Children's Product Recalls » Toys

Infant Rattles Recalled by Lee Carter Co. Due to Choking Hazard

CP_Recalls — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:05:21 +0000

Name of Product: Infant Rattles

Units: About 25,000

Importer/Distributor: Lee Carter Co., of San Francisco, Calif.

Hazard: The rattle’s handle is small enough to fit into a child’s throat, posing a choking hazard and violating federal rattle standards.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported

Description: The recalled rattles are made out of multi-colored, woven plastic and have a bell inside. They measure about 4 1/2 inches long. “Made in Mexico” and “Lee Carter Company” are printed on a tag on a purple plastic loop at the end of the rattle’s handle.

Sold at: Various Mexican specialty craft stores nationwide from February 2001 through October 2011 for about $4.

Manufactured in: Mexico

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled rattles away from infants and return them to Lee Carter Co. for a full refund or credit towards a replacement product.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, consumers should call Lee Carter Co. collect at (415) 824-2004 anytime, or visit the firm’s website at www.leecartercompany.com

Mexican Wrestling Action Figures Recalled by Lee Carter Co. Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

CP_Recalls — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 04:59:55 +0000

Name of Product: Super Luchamania Action Figures

Units: About 7,000 packs

Importer/Distributor: Lee Carter Co., of San Francisco, Calif.

Hazard: The surface paints on the action figures contain excessive levels of lead which is prohibited under federal law.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported

Description: The recalled Mexican wrestling Super Luchamania action figures were sold in packs of 12. The multi-colored action figures are plastic, have plastic capes and measure about four inches tall. “Super Luchamania” is printed on the action figures’ packaging.

Sold at: Various Mexican specialty craft stores nationwide from June 2000 through October 2011 for between $12 and $14 per pack.

Manufactured in: Mexico

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled action figures away from children and return them to Lee Carter Co. for a full refund or credit towards a replacement product.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, consumers should call Lee Carter Co. collect at (415) 824-2004 anytime, or visit the firm’s website at www.leecartercompany.com

Build-A-Bear Recalls Colorful Hearts Teddy Bears Due to Choking Hazard

CP_Recalls — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 03:43:22 +0000

Imagine how many heartbroken kids there will be with this recall…
and how many parents will have to explain that Santa made a toy that could hurt them? (I guess you could always blame the elves.)

In my case, I should be grateful this wasn’t a few years ago, when my daughter was at the height of her Build-A-Bear phase.

Name of Product: Colorful Hearts Teddy Bears

Units: 284,000 in the United States and 13,200 in Canada

Manufacturer: Build-A-Bear Workshop Inc., of St. Louis, Mo.

Hazard: The teddy bear’s eyes could loosen and fall out, posing a choking hazard to children.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported

Description: The Colorful Hearts Teddy is a stuffed animal about 16 inches high with black plastic eyes. The bear’s fabric covering is printed with multi-colored heart shapes.

Sold by: Build-A-Bear Workshops nationwide and online at www.buildabear.com from April 2011 through December 2011 for about $18 in the U.S. and $23 in Canada.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled teddy bear from children and return it to any Build-A-Bear store to receive a coupon for any available stuffed animal from Build-A-Bear.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact the firm toll-free at (866) 236-5683 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, on Saturday between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. CT and on Sunday between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. CT, visit the firm’s website www.buildabear.com or email the firm at colorfulhearts@buildabear.com

Note: Health Canada’s press release is available at http://cpsr-rspc.hc-sc.gc.ca/PR-RP/recall-retrait-eng.jsp?re_id=1504

Toys Distribution Inc. Recalls Rattles Due to Choking Hazard

CP_Recalls — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 07:14:20 +0000

Name of Product: Baby Rattles

Units: About 50

Distributor: Toys Distribution Inc., of Los Angeles, Calif.

Manufacturer: Winning Key (WK) Manufacturing and Topwin Toys (HK), of China

Hazard: The recalled rattles can break into small parts, posing a choking hazard to young children and violating the federal safety requirements for rattles. In addition, the size of the handle on some of the rattles is small enough to enter an infant’s mouth, lodge in the throat and cause a choking hazard or lead to bruises and lacerations.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported

Description: The recall includes plastic rattles sold in various pastel colors and shapes, including a toy phone, animal, small buggy and sea horse. The rattles were sold in sets of five or eight rattles per box. “HANDBELL TOYS” is printed in the upper left corner of the package. “MADE IN CHINA” is printed on the bottom of the package. One set has “JUNYI” printed on the front upper right corner of the package and “ITEM NO. 58083801″ printed on the back lower corner on a white sticker. Another set has “XIN DA MEI” printed on the front upper right corner of the package and “ITEM NO. 308363″ printed on the back lower corner on a white sticker.

Sold at: Small toy stores in Colorado and Texas from December 2009 through December 2010 for about $2.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should take the recalled rattles away from children immediately and return them to the place of purchase or contact Toys Distribution Inc. to receive a full refund or replacement product.

Customer contact: For additional information, contact Toys Distribution Inc. collect at (323) 266-8088 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday. Consumers can also e-mail the firm at mailbox@shoptdi.com

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.

Build-A-Bear Recalls Teddy Bear Swimwear Set Due to Strangulation Hazard

CP_Recalls — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 02:41:40 +0000

Name of Product: Swimwear Set With Inflatable Inner Tube

Units: About 19,720 units in the United States and 1,100 units in Canada

Importer: Build-A-Bear Workshop®, of St. Louis

Hazard: The inner tube accessory can be pulled over a small child’s head, posing a strangulation hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: Build-A-Bear received one report of an incident in which a 3-year-old girl pulled the inner tube over her head and had difficulty removing it.

Description: The inner tube is part of the three-piece Fruit Tutu Bikini swimwear set for teddy bears, which includes a two-piece fruit-print bikini. The inner tube is 9 inches in diameter and pink with white and yellow flowers printed on it. The model number of the swimwear set is 017220 and is located on the price sticker on the “Build-A-Bear” cardboard tag.

Sold at: Build-A-Bear Workshop® stores nationwide and online at www.buildabear.com from April 2011 to August 2011 for $12.50.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the inner tube and return it to any Build-A-Bear Workshop® store to receive a $5 store coupon. If it is not possible to return the inner tube to a store, consumers may contact the company for information about how to receive a refund.

Note: Health Canada’s press release is available at http://cpsr-rspc.hc-sc.gc.ca/PR-RP/recall-retrait-eng.jsp?re_id=1435

Battat Recalls Magnetic Sketchboards; Magnetic Pen Tip Poses Choking Hazards

CP_Recalls — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 21:39:39 +0000

Name of Product: Toulouse-LapTrec magnetic sketchboards

Units: About 95,000 in the United States and 4,300 in Canada

Importer: Battat Inc., of Plattsburgh, N.Y.

Manufacturers: Rainbow Force Plastic Products, of China

Hazard: The magnetic tip of the drawing pen can dislodge from the pen, posing a choking hazard to children.

Incidents/Injuries: Battat has received 19 reports of the magnetic tip separating from the pen. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves the Toulouse-LapTrec magnetic sketchboard, which has a white plastic writing surface bordered by either a red or brown plastic frame, and has a bean bag type backing. The sketch board has four animal shapes across the top – a rabbit, dog, cat and duck. The multicolored magnetic pen is affixed to the front of the sketchpad. The model number BX1026 (red frame) or BX1027 (brown frame) can be found on a paper wrapper that comes with the product at the time it was purchased.

Sold at: Target stores nationwide and by various online retailers from March 2010 to March 2011 for about $16.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take recalled sketchboards away from children and contact Battat to receive a free replacement sketchboard.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Battat toll-free at (866) 665-5524 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit Battat’s website at www.battatco.com

Note: Health Canada’s press release is available at http://cpsr-rspc.hc-sc.gc.ca/PR-RP/recall-retrait-eng.jsp?re_id=1452

Target Recall Children’s Frog Masks Due to Suffocation Hazard

CP_Recalls — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 04:21:07 +0000

Okay, I’m no expert, but even I could have figured this one out. There aren’t any nose openings, so how exactly are you supposed to breathe while wearing one of these?

Name of Product: Children’s Frog Masks

Units: About 3,400

Importer: Target Corp., of Minneapolis, Minn.

Hazard: The plush frog masks lack proper ventilation. When secured in place across a child’s face, it presents a suffocation hazard to the child.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: This recall involves child-sized frog-themed animal masks. The plush mask is green with yellow and red highlights. There are two eye cutouts and a green elastic band with a fastener 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.

Sold exclusively at: Target stores nationwide from August 2011 through September 2011 for about $1.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take masks from young children and return the product to any Target store for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: Contact: For additional information, contact 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

Guidecraft Recalls Twist ‘n Sort Toys Due to Choking Hazard

CP_Recalls — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 06:01:52 +0000

Name of Product: Twist and Sort Toys

Units: About 760

Manufacturer: Guidecraft Inc., of Winthrop, Minn.

Hazard: The small pegs on three of the four posts can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: This recall involves Twist ‘n Sort wooden toys. The toy has a square base, four posts and twelve primary-colored game pieces that can be arranged to fit over the posts. Product number “712” is printed on underside of base.

Sold at: Specialty toy stores and gift shops nationwide, catalogs and online from September 2009 through November 2010 for about $20.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled toys from children and contact Guidecraft to receive a replacement or another product of equal value.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Guidecraft toll-free at (888) 824-1308 between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s website at www.guidecraft.com

IKEA Recalls Children’s Folding Tent Due to Laceration and Puncture Hazards

CP_Recalls — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 05:58:01 +0000

Name of Product: BUSA children’s folding tent

Units: About 58,000; 51,000 in the United States and 7,000 in Canada

Importer: IKEA North America Service, of Conshohocken, Pa.

Hazard: The steel wire frame of the tent can break, producing sharp wire ends that can protrude through the tent fabric, posing a laceration or puncture hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: Three incidents were reported, including one injury. No incidents were reported in the US or Canada

Description: This recall involves a cube-shaped children’s folding tent with model number 90192009. The brand name BUSA and IKEA and the model number are printed on a sewn-in label attached to an interior seam in the tent. The tent frame is made of flat steel wire and the tent material is pale green polyester fabric with turquoise, pink and white trim. The tent’s dimensions are: L 28 1/4, W 28 1/4, H 28 1/4.

Sold exclusively at: IKEA stores nationwide from August 2011 through September 2011 for about $8.

Manufactured in: Vietnam

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take it away from children and return it to their nearest IKEA store for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact IKEA toll-free at (888) 966-4532 anytime, or visit the firm’s website at http://www.ikea-usa.com

Note: Health Canada’s press release is available at http://cpsr-rspc.hc-sc.gc.ca/PR-RP/recall-retrait-eng.jsp?re_id=1434