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Fisher Price 3-in-1 high chairs recalled

There has been one report of a seat back detaching and child falling out, resulting in a skull fracture with the Fisher Price 3-in-1 High Chair to Booster™ Seat. A recall does not get more dire than this, additionally, the seat back can detach if not fully snapped in place, posing a fall hazard and risk of serious injury to young children.

It seems if the size of the recall is big enough (this recall is for 24,000 units) it is deemed press worthy while other seemingly smaller ones fall under the news industry radar, except for some of the smaller newspapers and news outlets. This means that word-of-mouth becomes vital to getting the word out to people who may have recalled products in their possession, tell a neighbor, bring it up at the park or mommy and me class – you may prevent an accident from happening.

These highchairs were sold at Target from 2008-2009 for about a $100 bucks. Look for product number (P5369) on the side of the seat.

Sited & Related Articles:
USCPSC | Fisher-Price Recalls 3-in-1 High Chairs Due to Fall Hazard
Mattel Consumer Relations | Recall Information

Tags: 0-1 year, 2-4 years, health alert, recall

Unique & totally adorable plush toys

I love this company’s selection of plush toys. Shanalogic is a small artful boutique out of Ann Arbor, Michigan that offer limited edition runs of custom plush toys for kids and grown-ups alike. Most are standard fleece and polyester fiberfill plushes (a few like Squidlet are crocheted or yarn knit), but the designs set them apart from the rest of the toys on the shelves.

Marshmallow Bunny – Special Love Edition $28 bucks
Squidlets $18 bucks
Loveye – Limited Edition $40 bucks [+shipping]

Tags: 0-1 year, 2-4 years, 3-5 years, classic toys, design, mod

Non-toxic bath toys for the tots

Times are changing but I have found it is still hard to find non-toxic toys that are free of phthalates, BPA and PVC which are the standard for most soft plastic or rubber toys on the market. Of course there are standard wood toys and a few classics, but few true gems.

One of the rising stars is the Boon line which is surprisingly accessible, meaning, I have found their stuff at Target, as well as Amazon. Specifically, the Boon Scrubble toy is a playful lil’ set that will encourage the kids to scrub and squirt there way through their bath-time routine.

I will introduce you to additional non-toxic bath toys as I stumble upon them. Feel free to drop me a line or comment if you know of some great affordable products out there. In the meantime, you may want to consider dropping $8 bucks and replacing that classically toxic rubber duck in you bathroom.

Boon Scrubble $10 bucks [+shipping] at Amazon.Com
All Natural Rubber Ducks at Amazon.Com

Additional Articles:
The ebb and flow of toxic toys
5 cool & affordable eco-friendly kids gifts
All-natural teether for the tots

Tags: 0-1 year, 2-4 years, 3-5 years, classic toy, design, green, mod, non-toxic, toys

How does your preschool rank?

New moms and dads are quick to learn about the shortage of space in quality preschools and daycares throughout Los Angeles. We quickly give in to the lengthy waiting lists, the secret handshakes, the endless tours and the skyrocketing application fees. Before you send in that application fee wouldn’t you like to get honest feedback from parents who have children that either attend the school or have attended there?

You may be in luck, there is a website, The Savvy Source, that allows parents to anonymously rate and comment on preschools and daycares throughout the country. The Savvy Source is similar to the Great Schools website, which also has a wealth of information and resources for parents of preschool children as well as school-aged children but does not have preschool or daycare parent reviews.

Like any User driven review site, the Savvy Source is only as good as the User makes it. Meaning, if there isn’t a review for your neighborhood school your kid goes to, take a minute and do one. If the school isn’t even listed, leave a note for the school’s Director to fill one out.

Reviews include categories like “Quality of Teaching,” “Home, School Connection,” and “Discipline, Health, and Safety” to name a few. Each section is described by the School’s Director and is parent rated (simple 5 star rating system) and includes confidential parent comments, criticism and insight. The sum of these reviews will allow incoming parents to have a snapshot of what the school is like.

Sited Links:
The Savvy Source | Preschools & Daycares in California
Great Schools

Tags: 2-4 years, 3-5 years, better dad, educational, kids health

Plush toys recalled by Old Navy

Old Navy has voluntarily recalled their recent line of plush toys on concerns of the button eyes posing a potential choking hazard. The stuffed animals and creature toys in question are made out of cotton and have plastic button eyes. They come in a variety of styles, such as a rabbit, penguin and reindeer.

Unlike most recalls I have seen, Old Navy is offering customers who return these recalled toys to any store before July 1st, 2009 for a full refund, they will receive an additional $5 coupon toward a future Old Navy purchase. Nice touch.

If you think you own one of these (or someone you know), please follow the link to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Press Release to check the style number listed. If you do, you can contact Old Navy toll-free at (866) 580-9930, or or e-mail the firm at custserv@oldnavy.com.

Sited Links:
CPSC Press Release | Old Navy Recalls Stuffed Toys; Button Eyes Can Detach…
Old Navy, Customer Service | Recall Information

Tags: 2-4 years, kids health, recall

Remember, no dairy for my kid!

For those of you with children allergic to dairy, gluten, or nuts – you may want to check out Jeeto’s cute T-shirts, stickers and patches you can get for your young ones. If you forget to tell the Babysitter or Pre-School Teacher don’t worry because these cute little T-shirts shout it out for you, “No Peanuts, Please.”

Some of the messages offered up are; No Peanuts Please, Egg Free, No Tree Nuts, Gluten Free and Dairy Free.

$19 bucks [+shipping] at Jeeto

Tags: 2-4 years, 3-5 years, baby fashion, design