Safety Recall Issued on Tumblekins Toy Playsets

Well-known New Jersey toy distributor, International Playthings (IP), has recalled about 31,000 Tumblekins vehicles and playsets.  It was discovered that the toys can break into small parts with sharp points which can cause a choking and laceration hazard for young children.  Only one consumer has reported a problem, but to prevent any potential harm to children, IP is conducting this voluntary recall in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC).

The toys are manufactured in China by Lishui Treetoys Trading Co. Ltd. and were sold in  children’s toy stores, mass merchandisers and other  retail stores across the United States and on assorted websites from March 2011 through December 2011.  

The Tumblekins are multi-colored wooden vehicles and play sets that measure from 6-12” in length and 4-9 1/2” in height. The words “Tumblekins” and “Made in China are printed on the toys, along with the UPC Codes 171111461502 or 346101461502. 

The product packaging carries the specific item number and product description.

Fire Station: Item #T05000
UPC 20373050006

Farm Playsey:  Item #T05001
UPC 20373050013

Police Car: Item# T05002
UPC 20373050020

Roadster: Item #T05003
UPC 20373050037

School Bus: Itwm #T05006
UPC 20373050068

Off-Roader:  Item #T05004
UPC 20373050044

Fire Truck: Item#T05005
UPC 23073050051

Customers who identify their Tumblekin as one of the above recalled products should make the toy(s) inaccessible to children and contact International Playthings immediately for further instructions or product replacement.

International Playthings via phone:  (800) 445-8347 

International Playthings via email: recall@intplay.com

Canadian "Dolly Daydreams" interrupted by nightmare

Little Janie puts baby to sleep and pretends she is dreaming of lollipops, soft kitties and other delightful thoughts.  Never would Janie imagine that dolly's daydreams include the nightmare that the doll's maker would soon go through when dolly is found to be considered a danger to Janie.  

Toy Galaxy of Richmond Hill in Ontario, Canada is recalling 2,400 “Dolly Daydreams Cradle Baby” doll and crib sets distributed in Canada.  Sold from August through December of 2011, the soft plastic in the doll’s head contains a specifically restricted phthalate called Di-Ethylhexyl Phthalate (DEHP). 

In Canada, as in the USA, only limited, allowable levels of DEHP are permitted in toys.  DEHP is restricted in the United States under the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA) and has also been restricted in California under Prop 65 for many years.

Studies suggest that DEHP may cause both reproductive issues and developmental irregularities in children if the material containing the phthalate is chewed or sucked on for long periods of time. Phthalates used to soften the otherwise hard plastic can leach out of the plastic and become very accessible to the children.

The product affected comes in a variety of colors, but the Item Number 30263 and UPC Code 626881302639are both printed on the packaging.

Consumers should stop using the doll set, dispose of the product, and contact Toy Galaxy by phone at 1-905-470-2999 for instructions.

Guidecraft ‘s 46th Birthday Marred by Twist ‘N Sort Toy Recall

www.guidecraft.com

In 1964, a tiny tinker’s wood shop in Minnesota was the start of an American tradition in wooden toys.  Guidecraft started their small wooden toy business with a simple line of ten toys. Their mission was also straightforward; produce “smart, beautifully crafted wood products, which allow children's minds and imaginations room to truly wonder and grow.” (1)

Celebrating their 46th anniversary with a CPSC safety recall was probably not in the party plans. Unfortunately, that is exactly what took place this week, as Guidecraft announced the recall of about 760 units of the Twist ‘N Sort wooden manipulative toy.

Photo: www.cpsc.gov 

Although no injuries have been reported to the company, Guidecraft recognized that some of the small pegs in three of the four wooden sorting posts (on a select quantity of the toys) have the potential to detach from the posts. When these small pegs detach, they become tempting for a toddler to easily mouth, creating a potential choking hazard. 

The affected Twist ‘N Sort toy shown above is labeled on under the base with item number “712.”  This $20 sorting manipulative was sold throughout the United States at toy, gift, and children specialty retail and online stores from September 2009 through November 2010.

Anyone who has the Twist ‘N Sort described above should stop using the product and contact Guidecraft for exchange or refund.

Guidecraft can be contacted by phone at (888) 924-1308 or via their website at www.guidecraft.com. One word of caution – Checking the company’s website this morning (10/21/2011) there appears to be no mention of this recall at all. It appears that the only way to contact them is through their normal customer service form. 

⁽¹⁾www.guidecraft.com

Toy Safety Requires Caregiver Diligence

Two new recalls this morning to keep an eye on:

The first is a linking toy with ball shaped rattle from Rhino Toys.  The yellow clips connecting the links to the ball broke on one (that’s what I said – O-N-E) toy in the hands of the consumer, posing a potential choking hazard.  No injuries were reported.

Sold for about $8 at Toys R Us and other small retailers from April through December 2010. Customers are being asked to take the product away from their child immediately. Contact Rhino Toys (888-250-9969) for a full refund. 

The other is a wooden floor activity center from Manhattan Group.  The small wooden pegs that hold the xylophone keys onto the side panel can fall out, creating a choking hazard for young children.  There has been one (that’s what I said – O-N-E) toy in the hands of the consumer.  No injuries were reported.

Sold for about $90 at specialty retailers and mail order catalogs from December 2010 through February 2011. Customers should stop using the product immediately. Return it to the retailer from which it was purchased, or call Manhattan Group directly (800-541-1345) full refund or replacement.           

    There must have been more going on behind the scenes to allow only one incident to create these recalls.  I say this because the method in which the small part was released was not revealed.   Did the clip break while an infant was slurping on it during normal play, or was something else at work here?  Imagine how much strength it would take for an infant to press both ends of the plastic clip in opposing directs before it would snap.  If this indeed was the case – the Incredibles’ baby is on the loose!  

     But to be serious, if you have older siblings in the home, then carefully consider any toys you give your children, particularly your infant or toddler.  They may not have the strength to break the toys, but big brother certainly might. Wooden Toys are appealing and normally very durable, but they often depend on glue alone for securing small accessories.  When small parts are attached to a toy simply by glue, there is a real damage of that glue drying out over time allowing inquisitive little fingers, to tug and pull it off.  In addition, in wooden toys we often see the “part into hole” connection poorly designed, so very little glue even reaches the end of the part it’s supposed to be holding.   Naturally, any small part that releases from a toddler toy during use goes directly into the mouth and creates a real potential for choking.

TOY SAFETY TIPS:

• Toys that can undergo YOUR manipulation, pulling, bending and tweaking are more likely to be safe for your child.  Test it with your child in mind our before you give it to your child to play with. 

• Also - Check the toy box often for broken toys and remove any that are damaged or look like they are about to break.