Check your medicine cabinet
In case you haven’t heard, McNeil Consumer Healthcare, in conjunction with the FDA, has issued a voluntary recall of 43 children’s medicines. Among them are brands Tylenol, Motrin, Zyrtec and Benadryl. And chances are, if you have kids, you have one or more of these at home.
So for the safety of your children, and for peace of mind, take a few minutes and clean out your medicine cabinet. Go to the website links below to get all the information you need on what to do with these medicines. The FDA is recommending the use of generic brands for now.
For a full list of products recalled, click here.
For frequently asked questions about this massive recall, click here.
-Erica Smith
esmith@opubco.com
Simplicity and Graco cribs recalled
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commision this week announced the recall of Simplicity full-size cribs with tubular metal mattress-support frames and the voluntary recall of Graco-Branded Drop Side Cribs Made by LaJobi.
The cribs were recalled due to suffocation and entrapment hazards.
Simplicity crib recall
For the Simplicity cribs: The crib’s tubular metal mattress-support frame can bend or detach and cause part of the mattress to collapse, creating a space into which an infant or toddler can roll and become wedged, entrapped or fall out of the crib.
CPSC received a report of a 1-year-old child from North Attleboro, Mass. who suffocated when he became entrapped between the crib mattress and the crib frame in April 2008. CPSC is aware of 13 additional incidents involving the recalled cribs collapsing due to the metal mattress- support frame bending or detaching.
The recalled cribs were sold at Walmart, Target, Babies ‘R’ Us and other stores nationwide for between $150 and $300. Consumers should contact the store where the crib was purchased to receive a refund, replacement crib or store credit.
This recall involves ALL Simplicity cribs with tubular metal mattress-support frames. Due to the fact that simplicity and its parent company are no longer in business the CPSC has limited information about the number of cribs sold and exact model numbers. Thus model numbers include, but are not limited to the following:
Aspen 4-in-1: 8755
Chelsea Deluxe 4-in-1 Convertible Sleep System: 8324
Graco 4-in-1 Ultra Sleep System: 4600
Graco Aspen 3-in-1: 8740
Simplicity Crib and Changer Combo: 8994
Simplicity Ellis Deluxe 4-in-1 Convertible Sleep System: 8676
Simplicity Nursery-in-a-Box Convertible Crib: 8910
Simplicity has been the subject of almost a dozen recalls since 2005 ands its cribs and bassinets have been linked to 13 deaths. Previous recalls included all Simplicity dropside cribs.
For more information about the Simplicity crib recall, go to http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10211.html.
Graco crib recall
For the Graco cribs: The drop side hardware can break or fail, allowing the drop side to detach from the crib. When the drop side detaches, a hazardous gap is created between the drop side and the crib mattress in which infants and toddlers can become wedged or entrapped, posing a risk of suffocation and strangulation.
The Graco cribs were sold at children’s product stores and other retailers nationwide from February 2007 to March 2010 for between $140 and $200.
Consumers should immediately stop using the Graco cribs. But unlike the Simplicity cribs, users of the Graco brand can contact LaJobi to receive a free hardware retrofit kit that will immobilize the drop side.
Model numbers include the following:
Ashleigh Drop Side: 3280142, 3280154, 3280181
Hampton Drop Side: 3080136
Jason Convertible Drop Side: 3290235, 3290254, 3290281
Kendal Drop Side: 3570170, 3570181
Lauren Drop Side: 3250235, 3250242, 3250247, 3250254, 3250281, 3250282, 3150281, 3150282
Rachel Convertible Drop Side: 3300236, 3300281
Sarah Drop Side: 3000135, 3000136, 3000142, 3000147, 3000154, 3000181
Shannon Drop Side: 3010136, 3010154, 3010181
Tifton Drop Side: 3090136, 3270136
For more information about the Graco crib recall, go to http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10212.html.
To receive e-mail updates about recalls especially those related to baby and children products, go to https://www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx.
Three deaths prompt recall of baby slings
One million baby slings made by Infantino have been recalled following the deaths of 3 infants in 2009. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has stated that there is a danger of suffocation with use of these baby slings in children younger than 4 months old.
These recalled slings have been sold in the U.S. and Canada from January 2003 to March of this year. Stores carrying the slings included Walmart, Target, Babies R Us, Burlington Coat Factory and on the Web at Amazon.com.
I had this exact sling when my son was born. But I had to return it because he was too big to fit inside without it straining my neck. If you have this sling, or know someone who does, don’t take any chances. Contact Infantino to get a free replacement product, like an activity gym or shopping cart cover (which I personally recommend and still use!). Go to www.infantino.com to get replacement information.
For complete recall information, click here.
-Erica Smith
Two major recalls issued
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced two more major recalls.
Strollers:
Graco has issued a voluntary recall of their Passage, Alano and Spree strollers and travel systems. The hinges on the canopy pose a fingertip amputation/laceration hazard when the canopy is being opened or closed. These strollers/travel systems were sold at Babies R Us, Walmart, Target and other major national retailers.
There are 1.5 million strollers affected by this recall.
To see complete information about this recall, including model numbers, click here.
Cribs:
More than 630,000 Dorel Asia cribs have been recalled. The drop side hardware is faulty, causing it to detach and fall in some cases. There has been a report of one infant death by entrapment/strangulation and other infant injuries have been reported. These cribs were sold in Sears and Walmart stores.
For more information regarding this recall, including pictures and model numbers, click here.
-Erica Smith
esmith@opubco.com
Massive recall of window coverings issued
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission today has released a recall of all Roman blinds, roll-up shades and some vertical blinds in homes with children. The report says there is a risk of strangulation to young children.
This recall involves millions of blinds, as the CPSC estimates 5 million Roman blinds and 3 million roll-up blinds are sold EACH YEAR.
Anyone with these types of blinds is urged to go to www.windowcoverings.org or call (800) 506-4636 to receive a free repair kit. In the meantime, the CPSC has issued these important guidelines:
1. Examine all shades and blinds in your home. Be sure there are NO accessible cords on the front or back.
2. Do not place cribs, bed or other furniture close to windows, where children can climb on them and gain access to cords.
3. Make loose cords completely inaccessible.
4. If the shade has looped bead chains or nylon cords, install tension devices to keep the cord taut.
Since 2006, the CPSC has received reports of 5 deaths and 16 near-strangulations. And those are only reported numbers. Please consider this an urgent problem that needs to be addressed if your home has these types of blinds.
For full recall information, click here.
-Erica Smith
esmith@opubco.com
More than 2 million cribs recalled
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced the voluntary recall of more than 2.1 million Stork Craft drop-side cribs, including almost 150,000 bearing the Fisher-Price logo.
Because of the danger these cribs can impose, such as as suffocation, concussion, bruises and even death, parents and caregivers are urged to stop using these cribs IMMEDIATELY, wait for the free repair kit and NOT attempt to fix the crib without the kit. The drop-side to these cribs will need to be converted to a fixed side.
The drop-side hardward can break or deform, causing the drop-side to detach in one or more corners, creating a space where infants and toddlers can become entrapped, leading to suffocation.
In the Oklahoma City area, these cribs were sold at JCPenney, KMart, Walmart, Sears, Target and online at Amazon.com. Cribs were sold between January 1993 and October 2009 for between $100 and $400.
For the repair kit, call Stork Craft at (877) 274-0277 or go to www.storkcraft.com (although word is the phone line and Web site is on overload right now, but keep trying!!).
To sign up for immediate recall information of children’s products, go to https://www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx.
-Erica Smith
esmith@opubco.com
Do you own a Maclaren stroller?
If you do, you’ll want to check out this recall issued by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Maclaren USA has reported 12 fingertip amputations in the U.S. involving the strollers’ hinge mechanism, all children.
1 million strollers are affected by this recall including ALL single and double umbrella strollers. They were sold at various stores including Babies R Us, Target and other national retailers from 1999 through this month.
Consumers will get a free repair kit from Maclaren.
For full recall information, including additional photos, click here.
I can’t encourage parents enough to sign up to get recall alerts emailed to them. Since my son was born, 5 items we were using, including a carseat, were recalled.
Sign up online at https://www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx.
-Erica Smith
esmith@opubco.com
Safety comes first
According to the Oklahoma City-County Health Department, injuries kill more children each year than diseases, kidnapping and drugs combined. Children age 4 and younger account for nearly half of toy-related injuries and almost 90 percent of deaths. In Oklahoma, about 130 children through age 15 die each year from unintentional injuries. For every fatality, approximately 45 children require hospitalization and 1,300 require emergency treatment.
These are numbers that aren’t to be taken lightly. The health department offers these tips when purchasing a toy to keep those numbers as low as possible:
1. Always consider the child’s age and maturity level. Purchase a toy suited to the ability, skill and interest level of the child.
2. Toys intended for children older than age 3 should never be given to infants or toddlers. They may have small parts that pose a choking hazard. Children younger than 3 should not be given toys with cords or strings longer than 12 inches. Cords longer than this can get wrapped around a child’s neck.
3. Children younger than age 8 shouldn’t be given toys with sharp edges or toys that run on electricity (not including batteries).
4. Older children should be taught to keep their toys away from younger siblings.
5. Look for well-constructed toys. Check the toys periodically for broken parts that should be repaired or thrown away.
6. Consider the weight, size of the toy.
7. Make sure toys do not contain toxic paint or lead.
8. Costumes or pajamas should be labeled “flame retardant/flame resistant.”
9. If you give a child a bike, roller blades, skateboard or scooter, don’t forget to include safety gear like a helmet, knee pads and wrist guards as part of the gift.
If you started holiday shopping early, you can also check toys to be sure they haven’t been recalled since your purchase. Go to www.cpsc.gov to be sure they aren’t on the list. And if you have children of your own, I highly suggest signing up for the website’s email announcements. As soon as a toy or other children’s item (such as clothes, cribs, etc.) is recalled, they let you know via email, complete with pictures of the items, where they were sold and when, and what to do with the recalled item.
Holidays are supposed to be a joyous and happy time, especially for the little ones. Let’s all be extra diligent in keeping it safe for them. If you have any other good safety tips, comment here or email me at esmith@opubco.com.
~Erica Smith
