Be Child Safe

Author: Marianne Halterman

  • Baby Jogger Recalls Car Seat Adaptors for Strollers Due to Fall Hazard

    Recall Date: August 28, 2013
    Recall Number: 13-272

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Consumers should stop using this product, which is being recalled voluntarily, unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

    Recall Summary

    Name of product: Baby Jogger Recalls Car Seat Adaptors for Strollers Due to Fall Hazard

    Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using their car seat adaptor and contact Baby Jogger for free replacement support bars.

    Consumer Contact:  Baby Jogger(r) toll-free at (877) 506-2213 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or online at www.babyjogger.com and click on Recall Information tab at the bottom of the page for more information, or email recall@babyjogger.com.

    Photos available at http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2013/Baby-Jogger-Recalls-Car-Seat-Adaptors-for-Strollers/.

    Recall  Details:

    Units: About 23,700 in the United States and 6,500 in Canada

    Description: The car seat adaptors come in three models and are used to secure a variety of infant car seats onto Baby Jogger strollers. The “Single” model fits all single strollers, the “Double” works only on double strollers and the “Select/Versa” fits Select and Versa strollers.  The car seat adaptors consist of two U-shaped, black, aluminum support bars and two black plastic adaptors that allow the support bars to attach onto the stroller. Black nylon straps secure the car seat to the adaptor on the stroller. The black support bars are labeled A and B.  The A support bar is the larger of the two U-shaped bars and has a red plastic tip with 10 holes. Descriptions, Models and Manufactured Dates can be found here: http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2013/Baby-Jogger-Recalls-Car-Seat-Adaptors-for-Strollers/.

    Incidents/Injuries: Baby Jogger has received 47 reports of the car seat adaptor supports bars failing and car seats falling to the floor. Reports include two injured infants with bruises to the head and toes.

    Sold at: Buy Buy Baby and other juvenile product stores nationwide and at albeebaby.com, amazon.com, buybuybaby.com, diapers.com and other online retailers from June 2012 through June 2013 for about $60 for the single adaptor and $100 for the double adaptor.

    Importer: Baby Jogger® LLC, of Richmond, Va.

    Manufactured in: China

  • Children’s Pajamas Recalled by Klever Kids Due to Violation of Federal Flammability Standard

    Recall Date:  August 20, 2013

    Recall Number: 13-270

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Consumers should stop using this product, which is being recalled voluntarily, unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

    Recall Summary:

    Name of Product: Children’s Pajamas and Nightgowns

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

    Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled pajamas away from children, stop using them and return to the place of purchase for a full refund.

    Consumer Contact: Klever Kids toll-free at (855) 553-8375 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or online at www.shopkleverkids.com and click on the Product Recall link on the bottom of the page for more information

    Photos available at http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2013/Childrens-Pajamas-Recalled-by-Klever-Kids/

    Recall  Details:

    Units: About 7,000

    Description: This recall involves Klever Kids children’s 100% Pima cotton pajama sets and nightgowns sold in boys and girls sizes 2 through 8. The pajama sets include two-piece long-sleeve shirt and pant sets with an elastic waistband and two-piece short-sleeve shirt and short sets with an elastic waistband. The sets were sold in multiple prints including shark print, ballerinas,  black and blue skeletons, flowers, pink with white polka dot pattern, a two-toned set with navy and blue striped monster print, and paisley print with green fabric on the edge. The nightgowns are short-sleeved with a gathered shoulder hem. The nightgowns were sold in multiple prints including ballerinas, pink with white polka dots, flowers and paisleys. All the garments have a printed label at the neck that reads “KleverKids live {Hearts} laugh {Hearts} love.” Some of the pajamas sets are labeled as “flame resistant sleepwear” by a sewn-in garment label along the shirt’s bottom right side seam.

    Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

    Sold at: Children’s boutiques and specialty stores nationwide from September 2012 through March 2013 for between $32 and $82.

    Importer: Klever Kids, of Washington, D.C.

    Manufactured in: Peru

  • Apple Park Recalls Children’s Loungewear Due to Violation of Federal Flammability Standard

    Recall Date: August 20, 2013

    Recall Number: 13-268

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Consumers should stop using this product, which is being recalled voluntarily, unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

    Recall Summary

    Name of product: Children’s two-piece loungewear sets

    Hazard: The loungewear garments fail to meet children’s sleepwear federal flammability standards which require sleepwear, including loungewear, to be either snug-fitting or flame resistant, posing a risk of burn injuries to children.

    Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the pajamas and contact Apple Park for a full refund.

    Consumer Contact: Apple Park toll-free at (866) 708-4695 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or online at www.applepark.com and click on Recall Information at the bottom of the page for more information.

    Photos available at http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2013/Apple-Park-Recalls-Childrens-Loungewear/.

    Recall Details

    Units: About 7,250

    Description: This recall involves Apple Park children’s 96% viscose and 4% spandex two-piece sets from the Apple Park Bamboo Loungewear Collection. They were sold in children’s sizes 6 months through size 4. The sets consist of a long-sleeve shirt paired with matching full-length pants with elastic waistband. The collar, ankles and wristbands are solid-colored. The sets come in five animal character prints: pink “bunny,” blue “cubby,” white/green “ducky,” violet “lamby” and green “monkey.” “GPU CO815″ is printed on sewn labels at the pants waistline and along the shirt’s bottom right side seam.

    Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

    Sold at: Boutiques, children’s specialty stores nationwide and online at Amazon.com, Applepark.com and various other websites from October 2011 to April 2013 for about $45

    Importer: Apple Park LLC, of San Francisco

    Manufactured in: China

  • Dorel Juvenile Group (DJG) is recalling certain Child Safety Seats

    NHTSA Campaign Number: 11C002000

    Recall Date: August 2013

    Potential Number of Units Affected: 89,527

    Products Affected:

    [ultimatetables 1 /]

    Manufacturer: DOREL JUVENILE GROUP
    SUMMARY:

    Dorel Juvenile Group (DJG) is recalling certain Safety 1st Complete Air LX (models CC050xxx), Safety 1st Complete Air SE (models CC051xxx), and Safety 1st Alpha Omega Elite (models 22187xxx , 22465xxx ,CC033xxx , and CC046xxx), and Eddie Bauer Deluxe 3 in 1 convertible (models 22790xxx , and CC046xxx) child restraint systems manufactured from July 20, 2010, through May 18, 2011. [Note: The ‘xxx’ at the end of each model number represents different color options that each seat could be.] The rear facing belt path installation arrows are incorrect and could be potentially construed as pointing toward the forward facing vehicle belt path location. Therefore, the affected seats fail to conform to the labeling requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 213, “Child Restraint Systems.”

    CONSEQUENCE:

    If the child seat is not installed properly, the child may be injured in the event of a crash.

    REMEDY:

    DJG will notify registered owners and provide free label kits consisting of modified labels which will correct the potential inconsistent information and instructions as to the proper installation of the restraint, free of charge. Owners may call DJG toll-free at 1-877-675-2355 or visit http://www.djgusa.com/USA/eng/ and then click on the “Safety Notices” button at the top.

    NOTES:

    In June 2011, DJG petitioned NHTSA that the noncompliance was inconsequential to motor vehicle safety. In August 2013, NHTSA denied the petition and instructed DJG to conduct a recall campaign. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

  • BreathableBaby Recalls Wearable Blanket Due to Choking Hazard

    Recall Date: October 29, 2013

    Recall Number: 14-007

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Consumers should stop using this product unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

    Recall Summary

    Name of Product:  BreathableSack wearable blanket for infants

    Hazard: The zipper pull tabs and sliders can detach posing a choking hazard to infants.

    Remedy:  Replace

    Consumer Contact:  BreathableBaby toll-free at (877) 827-4442 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. CT Monday through Thursday or online at www.breathablebaby.com and click on Recall Information.

    Photos available at http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2014/BreathableBaby-Recalls-Wearable-Blanket/

    Recall Details

    Units: About 15,000

    Description:  The BreathableBaby BreathableSacks are sleeveless, wearable blankets. They come in two sizes: small (10-18 pounds) and medium (16-24 pounds) and come in three colors: kiwi Whoo, pink Hip, and blue Splash. There is one animal stitched on the left chest of each blanket of an owl, hippo or elephant. Only BreathableSacks from Lot No. 124 with a manufacture date of 04/17/2012 are included in the recall.  A tag sewn inside the recalled units where the infant’s right foot would be located states the “Date of Manufacture: 04/17/2012, Lot No. 124,” along with the washing instructions on the back of the tag.

    Incidents/Injuries: None reported

    Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the BreathableSacks from Lot No. 124 and contact BreathableBaby to request a replacement garment.

    Sold at:  Various stores and online retailers, and at www.breathablebaby.com, nationwide from June 2012 to August 2013 for about $20.

    Importer: BreathableBaby LLC, of Minnetonka, Minn.

    Manufactured in: China

  • Target Recalls Children’s Sitting Stools Due to Fall Hazard

    Recall Date: October 29, 2013

    Recall Number: 14-006

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Consumers should stop using this product unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

    Recall Summary

    Name of Product: Circo-brand Chloe and Conner Sitting Stools

    Hazard: The stabilizing bar can crack and cause the stool to collapse, posing a fall hazard to the user.

    Remedy:  Refund

    Consumer Contact: Target Guest Relations at (800) 440-0680 anytime or email guest.relations@target.com. For additional information, consumers can visit www.target.com and click on Product Recalls at the bottom of the page and then select “Children’s & Baby Products.”

    Photos available at http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2014/Target-Recalls-Childrens-Sitting-Stools/

    Recall Details

    Units: About 69,000

    Description: This recall involves children’s sitting stool, sold as part of the Circo-brand Chloe & Conner Collection. Assembled stools measure 11 inches tall by 11 inches wide by 11 inches deep.  The painted wood stools were sold in red, white, navy and pink.  Item numbers 249200218 (red), 249200207 (white), 249200217 (navy), 249200208 (pink) are printed on a sticker on the underside of the stools.

    Incidents/Injuries: Target has received seven reports of the stools breaking or collapsing and causing a child to fall. In five of the reported incidents, bumps, bruises and cuts were reported.

    Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the stool and return it to a Target store for a full refund.

    Sold exclusively at: Target stores nationwide from April 2012 through June 2013 for about $15.

    Importer: Target Corporation, of Minneapolis, Minn.

    Manufacturer: L. Powell Acquisition Corporation, of Culver City, Calif.

    Manufactured in: China

  • Infinitoy Recalls Softimals Toy Sets Due to Choking and Aspiration Hazard

    Recall Date:  October 23, 2013

    Recall Number: 14-003

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Consumers should stop using this product, which is being recalled voluntarily, unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

    Recall Summary:

    Name of Product: Building Toy Playsets

    Hazard: The plastic hats found on playset figures pose a choking/aspiration hazard for children.

    Remedy: Consumers should immediately remove the plastic hat from Safari Sam and Mighty Mike and contact Infinitoy Inc., to exchange the hat for a free replacement figure.

    Consumer Contact: Infinitoy, Inc. toll-free at (888) 558-0933 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or online at www.infinitoy.com , then click on Safety/Recall at the bottom of the page for more information.

    Photos available at http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2014/Infinitoy-Recalls-Softimals-Toy-Sets/

    Recall  Details:

    Units: About 7,134 units

    Description: Infinitoy Inc. is recalling the Super Safari Set model #30025 and the Deluxe Circus Train Set model #30040. The model number can be found on the back of the box in the lower right corner. The sets come in a white box with “Softimals. Build, Play, Repeat” and “Ages 1 ½ to 5” printed in a colorful font on the front and back of the package. The sets have numerous plastic pieces that can be connected and fit together to build a vehicle pulling cars with a hippo, giraffe, zebra and other animals. The drivers of the lead vehicles, Safari Sam and Mighty Mike, have removable blue or yellow plastic hats.

    Incidents/Injuries: CPSC is aware of one incident in which an 18-month-old child placed a hat in their mouth and started to gag/choke but the toy was removed. No injuries have been reported.

    Sold at:  Specialty toy stores nationwide and online at Amazon.com and Mindware.com from September 2012 to September 2013 for about $25 and $40.

    Importer: Infinitoy, Inc., San Mateo, Calif.

    Manufactured in: Italy

  • Child Survival in 2013

    According to the United States Fund for UNICEF President and CEO Caryl M. Stern’s latest  letter,  “Every day, 18,000 children under five die of things we can prevent.” That’s a startling figure!  And although the under-five child mortality rate in the world has been practically cut in half in the past few years, there are still areas where we can do better, where we can work with each other to lower the child mortality rate. In war-torn areas, the rate of childhood death caused by violence, accident and infectious diseases is high. Hunger and severe poverty around the world are also killers of young children. One would think that in 2013 we should be able to do better by our young.

    Recently, I learned about a petition to the President by Unicef, “Committing to Child Survival: A Promise Renewed” Pledge to help every country in the world reach a child mortality rate of 20 deaths or fewer per 1,000 live births by the year 2035.  In my book, that is a worthwhile commitment.  And among the efforts that contribute to lowering childhood deaths in developing countries are providing:

    Lifesaving vaccines and insecticide-treated bed nets,
    Emergency relief following natural disasters, and
    Educational opportunities and providing educational materials.

    But there is so much more to be done, even in the United States, to share information with each other and be informed about childhood survival. BeSafeChild.org’s mission is to educate and inform families how to help prevent accidents in the home and at school; to encourage parents to nurture and pay attention to their children–especially to their health needs, such as scheduling regular immunizations at the beginning of the school year which help reduce the spread of infectious diseases throughout communities.

    Every small thing we can do to help keep parents, family members and caregivers informed about child safety and health, we hope, sends positive ripples to families and communities to ultimately benefit children–which we even dare hope might lower those childhood mortality figures!

  • How to Choose a Safe Bicycle for Your Child

    Annually in the United States, approximately 300,000 children are injured in bicycle accidents and require emergency room visits to a hospital, and another 10,000 children must remain in the hospital due to injuries suffered in bike accidents.1  BeSafeChild wants parents, family members and caregivers to know that bicycle safety is very important for young children especially, and here are some tips to help choose a safer, better ride for your kids:

    1. Research the type and make of bicycle you are considering buying for your child. Check the CPSC.gov recalls website to see any children’s bicycles that have been recalled in the past. Parents may also want to consider a good quality, used bicycle for your child (in which case parents should do a little deeper research to make sure a used bike hasn’t been recalled.  (Even though selling recalled products of any kind is illegal, some recalled products, toys and bicycles frequently find their way to yard sales!)
    2. Consider the area where your child will ride: Up and down the driveway, in a protected area at your home, on a school playground, or on a bicycle path with family and friends.
    3. Once you have decided on a type and make of bicycle, consider the bicycle’s size and whether it is appropriate for your child.  Size, rather than a child’s age, is a better guiding factor for choosing a bicycle for a young child.  Can your child comfortably sit and reach the pedals?  Seats can be raised and lowered to allow your child to have the right pedal stroke. Can your child stand comfortably when holding and walking beside the bike? Check the comfortability of the bike’s seat too!
    4. Consider whether your child would do better with a single speed and coaster brakes or gears and hand brakes. My first bike had hand brakes and “foot” brakes (but I’m not sure you will find any of those bikes on the market today!). BeSafeChild thinks that gears and hand brakes are usually better for older or more advanced riders. Most children adapt quickly to the use of “foot” or coaster brakes.
    5. Consider whether your child will need training wheels at first to help get used to riding a bicycle. [There are balance bicycles which teach children to balance first. Since there are no pedals, children push their feet on the ground to make the bikes go forward. Once the act of balancing is achieved then a child can move up to a bike with pedals.]
    6. Once you have selected your child’s bike, it’s very important to choose the right bike helmet.  According SafeKids’ statistics, only 45 percent of children always wear a helmet!  Helmets help protect children from head injuries and in some states they are required by law.  Check your state’s helmet law!  Helmet fit is important too. Helmets are recommended to fit snugly level on a child’s head, and should not slip or move side to side. Chin straps should always be buckled and form a “V” under a child’s ears.

    Every new biking season, take your child’s bike for a bike safety check-up, including tires (condition and inflation), brakes, parts, and oiled chains! BeSafeChild thinks its also good to have a bell on the bicycle and a light on the front and reflectors on the back!
    __________________
    1Kids Health, Bike Safety, The Nemours Foundation, 2013, http://kidshealth.org/kid/watch/out/bike_safety.html

  • The Children’s Place Recalls Footed Pajamas Due to Violation of Federal Flammability Standard

    Recall Date:  September 17, 2013

    Recall Number: 13-286

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Consumers should stop using this product, which is being recalled voluntarily, unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

    Recall Summary

    Name of Product:  Children’s one-piece footed pajamas

    Hazard: The footed pajamas fail to meet the federal flammability standard for children’s sleepwear, posing a burn hazard to children.  The garments are being recalled because they do not meet the tight-fitting sizing requirements.

    Remedy: Refund – Consumers should immediately take the recalled pajamas away from children and return them to any The Children’s Place store for a full refund.

    Consumer Contact: The Children’s Place toll-free at (877) 752-2387 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or online at www.childrensplace.com and click on Customer Service for more information.

    Photos available at http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2013/The-Childrens-Place-Recalls-Footed-Pajamas/

    Recall  Details

    Units: About 38,000

    Description: This recall involves three styles of The Children’s Place bunny-themed one-piece cotton footed pajamas. One style is pink with dark pink bunnies and a ruffle at the neck. It was sold in size 9-12 months. This style has a sewn-in label at the side seam with both 2158 and one or more of the following numbers: 042521, 042523, 042571, 042572, 042774 or 042816.  The other two styles are both blue/green with bunnies on the feet and bunny print fabric. They were sold in sizes 9-12 months, 12-18 months, 18-24 months, 2T and 3T.  One style has bunnies with eyeglasses. The other has bunnies and yellow chicks. Both styles have a sewn-in label at the side seam with both 2598 and one or more of the following numbers: 030647, 030779, 038826, 670409, 670602, 670603 or 945210. “Made with love by PLACE” with a heart outline is printed at the neck of the pajamas.

    Incidents/Injuries: None reported

    Sold exclusively at: The Children’s Place stores nationwide and online at www.childrensplace.com from January 2012 through May 2013 for about $15.

    Importer: The Children’s Place, of Secaucus, N.J.

    Manufactured in: China