Lakeshore Learning Materials Baby Dolls Pose Choking Hazard

So many details go into designing and developing a safe and durable product for young children. Lakeshore Learning Materials has always been devoted to the process of developing child-safe toys and learning materials. However, even the most carefully designed product can fail if the oversight of materials and factory quality assurance steps is not regularly monitored. Last week, Lakeshore recalled about 4300 Feels Real Baby Dolls across the United States and Canada, after reports of a choking hazard were identified to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

CPSC is working with Lakeshore who is voluntarily recalling these dolls when it was discovered that the fingers and toes could detach from the doll during use, creating a potential choking hazard to youngsters. No injuries have been noted, but baby dolls are developmentally appropriate for children under 3 years of age who are likely to chew and mouth dolls regularly.  If small parts release unexpectantly, this does present a significant safety concern.

The baby dolls were produced in China, far from Lakeshore’s Carson, California headquarters. The cause of this defect was determined to be a "production error."  It is not unlikely for issues of this kind that a manufacturer’s consistent choice of raw material purity, quality, or curing time during production be questioned. Continued vigilance and quality assurance checks are required at the factory level and upon receipt of  incoming shipments at the importer.

The fourteen-inch, PVC plastic Feels Real Baby Dolls can be identified from the photo provided by CPSC below,as well as the product markings.  The legs, head and arms on the babies are moveable, and they come in four different ethnic models: Asian, Black, Caucasian and Hispanic. The dolls’ diapers are decorated with colored hearts, stars and swirls. 

Look for a couple of different labels sewn into the diaper at the back. One large label carries the "Lakeshore" name, and the smaller label indicates the batch number  550200. The dolls affected by this recall were sold online at the company website (www.lakeshorelearning.com) or through their mail order catalog between May 2011 and January 18, 2012.

Replacement dolls are being offered, so remove the dolls from child access and contact Lakeshore via phone at (800) 428-4414.  Consumers can contact the company on their website as well, using this link.

Guidecraft Play Theater Recalled for Entrapment Hazard

Jason Fien, president of Guidecraft, Inc. is celebrating the company’s 46th year in the industry. This educational toy manufacturer began in 1964 with a line of 10 wooden toys, growing year by year to an expansive list of over 850 products, including children’s furniture. But today the birthday celebration was dampened by a product safety recall of 2,150 units of their 4-in-1 Dramatic Play Theater. Sold across the USA and Canada, the two recalled products were manufactured in China at the Mega Profit Trading Ltd, factory.

Guidecraft has received a couple of consumer reports about the units tipping over during use and causing injuries to the child. The unit weighs about 46 pounds when assembled. Young children, who may not be strong enough to lift the product, can become entrapped under the fallen panels.

The recall involves only the 4-in-1 Dramatic Play Theater, model G51062. This theater has the model number visible in the assembly guide and on a label located at the bottom of the center crossbar. As shown in these photos from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the theater has interchangeable side panels allowing the user to change the theme of the theater from a puppet theater, to a café, to a medical office, and finally to a post office.

Consumers would have purchased the units through mail order catalogs, Internet retailer sites, or at Guidecraft.com from July 2010 and through April 2011. Guidecraft is offering a refund or replacement product , so contact them immediately via phone at (888) 824-1308, or through their website at www.guidecraft.com .

Health Canada press release can be found here.

CPSC safety alert can be found here.

Comment:  It is common for the general public to jump to the conclusion that because this product was produced in China, blame is naturally placed on the Chinese manufacturer. However, consumers should be aware that most products made at Chinese factories, for American companies, are designed and produced according to specs from the American importer. Of course this is not always the case, but the great majority of Chinese factories are following outlines given to them by their customer.  It is the responsibility of the importer to assure that the design is properly tested for safe function, chemical content, and durability under normal and foreseeable use.  As an informed parent, always be sure you feel comfortable with the stability of ANY freestanding play unit before purchasing it for your child.  Children's play patterns can dramatically impact the safe use of a product, and heavy pieces that can fall over if one or more portion of their support pieces is dislodged during play should be considered risky.  The weight and stability of a play unit are both important factors to consider before purchasing a free-standing product.

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

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.

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

Breaking hazard prompts bike handlebar recall

Consumer Product Safety Commission has joined with Nitto of Japan to recall more than two thousand Nitto Aluminum Bicycle Handlebars that have been reported breaking during use causing loss of control and two incidents of injury. 

Model # B259AA came in
red, blue, black, gold, green,
pink and silver

Importers Euro Asia Imports (La Crescenta, CA), Bicycle technologies International (Santa Fe, NM), and The Merry Sales Company (San Francisco, CA) were all named in the recalled.  The handlebars were sold on bike specialty stores across the United States and Canada between January 2008 and July 2011. Consumers would have paid between $60-$80 each for the product.

"NITTO" and "B259" printed
at end of handlebars 

Stop using the affected handlebars immediately and contact Euro Asia Imports for free replacement handlebars. Euro Asia Imports can e contacted by phone at 888-662-1814) or on the company website: www.EuroAsiaImports.com.

Health Canada recall at this link. 

Mexican wrestling action figures exceed allowable lead (Pb) limits

About 7,000 sets of Super Luchamania [Wrestling] Action Figures, produced in México and distributed throughout the United States by Lee Carter Co., of San Francisco, have been recalled due to excessive levels of lead in the paint.

Sold in packs of 12 for about $12-@14 a pack, these wrestling figures stand about 4” high and have the words “Super Luchamania” printed on the product packaging.

The product was sold at Mexican craft stores across the USA from June 2000 through October 2011.

Consumers who have purchased these figures should scour kids’ toy and sand boxes and remove the the figures immediately. Return them to Lee Carter Co. for a refund replacement product credit.

The company can be contacted directly by collect call to (415) 824-2004 or via their website at http://www.leecartercompany.com. 

Ice cream scooper turned ninja weapon = product recall

There are two things that are irresistible to a great many home cooks: Ice cream and Pampered Chef® parties.  In late December 2011 the very popular Pampered Chef® aluminum ice cream dippers had a problem.  The normally docile scoopers were found to be able to transformed into projectiles capable of injury to the innocent user.

The scooper's secret weapon is the non-toxic “defrosting” liquid that fills the handle.  This liquid warms from the heat of the user's hand during use, which in turn makes it easier to scoop out frozen ice cream.  However, if the handles themselves are placed into warm water, the cap & seal can loosen and pressure is created inside the handle to project the seal and cap with “significant force.”  Anyone standing in the way of this projectile is in danger of receiving lacerations or bruising if contact is made.

For this reason, The Pampered Chef® is recalling 20,000 of the popular dippers that sold from July 2010 through September 2010.

Customers who purchased the dippers during this time frame via the Pampered Chef® website (www.pamperedchef.com) or from an authorized Pampered Chef® consultant should call Pampered Chef® by phone at (877) 917-2433.  A replacement /refund form can also be completed on line at this link.

Bicycle child carriers pose safety risk for young passengers

In all seasons around the USA one can see toddlers being towed behind mom or dad’s bike protected carefully inside a child bicycle carrier of some kind or another.  Based in Calgary, Canada, Thule Child Transport Systems Ltd. has been making these type of child-safe carriers since 1992.  Their innovative products are sold throughout Canada, the United States and Europe.

On December 11, 2012, the company announced a recall of 44,000 bike trailers and 19,000 bike trailer conversion kits due to a concern that the hitch device can break or crack causing the trailer to disconnect from the bike.  This creates the potential for injury to the child passenger.

Thule has received twenty-four incident reports globally where this detachment occurred.  No injuries were reported in any of the incidents.

Chariot bicycle trailers involved in the recall were sold at specialty bike stores and websites from December 2005 through August 2010. Look for the serial # ranging from 1205-xxxx through 0710-xxxx on the left side of the frame.

Chariot conversion kits involved in the recall were sold at the same locations mentioned above during the date range of October 2002 through August 2011. The conversion kits can be identified by looking for Model # 20100503 printed on the aluminum hitch arm near the warning label. HOWEVER, older version of the conversion kit is also being called back. The older kits do not have a warning label, but instead have a push-button attachment where the hitch attaches to the carrier.

Anyone possessing one of the recalled products should stop using them and contact Chariot Carriers for a free repair kit and installation instructions.  The company can be reached by phone at (800) 262-8651 or on their website www.chariotcarriers.com.

Target Recalls Circo Childrens’ Travel Cases due to excessive lead

Target’s Circo 17” Children’s Travel Cases, sold in Target retail stores as well as the company’s online store (www.target.com) are being pulled off the shelves and recalled back from consumers for violating the federal lead limit in children’s products.

Approximately 139,000 units were sold from April through August 2011 for about $21 each.  

The recalled designs, shown in the photo below, come in two designs. One airplane design comes in both blue and red, with a soft-stuffed blue airplane secured to the zipper pull.  The second design is flowers and butterflies on either a teal or pink background. These both have a blue soft-stuffed stuffed butterfly on the zipper pull.  Look for the brand name “Circo” on the fabric handle.

Travel cases with the following UPC and date codes are involved in the recall:  

Circo girls’ 17” travel case

- Pink or teal

- UPC Code 618842135844

- Date Codes beginning with 01/11 thru 08/11

Circo boys’ 17” travel case

- Red or blue

- UPC Code 618842135868

- Date Codes beginning with 01/11 thru 08/11

Consumers should return any affected cases to any Target store for a full refund.Target can be contact via phone at (800) 440-0680, or at their website at www.target.com

Excessive Lead prompts childrens chair/stool recall in Puerto Rico

Elegant Gifts Mart Inc., a  Los-Angeles based importer, is recalling 1,600 folding chairs and 1,300 stools sold in 1 to Seven stores located in Puerto Rico.  The yellow surface coating on the metal tubes of the chair & stool set were found to have elevated levels of lead and therefore are not in compliance with federally mandated lead restrictions.

Photo: CPSC

The back of chair has the word "PENGKO" printed, and the model number "JCA8036" appears on a white sticker on the bottom of the seat. The stool is also sticker underneath with the model number "JCA8037.”

The pieces involved in this recall were sold for about $6 from September 2010 to the end of June 2011.

Consumers should not use the pieces and return them to their local 1 to Seven store for a full refund. In PR, the 1 to Seven stores can be reached via phone at (787) 290-5625.  In lieu of store return, consumers can also contact Elegant Gifts Mart directly at (323) 698-6805.  

IKEA’s ANTILOP style high chair safety restraint failure causes injuries

Photos from CPSC

The ANTILOP High Chairs, produced in China for IKEA North America Services, are being recalled due to the unexpected failure of the safety restraint system.  Eight reports of the buckle on the seat belt opening without warning have been filed globally. Three of those reports involved children who fell from the chair and received minor injuries.

The US$20 high chairs were sold in USA and Canada between August 2006 and through January 2010. A total of 169,000 chairs with supplier number 17389 are involved in this safety recall.

To identify the affected chairs, look for the model number on a label attached to the bottom for the chair seat.  The manufacture date and company identification are molded into the plastic seat itself (also n the bottom of the chair).  Only manufacture dates 0607 and 0911 are involved in this recall.

ANTILOP high chair – blue; Model #701.467.92

ANTILOP high chair – white; Model #501.467.93

ANTILOP high chair – red; Model #300.697.24

IKEA is offering free replacement restraint belts that can obtained by contacting the company via phone at 866-966-4532, or through their website at www.ikea-USA.com. 

Poor fabric quality results in Colorful Hearts Build-a-Bear recall

Build-A-Bear Workshops have some work to do on their reputation for safety.  While they do produce an adorable line of self-stuff soft animal pals, their record of assuring product safety has been tarnished in the past six months.

Just before Christmas, on December 23, 2011, Build-a-Bear Workshops issued their third product safety recall since August 2011.  The most recent recall is due to a potential choking hazard on certain production runs of the 16” Colorful Hearts Teddy Bears.  According to their website, the company advised consumers that the production runs involved in the recall used “substandard fabric which can tear around the eye possibly resulting in the eye falling out of the bear.”

The plastic eyeball, if released, would be a small part that could create a choking hazard for young children.  No injuries have been reported, but Build-a-Bear is recalling the products in an act of due caution and concern for the safety of the consumers who have purchased the bears.

Sales of affected product in the USA include 284,000 bears, with another 13,200 sold in Canada.  Produced in China, the bears in the USA and Canada were sold in Build-a-Bear retail and online (www.buildabear.com) stores between April and December 2011.

Consumers who identify that their bear is involved in the recall should stop using the bear immediately and return the product to their local Build-a-Bear Workshop location for an in-store exchange coupon.  The company can be contacted directly by phone at 866-236-5683, or on their website www.buildabear.com.

To see other Build-a-Bear recalls in 2011, see below.

Build-A-Bear Recalls Colorful Hearts Teddy Bears Due to Choking Hazard (December 23, 2011)

Build-A-Bear Recalls Teddy Bear Swimwear Set Due to Strangulation Hazard (November 16, 2011)

Build-A-Bear Workshop Recalls Lapel Pins Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard (August 4, 2011)

Exploding battery packs result in Rayovac recall

Power tools are dangerous enough without the threat of the cordless battery pack suddenly exploding! That’s the situation with this latest product safety recall.

BatteriesPlus, LLC is pulling back 111,800 of their Rayovac NI-CD Cordless Tool Battery Packs after they received five reports that the batteries were exploding.  The packs sold at BatteriesPlus retail stores across the USA and on the company online store for approximately $60 each.  Packs purchased from June 2008 through October 2011 are involved in this recall.

Photo: CPSC

Here’s what to look for:

• RAYOVAC-branded replacement battery
• RAYOVAC NI-CD printed on battery casing
• Part number beginning with “CTL” is printed on the product (see website link below for more details)
• Voltages ranging between 2.4 and 18 volts
• Variety of shapes and sizes

Sold as replacement batteries to these brand-named power tools: Black and Decker, Bosch, DeWalt, Makita, Milwaukee, Panasonic, Ryobi and Skil.

Stop using the battery immediately.  Remove the battery from the power tool. Contact BatteriesPlus for details on how to return the product for a store credit.

BatteriesPlus phone:  (877) 856-3232

BatteriesPlus website:  www.batteriesplus.com

Massage Pets find a kink they can’t work out!

 Red & black Ladybug  /   Yellow & Black Bee

UPC 0 49696 60453 6 / UPC 0 49696 60454 3

The hang tag states that these Handheld Massage Pets are a “fun way to massage away aches and tension." It’s likely that the Ohio-based distributor, Fourstar Group USA, Inc., is suffering with a big ache and pain, as 25,500 units were pulled off the shelves when reports of leaking batteries began to surface. Leaking batteries can pose a serious burn or skin irritation hazard to users.

Manufactured in China, these little massagers were sold exclusively through BJ’s Wholesale Club membership locations in fifteen states from Florida to Maine. Five of those stores reported customers complaining about the batteries leaking, but no injuries were indicated. They were sold briefly from September through December 2011.

Consumers who purchased these massagers should stop using them and return them immediately to the BJ’s Wholesale Club nearest them for a full refund. WARNING: To avoid exposure to any potential harm, do not touch the battery or open the battery compartment. 

Both products are 3 ½“ high and 5” wide and come with two Kendal-brand AA batteries.  The retail tag is printed with “Dating code 1210A.”

Fourstar Group can be contacted via phone at (866) 290-6191, but unfortunately there is no human customer service person available to take your call. In addition, the email address given in CPSC recall is no help in reaching a company contact for further information. Returning the unit to the store of purchase appears to be the only option given at this point.