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.
Help prevent child abuse
According to Oklahoma Department of Human Services, there were more than 11,700 confirmations of child abuse and/or neglect in Oklahoma in 2008. In 2007, 39 died as a result of abuse or neglect. To read the full report, click here.
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and there are a lot of events and programs planned to bring awareness to this devastating problem.
The Kelsey Briggs Foundation is having a Child Abuse Prevention/Family Safety Day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Woodland Park in Shawnee. OU football players will be there and there will be car seat checks, live music, guest speakers, booths, food and much more. Click here for more information.
At UCO, Building a Blue Ribbon Tree will start at 8 a.m. April 14 with volunteers tying blue ribbons at 8 a.m. along the trees of Broncho Lake. At 11 a.m., children from UCO’s Child Study Center will lead a parade. Visitors will then be encouraged to tie blue ribbons on trees to represent children who have been abused. For more information, contact Kaye Sears at 974-5786 or ksears@uco.edu.
You can also build a blue a ribbon tree in your own neighborhood. Anyone can do this, anywhere. Click here for more information.
The Oklahoma County Kids Task Force has an abundance of information on child abuse prevention, helpful programs, referrals and hot line. They also have opportunities for volunteers to get involved in the fight against child abuse. Go to http://okcountykids.org.
Anything we can do to just help one child is worth it. Let’s cherish our little ones and remember just how young and innocent they are.
-Erica Smith
esmith@opubco.com
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
To post or not post pics on the Web?
Are you one to share pictures of your children online or do you shy away from posting photos on the Web?
Recently, The New York Times had an article about the surge in sharing kids’ photos online. Many parents use sites such as Flickr, Facebook, MySpace, YouTube and other social networking sites to share countless moments of their kiddos – whether they’re in a Halloween costume, at Grandma’s house or (gasp!) playing in the tub. But in some cases, photos have ended up used in ways not intended by the parent.
Some examples include photos of baby being passed off as someone else’s who is faking a pregnancy; use of children’s head shots on profiles on a social networking site in Brazil, even getting “sexy” ratings. And of course, parents are concerned about pedophiles singling out their children and in turn finding out where they live.
But some parents say this is the age of the Internet. No longer are moms and dads sending pictures of their children through the mail to the grandparents in another state. These days, grandma and grandpa are hooked to the Web to see instant pictures.
So is it exploitation or unsafe to post pictures? Or are the fears irrational and this is just how the 21st century is? It’s a decision only parents can make. But if you do post pics, be sure to use password-protected Web sites and always check your privacy settings on these sites.
And when given the choice of “Share with the world” or “Private” … don’t always go with what the site “recommends.” Go with your gut instinct instead.
-Erica Smith
esmith@opubco.com
Prevent another child from drowning
We hear about it too much, it seems. A baby or toddler drowning. Many times in the care of responsible parents. It’s the leading cause of unintentional death for children.
I’ve written posts for Hiccups before on the importance of water safety, but in light of another recent drowning, I’d like to share my personal experience with a program my 3-year-old son is in.
Infant Swimming Resource is a program I found after a user on NewsOK.com posted a comment on a story about a baby drowning a couple of months ago. Her comment was, “If the family only knew about ISR.” That comment prompted me to look into this program.
I went to their Web site, www.infantswim.com, and watched the videos and read about parents’ experiences with the program. I have to say, I was instantly impressed. (Click below to see the video.)
These babies and toddlers weren’t just swimming, they were performing self-rescue skills. I found an instructor in the Oklahoma City-area using the online locator and got him started in the lessons.
I’ve had my son in swimming lessons before, but have been very disappointed with the results. He was only swimming with a floatie on or by using a noodle and these give children, and their parents, a false sense of security. Children don’t fall into pools with floaties on. If they did, no child would drown.
What ISR does is look at all aspects of a child. The program uses many fields of study in their approach – psychology, biology, physiology and anatomy. And most children go through the program and are skilled in self-rescue swimming in only 4-6 weeks.
When my son started, he had never even been put underwater. He never floated on his own. He was terrified of going underwater. Now he is in his last week in the program. He can swim underwater, turn to float to get his breath then continue swimming to the side of the pool. Without the aid of any flotation device. If you knew my son, you would know this is truly impressive.
The lessons are one-on-one with a highly trained instructor. Because repetition is key, they are every weekday for the full 4-6 weeks. To prevent water fatigue, the lessons are only 10 minutes long.
I urge every parent to check out this program. I am truly impressed with what my son has learned and with the professionalism and knowledge of the instructors. It’s a small price to pay and small amount of time to spend on preventing the senseless tragedy of losing a child to drowning.
-Erica Smith
