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Pacifiers, Puzzles and Stroller Toys Recalled

Habamaass (HabaUSA) wooden rattles, pacifier holders, and stroller toys contain small pieces including glued on mirrors and/or prisms that can detach, of course posing a choking hazard to infants. The head of the ladybug puzzle pieces also poses a choking hazard. Habamaass, the German-based company, have voluntarily recalled a number of products.

The puzzles, rattle toys, pacifier holders, and stroller toys are wooden and are described in the chart below. “HABA” is printed on them. Specialty toy stores nationwide and at specialty online retailers from January 2002 through August 2008.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (USCPSC) Press release sites over 115k products included in the recall. In lieu of recent reports by the USCPSC how recall notices have been failing to reach the consumer in a timely manner; I think it is fair to say we (the parents and loved ones) should spread the word to get these products out of the mouths and hands of infants. Please check the USCPSC Press Release below, there are a number of different child and infant products listed and illustrated.

For additional information, contact Habermaass Corp. at (800) 468-6873 ext. 107 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site.

Sited Links:
USCPSC | Habermaass Product Recall

Simplicity Bassinets Potential Deathtrap for Infants

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has recently issued a warning about Simiplicity brand 3-in-1 and 4-in-1 Convertible “Close Sleepers” after a five month old Kansas girl was strangled to death by the space between the metal bar and the bed. In 2007, another four month old died after being entrapped in the metal bars of the bassinet.

The Simplicity 3-in-1 and 4-in-1 convertible bassinets contain metal bars spaced farther apart than 2 3/8 inches, which is the maximum distance allowed under the federal crib safety standard. The metal bars are covered by an adjustable fabric flap which is attached by velcro. The fabric is folded down when the bassinet is converted into a bed-side co-sleeping position. If the velcro is not properly re-secured when the flap is adjusted, an infant can slip through the opening and become entrapped in the metal bars and suffocate. This warning does not cover bassinets produced in recent months that have fabric permanently attached over the lower bar.” ~ CPSC Press Release

What compounds matters is that the company that now owns all Simplicity products, SFCA Inc., (an affiliate of Bethesda, MD based Blackstreet Capital Partners, LLC) refuses to take action. Evidently, SFCA purchased all Simplicity products in public auction back in April of 2008.

This lack of cooperations by the responsible party leaves the consumer with no replacement bassinet and pockets turned outward as there is no refund to be had. It’s time for the folks at SFCA to step up to the plate and be responsible for the products they are profiting from.

Regardless, it is most important for all consumers to share this safety warning with day care centers, consignment stores, family and friends to ensure that no child is placed to sleep in a Simplicity convertible bassinet covered by this warning.

Sited Links:
USCPSC | Infants Strangled to Death in Simplicity Bassinets…
Reuters | SFCA, Inc. Acquires Assets of Simplicity, Inc.

Recalled Pacifiers and Rattles

Here are two more things to keep out of the mouth of babes; It’s My Binky novelty pacifiers basically fall apart, and Bright Starts Ring Rattles antennae detach – both (obviously) pose choke hazards. We are victim to the pacifier recall, just a sucker for personalized products, I guess (pun intended, chalk it up to dad humor).

Specifically, the Bright Starts soft toy rattle is a bee with a yellow head, ring-shaped green body, blue/green wings and purple/red antennas. Model number 8534 and date code PA8 are printed on a sewn-in label on the bee’s head.

It’s My Binky pacifiers are personalize pacifiers and have “Japlo” imprinted on the front of the pacifier shield at the bottom, center. The pacifiers were sold in blue, white and pink with various words or designs printed on the button of the pacifier. Contact It’s My Binky toll-free at (888) 689-9444 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday PT or visit ItsMyBinky.Com or e-mail Danielle Riiber at Danielle@itsmybinky.com

For additional information, contact Kids II toll-free at (877) 325-7056 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit KidsII.Com.

So check the floor of your minivan, or rummage through your diaper bag for any of these baby items and send them back to their respective companies for a free replacement.

Sited Links:
Kids II Recalls Infant Rattles Due to Choking Hazard
It’s MY Binky Recalls Personalized Pacifiers Due to Choking Hazard

Kids Explorer Kit Contains Dangerous Chemicals

The powder in the Animal Tracking Explorer Kit from Mindware, marked “plaster of paris” is actually calcium hydroxide, (commonly named slack lime, pickling lime or hydrated lime) which poses a risk of skin and eye irritation to children using the product. Calcium hydroxide is a common ingredient in grout but also comes in many forms and is used for a great variety of things;

• A flocculant, in water and sewage treatment and improvement of acid soils
• An ingredient in whitewash, mortar, and plaster
• An alkali used as a lye substitute in no-lye hair relaxers
• A chemical depilatory agent found in Nair
• An ingredient in baby formula milk

Of course I will point out that I am not a scientist and have no authority on the subject, so as a concerned parent I have only questions and no real answers. I assume the form of calcium hydroxide they’re talking about is the commonly found in a number of masonry mixes which I can tell you from experience, will over a time give you a noticeable lime burn. It is also very bad to inhale the dust.

The bottom line is heed this recall and either throw the product away or follow the link for the recall and get your money back.

And yes if you were wondering, the kit is manufactured in China.

Sited Links:
Children’s Animal Tracking Explorer Kit Recalled
US Department of Health | Household Products Database
Wikipedia | Calcium Hydroxide

School Magnet Kits Riddled with Lead Paint

If your kids’ school has bought any magnet kits in the last ten or eleven years chances are they have massive amounts of lead in them. The manufacturer is Illinois-based, United Scientific. The magnet are manufactured in India and the recall is quite large as you can imagine. The number of magnet kits in question are 2.35 million strong and I would venture to guess that number is just a projection.

Contact your school administrator and have them check the model numbers. The model numbers are located on the magnets packaging. Only painted magnets are included in this recall. The photos above only represent a few different type of kits in the recall. To date there are eleven kits under this recall.

Contact United Scientific to receive a free replacement magnet. For additional information, contact them toll-free at (888) 284-8570 between 9am and 5pm.

Sited Links:
US Consumer Product Safety Commission | United Scientific Recall Magnet due to…

Safe Summer Grilling

Here are some interesting statistics about grilling [compiled by the Underwriter's Laboratories]

• In 2002, gas and charcoal grills caused 900 structure fires and 3,500 outdoor fires in or on home properties, resulting in a combined direct property loss of $30 million.
• The popularity of gas-fueled grills nearly tripled between 1982 and 1993 (up 193 percent from 9.4 million to 27.5 million).
• Gas grills have a higher fire risk than charcoal grills; leaks and breaks are the leading cause, accounting for nearly half of gas grill fires.
• Gas-fueled grills caused an estimated 600 home structure fires and 3,200 home outdoor fires in 2002.
• Charcoal grills have a higher risk than gas grills of death due to fire or unvented carbon monoxide; most of these deaths do not involve fire.
• Charcoal-fueled or other solid-fueled grills caused an estimated 300 home structure fires and 300 home outdoor fires in 2002.
• Placing combustibles too close to heat, and leaving cooking unattended, are the two leading causes for charcoal grill home structure fires.
• Half of all gas grill and charcoal grill home structure fires begin on an exterior balcony or unenclosed porch.
• Gas fuel is the leading item first ignited for home outdoor gas grill fires.
• Structural member or framing, wall coverings, exterior trim, and plants are the leading items first ignited in home structure or outdoor charcoal grill fires.

These grill safety tips come from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Propane Education & Research Council and Underwriters Laboratories Inc.: More »