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.

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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=recalls

Boy 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.com

For a picture of this mask, please visit the CPSC website: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml12/12017.html

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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 China (When did Disney give their name to products manufactured in China and where were we?)  The manufacturer is listed in the recall notice as: Kiddieland Toys Limited, of Scituate, Massachusetts, but the toys were imported from China. 

 

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 China);

"Big Rex and Friends" Cloth Books (high level of lead in the red dot in the book, imported from China);

"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 China imported to the U.S.);

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 Taiwan)

Allreds Design Baby Bracelets and Pacifier Clips (high levels of lead; made in Utah, U.S.A.)

There are more toys on the US PIRG list--and there is an entire report released November 23, 2010, the 25^th 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 United States' standards are high when it comes to kids' toys.  And parents can report unsafe toys to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to help to keep the U.S. toy manufacturers' standards high.  Visit http://www.cpsc.gov to view recalled toys and learn how to report an unsafe toy.

 

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.

It may be true that we become more skeptical with age, but I was surprised after reading about a new threat to kids' safety on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Health Beat website.  This is scary! 

 

They're small and green, but they're not goblins-- and they look like Tic-Tac™ candies. This recent threat to kids' well being has just made its debut in the over-the-counter purchase-from-the drugstore category. Childsafetyblog.org is speaking of "Nicotine Tablets." The tablets are flavored with mint or cinnamon and may look like breath mints or candy--and are supposed to aid those who wish to quit smoking by providing nicotine without tobacco smoke. (They also may be sold in a stick form and look like candy cigarettes.) 

 

According to Greg Connolly of Harvard's School of Public Health in a study published in the journal Pediatrics, if a one-year-old child would consume 10 of the candy-like pellets, "In all likelihood, they are going to have serious neurological problems." 

 

Apparently, both the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are aware of these nicotine tablets. Now, let's see if they make them "only available by prescription" to adults. 

 

Meanwhile, if your kids go trick-or-treating on Halloween, please review their candy haul.  Ask them to bring the candy home before consuming it, so you can have a good look.

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While we know it's only just Halloween, people are saying scary things like, "There are only 57 shopping days until Christmas." As parents, family members, and caregivers begin combing the stores for the best, safest toys, we had better be ready for what's out there, do our homework, and know how to tackle this safe toy search!  

 

Here are some tips suggested in a recent article by Elizabeth Pantley on buying safe toys for your baby:

 

• When you purchase a child's toy, no matter how bright you believe your little one, note the child's age ranking on the box.  The age ranking is often there for a safety reason.
• If a toy is painted, make sure it's painted with non-toxic paint.
• If toys have more than one piece, make sure to check for small, loose or detachable pieces that could become separated from the toy and be a choking hazard.
• Check all children's toys you purchase for any rough, jagged, or sharp edges, and rusted or broken parts. You can report those toys to the store's manager. (Managers usually have the power to send faulty products back to the distributors.)
• Safely pitch any plastic wrapping on children's toys long before the holidays. Wrap toys in colorful paper yourself.
• For babies, avoid pull toys with long cords.
• Never give babies balloon-type toys or toys with inflatable balls which could burst or break off from the toy and become lodged in the throat.
• If your baby has a toy box in his or her room, make sure it has a safety lid or no lid at all to avoid pinched fingers or hands, or entrapment of the child.

 

Let's make childhood less scary and more safe for our kids!

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With appreciation to DHHS HealthBeat website, posting by Ira Dreyfuss, October 29, 2010, and

Just the Facts, Baby's posting by Elizabeth Pantley, "The Safest Toys for Your Baby", October 6, 2010.

 

I'm not sure how it's the holiday season again, because it seems like it just ended yesterday.  I am particularly distressed about how Christmas continues to invade  November - this year, here in Charlottesville, the town lit its Christmas tree before Thanksgiving.  Despite all we are hearing about the economy, the retail chaos has started.  Money is tight for a lot of people, and this naturally leads people to purchase less expensive toys for their kids.  Unfortunately, it is usually the cheaper toys that are poorly designed and poorly made.  Parents should be vigilant in inspecting all toys bought for or given to their children. 

 

But it's important that parents know what to look for.  In that vein, the U.S. Public Interest Research Group (USPIRG) has recently released their 24^th annual report on toy safety entitled "Trouble in Toyland" which draws attention to toys which might present a danger to children.  USPIRG's report divides "dangerous" toys into 16 different categories, including toys that are too noisy and may endanger children's hearing, toys with small or detachable parts that could be accidentally swallowed, and toys that may contain potentially toxic chemicals (lead and phthalates), to name only a few.   

 

And a really cool feature - they also has an interactive smart phone website: http://www.toysafety.mobi to aid shoppers in avoiding already-known toy hazards and to report potential dangers.  So, if you have a question about a toy while your shopping, you can access this site and get an immediate answer.

 

 A recent CNN "American Morning" show examined several toys which were identified in the USPIRG report as containing potential hazards to children, such as the "Real Wood Shape Sorter Barn" made by P&C, which had a toy part on the side of the barn that could be a choking hazard to a child.  Also, Kota and Pals Stompers Triceratops made by Playskool was identified as a toy potentially too noisy for children's ears.  Hasbro, the parent company of Playskool, indicated, however, that this particular "toy complies with all sound requirements" answering USPIRG's concern. A toy identified as potentially toxic to children is "The Elmo Lunch Bag" made by Fast Forward, New York.

Check out toy safety tips after the jump.

Just in time for Christmas, an organization called W.A.T.C.H. (World Against Toys Causing Harm) has released its annual list of the top 10 worst toys.  What amazes me is that all of the hazards here have long been established -- choking hazards, projectiles that can damage eyes, etc - yet these dangerous toys still reach the market.  There is no approval or evaluation process by any government agency for toys - the CPSC only steps in when a problem is identified.  Please go to the next page for the list. 

Click here for a list of the worst toys of all time (complete with Lawn Darts).  These would be funny if not for the fact that each of these put thousands of kids needlessly at risk.