Swinging Into Danger: Playsafe Swing Sets Recalled

Summertime is an active time for youngsters.  Little girls are removing their training wheels and learning to ride their two-wheel bikes; boys are exploring how high they can make the backyard swing go while mom stands by trying to control her overprotective "mom genes" from spoiling the fun.  But those who purchased the Playsafe Dartmouth Swing Set, manufactured by Pacific-Cycle Inc. in Wisconsin, actually do have something to worry about.

It seems that the yellow plastic sling-seat can unexpectantly break during use, creating a fall hazard for children. The company has received 5 reports of the seats breaking resulting in minor bruises and scratches. They were sold from January to May 2011 only at Toys R Us stores across the USA, and this recall covers 5,500 products that sold for $270 each.

Two yellow sling seats break prematurelyPhoto: CPSC

Model #:        22-PS340

Date code:    FSD0115AA and FSD0315AA

Appearance:  Swing set has six metal legs, a variety of yellow plastic compoenents that 

                    include:

• Two sling seat
• Glider for two
• Triangle hanging rings
• Lawn swing for four
• Plastic slide

Pacific Cycle is providing free improved replacement seats.  To prevent a chance of injury, remove the seats from the play set immediately and contact Pacific Cycle at (877) 564-2261 or via their website.  Consumers can also contact them via email at customerservice@pacific-cycle.com.

Martha Stewart Collection™ Creates Possible Burn Hazard

Martha Stewart fans are loyal to the core.  If Martha puts her name behind it, it MUST be good.  But a recent product recall of a whooping 960,000 cast iron pots may give those faithful followers reason to pause.

On August 18, 2011, Macy’s Merchandising Group in New York announced a product recall for the Martha Stewart Collection™ Enamel Cast Iron Casseroles. The company has received two complaints that the enamel on the outside of the pots can crack during use, sending the piece of enamel coating shooting through the air like a bat out of h…., well you get the picture.  This unexpected projectile presents a laceration or burn risk to anyone standing in its way.

Photo: CPSC

The casseroles in question were sold for $25-$170 at Macy’s retail stores, Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES), Marine Corps Exchange (MCX), and Navy Exchange Service (NEX) locations across the USA. The cast iron pots (shown here in red) come in three sizes and nine colors.

Sizes:  7, 5.5, and 2.75 quarts

Colors:  Blue, brown, cobalt blue, green, mustard, red, sand, teal and white; all have cream-colored inner surface

The Martha Stewart Collection™ is printed on both the bottom of the casserole and on the handle of the lid. Those sold between June 2007 and June 2011 are involved in this recall. Macy’s is providing full refunds to anyone contacting them at (888) 257-5949 or via their website at www.macys.com.

Vita Food Sliced Smoked Atlantic Nova Salmon Recalled by FDA

Alert Type:                FDA Recall

What:                        Vita Classic Premium Sliced Smoked Atlantic Nova 

                                  Salmon (8,088 packages involved)

Packaged by:             Food Products, Inc. (Chicago, ILL)

Hazard:                      Possible contamination by Listeria monocytogenes.

Details of Hazard:      Listeria monocytogenes can cause flu-like illness in healthy adults, but can lead to serious illness, or death in young children and individuals with compromised immune systems. It has also been known to cause miscarriages and stillbirths.

Illness or Injury:         None to date

Where Sold:              

• Publix stores: Alabama,  Alaska, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee 

• Safeway stores:  California, District of Columbia, Idaho, Oregon, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington

• Meijer stores: Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio

• Vons stores: California

• Genuardi’s stores: Pennsylvania, New Jersey

• Winn Dixie stores: Florida

• Edgewater Produce store: Chicago, IL on or after July 25, 2011 may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. 

FDA also warns that an "additional 828 packages of this same product have either possibly been sold or are being offered for sale at various grocery stores in the Buffalo, NY and Pittsburgh, PA metropolitan areas and Northeast Ohio."



Product Packaging:       See photo. 

Sell Date Info:             The SELL BY Date and Code of DEC 15 2011 01961B is printed in see-though panel on front of package.

4-5 slices (total 4 oz.) of smoked salmon per vacuum-sealed package. Package size 7¾“ wide x  7¼” high x ¼” thick

Photo: FDA

Special Instructions:   PER FDA ALERT:

“If any consumer purchased a product with that SELL BY Date and Code from a retail store on or after July 25, 2011 he or she should not consume any of the Vita Classic Premium Sliced Smoked Atlantic Nova Salmon product. Then, the Company asks that it be sealed in plastic bag or placed in some similar container and returned to the retailer from which it was purchased.”

Contact Info:                1-800-989-8482 on weekdays from 8am to 5pm (CT)

Anyone who has eaten the affected product and is experiencing any unusual or severe flu-like symptoms should visit an emergency room immediately or contact your doctor for advice.

Phil & Ted's Clip-On Highchair Loses It's Grip!

It's been a tough year for Phil & Ted's USA.  In July 2011 they recalled two of their infant strollers due to a brake failure issue.  This month they are back in the headlines, but not in a good way.  

Photo: Phil & Teds

Somehow levitating an active, wiggly toddler off the edge of the dinner table by means of a legs-less chair secured only by a U-shaped metal frame and a bottom vise clamp could fall into the SNL news report segment, “REALLY?”  In the world of juvenile product safety, entrusting the life of an infant or toddler to a few inches of steel and a thin rubber pad seems to be on the high-risk end of the spectrum.  These fears were never more evident than in the case of the expanding saga of Phil & Ted’s clip-on highchair.

On May 6, 2011, CPSC and juvenile product manufacturer, Phil & Teds USA issued a safety warning about their toddler-size Metoo Clip-on Highchair. The clip-on chair has a sturdy metal frame with a red, black or navy blue nylon fabric seat. The warning was issued after the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) received nineteen reports from consumers that the chair had fallen off certain table surfaces during use. Five of those reports specified more serious injuries that included bruises and serious finger injury from crushing to amputation.

The chairs are held to the tabletop with a metal bar on the top and a bottom vise clamping mechanism.  If the non-skid rubber pad on the bottom of the metal bar becomes worn or falls off, the chair can slip out of place creating both a potential fall hazard, and a serious pinching hazard.

Recalled clip-on chairs / Photo: CPSC

In their May 2011 Safety Alert, Phil & Ted’s was not ready to issue a product recall, as recommended by CPSC.  The company did, however, offer consumers a repair kit that required the small rubber pad be removed from underneath the top metal bar, and be replaced with a rubber “boot” that was to slide over the top portion of the clamp.  Sounds like a good change, eh?  But alas, it appears that the rubber boot still had the potential to slide out of place under the right circumstances.  So Phil & Ted’s engineers had to go back to the drawing board and repair the repair kit.  Yes, this is a manufacturer’s nightmare! 

On August 17, 2011, Phil & Ted’s, along with CPSC, issued an official product recall for 54,000 of the Metoo Clip-on Highchair.  The chairs were sold between May 2006 and May 2011 for $40-$50.  They could be purchased online at Phil & Ted’s and Amazon.com, or in retail locations like Target, Toys R Us and Bye Bye Baby.

NOTE: Chairs that have a black plastic spacer between the front cross bar and the U-shaped clamp are NOT involved in this most recent recall. 

Styles with boot & spacers in place are not part of this recall
Photo: Phil & Ted's

As always – stop using the chairs immediately and contact Phil & Ted’s USA for the new repair kit.  They can be reached at (855) 652-9019, or on their website www.philandteds.com.   A full video of how to use the repair kit is available on their website.

Since these chairs have been on the market since 2006, it is likely that many will show up in consignment shops or second hand shops across the USA.  Shop owners should check their inventory and repair any non-compliant chairs prior to offering them to consumers.

Target Corporation Step Stool Recall Widened

On August 4, 2011 Target Corporation announced a recall of 206,000 Circo and Do Your Room (DYR) Stepstools with Storage due to a fall hazard. At that time only eight UPC codes had been identified as being problematic. On August 19^th that recall was expanded to include four additional UPC codes representing 135,000 more step stools, for a total of 341,000 units.

Target received twenty-seven customer complaints that the wooden steps of the stool broke apart during use. Involved in the incidents were fourteen children, eight adults, and the other five of unknown age.  Unfortunately there have been several injuries, including broken wrists, a fractured hip and pelvis, and several bruises and scratches.

The stools were sold for $25-$30 all across the USA in Target’s retail stores and their online marketplace, Target.com.  The chart below, from the CPSC recall notice, shows the specific UPC codes and date ranges affected.

Circo Step Stool with Storage / Photo: CPSC

DYR Step Stool with Storage / Photo: CPSC

The stools come in a variety of different colors, but both stools measure 13” high x 13-5/8” wide x 14-1/8” deep.  Both also have one step that opens upward for storage inside.  The Circo style’s storage is under the bottom step, while the DYR’s storage is under the top step.   Look for the Circo or DYR name and UPC codes imprinted on the bottoms of the stools.

Anyone who purchased the stools listed below should stop using them and return them to your local target store for a refund.

Step Stools With Storage
Brand Name	Style Description	UPC Number	Selling Period
Circo	White step stool w/storage	490970403046 or 180970208597	June 2009-Feb 2010 Feb. 2010-Oct 2010
Circo	Natural step stool w/storage	490970403053 or 180970208610	June 2009-Feb 2010 Feb. 2010-Oct 2010
Circo	Natural & red step stool w/storage	490970403060 or 180970208665	June 2009-Feb 2010 Feb. 2010-Oct 2010
Do Your Room (DYR)	Natural step stool w/storage	097168014338	Jan. 2007-Aug. 2009
Do Your Room (DYR)	Honey step stool w/storage	390970402622	Jan. 2007-Aug. 2009
Do Your Room (DYR)	White	859090000076 or 490970401394	Jan. 2007-Aug. 2009
Do Your Room (DYR)	Pink	801116004445	Jan. 2007-Aug. 2009
Do Your Room (DYR)	Blue	801116004438	Jan. 2007-Aug. 2009

Chart above from CPSC recall notice issued 8-23-11

Target customer service is available to answer questions during the weekdays at (800)

440-0680; or via their website at www.target.com .

Winn-Dixie Choco Charm Chocolate Drink Recalled

Photo: FDA

Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc.,  is voluntarily recalling “Winn-Dixie Choco Charm Chocolate Drink” from its in-store dairy departments in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana. The the drinks may be mislabeled and may contain the undeclared wheat allergan. People who are sensitive to wheat protein can respond with a moderate to acute allergic reaction.


See details in today's FDA recall here.

Radio Flyer Scoot 'n Zoom Ride-on Recalled

Photo: Radio Flyer/BestToys

In 1917, entrepreneur Antonio Pasin began handcrafting wooden wagons in a one-room workshop in Chicago, Illinois. From hand-made wood coasters, to all steel flyers, to the current day plastic molded ride-ons - these wagons have and still are “Made in the USA.”  Through the years, Radio Flyer has become known worldwide as the top dog in toy wagons. Who doesn’t have at least one childhood memory of racing wildly down a dangerously steep hill with your best friend screaming in your ear and hanging on for dear life?  Ah yes, those were the days when kids could actually play and scrap their knees and live to tell about it.

Roll the calendar forward to August 16, 2011.  CPSC and Radio Flyer have just announced a recall of model #711, the 165,000 of the Scoot ‘n Zoom children’s riding toy.  The problem: “The riding toy can tip over allowing a child to fall forward while riding, posing a fall hazard to young children.” (CPSC)   Who knew?

Unfortunately a few youngsters have been injured during their wild scooting and zooming activities.  Radio Flyer has received ten incident reports of the wagon tipping over un-expectantly. Three of those children have landed in such a way as to loosen their teeth, and three had cuts on the chin that required stitches.

Consumers who have purchased the Scoot ‘n Zoom between August 2010 and August 2011 should check to see if their wagon is included in this recall.

• Red molded plastic
• Black wheels
• 19” Long  x 11” wide x 13.5” Tall
• Model #711 (on label underneath the base)
• Sold for about $20 at retail stores like Walmart and Target, as well as online markets at Target.com and Amazon.com.

NOTE: Units with a yellow Model #711B sticker are not part of this recall. The newer #711B design has a longer body (21" vs. the original 19") that improves the overall stability of the ride-on.  

Consumers should stop using the model #711 immediately and contact Radio Flyer for a free replacement or refund.  Contact Radio Flyer at (800) 621-7613 (CT), or on their website at http://www.radioflyer.com.


For those of you who love the history of toys, My Little Red Wagon, is a great walk down memory lane from 1917 through present day.  Written & edited by the founder's sons.


For those looking for a sweet storybook for ages 3-6 years, this little picture book is a perfect choice.  

CPSC and Brazil Strengthen Safety Commitment

News out of Washington, D.C. today is that the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) renewed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Brazil to improve consumer product safety.  The original USA/Brazilian MOU was established in 2008, and this new accord adds more energy to the recent surge of international efforts to implement effective product safety requirements worldwide. 

In a June 10^th meeting with the National Institute of Metrology, Standardization and Industrial Quality (Inmetro) and CPSC Chairman Inex Tenenbaum, an agreement was made to work more closely together to promote consumer safety and harmonize product safety requirements where possible.

A starting point is the option of unifying crib safety requirements. Inmetro has indicated that they will work closely with the CPSC to evaluate crib samples following both United States and Brazilian regulations. Inmetro's President Jornada also expressed their intended shift in thinking from being reactive to a more proactive approach toward product safety.  Jornada stated, "We will operate with a renewed focus on injury prevention."

CPSC’s Chairman Tenebaum's and Inmetro's President João Jornada made statements focused on their intent and strong commitment to work together to improve product safety and strengthen consumer confidence.

The text of Chairman Tenebaum's statement, as well as the MOU is available online.

Popsicle® brand treats recalled due to undisclosed milk

Nothing is more synonymous with summertime fun than a tasty, frozen fruit treat.  For years, those with milk allergies have enjoyed Popsicle® treats because they are refreshing AND contain no milk, products.  But this week some milk snuck into this well-known milk–free zone and caused a health alert.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Unilever United States, Inc. are working together to alert consumers about some specific mislabeled 24-count boxes Popsicle® brand Sugar Free Orange, Cherry and Grape flavored ice pops that inadvertently contain Popsicle® brand Sugar Free Healthy Bunch® Fudgsicle® and Creamsicle® ice pops.

Consumers who are allergic or have a severe sensitivity to milk could experience a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they eat the ice pops that contain milk.

To determine if a box of the ice pops is affected, look for the bright yellow paper box, containing 24–1.65 FL OZ (48.7 ML) POPS with a unit UPC code of 7756702295. The UPC code is printed just below the bar code.

Photo:  FDA

Next, look at the date code stamped on the outside of the with date codes. ONLY the date codes below are affected by this alert. 

• OCT0312GCD
• OCT0412GCD
• OCT0512GCD
• OCT0612GCD
• OCT0712GCD. 

The affected ice pops (with milk) are individually wrapped and have the “Fudgsicle®” and “Creamsicle®” symbol printed on the wrapper. 

  

The product was produced and packaged in the United States and distributed to several states including: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin.

  

Consumers who have purchased the Popsicle® brand ice pops shown above should discard the treats inside, but retain the outer box.  A replacement coupon can be obtained calling 800-896-9552.

An alert will also be listed on the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) web site www.foodallergy.org and notifying FAAN’s members. 



For more details, see the FDA Recall Notice, or visit www.popsicle.com.

If your child has a milk allergy, try this adorable storybook about a young cow who is allergic to milk. Along with delightful artwork, this book's simple and clear explanation about milk allergies will help youngster's understand why they can't always eat what their friend's do.  Having a friend with the same allergy, like Cody the cow, can help empower children to make healthy choices for themselves.  

FDA Warns of E.coli Outbreak at Oregon Strawberry Farm

Strawberries and summertime go together like sunshine and shade trees. But this month the folks at an Oregon strawberry farm are feeling the heat!

Photo: ANR News

Fresh Strawberries grown on the Jaquith Strawberry Farm in Newberg, Oregon have been identified as being contaminated with the E. coli bacteria.  The outbreak has been connected to at least ten people in the Washington, Clatsop, and Multnomah Counties who have fallen ill.  One of those people died of kidney failure linked with the E.coli bacteria.

The farm’s strawberry season is over (late July) so the fruit is no longer on the market.  But the crops sold prior to August 1 are a concern.  Jaquith Farm sold their strawberries to individual buyers who, in turn, sold them at roadside stands and farmer’s markets.  Washington State Health Department authorities are urging anyone who purchased the strawberries prior to August 1, 2011 to discard them immediately.

NOTE:  Cooking kills E. coli O157:H7 bacteria, so any of the Jaquith Farm Strawberries that have been fresh frozen for use at a later time, or made into uncooked jam are also a concern.

Check the FDA Recall Notice for more details.

Sliding into disaster!

In 1993, Kransco Group and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) released a press release warning consumers that WHAM-O backyard water slides, a popular water toy for kids, is NOT appropriate for use by adults or teenagers. They urged that the products were designed to be used by children, not adults. 

When used by adults or teens there is a great risk of neck injury, even paralysis.  Adults and teenagers (aka “grown-ups”) who dive onto the plastic water slide may land and stop suddenly due to their heavier weight and height.  The abrupt impact could cause permanent spinal cord injury when the adult’s forward momentum shoves the body into the neck, compressing the spinal cord. Quadriplegia or paraplegia are very real possibilities with this kind of injury.   

Lance Van Grouw, a Central Valley Christian (California) basketball stand-out, remains partially paralyzed after injuring his neck and spinal cord on August 8, 2011, while playing on a Slip ‘N Slide. He underwent emergency surgery to remove shattered pieces of his C-5 vertebra that were putting pressure on his spinal cord. He is suffering from some partial paralysis of his legs and torso. Friends and family are hoping that he will eventually regain the use of both, but only after significant physical and rehabilitative therapy.             

This sad incident is a big flashing reminder that these children’s toys are NOT intended for, nor are they safe for adults!

 NOTE:  My daughter was showing me photos of here fantastic north Michigan summer vacation by the lake.  When she showed me this photo I was speechless.  Some things are just so much fun, but in reality they are just  accidents waiting to happen.