Children's Product Recalls January 27 - February 1, 2008

Starting January 27, 2008 on to February 1, 2008 (just 5 days), there have already been 6 more voluntary recalls involving children's products. This is according to the latest information from the CPSC. Ranging from visual math and reading aids in school, to infant toys, and even clothing and an infant car seat meant to protect babies, all of these products made for children are now being voluntarily recalled.

Recently, there have been such a large number of product recalls involving children's toys and items that it seems to be an almost daily occurrence. This is sad and dangerous news for the children these products are meant to entertain and disturbing news for the caring people who bought these products with good intentions, only to find out the toys may have been harming the children who used them for enjoyment.

Below are the most recent recalls involving children.

Evenflo Discovery Infant Car Seats - The Discovery model of Evenflo Infant Safety Seats is being voluntarily recalled, due to results from a new lab test. The lab test shows that the seat is able to come detached in high impact side collisions. The company is asking that consumers continue to use the safety seats, as no issues have been reported. However, consumers need to request the free supplemental dual-hook fastener to prevent the problem. This affects Discovery model #'s: 390, 391, 534, and 552.

Rob Matteucci, Evenflo's CEO says "We are parents, too, and protecting children is our core mission at Evenflo. While our current Discovery car seat models have performed well to protect infants in actual side impact automobile collisions without any reports of serious injury or death since they were introduced, we want to take further steps to protect the safety of children who use our products. These lab tests do show there is potential for the base to detach from the seat in high impact side collisions, so we are recommending that all Discovery owners use the supplemental dual-hook fastener, available free from Evenflo."

Consumers who have the Evenflo Discovery Seat should order the supplemental fastener by contacting Evenflo at (800) 356-2229 from 8am to 5pm or visit www.evenflo.com/discovery.

For Evenflo's original report on the matter, visit http://safety.evenflo.com/cs/sc/cssc99_RD.phtml?rid=EFR20&src=WEB.

Baby Einstein Baby Neptune Soothing Seascape Crib Toys - Baby Einstein and Kids II are voluntarily recalling the Baby Neptune Soothing Seascape Crib Toys. The toy is being recalled due to the possibility of the straps detaching, which poses a choking hazard. This toy is shaped like a turtle. The shell part is plastic with floating sea animals inside. The head and feet are fabric. It's mainly blue, with other assorted colors. The turtle is wearing a sailor hat. The leg contains Model #30858 in print. The battery compartment has date code BJ7, which stands for the product being manufactured in October of 2007.

Remove this toy from children right away and visit either of the links below for further instructions:

http://www.kidsii.com

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08176.html

Heart and Car Sterling Silver Baby Teethers - Elegant Baby and Baby Needs Inc are recalling the Heatr and Car Sterling Silver Teethers, due to a choking hazard. The sterling silver teethers have either a heart shape or car shape in the middle of a ring. The teething rings have beads inside. They were sold at indepent infant boutiques across the nation and retailed at about $50 each.

Immediately remove this product from the use of children and visit the following links for pictures and further instruction:

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08178.html

http://www.elegantbaby.com

Girls' Hooded Jackets by Apollo Jeans sold at Marshall's - These drawstring jackets for girls are being recalled due to strangulation hazards. According to the CPSC's guidelines, drawstrings should not be in children's clothing, as the clothing can become caught entrapping or strangling the child. The jackets were sold in sizes from small to extra-large and also from 4 - 6x and have "Diva" printed on the front with rhinestones. They are hooded zip up jackets with a drawstring in the hood and came with matching pants. The tag in the neck says "Apollo Active Wear" and the style # 5033gk or 5033gg. They were sold only at Marshall's stores across the nation for about $15.

To correct the problem, consumers can either remove the drawstring or visit the following link for a picture and information on returning the product for a full refund.

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08177.html

Crafters Square Glue Guns - While these products are not intended for children, it is possible they are being used near children or even used by older children. Crafters Square Hot Melt Mini Glue Guns , sold at Dollar Tree stores, have been recalled, due to fire, burn, and shock hazards. Apparently, the glue guns can short circuit, which can cause them to smoke. The smoking can cause burn, shock, and fire hazards. Seven of such incidents have been made aware to Dollar Tree. The glue guns were also sold at various dollar stores. The product numbers affected are 818261-72 and 818261-75. The numbers can be found on the package.

To remedy this situation, immediately discontinue use of the product and return it to the store of purchase for a full refund. These retailed at about $1 each. Consumers may also visit the following links for pictures and further information.

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08175.html

http://www.dollartree.com

Classroom Reading and Math Aids - RR Donnelly is recalling some math aid materials due to violation of the federal safety standards for lead in paint. The products were sold to schools by Glencoe, SRA, and Wright Group between July of 2003 and October of 2007.

The aids included in the recall are as follows:

Two-Sided White Seamstress Flexible Tape Measure Model #'s 36434R03, RM004, 0420024, 0026744511, Mimosa Measuring Tape Model # 0322058333, Double Nine Dominos Model # 0322090911, Target Mat Model #'s R85454.07 (Grade 1) and R13159.15 (Grade 2), Magnetic Number Line Model # R00006029, Angled Ruler Model # 002674452X, Puppet Thinking Crown Model # 0812603575, Student Crown Model # 0026612887, and Magnetic Dry-Erase Board Model # 007176266

These products should be immediately removed from the classroom and from the use of children. For more information on returning the product for a replacement and for identifying pictures, please visit the links below.

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08541.html

http://www.mhcares.com

Other Children's Product Recalls In January 2008

Children's Product Recall Updates: January 18 - 26, 2008

Updates On Children's Product Recalls: January 17, 2008

Updates On Children's Product Recalls: January 13-16, 2008

Updates On Children's Product Recalls: January 1 - 12, 2008

Keeping Up With Children's Product Recalls

The easiest way to keep up with children's product recalls is to visit www.cpsc.gov regularly. Other ways include registering all products bought for children, frequently visiting manufacturer websites for all products owned by your children, and researching each product before purchasing it. To research a product, do a search for the manufacturer on www.cpsc.gov and see if it comes up. Also, check the manufacturer site to see if the product has been recalled.

Also, check the company's history, even for toys that are low cost. As a concerned parent, I personally choose not to buy children's products from companies who have had a recall within the last 5 years. I prefer companies who have a toy safety policy clearly posted in the store and/or on the website. A company that is open with their practices will generally be a much safer company to buy from. A company who does not reveal its procedures or safety policies might be one to worry about. Companies that promise to be lead-free and promise to provide safe toys are the best companies to go with, in my opinion. If they have a guarantee behind it, that's even better.

Sources:

CPSC
http://www.cpsc.gov
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08176.html
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08178.html
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08177.html
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08175.html
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08541.html

Evenflo
http://www.evenflo.com/discovery

Kids II
http://www.kidsii.com

Elegant Baby
http://www.elegantbaby.com

Dollar Tree
http://www.dollartree.com

McGraw-Hill Education
http://www.mhcares.com

Associated Content
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/547201/updates_on_childrens_product_recalls.html
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/548807/updates_on_childrens_product_recalls.html
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/566075/childrens_product_recall_updates_jan.html
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/541359/updates_on_childrens_product_recalls.html