Recently in the Toys Category
Posted by Marianne Frederick
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in cooperation with Happy Shirts of Honolulu, Hawaii and Kohl's, has recalled 9,000 toy trucks sold in gift packages that accompanied boys' "Happy Tee-shirts". The toy trucks are the Big Movers Super Car toy trucks that were gifts with the purchase of Big Movers tee-shirts (in sizes small, medium and large).
While the boys' tee-shirts might make parents happy, the trucks certainly will not, as connections in the toy truck's battery compartment can smolder and catch on fire, posing a fire and burn hazard to the child playing with the truck. Happy Shirts has received a report of one toy truck catching fire and three additional reports of toy trucks having smoldered when the batteries were placed in the toy trucks. To-date no reports of injuries have been received.
The trucks were manufactured in China, imported by Happy Shirts of Honolulu, Hawaii, and sold exclusively by Kohl's between February 2012 and March 2012 for about $20. The blue toy trucks are 4 inches in length, have oversized tires and a flashing light on the top of the truck. A yellow, red and blue logo appears on the hood of the toy truck. (In addition, the trucks are noted to have small parts and represent a choking hazard for children less than 3 years of age.)
Parents need to remove the toy trucks from their children's access and remove the battery in the truck. Consumers may contact the firm, Happy Shirts, for instructions on obtaining a refund by calling toll-free at (855) 354-2779 between noon and 8 p.m. PT (9 a.m. to 5 p.m. HT) Monday through Friday or visit the firm's website at
www.happyshirts.com.For photos of the Big Movers Super Car toy truck and the tee shirts that accompanied them, parents can visit the CPSC website at
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml12/12140.html.##
By Marianne Frederick
Parents and caregivers may be dismayed to learn that some recalled products are still out there and kids are playing with and using them. With the tremendous amount of information available about recalls, one could assume that parents and caregivers are aware of children's toy, clothing, furniture, medicine and even nutritional product recalls. After all, there's the Internet, most recalls of children's products get a sound byte on the TV news programs and videos of faulty products make the rounds on social networking sites. But the truth is some products which have been recalled, have been re-sold. Recently, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced that some products originally sold by Meijer were found to have been resold by discounters after the products had been recalled. The products originally recalled were found to have been subsequently offered for sale at discount retailers, dollar stores, liquidation firms, flea markets and thrift stores nationwide at various prices. Those products include:
- The Infantino "Sling Rider" Baby Sling - the Sling Rider baby sling was originally recalled in March 2010. The dates it continued to be resold were from March 2010 through July 2011. The reason for the recall was the slings posed a suffocation hazard to infants and children younger than 4 months old. If you have purchased one of these baby slings, please contact Infantino toll-free at 1(866) 860-1361 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's website at
- Fisher-Price Ocean Wonders Kick n' Crawl Aquarium (H8094) - The original recall date was September 2010. It also continued to be resold from September 2010 through July 2011. The reason for the recall was the inflatable ball in the toy which can become detached from the toy and pose a choking hazard to young children. Consumers can call Fisher-Price at 1(800) 432-5437 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's website at
- Fisher-Price Little People Wheelies Stand n' Play Rampway - The toy was originally recalled in September 2010. It continued to be resold from September 2010 through July 2011. The reason the toy was recalled was wheels on the purple and the green cars can become detached from the toy, again, posing a choking hazard to young children.
- Munchkin Bathtub Subs - This was originally recalled October 18, 2010--The hazard was the intake valve on the bottom of the submarine toy can suck up loose skin, posing laceration hazard to children. This product, too, continued to be sold after its recall date until July 2011. Parents can call Munchkin at (877) 242-3134 anytime or visit the company's website at
- Fisher-Price Barbie Tough Trikes (M5727) and Fisher-Price Kawasaki Tough Trikes-Both recalled September 2010 and continued to be sold until July 2011. The hazard was the child can strike, sit or fall on the protruding plastic ignition key resulting in serious injury.
As parents and caregivers, we also need to think "caveat emptor" for "Buyer beware!"-- or Be Aware of children's products which look like they might not be safe. If it looks unsafe, if it has too many small parts, has too sharp edges, makes too loud noises, or like it might not roll safely or sit well, yes, be aware of possible safety concerns. You can always leave it on the shelf and check it out on the CPSC.gov recall website before purchasing, and please continue to follow us on Childsafetyblog.org so we can keep you informed.
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Posted by Marianne Frederick
This is one example of a great idea for a children's toy gone bad for its lack of safety where young children are involved. The 4-in-1 Dramatic Play Theater was a great idea. Children love to express themselves during play with puppets. But here's a theater that can tip over on the children who are playing or simply watching the fun. A little more care in the manufacture could have made play with this particular children's toy item a great deal safer.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Health Canada and Guidecraft Inc. of Winthrop, Minnesota, announced March 13 that it is recalling 1,800 in the U.S., and 350 in Canada, Dramatic Play 4-in-1 Puppet Theaters, model number G51062, because the toy theaters pose tipping and entrapment hazards to young children. The CPSC has received several complaints, including two reports of the theater tipping over, one report involving injury to a young child.
This toy theater looks as though it is made of wood--or something that looks like wood--from the photos in the recall notice. The structure's composition is not stated in the recall announcement. The puppet theater weighs about 46 pounds. If a 5 lb. bag of sugar falls on your foot, you would certainly feel it. Multiply that weight by 10, add to that the height from which the item is falling and the velocity of tipping, and imagine what the puppet theater's tipping over could do to a young child!
A few adjustments in the manufacture of this toy puppet theater--which was made in China--might have made this a much safer play item. It is difficult to comprehend how this particular item was imported and sold to over 2,000 consumers for children's use and play before it was noted that the puppet theater was "tippy". Since this particular toy did not come assembled, the retailer would have assembled it one or more times for display or demonstration purposes. However, it was sold mostly through catalogs and by Guidecraft's online and other online stores nationwide--so it might have been difficult for consumers to find that the theater was unstable until it was assembled.
These play theaters were sold from July 2010 through April 2011 for about $180. Guidecraft also currently advertises another floor-based toy puppet theater on their website, called the "Center Stage Puppet Theater," which sells for about $135, appears to be similarly constructed, weighs 26 pounds, but apparently has not been recalled due to any complaints or problems. We advise caution in purchasing any floor-based or table top puppet theater for children's use that might be questionable in the safety category, and we urge parents to see an assembled model in person if possible before purchasing.
To help consumers and parents identify the 4-in-1 Dramatic Play Theater, it has two interchangeable panels with different themes on each side, including puppet theater, diner, doctor's office and post office. Model number G51062 can be found in the assembly instructions and also printed on a sticker affixed to the bottom of the center crossbar. The dimensions of the assembled puppet theater are 4 feet high by 3 feet wide. To view photos of the 4-in-1 Dramatic Play Theater, consumers may go to the CPSC website at:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml12/12131.html.This 4-in-1 Dramatic Play Theater should be removed from children's access and parents and consumers should contact Guidecraft for a refund or to receive a replacement product. Guidecraft's toll free number is 1(888) 824-1308 and may be reached by calling anytime from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central Time Monday through Friday. Consumers may also visit the company's website at
www.guidecraft.com.##
By Marianne Frederick
There are some children's toys which could give parents and children a headache--like the Super Luchamania Action Figures. They were made in Mexico and the surface paint on them contains an excessive amount of lead violating the federal standards for lead paint in children's toys.
Approximately 7,000 packs of the Super Luchamania Action Figures, which were sold in packs of 12, are being recalled, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced yesterday, in cooperation with importer, Lee Carter Company of San Francisco, California.
Why is excessive lead in surface paint on toys dangerous to children? According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Basic Information on Lead in Paint, Dust and Soil, lead can be absorbed by a child's body more readily than an adult's.
As we know, babies and young children often put toys in their mouths. Some painted toys can even have lead dust on them. Children's brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to the damaging effects of lead. If not detected, children with high levels of lead in their bodies can suffer from different maladies including damage to the brain and nervous system, behavior and learning problems, such as hyperactivity, slowed growth, hearing problems, and headaches, to name only a few. http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/leadinfo.htm#health.Please take a look in your children's toy box to check whether these toys are there. The multi-colored Super Luchamania male action figures are made of plastic, have various colored plastic capes and measure about four inches tall. "Super Luchamania" is printed on the action figures' package. The packs of 12 action figures were sold by Mexican specialty craft stores throughout the United States from June 2000 through October 2011 for between $12 and $14 per pack.
Parents and caregivers should remove the action figures from children's access and return them to Lee Carter Company for a full refund or credit toward another Lee Carter product. Consumers may contact Lee Carter Co. by calling collect at 1(415) 824-2004 anytime, or visiting the firm's website at
www.leecartercompany.com.To view a photo of the Super Luchamania Action Figures, please visit the CPSC website at:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml12/12092.html.##
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Build-A-Bear Workshops and Health Canada, has announced a recall of 297,200 Colorful Hearts Teddy Bears from markets in the U.S. (284,000) and Canada (13,200). The toy has been recalled due to the presence of a possible choking hazard. The 16" teddy bear's black plastic eyes can become loose and detach from the toy, making the plastic eyes a choking hazard to young children.
The recall of this toy, a colorful, plush, stuffed animal manufactured in China, came less than two weeks following a $600,000 settlement of a civil penalty against Build-A-Bear. Build-A-Bear had been cited for failing to immediately report a defective toy beach chair, of which 260,000 were sold from 2001 through 2008. The CPSC had received ten reports of injuries believed to be caused by the defective toy. It's important to note that Federal law requires that manufacturers, distributors and retailers must report to the CPSC within 24 hours after receiving information that reasonably supports the conclusion a product contains a defect, which could create a substantial product hazard, or an unreasonable risk of serious injury or death, or fails to comply with any consumer product safety rule or any other rule, regulation, standard or ban enforced by CPSC.
The Colorful Hearts Teddy Bear was sold by Build-A-Bear Workshops throughout the U.S. and online at www.buildabear.com from April through December 2011 for $18 (U.S.) and $23.00 (Canada). Parents and caregivers need to remove this toy from their children's access and return it to any Build-A-Bear store to receive a coupon for any available stuffed animal from Build-A-Bear.
For information and return instructions, consumers can contact the firm on their toll-free number at (866) 236-5683 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Central Time, Monday through Friday, on Saturday between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. and on Sunday between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. They can also visit the firm's website www.buildabear.com or contact the company to receive more information by email at colorfulhearts@buildabear.com
To view a photo of the Build-A-Bear Colorful Hearts Teddy, please visit the CPSC website at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml12/12068.html
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The CPSC and Family Dollar Services Inc., of Matthews, N.C., have issued a recall announcement for Kidgets® Animal Sock Top Slippers. The slippers, made in China, have eyes that can become detached and pose a strangulation hazard to young children.
160,000 Kidgets® Animal Sock-Top Slippers have been sold by Family Dollar stores throughout the country, from September through October 2011 (160,000 in 2 months). The slippers cost just $5 and have brown or tan dog faces, yellow duck faces and tan lion faces on them. The name "Kidgets" and size of the slippers appear inside and on the soles. The number "FD9619108020690611" is printed inside the slippers on the side.
If you have purchased or been given these slippers for your child, remove them from the child's access and return them to a Family Dollar store for a full refund. Consumers can also contact the company for more information at (800) 547-0359 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's website at
www.familydollar.com. To view a photo of the slippers being recalled, please visit: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml12/12044.html?tab=recallsBoy Scouts of America Recalls 5,400 Cub Scout Wind Tech Jackets due to strangulation hazards. The light-weight blue jackets in youth sizes for young boys are nylon with a polyester lining, have long-sleeves, a full zipper front and a Cub Scout wolf head emblem embroidered on the upper left front. SKU numbers 73291, 73292, and 73293 are printed on the hangtag that is attached to the jacket at retail.
The jackets were made in China, cost approximately $32 and were sold online at www.scoutstuff.org and at Boy Scouts of America retail outlets throughout the U.S. from November 2009 through July 2011. The hazard is the jackets have retractable cords with toggles at the hood/neck area and at the waist, which can pose a strangulation or entrapment hazard to children.
In February 1996, CPSC issued Guidelines to help prevent children from strangling or getting entangled on the neck and waist drawstrings in upper garments, such as jackets and sweatshirts. The Guidelines were incorporated into an industry standard in 1997, but clothing, frequently made in places other than the U.S., does not comply with the industry standard, so the burden falls to parents to watch out for jackets, "hoodies" and other clothing items which may have drawstrings or retractable cords at the waste or neck (or both).
To view a photo of the jackets, please visit the CPSC website for this recall: http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PREREL/prhtml12/12033.html For additional information, contact the Boy Scouts of America toll-free at (855) 873-2408 anytime or visit the firm's website at www.scoutstuff.org
Somehow it seems ironic that Boy Scouts of America is buying clothing from China to sell to parents of kids in America. It is a sign of the times, and parents need to be vigilant when it comes to toys and clothing for their kids this season!
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It used to be that the end of Thanksgiving marked the beginning of the holiday season, but, as I was reminded by Jingle Bells blaring while shopping this weekend, it has now jumped to the day after Halloween. Hard to get into the holiday mood with the leaves still changing, but I guess the retailers need all the help they can get. We at ChildSafetyBlog.org will try to get into the spirit with our first holiday season post.
This morning, I was replacing the batteries in one of my son's favorite toys - Hexbugs. As I unscrewed the cover, I was disappointed to find it used a button battery. I guess I shouldn't have been surprised, because they are so small that nothing else could probably fit. Still, it worried me that these tiny, shiny batteries are making it into more and more toys, because they are quite dangerous for children.
Last year, Marianne wrote a short piece cautioning parents and caregivers about these coin-sized (and smaller) batteries that power everything from watches to led flashlights to hearing aids. A recent study by Dr. Toby Litovitz of the National Capital Poison Control Center found "button battery-related incidents resulting in severe injury and fatality have increased sevenfold since 1985." Data show that most choking incidents with button batteries involve children under the age of four. While a button battery, if swallowed, usually may pass through the intestine, the problem is not only the possibility of choking. If the battery becomes lodged in the throat or intestine, it can produce and release hydroxide and cause dangerous chemical burns.
Halloween Mask Recall is No Joke!
October 26, 2011 -- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in conjunction with Target Inc. is recalling 3,400 children's frog masks, saying "The plush frog masks lack proper ventilation. When secured in place across a child's face, it presents a suffocation hazard to the child."
The masks were manufactured in China and imported to the U.S. by Target Inc.
The masks are child-sized, frog-themed, plush animal face masks. The mask is green with yellow and red highlights, two eye cut-outs and a green elastic band. A fastener is used to secure the mask at the back of the child's head.
UPC code 06626491474 is printed on a label attached to the mask. The masks were sold exclusively by Target stores nationwide from August 2011 through September 2011 for approximately $1.
Parents and caregivers should take masks away from young children immediately as the masks do not provide necessary ventilation. The CPSC suggests returning the product to any Target store for a full refund of a dollar--doubtless it would cost parents more than a dollar to mail or drive it to Target. Our recommendation is to take the mask away from children or their toy area, secure it in a black trash bag and put it out with the trash where and when it cannot be accessed by children. For additional information, consumers should call Target Guest Relations at (800) 440-0680 between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's website at
www.target.comFor a picture of this mask, please visit the CPSC website:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml12/12017.html##
9,000 Disney Princess Plastic Trikes have been recalled in the U.S. and 700 recalled in Canada by Kiddieland Toys, Ltd. and the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Yes, they were manufactured in
The major hazard to a child who plays with these toys is the plastic castle display and the princess figures protruding from the top of the handle bar pose a laceration hazard if a child falls on the handle bar.
CPSC and Kiddieland received three reports thus far of children suffering facial lacerations. The Disney Princess Trikes were sold at Target, JC Penney, Meijer and H.E.B. stores nationwide and on the web at www.target.com from January 2009 through April 2011 for approximately $50.
The trikes are pink and fuchsia with a purple seat and wheels. On top of the handlebar is a rotating castle display surrounded by three princess figures. "Disney Princess" is printed on the label just below the handlebar. A photo of the Disney Princess Trikes which are being recalled can be viewed at:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml11/11205.html
Consumers should immediately take the trikes away from children and contact Kiddieland for a free replacement handlebar with an enclosed rotating display by calling 1(800) 430-5307 anytime, or visiting the firm's website at www.kiddieland.com.hk
Childsafetyblog.org is always fascinated by the fact that some basically unsafe toys slip under the wire of consumer protection and get on the market in the first place! Whoever thought this one up should have taken a spin on the trike themselves first!
The day after Thanksgiving is well known as the biggest holiday shopping day of the year! It's a day when extreme sales are offered shoppers, some beginning in the wee hours of the morning! Childsafetyblog.org has learned that there are some troubling toys on the shelves and wants to alert you to the ones we already know about and make sure you know what to look for in safety features for your children's toys.
As you and your family members shop for children's toys, we hope you will evaluate the toys being marketed for children's use carefully, purchasing only the toys which are prescribed for your children's ages and skill levels--there are reasons some toys are designated for 5-year-olds and not for those under 3; many of those reasons are for children's safety.
It is important for parents and those purchasing children's toys to note whether a toy has any detachable part that could be swallowed, whether it is sharp or makes noises which are too loud, whether it functions as it should, whether it has inflatable balls or beads, contains lead paint or cadmium or antimony--all of these things have become important watch words to child safety in recent days. If there are loose parts, hinges or seats, as in the case of some cribs, strollers, and high chairs, parents need to refrain from purchasing the childhood furniture. Parents need to use their best judgment when purchasing toys for use by children.
Here are only a few toys listed on the U.S. Public Interest Research Group's (http://www.uspirg.org ) website as having been recalled in the past year due to safety factors--Parents can also check http://www.cpsc.gov for toys which have been recalled: Any manufacturer's) Children's sweatshirts with hoods with drawstrings (strangulation hazard);
"Action Team" Toy Dart Gun set (choking hazard);
"Best Friends" Charm Bracelet Sets (high levels of cadmium, made in
"Big Rex and Friends" Cloth Books (high level of lead in the red dot in the book, imported from
"Fly Dragonfly" Remote Control Helicopters (Fire hazard--the battery in the helicopter can overheat, posing fire and burn hazards to a child; made in China for ImagineNation Books);
High Speed "Pull Back" Toy Cars (high level of lead in the paint on the toy; made in
2011 Model Year Giant Bicycles (the frame can crack at the union of the seat post and top tube posing a fall hazard to riders; made in
Allreds Design Baby Bracelets and Pacifier Clips (high levels of lead; made in
There are more toys on the US PIRG list--and there is an entire report released November 23, 2010, the 25th Annual "Trouble in Toyland" Report in PDF format which can be downloaded and read by parents and those purchasing children's toys this holiday season.
CNN's T.J. Holmes also noted today that two children's toys specifically were cited by the U.S. PIRG as "troubling" and they include the Dora, The Explorer™ Backpack and the Fisher-Price "Let's Get Building" toy. There are a variety of factors that parents should check about most toys on the market. Noting where a toy was manufactured lately seems to have a bearing on its probable safe use by children. The
If you, as a parent or caregiver, don't think it looks safe for a child to use, it probably isn't. But even when you think it is safe, it's best to check the toy thoroughly and monitor the child's use of the toy if you do purchase it.
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