique retail stores nationwide and in Canada from September 2014 through June 2015 for $16.50 for the baseball themed clips and $15 for the other style clips.

    Importer: Chewbeads, of New York, N.Y.

    Manufactured in: China