September Recalls

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1. Wooden Rattle Recalled by Manhattan Group Due to Choking Hazard

2. Dolls Recalled by Pottery Barn Kids Due To Strangulation Hazard

3. CPSC Warns of Drowning Dangers in Bathtubs, Bath Seats and Buckets

4. Little Tikes Expands Recall of Toy Workshop and Tool Sets Due to Choking Hazard

5. LM Import & Export Recalls Toy Cars Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

6. Shermag Recalls to Repair Drop-Side Cribs Due to Entrapment, Suffocation and

Fall Hazards

7. Anchor for Safety: TV and Furniture Tip-Over-Related Deaths and Injuries Not Slowing Down- A child is killed once every two weeks, tens of thousands are injured every year

1. September 1, 2011
Release #11-316

Firm's Recall Hotline: (800) 541-1345
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908
HC Media Contact: (613) 957-2983

Wooden Rattle Recalled by Manhattan Group Due to Choking Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Twirlla™ Wooden Rattle

Units: About 3,300 in the United States and 145 in Canada

Manufacturer: Manhattan Group LLC, of Minneapolis, Minn.

Hazard: The toy's U-shaped parts can break, posing a choking hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The painted wood rattle is approximately 6 inches long and has a yellow ball at each end, two U-shaped pieces (red and pale blue) and an orange bead in the center with a green center post connecting all pieces. The moving parts make noise when they come together.

Sold at: Baby and gift and specialty stores nationwide and online at ManhattanToy.com from March 2011 through July 2011 for about $12.

Manufactured in: Thailand

Remedy: Consumers should take the rattles away from children immediately and return them to the store where purchased to receive a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Manhattan Group at (800) 541-1345 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or visit the firm's website.

2. September 8, 2011
Release #11-321

Firm's Recall Hotline: (855) 880-4504
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908
HC Media Contact: (613) 957-2983

Dolls Recalled by Pottery Barn Kids Due To Strangulation Hazard

Name of Product: Chloe, Sophie and Audrey soft dolls

Units: About 81,000 in the United States and 1,300 in Canada

Importer: Pottery Barn Kids, a division of Williams-Sonoma Inc., of San Francisco, Calif.

Hazard: The hair on the Chloe and Sophie dolls may contain loops that are large enough to fit around a child’s head and neck, and the headband on the Audrey doll, if loosened, can form a loop that fits around a child’s head and neck. These loops can pose a strangulation hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received five reports of dolls with looped hair, including one report in which a loop of the Chloe doll’s hair was found around the neck of a 21-month old child. The child was not injured.

Description: This recall involves soft dolls sold under the names Audrey, Chloe and Sophie. The dolls measure about 17 inches high and have hair made of yarn. Audrey’s hair is black, Chloe’s hair is dark brown and Sophie’s hair is blonde. The dolls are part of Pottery Barn Kids' Girl Doll Collection. The doll’s name can be found on a tag sewn onto her bottom.

Sold exclusively at: Pottery Barn Kids stores nationwide, online at www.potterybarnkids.com and through Pottery Barn Kids catalogs from July 2006 to April 2011 for about $40.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should take the dolls away from children immediately and cut the looped hair of the Chloe and Sophie dolls and remove the headband of the Audrey doll to eliminate the hazard. Consumers may also call Pottery Barn Kids for instructions on how to return the affected dolls for a merchandise credit.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Pottery Barn Kids toll-free at (855) 880-4504 between 4 a.m. and 9 p.m. PT seven days a week or visit the firm’s website.

3. September 8, 2011
Release #11-322

CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Traditional end of the pool season brings attention to indoor water safety
CPSC Warns of Drowning Dangers in Bathtubs, Bath Seats and Buckets

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The danger of drowning for young children is a real one, all year long. Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death among children ages 1 to 4. With Labor Day representing the traditional end of the pool season, parents and caregivers need to know that drowning risks inside the home are ever present.

In fact, bathtubs are the second leading location, after pools, where young children drown. Buckets, other containers, and even landscaping features, also can present a danger of drowning.

A new report from CPSC on submersions related to non-pool and non-spa products (pdf) indicates that from 2005 to 2009, there were 660 submersion incidents involving children younger than five years old. There were 431 fatalities, 212 injuries and 17 incidents with unknown injuries. The majority of the victims were younger than the age of two and most of the incidents involved bath or bath related products. CPSC's analysis of the fatalities found that 92 percent occurred in residential settings.

"Young children can drown in just a few inches of water," said Chairman Inez Tenenbaum. "I urge parents and caregivers to constantly supervise young children around bathtubs, bath seats and buckets. There are simple steps that every family can take to prevent drownings in the home."

Many of the reported incidents involved a lapse in supervision, such as a parent or caregiver leaving the bathroom while the child was in the bathtub to answer the phone or door, or to retrieve a towel. In other incidents, an older sibling was left to watch a younger sibling.

CPSC's drowning prevention safety tips include:

Never leave young children alone near any water or tub or basin with fluid. Young children can drown in even small amounts of water.
Always keep a young child within arm's reach in a bathtub. If you must leave, take the child with you.
Don't leave a baby or young child in a bathtub under the care of another young child.
Never leave a bucket containing even a small amount of liquid unattended. Toddlers are top heavy and they can fall headfirst into buckets and drown. After using a bucket, always empty and store it where young children cannot reach it. Don't leave buckets outside where they can collect rainwater.
Consider placing locks on toilet seat covers in case a young child wanders into the bathroom.
Learn CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). It can be a lifesaver when seconds count.

4. September 28, 2011
Release #11-334

Firm's Recall Hotline: (800) 321-0183
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Little Tikes Expands Recall of Toy Workshop and Tool Sets Due to Choking Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product.

Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Little Tikes® Workshop and Tool Sets

Units: More than 1.7 million additional units (about 1.6 million toy workshop sets and trucks with the same toy nails were recalled in August 2009)

Manufacturer: Little Tikes, of Hudson, Ohio

Hazard: The recalled workshop and tool sets have oversized, plastic toy nails that can pose a choking hazard to young children.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm has reported two additional incidents, occurring prior to the August 2009 recall, of children who choked when the toy nail became lodged in their throat. Both children were treated in a hospital and made a full recovery.

Description: This recall involves the toy nails sold as part of 11 additional models of Little Tikes® Workshop and tool sets listed below. The toy nails are oversized, plastic, and about 3 1/4 inches long by 1 1/4 inch in diameter. The nails are either red or blue and have a large round head; below the nail head there is a plastic ridge, slightly smaller than the nail head and about 1 inch in diameter. The model number may be found on some of the products.

Sold by: Mass merchandise retailers nationwide from 1990 through 2004 for between $25 and $100.

Manufactured in: United States and China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the toy nails away from young children and contact the firm for free replacement toy nails.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Little Tikes at (800) 321-0183 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s website.

5. September 28, 2011
Release #11-335

Firm's Recall Hotline: (305) 622-7122 collect
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

LM Import & Export Recalls Toy Cars Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Toy cars

Units: About 1,900

Manufacturer: LM Import & Export, Inc., of Miami, Fla.

Distributor: Mega Wholesales Corporation, of Miami, Fla.

Hazard: Surface paint on the toy cars contains excessive levels of lead, a violation of the federal lead paint standard.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The products are sold in packages of four or six toy cars which are painted in silver, black or blue with red stickers with “super,” “max” and “racing” labeled on the top and sides of the cars. The 4” plastic car sets have item numbers “43835” and “43836” printed on a white label on the back of the cardboard packaging. “Gallop X” or “RACING CARS” is also printed on the product packaging.

Sold exclusively at: Mega Wholesale stores throughout Miami, Florida from September 2010 through January 2011 for between about $2 and $3 per set.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should take these toys away from children immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact LM Import & Export collect at (305) 622-7122 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday. LM Import & Export will accept collect calls.

6. September 29, 2011
Release #11-343

Firm's Recall Hotline: (800) 567-3419
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908
HC Media Contact: (613) 957-2983

Shermag Recalls to Repair Drop-Side Cribs Due to Entrapment, Suffocation and Fall Hazards

Name of Product: Drop-side cribs

Units: About 2,300; about 800 in Canada

Manufacturer: Shermag Inc., of Quebec, Canada

Hazard: The drop-side rail hardware on the cribs 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 rail and the crib mattress in which infants and toddlers can become wedged or entrapped, posing risks of suffocation and strangulation. In addition, children can fall out of the crib when the drop-side rail falls unexpectedly or detaches from the crib. Drop-side rail failures can also occur due to incorrect assembly or with age-related wear and tear.

Incidents/Injuries: CPSC and the firm are aware of 21 incidents involving drop sides that failed or detached. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves wooden drop-side cribs with hidden drop-side hardware. The cribs were sold in various colors. Model numbers 202647, 211047 and 272547 are included in this recall. The cribs were sold separately and as part of the “City Lights,” “Fairy Tales” and “Dormez Vous” furniture collections. “Shermag” is printed on a tag on the mattress springs. The model numbers can be found on stickers and warning labels on the crib’s headboard or footboard.

Sold at: The Land of Nod and other baby specialty stores from September 2004 through December 2008 for between $400 and $800.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should stop using these cribs immediately and contact the firm to request a free repair kit that will immobilize the drop-side. In the meantime, parents are urged to find an alternate, safe sleeping environment for the child, such as a bassinet, play yard or toddler bed depending on the child’s age.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Shermag at (800) 567-3419 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s website.

Important Message from CPSC: CPSC reminds parents not to use any crib with missing, broken or loose parts. Make sure to tighten hardware from time to time to keep the crib sturdy. When using a drop-side crib, parents should check to make sure the drop side or any other moving part operates smoothly. Always check all sides and corners of the crib for parts separating that can create a gap and entrap a child. In addition, do not try to repair any side of the crib. Babies have died in cribs where repairs were attempted by caregivers. Crib age is a factor in safety. At a minimum, CPSC staff recommends that you do not use a crib that is older than 10 years old. Effective June 28, 2011, new, mandatory federal crib rules require that all cribs manufactured and sold after that date must meet new and improved safety requirements (pdf). Older cribs do not meet the new standard and can have a variety of safety problems. Check if your crib has been recalled at CPSC Recalls

7. September 30, 2011
Release #11-345

CPSC Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Anchor for Safety: TV and Furniture Tip-Over-Related Deaths and Injuries Not Slowing Down
A child is killed once every two weeks, tens of thousands are injured every year

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In March of this year, an 11 month old died while watching TV with his dad and his 2-year-old sibling. The baby's brother bumped into the furniture holding the TV and the TV fell onto the baby's head and abdomen. Unfortunately, this is not a rare incident. Furniture and TV tip-over incidents are one of the top hidden hazards in the home. Today, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging parents and caregivers to inspect and anchor furniture and TVs now, in order to protect young children from a preventable tragedy.

A new data report (pdf) shows that between 2000 and 2010, CPSC staff received reports of 245 tip-over-related deaths involving children 8 years old and younger. More than 90 percent of the incidents involved children 5 years old and younger. In more than half of the 245 fatalities (56%), the child was crushed by the weight of the television, furniture, or appliance. The majority of these children suffered fatal injuries to the head (67%).

In addition, more than 22,000 children 8 years old and younger are treated in hospital emergency rooms every year (2008-2010) for injuries related to instability or tipover of televisions, furniture, and appliances. And like the fatalities, a majority of these injuries (56%) are to the head.

"Children like to climb on furniture. Placing TVs on furniture not intended for them or having furniture that is not secured can have tragic consequences," said Chairman Inez Tenenbaum.

"These tragedies can be prevented by taking low-cost steps. Anchor those TVs and dressers, and protect your child or a child visiting your home."

The most common tip-over scenarios involve toddlers who have climbed onto, fallen against or pulled themselves up on furniture. About 70 percent of children's fatalities (169 incidents) involved falling televisions, and 27 percent (65 incidents) involved only furniture falling. Of the 135 child fatalities where furniture fell by itself or fell with a TV, the majority of incidents (64%) involved a chest, dresser, or a bureau. Often, these pieces of furniture have drawers that children can use to climb.

To prevent tragedies follow these safety tips in any home where children live or visit:

Anchor furniture to the wall or the floor.
Place TVs on sturdy, low bases.
Or, anchor the furniture and the TV on top of it, and push the TV as far back on the furniture as possible.
Keep remote controls, toys, and other items that might attract children off TV stands or furniture.
Keep TV and/or cable cords out of reach of children.
Make sure freestanding kitchen ranges and stoves are installed with anti-tip brackets.
Supervise children in rooms where these safety tips have not been followed.