Strollerderby : things fall apart

Things Fall Apart: Backyard Play Equipment Recalled

Shannon LC Cate — Thu, 28 May 2009 16:33:00 GMT

The Consumer Products Safety Commission has recalled 4,300 backyard play sets and 60,000 trampolines. The play sets were sold at Toys R Us and the trampolines were sold in various specialty stores as well as online.

The play set, the Step2 Play Up Gym, has faulty hangers attaching the swings to the bar. The hangers have broken, causing falls, though no injuries have been reported. You can learn more about the recall and/or order replacement hangers and a repair kit by calling (800) 347-8372.

The 13-square foot trampoline is made by Skywalker Holdings of Utah. It's safety nets can break, allowing a child to fall through and off of the trampoline. Consumers can call the company at (866) 603-5867 for a free repair kit.

Until the equipment is repaired, the Consumer Products Safety Commission is advising consumers to stop using it immediately.

Things Fall Apart: babyGap Children’s Coats Recalled

SunnyChanel — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 20:00:00 GMT

Gap Inc. has just issued a voluntary recall due to a potential toggle terror. About 22,000 toggle babyGap Coats have been deemed unsafe. The jackets, which were available from infant to size 24 months, close with toggle fasteners which may break off and can then be a choking hazard to babies and toddlers. This was a voluntary recall and there have been no reports of incidents or injuries. If you happen to have one of these coats you can return it to any Gap store for a full refund (before August 31) as well a 20% off coupon.

You can get more information here.

Things Fall Apart: 96,000 Cribs Recalled

SunnyChanel — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 17:00:00 GMT

One crib manufacturer is having a very bad year. A recall of 96,000 of their wooden cribs has just been issued. This is their third, yes third, recall in the past 12 months. Last June 320,000 cribs were recalled and in January 56,450 of the units were deemed unsafe. Me thinks this company is in the wrong business.

Seven of the wooden cribs by Jardine Enterprises (Taipei, Taiwan) were recalled due to the possibility that slats can break and create a dangerous gap which could trap and potentially strangle a small child. The Consumer Product Safety Commission had received 31 reports of slat breakage with two reports of kids getting trapped. These models were sold from 2005 to April 2009 at Toys "R" Us, Babies "R" Us, KidsWorld and Geoffrey stores.

For more info and a list of the models check out the CSPC’s website here.

Things Fall Apart: Maytag Refrigerator Recall

Shannon LC Cate — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 22:00:00 GMT

The Maytag repairman isn't going to be lonely for much longer. Maytag has recalled a large number of refrigerator/freezers due to an electrical relay problem which can overheat and cause a serious fire hazard. This is the largest recall of refrigerators ever, and affects a number of models sold during the "boom years" of kitchen remodeling. From the Consumer Reports recall article:

The recall—by far the largest refrigerator safety recall—involves certain side-by-side and top-freezer models made by Maytag under its own brand as well as Jenn-Air, Amana, Admiral, Magic Chef, Performa by Maytag, and Crosley. Bottom-freezer units are not affected by the recall. The units were made in white, black, bisque, and stainless steel and sold at appliance and homebuilder stores nationwide from January 2001 to January 2004 for between $350 and $1,600.

Maytag and the CPSC are urging consumers to contact Maytag as soon as possible to schedule a free in-home repair. The CPSC is not asking owners to unplug the units since repairs are expected to be made promptly. Maytag can be reached by calling 866-533-9817 or by visiting the company's Web site repair.maytag.com . The CPSC has determined that Maytag's planned repair works and the company plans to publicize the recall to reach as many affected consumers as possible.

Check your 'fridge' and call soon, folks. It looks like the lines might get ong for this repair and it isn't like you afford to either go without a refrigerator or let a fire hazard sit around in your kitchen, right?

Things Fall Apart: Simplicity Bassinets Recall Still Expanding, Awkwardly

Miriam Axel-Lute — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 20:30:00 GMT

Amazing how complicated it can be to identify an unsafe bassinet and get kids out of them. It was late August when the Consumer Products Safety Commission first issued a safety alert warning caregivers not to use Simplicity 3-in-1 or 4-in-1 "close sleeper" bassinets, because when the fabric is detached to place it in "cosleeper" mode and not reattached properly, there is a gap under a metal bar that babies can slip under and strangle.

This was a clear danger, directly responsible for two infant deaths (one of which ocurred nearly a year before the safety alert, which has also raised some eyebrows). So you get them off the market pronto, right?

Enter the complications: First, Simplicity went out of business, and SFCA, the company that bought it, get this, bought only its assets, but not its liabilities. Sweet deal, huh? Sound like a certain Wall Street bailout to you? Anyhow, SFCA assumes no responsibility, and won't issue a recall, so the CPSC has been having to do it piecemeal with retailers.

Meanwhile, it took until late September for someone to figure out that the exact same products were being sold under the Graco and Disney brands as well, and those ought to be included in the recalls.

And then they realized that it was only older models that had the problem, and newer ones have the fabric permanently attached and are fine. Oy vey. Consumer Reports has a video that shows the difference if you're not sure. And the news is still spreading, with one news report just yesterday.

In amongst all this, the ongoing bias against cosleeping (I'll have more on that in detail in a few days) rears its head again: This dangerous product got to market because no one has bothered to set specific safety standards for cosleeping products. And even Consumer Reports disappointingly turns around and in its video uses that as an excuse to recommend the use of regular cribs over cosleepers at all times, even though other cosleepers, and even the later models of this one, don't have this dangerous flaw. The problem here was, in the CPSC's words "metal bars spaced farther apart than 2 3/8 inches, which is the maximum distance allowed under the federal crib safety standard," not being a cosleeper.

Two lessons for safe sleeping: Follow instructions carefully, and if something looks dangerous, don't wait for a manufacturer or the CPSC to tell you it really is.

More by this author:

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Stuck in the Crib Recall

Amy Kuras — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 22:03:00 GMT

Here's something that's not fun — surfing the web while watching The Baby Borrowers and finding a news alert that the selfsame brand of crib you own is being recalled. The exact brand of crib, as a matter of fact, which your sweet baby son is sleeping in at that exact moment.
Yes, we own a Jardine crib, which we purchased at Babies R Us four years ago for our daughter because it was about the only damn crib in the store that was both sleigh style and not made to be converted into a toddler bed (it's pictured at right, if you're not distracted by the cuteness of that sleeping baby).
First I panicked. Then I read the recall press release and realized it's not, in fact, that dire – there have been only 42 instances of the slats coming loose out of about 320,000 cribs manufactured, and only four minor injuries – but I still decided better safe than sorry. So I crawled beneath the crib (discovering in the process we are just terrible housekeepers), ascertained the number was, in fact one of the ones being recalled, and entered my info on the crib recall website.
I am to await a package, being sent via UPS, that will have further instructions. Who knows how long that will take. Once it gets here, we are to remove all the hardware from the crib and send that to Jardine, and in a week or two we'll get a voucher for a new crib from Babies R Us.
Which for us, then means packing both kids in the car for at least a 30-minte drive to the closest one, choosing a new crib (which will likely cost more than the voucher), and finding the time to put it together.
Oh yeah, and figuring out where my little guy will sleep for three or more weeks while we wait for the final voucher and get the crib together. I know we run pretty minimalist on baby gear around here, but do people really have a spare crib just lying around for just such an occasion?
Thanks, Jardine!!

Things Fall Apart: Time to Upgrade Baby's Toy Cell Phone

Madeline Holler — Wed, 28 May 2008 22:01:00 GMT

Better go dig out all those toy cell phones your baby loves flipping open and shut. Because about a million of them are being recalled due to a choking hazard. The hinge cover on the toys, made in China, can become detached and be swallowed by a voracious toy-gummer.

The toy cell phones in question are Little Tikes Chit 'N Chat toy cell phones, distributed by the Kids Station Toys International Ltd. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission issued the recall warning.

The agency and the toy firm have received three reports of the phone breaking and one report of a child beginning to choke on the detached part. They were sold at drug and toy stores between June 2006 and March 2008 for about $8 each or $20 a set.

If you have one of these phones and it does NOT have the screw in the back (see picture), the CPSC instructs you to take the phone away and contact Kids Station about a free replacement.

Contact Info: Kids Station toll-free at (888) 620-0930 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.kidsstationtoys.com

Photos: Reuters

Things Fall Apart: It Never Stops, Does It?

Karen Murphy — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 17:32:00 GMT

I know. Why don't we just all get together and pile up every dollar store in one huge ginormous heap and set fire to the whole thing, contents and all? Wouldn't that be easier than meting out these little cheap-lead-toy recalls every week or so? Are you with me? Who's ready?

So, until I can send out the invitations for this thing, I'll just tell you about the latest spate of recalls. Nothing too exciting: just some wooden trains, cheap-ass toy cars, and crap with magnets in it. In other words, the usual, but just in case some of this has accidentally made its way into your home, maybe you should have a look:

Battat Magnabild Magnetic Building Systems I'm always suspicious of companies that can't effing spell their products names right. "Bild"? Please. Oh, and chokable, aspirate-able, blah blah blah all the reasons why teeny tiny magnets are bad for little kids who eat them (two or more magnets stick together inside and cause intestinal holes!). Sold in 2005-2007 for $30-40. The recall involves the 293-piece (item number BB1502H) and the 180-piece (item number BB1431H) All of the plastic building pieces, except the 4-inch flexible rods, have the word “Magnabild” in raised lettering on them. The item number is found on a hang tag attached to the set (you still left that attached, right? just in case of eventual recall a couple of years later?).

Contact the manufacturer to receive a prepaid mailer to return the set for refund.

Cheap $1 Toy Racing Cars C'mon, a DOLLAR? For a remote-control car? Sure, it's a cheap-ass remote-thingie, but still. That should be a clue as to its level of quality, you think? So, blah blah blah LEAD blah blah blah COST A DOLLAR blah blah blah REFUND. Oh, and I love the manufacturer's name: "OKK Trading". Riiiight.

Wooden Block Sets and Trains Sold By Christmas Tree Shops Um..."Christmas Tree Shops"? Anyone familiar? They're supposedly in the mid-atlantic and northeast regions, which is where I live, and I've never heard of them. Oh well! The sets sold for between $4 and $20 blah blah blah LEAD from October 2006 through November 2007, blah blah blah return to phantom Christmas Tree Shops for refund (are these the seasonal places that spring up magically in dead and dying strip malls?).

Photo: cpsc.gov

Things Fall Apart: The Nemo How Could You Edition

Karen Murphy — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 18:38:00 GMT

Oh Nemo. Even if you aren't identified specifically as Nemo, we still know you by your perky orange and white stripes, your vacant-yet-hopeful expression, your slightly crossed eyes. We'd know you anywhere! Too bad you're covered with lead, oh well.

But hey! All is not lost! After all, there are more recalls to mock this weeks besides a few paltry faux-Nemo coin banks. That's right! We have torchiere lamps from Lowe's, scary-creepy wrestler action figures, kid's trailer bikes (as opposed to bike trailers), pacifiers, and Tinkerbell lamps. All the bases are covered, so have a look...

Tinker Bell lamps from Lowe's So pretty! And Tinkerbell ~~dances a slutty dance~~ sways to the music when a button is depressed (I'd be depressed too, ba dum BUM). But covered with lead. These were sold for about $40 from January 2007 through October 2007.

Self-Igniting Torchiere Lamps from Lowe's No, they weren't advertised as self-igniting, but what a bonus! Light without electricity! The lamps were black, and sold for about $17 (a GREAT deal on a self-igniting lamp, don't you think?) from March 2005 through October 2007. Item number 179878 was listed on the packaging (like you still have that) and the recalled lamps have a UL listing number of E246506. If your cheap black torchiere lamp is marked "ETL listed", it's NOT included in the recall.

Scary-Creepy Dollar Store Wrestler Figures Um, doesn't that say enough? Lead-covered. Cost a dollar.

Baby Town Dollar Store Pacifiers Oooh, what if there really was a Baby Town??! Would that not be awesome? Uh, but these pacifiers, though colorful, fail to meet federal safety standards in pacifiers. To wit: "The pacifier shield is too small and could easily enter the mouth of an infant. Also, ventilation holes are too small and not placed to allow for the insertion of a tool to remove the pacifier when lodged in the mouth of a child. Finally, the package fails to display the required warning instructing consumers not to tie a pacifier around a child’s neck, which would present a strangulation hazard." Sold in 4-packs from March 2004 through Dece,ber 2007.

Kid's Trailer Bikes You know the semi-half bike-things that attach behind the adult's bike (causing the adult's bike to feel unwieldy and tippy unless the kid has decent balance)? Well, these have been recalled due to a faulty and dangerous coupler-thing, which caused a fall and abrasions (that's scrapes to you and me) to at least one rider. Ow. The recalled brands/models are: InStep “Pathfinder,” Schwinn “Run About,” and Mongoose “Alley Cat” Trailer Bicycles, sold from January through Agust 2007 from about $80 to $120. See link for model numbers and recall information (repair kit).

The Not-Quite-Nemo Promotional Coin Banks Lead-covered. Free. Given away by Coastal Federal Credit Union customers February 2006 through September 2007.

Photo: cpsc.gov

Things Fall Apart: Don't Lick the Little Red Wagon

Karen Murphy — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 15:35:00 GMT

I don't know what my parents were thinking when they got me a little red wagon. I mean, I did haul my one doll (whose hair had long been chopped off by someone who thought it would grow back, oops) around in it a few times, but mostly it was relegated to hauling kindling from around the side of the house to the garage to await the next weekend's status-fire during football season. If it was supposed to be fun being pulled around in the thing, nobody ever told me. Yeah, yeah, boo hoo for me. By the time I figured out it was supposed to be fun I was too big for the damn thing. Which is why my kids had a wagon and loved the hell out of it. Yours too? But don't make it this one, because it's been recalled:

About 15000 red metal wagons sold at Tractor Supply Stores from September 2002 through November 2007 have been recalled due to high lead content in the shiny red paint. Oops. They were made in China and manufactured by Tricam Industries. The recalled wagons are model number MH1250 and have a red bucket and black handle, axle supports, and tires. The wagons sold for about $30, which if you have priced Radio Flyers, is a pretty good deal. (I bought a $15 wooden wagon from Ikea that my kids named James. It admittedly fell apart after 3 years outside in the elements, but it was totally worth it)

Anyway, if you own this wagon, you're encouraged to stop using it and contact the manufacturer on how to return the thng for a refund. Have fun with that.

Photo: cpsc.gov

Things Fall Apart: Gap Outlet Boy's Jackets

Karen Murphy — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 21:17:00 GMT

Uh oh. I think I own one of these recalled jackets. I mean, my son does. I got it on eBay, which is fast becoming a clearance outlet for recalled crap. Hey, great! So glad I outbid you to win the Strangling Jacket From Hell. Actually, up to this moment, my biggest beef wth the jacket, which is warm and soft and has a cozy fleece inner liner, is that the cuffs were made for a gnat's wings instead of an actual child's hands. We struggle getting his not-so-big hands through those sleeves every day. The plus? Snow (if it ever actually ends up snowing here) won't get up his sleeves. But hey, it's recalled anyway.

It's the drawstring thing. Apparently manufacturers of cheap outsourced clothing still fail to catch on that these have been outlawed for awhile now. Whatever. What did I expect for, what, $15?

Oh, oops. If you bought yours from an actual Gap Outlet, and some 16,200 of you did from September through December 2007 (remember 2007?), then you paid more like $50. So forget you heard I got a better deal.

The jackets, cleverly called "'Warmest Jacket' Boy's Jackets", came in gray or navy in a variety of sizes and are hooded, zip in front, and have the telltale drawstring at the waist. In addition, Style number 513573 is printed on a white label sewn behind the size and product care label near the neckline.

If you return yours to the Gap Outlet before April 30 (my birthday! mark your calendars now!) you'll get, in addition to a refund of your full purchase prices, a $5 "appreciation card" (which you can then give me as the gift you always wanted to give but never quite knew what to get). Oh, and we're supposed to stop wearing the jacket immediately, though I'm thinking of cutting the drawstring and calling it a day.

Photo: cpsc.gov

Things Fall Apart: eeBoo Blocks Choke Kids!

Karen Murphy — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 21:02:00 GMT

I've always liked eeBoo products. After all, how can you go wrong with a name like eeBoo? We have several things by this company, like the travel bingo. So seeing a recall by a formerly trusted company is a littel distressing, you know? Like being let down personally by Thomas the Tank Engine. When that went down I felt so...used. And this latest by eeBoo is no exception. I'm a little amused by their "Important Safety Notice", however, the one that says that they are essentially blaming someone else for safety problems in the production chain, saying that a "bait and switch" took place and they're just as surprised as we are that their toys are falling apart.

The problem is with the Tot Tower blocks, cardboard stacking blocks printed with colorful and educational images. The cardboard is covered with a thin plastic film, and it is this film that is coming off and could possibly be eaten by a child and cause choking.

I have news for eeBoo. I have similar blocks from about ten years ago, and yes, the film did come off. But there was no recall then, not that I was ever made aware of. And I just ripped the covering off and said "oh well".

Oh well, the bocks came in various themes, including Things I Know New; Garden Fairies; Hardware Store; Around the Land; Read-To-Me; Animal Sounds; Animal Alphabet; ABC; and Nursery Friends. In addition, the words “Tot Towers” and “eeBoo Corporation” are printed on the product's packaging. The blocks came in a set of 10 ranging in size from 6 x 6 inches to 1.5 x 1.5 inches, and were sold at specialty and gift shops nationwide from January 2003 through September 2007 for about $20. You should be able to get aalllll your money back wherever you purchased the blocks, or you can contact eeBoo for a replacement toy (presumably not blocks).

Things Fall Apart: Alert! Candles That Burn!

Karen Murphy — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 23:56:00 GMT

Ooh! Ooh! Candles that burn! (I thought we wanted those. What's bad about them?)

Uh, what's bad is when they ignite when you don't want them to. Like when the decorative painted coating or whatever self-ignites and your house burns down. That's what's bad.

But awww, so cute! Melting a snowman!

Well, no. So these Christmas candle sets by Specialty Merchandise Corporation (SMC) have been recalled, for the unfortunate aforementioned problem, plus the snowman candle's a little tipsy and tips over from time to time. A small matter, perhaps, except when the thing is lit. Oh well. These two-piece sets were sold by SMC's catalog (did you know there was a catalog? me neither! what other flammables have I been missing, I wonder?) from October 20043 through September 2007 for between $4 and $13. (Why the wide variance in price, I wonder? After all, we're talking a two-piece set of candles about 6-7 inches tall)

If you own these, you're advised not to burn them and to contact the manufacturer for a refund.

Things Fall Apart: The Latest in a Long, Long List

Karen Murphy — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 18:35:00 GMT

Yes, folks, it's time for another round of Recall Roulette! What's your pleasure today, shall it be infant teething toys? How about bead-and-wire toys for babies? Pull-back-and-go toy cars? Or maybe the ever-popular cheap lead-laden children's jewelry? Step right up and name your pleasure, though you're sure to lose with any of today's choices!

Infantino Lion Teethers sold at Pottery Barn Kids, Babies 'R Us and other specialty stores from June 2006 through Deember 2007 for about $5. Cute! Too bad the wee plastic noses fall right off, posing a choking hazard. However, not all lion teethers are included, only the ones that are yellow and range and have the following date codes: 6116, 6129, 6158, 6137, 0606, 0806, 0906, and 1006, located on the back of the lion’s head, above the Infantino® logo. Lion teethers with other date codes are not included in this recall. Contact Infantino for a replacement product or something of equivalent value.

Baby Toys Baby Bead and Wire Toys What do you get for a dollar? High lead levels, that's what! These were sold at Dollar Tree, Dollar Bill$, Dollar Express, Greenbacks, Only One $1 and Deal$ stores nationwide from March 2007 through October 2007; they can be returned where purchased for a full refund. Wow! A whole dollar! What are you going to do with your windfall?

Speed Racer Pull Back and Go Action! Cars were sold at the same locations as the bead and wire toys, for, guess what! the same price! Only they were sold September through November 2007. Same return information applies.

Codeena Princess Children's Metal Jewelry contain lead, lead, lead. And more lead. The pink and white pearl-type jewlelry sets came in necklace, bracelet and earring or ring combinations. Some sets have studded charms dangling on the bracelet and the necklace. And all of them have more lead than they should, ho ho ho! They were sold at discount stores nationwide from September 2005 through August 2007 for about $5. Take them back! To where you bought them! if you have questions you can contact Codeena directly.

Things Fall Apart: Bunk Beds From Hell

Karen Murphy — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 13:07:00 GMT

When my younger son was nearly born and the two older were then 7 and 3, I did a lot of shopping for bunk beds. A LOT.Of.Shopping. I'm a hunt-and-kill shopper myself, so this was understandably a painful process. But the bed had to be perfect, of course. It had to be twin-over-full, since then-co-sleeping Three might easily fall out of a twin. And it had to have the potential to be taken apart and used separately, because I knew that Seven was eventually going to outgrow wanting to share a room with his younger sister Three. Oh, and it couldn't cost an arm and a leg. After all, we're talking kid's furniture here.

So I found my nearly-perfect bed, and never dreamed at the time that bunk beds could be recalled due to strangulation hazard.

Bah. Nobody's been hurt yet, but somehow the people at Hooker Firniture Corp. have become aware that a body could fall through areas of the upper bunk while a head could not. In other words, you could have a kid dangling by his neck there. Not a good thing. So they've recalled them, all 1300 of them in a ton of styles, including my coveted twin-over full style. Also in twin-over-twin and loft styles, in these model names: Albany Park,” “Swedish Accents,” “Mariner’s Landing,” and “Chelsea’s Place”. The recalled beds came in cherry, white, and black finishes, and some were made of metal. All of them were sold between August 2005 through August 2007 for about $1,000. If you own one, you can contact the manufacturer about a free in-home repair.

Photo: cpsc.org

Things Fall Apart: Cheap Sunglasses

Karen Murphy — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 15:03:00 GMT

When you get up in the morning and the light is hurt your head, the first thing you do when you get up out of bed is hit that street a-runnin' and try to meet the masses and go get yourself some cheap sunglasses.

Except, maybe not these 15 styles of children's sunglasses, which have all been recalled for containing high amounts of—you guessed it—lead.

So who's behind these Foster Grants?

China, actually. Despite what I said earlier ("cheap! nice!").

15 styles of Foster Grant kid's sunglasses are being recalled. My apologies in advance for some of the style names, which are: Balloon, Bond, Boom, Bubble Gum, Bullseye, Buzz, Conqueror Jr., Curly Q, Encompass Jr. IK, Fade IK, Gadget IK, Iceman, Lily, Outer Space, Pluto. The were sold from January 2007 through November 2007 from between $3 and $11. (What do you spend on your sunglasses?)

If you own these you can get a replacement or refund (including shipping) by contacting the manufacturer, which really is Foster Grant (which received an award in 2002, by the way, for ground-breaking excellence in supply chain management. Whoa.)

But what really knocked me out was her cheap sunglasses
Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah

Photo: www.last.fm.

Things Fall Apart: Sky is Falling Edition

Karen Murphy — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 21:39:00 GMT

Let's see what the holiday season at the Consumer Product Safety Commission is bringing us this year, shall we?

Self-igniting toasters! Lead-dipped potty seats! Christmas figurines! Kid's clothes with strangling drawstrings! And baby feeding seats that babies are falling out of! Oh, and kid-crushing entertainment centers!

True. This Kmart entertainment center fell on a 19-month-old toddler and killed him. Don't let this happen in your house, so PLEASE tether your furniture to the wall if you have someone who likes to climb stuff, and you know it if you do. I have one of those climbing toddler-type kids in my house. Oh, correction (but I still stand by my tippy-furniture warning): the recalled entertainment center actually collapsed, not tipped over. Well, the difference is negligible to a grieving family, isn't it? It was sold at Kmart from June 2000 through May 2005 for about $200, under the Ridgewood/Charleswood brand line, model #93956. The centers are black with a CD storage, miter-framed doors at the bottom, and glass doors at the top. You can contact the manufacturer, Ameriwood, for a panel support kit.

The First Years Newborn-to-Toddler Reclining Feeding Seat Sold from November 2006 through October 2007, these feeding seats (hello? what happened to high chairs? this is, like, in addition to the high chair? how much baby crap do we need?) have waist straps that come loose, and 12 kids have fallen out thus far. (Interestingly, these are imported by RC2 Corp., previously famous for importing lead-covered Thomas and Friends trains.) Have one? You can contact RC2 here to obtain a replacement strap.

The First Years Flush and Sounds Potty Seat , sold from April 2006 through August 2007 (also through RC2 Corp.!) for about $20-25, with a Winnie-the-Pooh and Tigger motif on the back rest. Try to avoid letting your little one lick that part (or any part of it; it's a potty seat!), because it's covered with lead. You can obtain a clear plastic non-removeable (ha!) cover for the lead-painted motif by contacting RC2.

A whole bunch of kid's clothes, all with drawstrings. Which is the reason why my super-skinny kid can't find yoga pants that don't fall off. Hey! Faux 3-inch drawstring! What good, are you, dude? And while I can TOTALLY appreciate removing drawstrings from babies and toddler's clothes, seriously, are they such a hazard to tweens? So I can completely understand if you ignore this one, but at the same time don't say I didn't warn you. Check the links for details.

Girl's sweaters from Sears.

Girl's clothing sets from Kmart.

Boy's hooded sweatshirts.

Infant-toddler girl's pants.

Oh! I almost forgot! Self-igniting Infrawave toasters from Black and Decker! These were sold at home-improvement stores (where I always look for toasters) for about $50, from March-November 2007. There have been two reports of the toasters, model ST2000 (located on the bottom of the toaster), igniting, with one incident actually causing a fire of kitchen counter and cabinets. If you own one, you can receive a refund from the manufacturer, Applica Consumer Products.

Photo: cpsc.org

Things Fall Apart: Stokke Xplory Strollers

Karen Murphy — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 19:25:00 GMT

I don't know about you, but I felt a tiny twinge of glee when I heard that Stokke Xplory strollers are falling apart. Oh, not for the 14 U.S. babies and the 244 outside-the-U.S. babies who have been riding in strollers that could have collapsed right underneath them (and the one baby who suffered a scratch by falling ut of a Stokke stroller), but for the whole statusy aspect of super-high-ticket baby gear like this.

So I kind of hope you don't own a Stokke Xplory, because

1. There's a recall involved, and it requires you to do stuff (in this case, see if it's your exact stroller and if it is, contact the manufacturer for a new wheel), and

2. $800! For a stroller! Are you freaking kidding me! (I thought $200 was a lot for a stroller, and you can get a lot for $200. Maybe not as cool-looking as the Stokke, but seriously, it's a stroller. Which will be peed in and spit up on and be smeared upon by moist graham-cracker hands. You can buy a lot of Hello Kitty vibrators for the money you will save by not buying a Stokke.)

But if you do own one, I'm sure you had your reasons. And if you bought it between August 2003 and December 2006 and if it's red with grey handles and if it has a serial number between 1 and 28,097 (I am not making this up; your serial number is located under the footplate. Go ahead and check it now. I'll wait.), then you have some issues. Whte handles? Not to worry, yours isn't recalled.

And it's really inconvenient when the wheels fall off a stroller, I might add.

P.S. Who came up with the name "Xplory", anyway?

Things Fall Apart: Pre-Holiday Edition I

Karen Murphy — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 19:51:00 GMT

Look! I'm so confident that there will be further toy-related recalls between now and late December that I named this Edition I! Can you blame me? Because I think we can all be assured that the seeming endless parade of recalls is just that: endless. Today's selection? It incudes all the major toy groups: holiday-related stuff, strangling clothing, and our all-time favorite, the Lead-Laden. Care to join me?

Let's take a walk down the aisle of disaster, shall we?

Horse-Related Ornaments. Some of which look suspiciously like these, already recalled. For being covered with lead, natch. Were talking the 2006 Snow Princess Stirrup Ornaments, 2007 Holiday Stirrup Ornaments, 2007 Photo Frame Horse Shoe Ornaments, sold through the J.C. Penney catalog and website for about $15. Shame on you, Penneys! (the Breyer version cost more even though it was the same thing—how about that?)

Kid's Hooded Fleece Zip Jackets. Sold by Bon-Ton, which I had never heard of before I moved to my present location, and I can assure you that it's a third-rate department store, so no wonder. Also sold at Bergner’s, Boston Store, Carson Pirie Scott, Elder-Beerman, Herberger’s and Younkers stores nationwide and Parisian stores in the Detroit area from August 2007 through October 2007 for between $18 and $30. This is a boy's hoodie, sizes 8-20. The drawstrings are strangleable. But I'm thinking that any kid wearing a size 20 would probably know better. Whatever. Still recalled. I especially like the skull version; seems appropriate, don't you think?

Confetti Bursts. What are these, anyway? How about little plasticy bag filled with confetti. You inflate the bag and squeeze it and it bursts, popping the confetti out all over. Wow. Sounds like a hoot. Anyway, the bag's covered with lead. Of course. These were pawned off on an unsuspecting public by American Greetings since December 2003 (like you'd still have these laying around if you bought them six years ago) for about $3.

Stay tuned for the Next! Editon! Of Holiday Disaster 2007!

photo: CPSC.gov

Things Fall Apart: Are You Tired of This Yet?

Karen Murphy — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 22:01:00 GMT

I say let's just throw all our cheap lead toys in the ocean and start over, hey? Of course, that will cause the level of the ocean to rise several feet and it'll wipe out a third of the world's population, but what the hell, at least we'll all finally be lead-free. Well, not lead-free exactly, but at least decluttered from the seemingly endless parade of leaden jewelry, more leaden jewelry, pencil cases, and flashing! pacifiers! that fills our nation's toy boxes.

Did I say flashing pacifiers? Why yes I did! With whistles attached! So Baby can sound an alarm, of course, when they're choking on the detachable nipple. Sold by the dozen for about five bucks.

And! Leaden jewelry! Yes, Sparkle City Charm Bracelets and Tack Pins. Covered with lead. Sold by Buy-Rite for about a dollar. (HINT: if the company can't spell its own name correctly, AVOID)

More leaden jewelry! "Awesome Boutique" and "Share the Love" bracelets and pendants. That dollar you spent on them at Ye Olde Dolar Shoppe is way more costly if ingested.

More! Leaden jewelry! Faux turquoise-and-silver stretchy bracelets, sold for the astounding-rip-off amount of $12 through school fundraisers. Ohh, that one hurts, doesn't it? Because they were only a dollar at the dollar store.

Still more! Leaden jewelry! "Rachael Rose" and "Distinctively Basics" asorted crappy metal jewelry. For HALF a buck. (So how come the "#1 MOM" jewelry is so cheap?? Why do we get crap?)

Last one! Leaden jewelry! "Crystal Innovations". Too many crappy pieces to list; have a look at the link.

And! Not to be forgotten, pencil pouches. Sold through school supply distributors right at our kids' schools. Sucks. Lead-filled zippers. make them go away.

Make it ALL go away.

Now.

Things Fall Apart: Boppy Slipcovers Recalled

Karen Murphy — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 21:36:00 GMT

I refused to buy a Boppy. Couldn't get past the name somehow. "Boppy." Ugh.

But tons of people have bought Boppy, for breastfeeding or for baby-on-the-floor support. Versatile, relatively inexpensive, and widely available, Boppy has become part of many family's lives.

Too bad these Boppy slipcovers are choking hazards or full of lead.

Yes, I could mock Boppy here but I think Boppy's had a hard enough day. Because the velvet slipcovers and the "boa" slipcovers for Boppy Bare Naked [Ladies] have been recalled.

Choking Hazard Boppy ("Boppy Luxe") was sold in three color combinations with these UPC's:

Color Combination	UPC Code	Date Code
Blue/Green Velvet	769662 30802 1	05/2006 and 06/2006
Pink/ Orange Velvet	769662 30801 4	05/2006 and 06/2006
Pastel Blue Velvet	769662 30705 5	05/2006

And Lead-Covered Boppy ("Boppy Soothing") was sold in four colors with these UPC's:

Color	UPC Code	Date Code
Pastel Blue “Boa”	769662 32544 8	07030
Bright Pink Velvet	769662 32542 4	07030
Navy Blue Velvet	769662 32542 4	07030
Sage Green Velvet	769662 32709 1	07030

Slipcovers recalled due to choking hazard were sold at discount department stores nationwide from July 2006 through September 2007 for about $16. Slipcovers recalled due to lead paint were sold at discount department stores nationwide from February 2007 through September 2007 for between $15 and $17.

If you have any of these, contact The Boppy Company for a free replacement.

Things Fall Apart: Wal-Mart Kid's Storage Rack Causes Death

Karen Murphy — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 18:22:00 GMT

This is one of my fears come true, and the reason a lot of my furniture is screwed to the wall: an 8-month old boy died when this Home Trends storage rack tipped over and fell on him, and the racks have been recalled. The baby was asphyxiated when the top rail fell on his neck. Ugh. It was the only incident reported on this item, but it's clearly more than enough to warrant recall.

The racks are wooden with three levels and nine removable canvas totes in two color schemes: natural wood color with red, yellow, blue and green totes; and white painted wood with pink, yellow, lime and purple totes. They were sold between August 2004 through July 2005 at Wal-Mart under the name “Home Trend Kids 9 Canvas Bin Boy’s and Girl’s Organizers," and from July 2006 through June 2007 at Ollie's stores, for about $40.

If you own this, you're encouraged to stop using it immediately and contact the manufacturer, Jetmax International, to obtain a repair kit that will stabilize the base.

Things Fall Apart: The Longest List Yet

Karen Murphy — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 19:32:00 GMT

See what happens when I take a week off from this feature? Aqua-Dots. That's what happens. I could have had fun with that one. But that's not all. No, there's Curious Gearge. Again. And ducks, LOTS of ducks. And cars. And tops. And sunglasses. And folding chairs (just go with it). And wagons. And robots. And cribs. Something for everyone! And here's the gory details:

Curious George Plush Dolls. I love me some George, but I'm not liking the lead factor. These 12-inch plush dolls came in various outfits remininscent of the Village People and have plastic faces, and have been sold for aboout two years now. Full refund available.

Duck Family Collectable Tin Wind-Up Toys. Yeah. Covered with lead. Cute, though! Sold since January for about 8 bucks, and you can get a refund or replacement item.

Dizzy Ducks Music Box. I like ducks, but not this much. Take these back, please! Sold since March for about $12, and like the duck family (same importer) you can receive a refund or replacement item.

Pull-Back Action Dollar Store Cars. From the dollar store; do you need to know more? Sold in 4-packs of Super Wheels or 2-packs of Super Racers. Whatever.

Winnie-the-Pooh Spinning Tin Tops. Sold waaay back in 2003. Which means your kid's been sucking on that lead-laden handle for four years. I just thought I should point that out. You can get your $12 refunded or pick out another lead-covered toy, your choice.

Yellow Dollar Store Kid's Sunglasses. Sold for, well, a dollar. At you-know-where. Go ahead, ask for your refund, I dare you. But only for the yellow ones.

Folding Chairs . Kids could sit on these. Well, they could! Like next week, at the kid's table at Thanksgiving. Right? Am I right? But these chairs, they collapse. So you will not want that. They were sold at office supply stores for about $30 from August 2005 through July 2007. If you have some you can get a free repair kit.

"Big Red" Wagons. Sold at Northern Tool & Equipment for about $60 from July 2007 through September 2007. They're metal with removeable wooden sides. Lead paint. Get your replacements while they're hot!

"Robot 2000" Battery-Operated Tin Robots. Twelve inches tall with a red light on its head. I kind of want one. Sold for the oast year for about $25, you can get a refund or replacement toy.

Wendy Bellissimo Collection Convertible Cribs . Imported by Bassetbaby for Babies 'R Us, sold from July 2005 through October 2007 for about $500.The bolts at the top corners of the crib can come loose and create a severe entrapment hazard. You can get a free repair kit.

That's it. I'm tired now.

Things Fall Apart: Will it Ever End?

Karen Murphy — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 12:03:00 GMT

Dora. Winnie-the-Pooh. Diego. Polly Pocket. These names, once so innocent, once so childlike, once so gay, now strike fear into the hearts, minds, and souls of parents everywhere, leaving nothing behind but a metallic taste where once goodness, rainbows, and the fruits of cheap overseas labor held reign. And still the march of death continues, nay! boldly surges on! as these toys join the ranks of the recalled:

1. SimplyFun Ribbit Board Game. WTF? Oh hell, this one looks so boring it deserves to be recalled out of sheer pity. Ooh! Five wooden frogs (covered with lead paint)! Makes me SimplyNauseated. Take it back, now!

2. Elite Operations Toys. Hmm, these look steroidal, but apparently it's another lead paint problem. (Hey! I have an idea! Why not just get rid of the lead paint instead of painting it on shit first? God I am so brilliant.) These were sold at Toys 'R Us, so blame them please.

3. Galaxy Warriors Toy Figures. These things are giving me nightmares. They may be only 4 inches tall, but in packs they are lethal, I tell you! Scary stuff. Make them go away. Now. Setiously. They are freaking.Me.Out.

........Mom?

.........Can you check under my bed please?

.........................Mom?

.............................Mom????!!!!

MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!

Oh. Wait. Never mind.

They'll even refund postage. That's awesome.

Now go! Go take your evil toys! Return them to whence they came, and let us never speak of this again! Go!

Things Fall Apart: Another Reason to Hate Bobbleheads!

Karen Murphy — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 21:26:00 GMT

Last year, at least according to my daughter, the entire first grade at her school was obsessed with/owned/coveted bobblehead dolls. To which my response was always the same: eww. Bobbleheads are simply something I don't "get". Never have, never will. What's the point? So hello, some have been recalled. *Yawn*.

And combining bobbleheads with another thing I care oh-so-much about, football, takes the cake. Er, I mean, these are cake decorations, actually. Of little football men with bobbing heads. Which is exactly what I would want perched atop my cake, oh yes. And yes, they have been recalled. For they will surely taint that delicious cake (mmm...cake...) with lead. But ONLY the ones with green bases are affected by this recall. Want a list of the affected bobblepeople teams? Have a look.

If you have one of these lovely items, you wouldn't have bought it separately. It would have come with the purchase of cake or ice cream from a bakery or ice cream store anywhere in the U.S. sometime from January 2006 through, well, now. But you can return it anyway for an item of equal (or lesser, natch) value. Contact the manufacturer, DecoPac, for more information.