Children's Product Recalls » Child Safety

Serious Head Injuries to Infants Continue Due to Falls from Bumbo Baby Seats Used on Elevated Surfaces

CP_Recalls — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 19:49:12 +0000

I almost bought one of these when my son was a baby. Guess I’m glad now that I didn’t.

Injuries occurring despite previous recall warning; parents urged to use caution

Due to the serious risk of injury to babies, CPSC and Bumbo International Trust of South Africa (“Bumbo International”) are urging parents and caregivers to never place Bumbo Baby Seats on tables, countertops, chairs or other raised surfaces. Infants aged 3-10 months old have fallen out of the Bumbo seat and suffered skull fractures and other injuries.

CPSC and Bumbo International are aware of at least 45 incidents in which infants fell out of a Bumbo seat while it was being used on an elevated surface which occurred after an October 25, 2007 voluntary recall of the product. The recall required that new warnings be placed on the seat to deter elevated usage of the product. Since the recall, CPSC and Bumbo International have learned that 17 of those infants, ages 3-10 months, suffered skull fractures. These incidents and injuries involved both recalled Bumbo seats and Bumbo seats sold after the recall with the additional on-product warnings.

CPSC and Bumbo International are also aware of an additional 50 reports of infants falling or maneuvering out of Bumbo seats used on the floor and at unknown elevations. These incidents include two reports of skull fractures and one report of a concussion that occurred when babies fell out of Bumbo seats used on the floor. These injuries reportedly occurred when the infants struck their heads on hard flooring, or in one case, on a nearby toy.

The Bumbo seat is labeled and marketed to help infants sit in an upright position as soon as they can support their head. The product warnings state that the seat “may not prevent release of your baby in the event of vigorous movement.” Infants as young as 3 months can fall or escape from the seat by arching backward, leaning forward or sideways or rocking.

At the time of the 2007 recall announcement, CPSC was aware of 28 falls from the product, three of which resulted in skull fractures to infants who fell or maneuvered out of the product used on an elevated surface. CPSC and Bumbo International are now aware of at least 46 falls from Bumbo seats used on elevated surfaces that occurred prior to the 2007 recall, resulting in 14 skull fractures, two concussions and one incident of a broken limb.

Approximately 3.85 million Bumbo seats have been sold in the United States since 2003.

Toys Safer This Holiday Season Due to Stronger Safety Rules

CP_Recalls — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 01:28:57 +0000

This article was recently posted on the CPSC web site. I’m glad to see that toys are safer this year, but there’s still a lot of work to do.

Recalls and lead violations are down; 180,000 child injuries per year is too high

It’s that time of year again, when parents, grandparents, and friends begin to prepare holiday toy shopping lists. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) wants consumers to know that while safety should be at the top of everyone’s toy list, stronger federal rules are making a positive impact and restoring confidence in the safety of toys.

New toy safeguards include: establishing the lowest lead content and lead paint limits in the world; setting a stringent limit on the use of certain phthalates; converting the voluntary toy standards into mandatory standards; requiring third party testing and certification of toys designed or intended primarily for children 12 and younger; closing in on new limits for cadmium in toys; and working with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to track shipments in transit from other countries, thereby increasing seizure of dangerous imported toys.

These safeguards, along with safety-conscious steps taken by many toy makers and sellers, have contributed to a continued decline in toy recalls since 2008. There were 34 toy recalls in fiscal year 2011. This is down from 46 toy recalls in fiscal year 2010, 50 recalls in 2009, and 172 recalls in 2008. In 2011, toy recalls related to lead declined to 4, down from 19 in 2008.

“Strong toy standards support the production of safer toys in the marketplace,” said Chairman Inez Tenenbaum. “Parents and toy shoppers also always need to be vigilant by choosing age appropriate toys and keeping small parts, balls, and balloons out of the hands of young children.”

Toy-related deaths to children younger than 15 increased to 17 fatalities reported in 2010, up from 15 reported in 2009. Nearly half of these toy-related fatalities were attributed to choking on balloons, small balls, and rubber balls.

A new report (pdf) released by CPSC today also notes that about 181,500 children younger than 15 years of age were treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments due to toy-related injuries in 2010. Nonmotorized scooters continued to be the category of toys associated with the most injuries. Frequently these injuries involved lacerations, contusions, and abrasions to the child’s face and head. Importantly many of the incidents were associated with, but not necessarily caused by, a toy.

Here are some safety steps that consumers can take while shopping this holiday season:

Balloons – Children can choke or suffocate on deflated or broken balloons. Keep deflated balloons away from children younger than 8 years old. Discard broken balloons at once.
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 safety gear should be worn properly at all times, and they should be sized to fit.
Magnets – For children under age 6, avoid building or play sets with small magnets. If magnets or pieces with magnets are swallowed, serious injuries and/or death can occur.

Once the gifts are open:

Immediately discard plastic wrappings or other packaging on toys before they become dangerous play things.
Keep toys appropriate for older children away from younger siblings.
Charging batteries 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.

Along with educating the public, CPSC is committed to working with foreign and domestic toy manufacturers, importers, and retailers to help them understand and comply with U.S. toy requirements.

Strollers Recalled by phil&teds USA Due to Risk of Injury from Brake Failure

CP_Recalls — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 06:01:40 +0000

Name of Product: Explorer and Hammerhead Strollers

Units: Explorer: 7,400 in the U.S. and 1,900 in Canada; Hammerhead: 160 in the U.S. and 65 in Canada

Importer: phil&teds USA Inc, of Fort Collins, Colo.

Hazard: The brake mechanism on the strollers can fail, posing an injury hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: Eight incidents have been reported globally; none in North America. No injuries were reported.

Description: The recalled strollers have metal frames and were sold as single strollers or with a doubles kit to make them double strollers. The Explorer has three wheels and the Hammerhead has four. Both have a cloth seat and canopy. Explorer strollers were sold in the following colors: black, apple green, navy, red/black and apple green/black. Hammerhead strollers were sold in black only. The phil&teds logo is located on the crotch piece of the harness on both models. The strollers have the text “phil&teds model EX explorer” or “phil&teds model HH hammerhead” printed on a sticker on the rear axle bar. The serial numbers run consecutively with the month and year followed by the unit number. Affected serial numbers: 0610/0001 to 0111/4788 (June 2010, unit #1, to January 2011, unit #4788). This information can be found on a sticker attached to the inside of the left hand hinge when viewing the stroller from behind.

Sold by: Sold online at philandteds.com, pishposhbaby.com, and albeebaby.com; and at Babies R Us and specialty juvenile retailers in the United States and Canada from August 2010 through June 2011 for between $475 and $500.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the product and contact phil&teds to arrange to receive a upgraded brake assembly. Explorer owners will receive a new frame fitted with an upgraded brake assembly. Consumers can perform an in-home swap out of the affected frame. Hammerhead owners will receive a pre-paid return shipping container in order to return the stroller to phil&teds where the brake assembly will be replaced and the stroller returned.

Consumer Contact: For additional information in the U.S. and Canada, contact phil&teds USA toll free at (855) 652-9019 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. MT Monday through Friday, or visit the company’s website at www.philandteds.com/support

Note: Health Canada’s press release is available at http://cpsr-rspc.hc-sc.gc.ca/PR-RP/recall-retrait-eng.jsp?re_id=1380

Explorer

Hammerhead

Prime-Line Products Recalls Child Bathtub Non-Slip Pads Due To Fall Hazard

CP_Recalls — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 05:26:10 +0000

Name of Products: Bathtub Non-Slip Pads

Units: About 8,000

Importer: Prime-Line Products Company Inc., of Redlands, Calif.

Hazard: Some pads do not stick to the bathtub surface, posing a fall hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Prime-Line has received one report of the pad failure. No injuries were reported.

Description: The recalled items are whale-shaped, white, vinyl, non-slip bathtub pads with textured surfaces and adhesive backings and are used to help prevent children from slipping and falling in bathtubs. The pads come in sets of 12 and 15. Each set contains pads that range in size from 2 to 4 inches tall. The model number is S-4630 and SKU number is 049793846303. Both are printed on the back of the packaging.

Sold at: Ace Hardware & Menards nationwide between May 24, 2010 and June 13, 2011 for about $6.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the pads and contact Prime-Line to receive a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Prime-Line at (855) 839-9555 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT. Consumers also can visit the Prime-Line website at www.prime-line-products.com

One non-slip pad, model number S-4630

The pads are sold in packages of 12 or 15

Child Safety Latches and Outlet Covers Recalled by Prime-Line; Screw Breaks Can Allow Unintended Access

CP_Recalls — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 05:04:11 +0000

Name of Product: Safety Latches and Outlet Covers

Units: About 37,000

Importer: Prime-Line, of Redlands, Calif.

Hazard: The screws on the safety latches and outlet covers can loosen and/or break. When this happens, young children can gain access to electrical outlets and other potentially hazardous items.

Incidents/Injuries: Prime-Line has received four reports of screws breaking. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves Prime-Line child safety drawer and cabinet latches and outlet covers with rotating receptacle covers. These products were sold under the brand name Child Safe.

The drawer and cabinet latches were sold three per package, in model number S 4439 with SKU 049793044396, and model number S 4444 with SKU 049793044440.

The outlet covers were sold one per package, in ivory, model number S 4447 with SKU 049793044471, and white, model number S 4461 with SKU 049793044617.

The model number and SKU are printed on the back of the package.

Sold at: Drawer and cabinet latches were sold at Ace Hardware, Bostwic-Braun, Cal-Do-It Centers, Do-It-Best, Friedman Brothers, Menards, Orgill, The Andersons Inc. and True Value stores nationwide between October 2010 and June 2011 for between $2.50 and $2.70. Outlet covers were sold at Ace Hardware, Cimarron Lumber & Supply, Do-It-Best, Friedman Brothers, Handy Hardware, Menards and W.E. Aubuchon stores nationwide between October 2009 and June 2011 for about $3.50.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately contact Prime-Line to receive a free replacement kit.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Prime-Line toll-free at (855) 839-9555 anytime, or visit the firm’s website at www.prime-line-products.com

Model S 4439	Model S 4444
Cabinet and Drawer Latches

Outlet Covers

Cabinet and Drawer Latches and Outlet Covers in packaging

CPSC Issues New Drawstring Safety Rule for Children’s Outerwear

CP_Recalls — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 06:12:52 +0000

Drawstrings at Neck and Waist Present Strangulation Hazard and Other Dangers

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) voted (5-0) today to approve a new federal safety rule for drawstrings in children’s outerwear. The final rule designates children’s upper outerwear in sizes 2T through 12, with neck or hood drawstrings, and children’s upper outerwear in sizes 2T through 16, with certain waist or bottom drawstrings, as substantial product hazards. Drawstrings can catch or become entangled with objects, such as a car door or playground slide, posing dragging, strangulation entrapment hazards to children.

CPSC has received 26 reports of children who have died when the drawstring on their garment became entangled on playground slides, school bus doors, and other objects. Waist and bottom drawstrings that have been caught in doors or other car parts have resulted in dragging incidents.

The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) of 2008 provided CPSC with the authority to specify, by rule, for any consumer product or class of consumer products, characteristics whose existence or absence shall be deemed a substantial product hazard. CPSC’s federal partners at Customs and Border Protection now have authority to stop potentially hazardous shipments of children’s outerwear with drawstrings from entering the United States. In addition, CPSC has increased regulatory authority to issue product recalls of violative garments.

In February 1996, CPSC issued guidelines (pdf), which were incorporated into an industry voluntary standard in 1997, to help prevent children from strangling or becoming entangled on drawstrings in outerwear garments, such as jackets or sweatshirts. Since the industry standard was introduced, fatal incidents involving garments with drawstrings through the neck or hood have decreased by 75 percent, and fatalities associated with drawstrings through the waist or bottom have dropped 100 percent. Nonetheless, from 2006 through 2010, the agency has participated in 115 recalls of noncomplying products with drawstrings.

Safety Alert: Only New, Safer Cribs will be Available for Consumer Purchase on June 28, 2011

CP_Recalls — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 03:39:00 +0000

Now that it’s official, I am reposting this just in case you missed it the first time I posted it on 6/17/11.

CPSC votes to grant extension of time to comply with new rules to crib rental companies

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In less than two weeks, a new generation of safer cribs will be for sale in retail stores across the country. On June 28, 2011, anyone that manufactures or sells baby cribs will be required to meet new and improved crib safety standards approved by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission on December 15, 2010.

Today, the Commission voted 4-0-1 to extend the length of time that short-term crib rental companies have to comply with the new mandatory standards for full-size and non-full-size baby cribs. This extension gives crib rental companies until December 28, 2012 to update their inventory with compliant cribs, which is the same deadline for the public accommodation facilities that these companies serve.

When the Commission approved the new rules in 2010, child care facilities, such as family child care homes and infant Head Start centers, and places of public accommodation, such as hotels and motels, were given until December 28, 2012 to have compliant cribs in their facilities.

Today’s vote by the Commission does not change the requirements on manufacturers or retailers of cribs. The Commission voted 3-2 today against granting an extension for retailers to comply with the new crib safety requirements. In turn, the Commission will continue to require companies that manufacture or sell cribs in the United States to comply with the new federal safety standards effective June 28, 2011.

Federal mandatory crib standards had not been updated in nearly 30 years and the new rule will usher in a safer generation of cribs. These mandatory standards will: 1) stop the manufacture and sale of dangerous, traditional drop-side cribs; 2) make mattress supports stronger; 3) improve slat strength, 4) make crib hardware more durable; and 5) make safety testing more rigorous.

The new safety standards aim to keep children safer in their cribs and prevent deaths resulting from detaching crib drop-sides and faulty or defective hardware.

These crib standards were mandated by the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA). For more information on crib safety and safe sleep environments for baby, visit CPSC’s crib information center at: www.cpsc.gov/cribs

Statements from the Commissioners

Statement from Chairman Inez Tenenbaum

Statement from Commissioner Thomas Moore

Statement from Commissioner Robert Adler

Counterfeit Smoke Alarms Distributed in Atlanta

CP_Recalls — Fri, 27 May 2011 19:48:48 +0000

Talk about being counterproductive. These alarms were distributed for FREE as part of a fire safety campaign, but they’re counterfeit and don’t work. Who makes a counterfeit smoke detector, anyway?

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging consumers in the Atlanta area to check their homes for counterfeit smoke alarms. About 18,500 counterfeit photoelectric smoke alarms were distributed for free in the Atlanta area between 2006 through May 2011 as part of the Atlanta Smoke Alarm Program. The smoke alarms can fail to alert consumers in the event of a fire.

The Atlanta Fire Rescue Department, which distributed the free smoke alarms as part of a fire safety campaign, is recalling the smoke alarms and is working to provide free smoke alarm inspections and replacement units. Consumers who received these alarms should immediately contact the Atlanta Smoke Alarm Recall Hotline at (404) 546-2733.

The counterfeit alarms can be identified by a silver Underwriters Laboratories’ UL label on the back and three sets of vented slots on the front. The UL label is counterfeit. The alarms do not have a model number or brand name printed on them. “Important: Refer to Manual for Operating Instruction and Safety” and “Do Not Paint” are stamped into the plastic on the front of the alarm in both English and German. The package states, “This Smoke Alarm save [sic] life and property by early warning!” Claims that smoke alarms can “save property” are not typical claims for smoke alarms. The packaging states, “10 YEAR LIFE LITHIUM BATTERY,” but the battery included with the smoke alarm is a carbon zinc, industrial, heavy duty battery, which will power the alarm for only one year.

CPSC’s independent testing of the smoke alarms determined that the alarms pose a life safety hazard to the occupants in the event of a fire. The alarms perform poorly and inconsistently and do not meet voluntary standards requirements in Underwriters Laboratories’ (UL) 217, Single and Multiple Station Smoke Alarms and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 72, Fire Alarm and Signaling Code. The smoke alarms’ sensitivity settings varied greatly between the alarms tested. Some alarms did not respond within an adequate time for life safety and other alarms did not respond at all.

CPSC has worked with the voluntary standards organizations to improve smoke alarm performance and reliability. Counterfeit alarms can put lives at risk. Working smoke alarms that meet the voluntary standards are proven to save lives. CPSC urges consumers to install smoke alarms on every level of the home, outside sleeping areas and inside bedrooms. Replace batteries at least once every year and test the alarms once a month.

Counterfeit UL Label

CPSC Approves Strong New Crib Safety Standards To Ensure a Safe Sleep for Babies and Toddlers

CP_Recalls — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 03:16:04 +0000

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) voted unanimously to approve new mandatory standards for full-size and non-full-size baby cribs as mandated by the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA). The federal crib standards had not been updated in nearly 30 years and these new rules are expected to usher in a safer generation of cribs.

Once they become effective, the mandatory crib standards will: (1) stop the manufacture and sale of dangerous, traditional drop-side cribs; (2) make mattress supports stronger; (3) make crib hardware more durable; and (4) make safety testing more rigorous.

CPSC has recalled more than 11 million dangerous cribs since 2007. Detaching drop-side rails were associated with at least 32 infant suffocation and strangulation deaths since 2000. Additional deaths have occurred due to faulty or defective hardware. These new standards aim to prevent these tragedies and keep children safe in their cribs.

Effective June 2011, cribs manufactured, sold, or leased in the United States must comply with the new federal standards. Effective 24 months after the rule is published, child care facilities, such as family child care homes and infant Head Start centers, and places of public accommodation, such as hotels and motels, must have compliant cribs in their facilities.

The full-size and non-full-size crib standards adopted the current ASTM International voluntary standards with additional technical modifications.

For more information on crib safety and safe sleep environments for baby, visit CPSC’s crib information center at: www.cpsc.gov/info/cribs/index.html

CPSC Issues Warning on Drop-Side Cribs: 32 Fatalities in Drop-Side Cribs in Last 9 Years

CP_Recalls — Sat, 08 May 2010 04:21:25 +0000

WASHINGTON, D.C. – As part of its commitment to ensure safe sleep for young children, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is once again warning parents and caregivers about deadly hazards with drop-side cribs. In the last five years, CPSC has announced 11 recalls involving more than 7 million drop-side cribs due to suffocation and strangulation hazards created by the drop side. CPSC staff is actively investigating several other crib manufacturers for potential drop-side hazards as part of a larger effort by the agency to rid the marketplace and homes of unsafe cribs. CPSC will continue to take aggressive action to address any risks and will keep the public informed.

CPSC staff has completed a comprehensive review of crib-related infant fatalities reported to the agency between January 2000 and the present. CPSC staff is aware of 32 infant and toddler suffocation and strangulation deaths and hundreds of incidents that were caused by or related to drop-side detachments in cribs made by various manufacturers.

A baby can strangle in the “V” shape when the top portion of the drop side detaches.

Homemade repairs to cribs like this one can be deadly.

In addition to the 32 deaths the CPSC staff associated with the drop-side detachments, CPSC has received an additional 14 reports of infant fatalities due to entrapment in cribs that could be related to a drop side. The information obtained was insufficient for staff to conclusively determine whether or not the drop side was involved. Of the 32 deaths that were analyzed, some occurred in cribs where the drop side detached without caregivers noticing the detachment, while some other deaths occurred after a consumer tried to repair the detached drop side, but the repair ultimately failed.

In other incidents, consumers unknowingly installed the drop side or drop-side hardware incorrectly. In several cases, this occurred due to incorrect or confusing directions. In these incidents, the drop side still appeared to function as intended, but the stress on the crib hardware resulted in the drop-side detachment.

CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum has committed to parents and caregivers that there will be a new and vastly improved mandatory federal standard for cribs this year. The standard will incorporate, at minimum, the new voluntary standard banning drop-side cribs from the United States market. Due to the new voluntary industry standard, many manufacturers have already stopped selling drop-side cribs or will do so beginning June 1, 2010.

Drop-Side Hazards

CPSC technical staff has determined drop-side cribs generally have a tendency to be less structurally sound than cribs with four fixed sides. Drop-side hardware is prone to break, deform or experience other problems during normal or foreseeable use. The older the crib, the more problems can be expected. When drop-side hardware breaks or deforms, the drop side can detach in one or more corners from the crib. If an infant or toddler rolls or moves into the space created by a partially detached drop side, the child can become entrapped or wedged between the crib mattress and the drop side and suffocate. Infants can also strangle in the “V” shape formed by a drop side that detaches in an upper corner.

When the drop side detaches at the bottom, a baby can fall into the resulting gap and suffocate between the mattress and the side rail.

Advice to Consumers

Check your crib regularly and make sure it has not already been recalled.

While CPSC staff cannot say that every drop-side crib is hazardous, based on investigations of incidents we have received, the agency believes that overall most drop-side cribs are more prone to mechanical failure than similar designed fixed-side cribs. In addition, older cribs may not meet current voluntary standards. Factors that contribute to safety problems in older cribs include:

The longer a crib is used, the more wear and tear on hardware and joints, allowing screws to loosen and fall out and plastic parts to flex and break.
Repeated assembly and disassembly increases likelihood that crib parts can be damaged or lost.
Wood warps and shrinks over time and glue can become brittle. This can lead to joint and slat failures.

Important Message from CPSC: CPSC reminds parents not to use any crib with missing, broken, or loose parts. Make sure to tighten hardware from time to time to keep the crib sturdy. When using a drop-side crib, parents should check to make sure the drop side or any other moving part operates smoothly. Always check all sides and corners of the crib for disengagement. Disengagements can create a gap and entrap a child. In addition, do not try to repair any side of the crib. Babies have died in cribs where repairs were attempted by caregivers.

If your baby is less than six months old and is not yet able to push up to his/her hands and knees, you can put your baby to sleep in a bassinet. Make sure your bassinet has not been recalled. Also, you can use a play yard. Do not put additional bedding such as pillows, thick quilts, comforters or anything plush into your baby’s sleeping space. More babies die every year from suffocation in plush sleeping environments than from defective cribs.