Phil & Ted's Put the Brakes on Stroller Sales

The Fort Collins, Colorado division of Phil & Ted’s Strollers, is recalling two stroller models that have had eight incidents of brake failures between them.  While none of those incidents occurred in North America, the risk of injury from brake failure is a serious safety concern.  For this reason, the company has joined with Consumer Product Safety Product Commission (CPSC) and Health Canada to recall the two models and provide consumers with a retrofit repair kit.

Both strollers were sold online at Phil & Teds.com, PishPoshBaby.com, and Albeebaby.com. They are also sold at juvenile product specialty stores like Babies R Us.  Each stroller sold in the United States and Canada from August 2010 through June 2011 at a price that ranged between $475 and $500.

According to their website, the company has “implemented the upgrade in production some months ago, creating ‘Series 2’ Explorer and Hammerhead buggies, and are undertaking an initiative to make the new brake available to owners of Series 1 (pre-January 2011). Explorer and Hammerhead buggies, identifiable by serial numbers between 0610/0001(June 2010, unit number 1), and 0111/4788(January 2011, unit number 4788). The serial numbers are read as follows – MMYY/unit number.” Serial number info is found on a sticker located inside the left-hand hinge. 

 Here are the details on the stroller involved in the recall:

Explorer Stroller

• 7,400 sold in USA
• 1,900 sold in Canada
• Metal frame: sold as a single stroller
• Also sold with a special doubles kit to convert it into a double stroller
• 3 wheels
• Cloth seat with canopy attachment
• Colors: black green, navy blue, red/black and green/black
• Phil & Ted’s logo on crotch portion of harness
• Model EX Explorer sticker located on rear axle bar

Hammerhead Strollers

• 160 sold in the U.S. A.
• 65 sold in Canada
• Metal frame: sold as a single stroller
• Also sold with a special doubles kit to convert it into a double stroller
• 4 wheels
• Cloth seat with canopy attachment
• Color:  black
• Phil & Ted’s logo on crotch portion of harness
• HH Hammerhead sticker located on rear axle bar

U.S. and Canadian consumers can contact Phil & Ted’s by phone at (855) 652-9019 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. MT M-F, or visit their website at www.philandteds.com/support.

For Canadian Press Release, click here.

For CPSC Press Release, click here.

For Phil & Ted's website and information on the retrofit kit, click here.

Safety Spot: Fisher Price Toy Wagon Presents Safety Hazard

Safety Spot: Fisher Price Toy Wagon Presents Safety Hazard: "If your little person is pulling along Fisher Price’s Little People® Builders’ Load ‘n Go Wagon, it may be time to head into the repair shop..."

Fisher Price Toy Wagon Presents Safety Hazard

If your little person is pulling along Fisher Price’s Little People® Builders’ Load ‘n Go Wagon, it may be time to head into the repair shop!  Fisher Price and CPSC have issued a recall announcement for as many as 216,000 of these red plastic wagons sold through retail stores in the USA and Canada.

The yellow plastic handle on the wagon has a reinforcement molded right into the design at the back of the handle. While this design was intended to strengthen the handle, it has become apparent that it can also create a laceration hazard if a child should fall on it. The company has received seven injury reports from consumers. Five of those incidents required stitches or surgical glue. 

The plastic wagon (shown here) is red with a yellow handle that has the name “Fisher Price” molded into the handle.  It includes colorful plastic stacking blocks and a single dog character piece. The style number affected, P9877, is molded into the side of the wagon.  The products sold from July 2009 through July 2011 for $25.

NOTE: The wagons with green handles are NOT involved in this recall.

Consumers are advised to stop using the wagon at once and contact Fisher-Price to obtain and repair kit at no charge. Fisher Price can be reached at (800) 432-5437 or on their website at www.service.mattel.com.

Find CPSC recall Press Release here.

Find Health Canada’s Press Release here.

Prime-Line Announces Recall on Bathtub Non-Slip Pads

Photo: e-uhs.efxinternet.com

Prime-Line is in the window and door repair and replacement parts business for the past 50 years.  Home maintenance is where they shine, and their products can be found in home centers or hardware stores across the USA.   If you need a hog ring, bug seal or screen window spline, Prime-Line most likely makes one.  They supply many manufacturers with OEM or originally designed component parts that meet customized specifications.

This week, however, they have not met the specifications of the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) product safety requirements.  In addition to this week’s recall on the cabinet and drawer child safety latches (see blog post on 7/27/11), Prime-Line has once again joined forces with CPSC to recall 8,000 Bathtub Non-Slip Pads.  

Prime-Line bathtub pads

Although no injuries have been reported, one consumer advised Prime-Line that some of the pads do not stick firmly to the bathtub surface. A pad that moves out of place during use can create a potential fall hazard.

The bathtub pads are white, adhesive-backed, whale-shaped vinyl pads that have a slightly textured surface.  Sold in sets of 12 or 15 pieces, they range in size from 2” to 4” in height. Sell price for each set was $6.00.

Consumers who have purchased these pads should check them for security immediately. Contact Prime-Line directly at (855) 839-9555 or on their website www.prime-line-products.com to receive a refund.

Child Safety Latches & Outlet Covers Recalled

Prime-Line, of Redlands, Calif. has joined with the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) to recall about 37,000 drawer and cabinet safety latches and wall socket covers sold at retailers across the USA under the brand name, Child Safe. Prime-Line received four separate reports of screws that hold the products in place either loosening or braking off. 

Not only are small parts of screws a small part choking hazard, but when broken the product fails to function as a child safety device, allowing small children access to electrical outlets and other potentially hazardous materials.  Fortunately no injuries have been reported.

Photo: CPSC

Drawer and Cabinet Latches

• Sold 3 per package
• Color: ivory
• Model number S 4439  /  SKU 049793044396, and
• Model number S 4444 /   SKU 049793044440
• Retailers involved include Ace Hardware, Bostwic-Braun, Cal-Do-It Centers, Do-It-Best, Friedman Brothers, Menards, Orgill, The Andersons Inc. and True Value stores.
• Sold for $2.50 - $2.70 per pack
• Only those sold from October 2010 through June 2011 are involved in this recall.

Photo: CPSC

Drawer and Cabinet Latches

• Sold 1 per package
• Color: ivory
• Ivory, Model number S4447 with SKU 049793044471, and
• White, Model number S4461 with SKU 049793044617.
• Retailers involved include Ace Hardware, Cimarron Lumber & Supply, Do-It-Best, Friedman Brothers, Handy Hardware, Menards and W.E. Aubuchon stores.
• Sold for $3.50 each
• Only those sold from October 2009 through June 2011 are involved in this recall.

Photo: CPSC

On both latches and outlets, the model number and SKU are printed on the back of the package.

Although this recall is specifically for the Child Safe brand as noted above, now would be a good time to check any installed child safety devices for security. Consumers who have purchased or are using Child Safe devices described above should contact Prime-Line at (855) 839-9555, or visit their website at ww.prime-line-poducts.com to receive a free replacement kit.

CPSC Draws Conclusion on Children's Clothing Safety

Photo: Love To Know

New, stronger safety specifications for drawstrings and ties on children’s jackets, hoodies and other upper-wear will take effect on August 18, 2011. The existing voluntary industry safety standard (ASTM F1816-97) has been enhanced to address the strangulation hazard that this type of clothing poses to young children. The definition of “drawstrings” has been adjusted to include stationary “ties,” in addition to the more conventional enclosed drawstrings.  Additionally, the new regulations calls out size equivalents for clothing that is with the S, M, L sizing system. For example, a Girls’ and Boys’ size Large (L) is equivalent to size 12. A Girls ‘and Boys’ size Extra-large (XL) is equivalent to size 16.  The rules apply to styles for both girls and boys.

Photo: Mellib-UK

In 1996, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) published guidelines for drawstrings in children’s clothing in an effort to help prevent children from strangling on the strings found in sweatshirts or other jackets. From January 1985 through January 1999, the CPSC received reports of 22 fatalities and 48 non-fatal incidents involving children’s clothing drawstrings. These guidelines were added to the clothing industry safety standard, and also published separately, both in an effort to educate manufacturers, importers, retailers and consumers about the significant health risk that this type of clothing design posed to children.  Since the new standards have been in place, fatal accidents involving drawstrings have been reduced by almost 75%.  Deaths related to waist or bottom drawstrings have been almost completely eliminated. However, despite this progress, the CPSC feels that the number of recalls involving children’s outerwear drawstrings have not declined enough.  From 2006 to 2010, the Consumer Product Safety Commission announced 155 recalls for children’s outerwear with drawstrings.

On June 29, 2011, fueled by the continued recalls of non-compliant clothing found in retail stores, The CPSC Commissioners approved a final rule that specifies children's upper outerwear with neck or hood drawstrings in sizes 2T - 12, and children's upper outerwear with waist or bottom drawstrings in sizes 2T - 16 to be considered “substantial product hazards.” 

Photo: CPSC

This vote came on the heels of an announcement of a $750,000 civil penalty agreement (pdf) by Macy's Inc., of Cincinnati, Ohio, who has been involved in a series of recalls and the target of an investigation for allegedly failing to immediately report some hazardous garments sold between 2006 and 2010.  Though denied by Macy’s, this penalty and the recent vote to strengthen the safety rules even further, reflects CPSC’s seriousness about enforcing the drawstring guidelines.

In a statement about this new step to strengthen these safety requirements, CPSC Commissioner Inez Tenebaum commented, “This rule strengthens CPSC’s authority to regulate drawstrings, and empowers our import staff and federal partners at Customs and Border Protection to quickly halt shipments of potentially hazardous children’s outerwear at the ports of entry.”

It is also important to note that the states of New York and Wisconsin have their own safety regulations for these garments.  Retailers should be well advised to be sure the clothing they are purchasing and selling comply with all three laws.

Based on this poor 15-year track record of non-compliance by US retailers, importers and manufacturers, consumers need to be attentive when buying outerwear garments for their children. Some hints to keep your kids safer as they are playing include:

• Check children’s clothing at home and remove any drawstrings or stationery ties from the hood and neck openings, and/or waist.
• Be Aware that shortening the strings is not sufficient.  Any length string attached at the opening can present a hazard.
• Be smart when purchasing on line.  Many overseas manufacturers do not follow these US guidelines (see Mellib photo above). You must be vigilant in evaluating the safety of the children's garment you purchase on line.
• When purchasing these garments, choose closures like hook and loop, buttons or snaps instead of strings.

To prevent the death of another child, report a violating garment you may see on a retailer’s shelves.  CPSC’s goal is to eliminate this hazard altogether, and you can be an active participant in accomplishing this goal.

New Federal Regulations for Cosmetics Proposed

 The Safe Cosmetics Act of 2011 (H.R.2359) was introduced on June 24, 2011 and is designed to give the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the authority to ensure that all the ingredients in cosmetics (also known as “personal care products”) are fully disclosed and free of harmful chemicals. The proposed law still has to undergo manufacturer, public and government scrutiny before it becomes final, and is likely to change as it goes through the system.

Photo: It's About Health 

The current law, enacted over seventy-three years ago (the Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act of 1938), surrendered all decisions about ingredient safety to the cosmetics industry themselves. Under the existing law, the FDA does not have the authority to require cosmetics companies to conduct safety assessments, or product recalls.  This is true even when the FDA receives information that the cosmetic contains a chemical that is harmful to human health.  The new proposed law would give FDA the authority to recall or stop the sale of any cosmetic it determines to be unsafe based on scientific evidence. 


This new legislation will have an impact any consumers who use moisturizing lotions, sunscreens, make-up, shampoos and deodorants, to name a few.  The general public is becoming increasingly concerned with eliminating unsafe chemicals from the products we use everyday.  The new law, as proposed, will put some pressure on cosmetic manufacturers to be vigilant about researching, testing and listing the formulations used in their personal care products.  The desired result is intended to be safer products for the consumers, but is this new bill the correct vehicle for attaining that result?

Photo: Skin Rejuvenation Today

The cosmetic industry has often been accused of not keeping up with scientific research on chemical toxicity. The lack of a strong regulatory structure could be one cause that has allowed some manufacturers to bury their heads in the sand and play dumb about the toxicity and long-term effects of the chemicals in their products. Cosmetic manufacturers would argue that they care very much and develop their formulations based on scientific research and data. One only needs to read the ping-pong game going on between organizations like Personal Care Truth and The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics to recognize the complexity of the issues.  Each of these organizations is in favor of safer cosmetics, but they both have different road maps to get there. 

Photo: Skin Beauty Review

On one side are the smaller natural cosmetic manufacturers who feel the new proposed law would make labeling confusing to the consumer, would require duplicative registration steps, increases costs for testing and basically would discourage innovation. It is important to note that the proposed law only applies to US manufacturers. This has the potential to cause some consternation between U.S. and overseas suppliers.

The Safe Cosmetics Act of 2011 also proposes extensive pre-market testing and would require Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) to be provided in multiple languages.  Many smaller manufacturers feel that the mandates would put an undue strain on their bottom line, and could prevent entry into the marketplace. In contrast, the larger companies are likely to have deeper pockets and would be more easily able to incorporate these additional expenses.

You can read the full text of the proposed Safe Cosmetics Act of 2011 here.

Back Home Again

I have been out of the country for a few weeks, and now back home to find a lot happening on the children’s product safety front. I’ll be playing catch up on my blogspot for a while, so please bear with me and check back often in the next 5 days for updates. There is news on drawstrings in children’s clothing, lower lead limits in toys and children’s products, ASTM Toys Safety Regulation revisions, the new EU safety directive became effective, and, of course, some recall news you’ll want to know about.

I will provide a summary of our amazing time in South Africa as soon as I can get my notes and photos organized. We are seeing really extraordinary growth in our Threads Africa projects and our time in-country with the Kayamandi community was heartwarming and motivational.

Stay tuned....