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

Grapefruit and Medicine Don't Mix?

Image from FDA Consumer Update

I found this article fascinating.  News from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) suggests that grapefruit and certain medications can be a harmful combination.  I love pink grapefruit juice, so this study caught my eye.

The acting director of the Office of Clinical Pharmacology, Shiew Mei Huang, remarked that both grapefruit juice and fresh grapefruit may interfere with the way specific types of prescription and over-the-counter drugs work. In the FDA consumer update, Ms. Huang stated that “the juice increases the absorption of the drug into the bloodstream...When there is a higher concentration of a drug, you tend to have more adverse events.”  The result may be that the juice allows too much of the medication to remain in the body, which in turn could lead to a higher risk of liver damage or even kidney failure.

The drugs listed that are most seriously impacted are:

• some statin drugs to lower cholesterol, such as Zocor (simvastatin), Lipitor (atorvastatin) & Pravachol (pravastatin)
• some blood pressure-lowering drugs, such as Nifediac & Afeditab (both nifedipine)
• some organ transplant rejection drugs, such as Sandimmune & Neoral (both cyclosporine)
• some anti-anxiety drugs, such as BuSpar (buspirone)
• some anti-arrhythmia drugs, such as Cordarone & Nexterone (both amiodarone)
• some antihistamines, such as Allegra (fexofenadine)

Discussing how grapefruit and its juice may impact one’s medicine seems like it would be a good thing to discuss with a health care provider prior to taking any new drug.

Lead Violations on Two Playsets Force Health Canada Recall

A duo of products produced my Chinese manufacturer Ningbo Ftz Zhenbao International Trading Company are being recalled through a Health Canada Product Safety Alert.  During routine sapling and testing, Health Canada discovered that the surface coatings on these sets contain levels of lead above the allowable limits.

Lead is extremely toxic to young children if the lead paint is chewed, sucked, or ingested.  Exposure to high levels of lead can results in short-term illness including vomiting and diarrhea, as well as long-term condition such as serious brain injury, convulsions, coma, anemia, as well as damage to liver, kidneys, heart and the immune system. Serious cases of lead poisoning can lead to death.

The first product is The Pizza Playset, a set of plastic pizza slices, plastic kitchen tools and condiments.  The UPC barcode printed on the packaging is 094922130778.

The second product is The Fishing Game, a playset including one fishing pole and five plastic fish.  The UPC barcode printed on the packaging is 094922553980.

Consumers who have purchased either of these playsets are advised to stop using them immediately and discard them so they are inaccessible to children.

Slalom Glider Playground Slide Poses Fall Hazard for Young Children

It has been a mild winter in many states around the nation this year.  Playgrounds that once were covered in snow during these normally frosty months are open for business.  For those schools or other public facilities that purchased the Slalom Glider slide manufactured by Landscape Structures, this recent product safety recall will particularly important.

In cooperation with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Landscape Structures is recalling about 900 of these slides because the product lacks the proper transition platform that is required at the top and sides of the slide.  Transition platform is needed to provide young children with the opportunity to switch from climbing, to sitting, to sliding actions. Developmentally, children need this space to transition betweens these different physical events. Without the platform, young children do not have the proper space to prepare for sliding.  The lack of transitional support on the Slalom Glider creates a potential fall hazard from between arched ladder and 6-foot high curved plastic chute. 

CPSC and Landscape Structures received sixteen reports of fall-related injuries to children less than 8 years old.  Injuries ranged from body bruises to fractured arms, legs and even a bruised spleen. 

The slides involved in the recall are designated with model numbers 156456 and 172627 and were sold from January 2006 and through December 2011 for about $2300 each. 

The Slalom Glider was made available in a variety of color combinations.

This product should be made inaccessible to children immediately. Customers who have not already been contacted by Landscape Structures can contact the company by phone at 888-438-6574, or via their website at www.playlsi.com.

Landscape Structures will provide instructions for roper removal of the Slalom and given the choice of receiving a full refund, credit toward a future purchase or replacing the slide with a different piece of playground equipment from the company.

Serious Injuries Caused by Arm & Hammer Spinbrush

Photo: http://i.telegraph.co.uk 

Toothbrushes are designed to promote good oral hygiene. Dentist all over the world praise the benefits of using of electric toothbrushes for the most effective dental cleaning and plaque removal.  These mechanically-aided brushes help users get to all those hard to reach spots at the back of the jaw and at the gum lines. Battery-operated brushes for young children have become quite popular as well, allowing them to be more consistent in their brushing technique.

These power-brushes must be used under adult supervision, where an adult can both guide and encourage the youngster in their brushing habits. However, even under adult supervision, surprising safety concerns have come to light with the Arm & Hammer Spinbrush (called the Crest Spinbrush prior to 2009.)

The FDA has had reports of parts of the brush breaking off in use. Because the part is spinning at a high speed, the small parts have not only presented a choking hazard, but have also chipped teeth and created mouth, throat and eye injuries. Children have experienced cuts to lips, burns from the batteries, and even released bristles lodging in a youngster’s tonsils.

During a 2011 FDA inspection at the manufacturing plant of Church & Dwight Co. Inc., evidence was uncovered that the company had received several customer reports about the problems with the brushes. None of the complaints had been reported to the FDA as required.  In May 2011, Church & Dwight Co, Inc. was cited with reporting violations of serious injuries.

Since that time Church & Dwight Company, Inc. has issued public television and print safety notices, a safety warning on their website and company voice mail.  Structurally, the brush has been improved by adding bristles that change colors when the brush head is scheduled to be replaced, and improved labeling of replacement timeline.

The specific models involved in the Safety Alert are:

• Spinbrush ProClean
• Spinbrush ProClean Recharge
• Spinbrush Pro Whitening
• Spinbrush SONIC
• Spinbrush SONIC Recharge
• Spinbrush Swirl
• Spinbrush Classic Clean
• Spinbrush For Kids

In a press release issued today, the FDA is recommending following precautionary steps be taken by supervising adult before and during use of the brush. If ANY of the issues listed below are found DO NOT USE THE BRUSH.

• Adult must inspect the Spinbrush it for damage, cracks or loose bristles. If any defects are seen, don’t use the brush, and report the problem to Church & Dwight at 1-800-352-3384 or 1-800-561-0752.
• Make sure the head of the brush is tightly attached to the brush handle.
• Test the brush outside of your mouth before using. If the connection feels loose  do not use the brush. Use the number above to report it to Church & Dwight.
• Warn the child not to bite down on the brush head while brushing.  
• Always supervise children (and adults) who may need help when using the Spinbrush.
• Follow all instructions and replacement guidelines included with the Spinbrush.
• Injuries or problems should be reported to MedWatch—FDA's Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program using the Online Voluntary Reporting Form 3055

Contact FDA with questions or concerns by Fax at 800-FDA-0178  or by Phone at 800-332-1088.

Bumbleride Strollers recalled for fall hazard

In 2004, Bumbleride, Inc. was launched and a line of infant mobility products was born. Focused on ergonomic designs in strollers and on-the-go accessories for the active new family, Bumbleride has recently experienced a rather significant bump in the road.  In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, approximately 30,700 of their Indie and Indie Twin strollers are being recalled.

The company has received thirty-seven reports from consumers that the front wheel cracked or broke at the axle causing the stroller to tip over during use.  Minor injuries of the young passengers have been reported. Although these thirty-seven incidents represent only 0.1% of the strollers sold and in use, Bumbleride has worked with an independent engineering firm to increase the strength of the front wheel . The kit can be installed by customers.

The affected Bumbleride products were sold nationwide at retail and online baby stores from January 2009 through January 2012. Here’s what to look for:

• Indie Stroller Model numbers affected are I-107, I-110 and I-205
• Date of manufacture – on white sticker attached to side frame near the seat
• Sold in multiple colors

• Indie Twin Stroller Model numbers affected are IT-108, IT-111, and IT-305.
• Date of manufacture – on white sticker attached to underside of stroller handle
• Sold in multiple colors

Consumers who purchased the Indie or Indie Twin strollers with a manufacture date between January 2009 through August 2011 are asked to stop using the strollers and contact Bumbleride immediately for the retrofit kit and instructions for assembly.  They can be reached by phone at (800) 530-3930, or via email at support@bumbleride.com. Customers can also apply for the kit on line at this link.

For additional information and Health Canada alert, follow this link

Snaps on Weeplay Kids/Carter's infant garments pose choking hazard

Carter’s Watch the Wear and Sleep ‘n Play Garments have a problem.  Well, at least 128,000 of them do.  The manufacturer, Weeplay Kids LLC, has received thirty reports of the snaps pulling off the one-piece infant wear. If detached, the snap becomes a small part that poses a serious choking hazard to young children and particularly infants.  Although no injuries have been reported, Weeplay Kids is voluntarily recalling specific production runs of these products in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

As shown in the photos here, the recall covers sets sold in packs of two, three and five different pastel colored and printed design fabrics. The name Carter’s Watch the Wear appears on the front of the packaging and on the inner neckline of each piece.  The style number is printed on the back of the product packaging.

The following style numbers, made in Bangladesh, are involved in the recall:   

Watch the Wear Bodysuit

• N8963LB
• N8963LG
• N8963LN
• N8964B1
• N8964B2
• N8964G1
• N8964G2
• N8964LB
• N8964LG
• N8964LN
• N8964N1
• N8991LW

Five-pack Bodysuit

Watch the Wear Sleep ‘n Play

• N8965LB
• N8965LG
• N8965LN

The CPSC press release indicates that the following U.S. retail stores carried these sets from November 2010 and through August 2011.

• Big Lots
• Century 21
• Conway
• Cookies
• Cost Mart
• DD’s Discount
• Edison Childrenswear
• Gabriel Brothers
• Kiddy Time
• Kids Place
• Kidstown
• National Stores
• Pamida Stores
• Real Value
• Regine’s
• R.H. Reny
• Ross
• Shoppers World
• Valley Wholesale
• Variety Wholesalers
• Youngland 

Customers who identify their product as one involved in this recall should stop using the garment and contact Weeplay Kids directly for free replacements.

The company can be contacted by phone at (888) 226-2200 or by e-mail at info@weeplaykids.com