Defective Product News - Edgar Snyder & Associates

Graco Harmony High Chairs Recalled, Injuries Reported

Thurs, 18 March 2009 16:01:00 EDT

Over one million Graco Harmony high chairs have been recalled because they pose a fall hazard to children. Twenty-four injuries have been reported so far.

The company said that screws in the front legs of the high chair can become loose and fall out, causing the chair to fall over. The defective high chairs were sold at Target, Toys R Us and Wal-Mart from 2003-2009.

The injuries reported so far include bumps and bruises to the head, a hairline fracture to the arm, and cuts, bumps and bruises and scratches to the body. The Consumer Product Safety Commission said consumers should stop using the high chairs immediately and should place orders for free repair kits.

Drop Side Cribs Recalled After Infant Deaths

Wed, 11 Feb 2010 15:10:00 EDT

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has announced the recall of all Generation 2 Worldwide and "ChildESIGNS" drop side cribs. The agency is warning parents and caregivers that the defective cribs put children in danger of serious injury or death.

The cribs' plastic hardware can break, causing the drop side to detach from the corner. This creates a space in which an infant or toddler can become entrapped, posing a strangulation hazard. The CPSC says that parents and caregivers should stop using the cribs immediately and shouldn't attempt to repair them.

The agency has received three reports of infants who suffocated when they became entrapped between the crib mattress and the drop side. There have also been 20 reports of other drop side incidents, two of which resulted in entrapment.

Generation 2 went out of business in 2005, so the CPSC has limited information about the recalled cribs. The agency believes that more than 500,000 of the defective models were sold to consumers at stores like Kmart, Wal-Mart, and Buy Buy Baby. The name "Generation 2 Worldwide" appears on a label affixed to the crib's headboard or footboard. The name "ChildESIGNS" appears on the teething rail of some of the cribs.

Please see our product recalls index for more information on defective products that may affect you.

Graco Stroller and Dorel Crib Recalls Announced

Thurs, 21 Jan 2010 15:55:00 EDT

Two major product recalls for popular children's products have been announced in the past week. Graco issued a recall on 1.5 million strollers that can cause finger amputations, and Dorel recalled over 600,000 cribs because they pose suffocation and strangulation hazards.

The Graco strollers were sold at Wal-Mart, Target and other major retailers from October 2004 to December 2009. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the hinge on the canopy of the strollers can amputate children's fingers when the stroller is being opened and closed. There have been five reports of amputations so far. This recall comes just months after 1 million Maclaran strollers were recalled for posing a similar risk. The CPSC's website has a list of affected Graco strollers.

The recalled Dorel cribs were sold at K-Mart, Sears and Wal-Mart stores nationwide from January 2005 through December 2009. The CPSC and Dorel Asia have received 31 reports involving failure of the drop side hardware. This defect has been linked to one death and 10 injuries. There have also been 36 reports of slats breaking, which resulted in the bruising and scratching of seven children. You can look at this CPSC news release to see if your crib is affected.

FDA Changes Stance on BPA and Infants' Health

Wed, 20 Jan 2009 15:56:00 EDT

According to the FDA, parents should take precautions to try and limit infants' exposure to the chemical Bisphenol-A (BPA). The agency said that it has "some concern" about the safety of BPA but did not go so far as to call it a definite health risk.

The FDA's new position is a partial reversal of its declaration in 2008 that BPA has no adverse effects. That announcement was poorly received by environmental groups that said it relied too heavily on industry-funded research and that BPA should be banned completely.

Some of the agency's new concerns arise from studies that found a possible connection between BPA and adverse effects on the brain, behavior, and prostate gland in developing fetuses, infants, and children. Other studies have found a possible link to diabetes and cardiovascular disease as well.

The chemical is found in many products but has received the most attention for its use in linings for canned food and infant formula and as a hardener in plastic baby bottles and toys. A handful of states and cities including Chicago, Connecticut, and Massachusetts have passed laws in some form banning BPA in products meant for children.

Even though the six largest makers of infant bottles and cups already use alternatives to BPA, the FDA is currently trying to determine if the agency has the legal authority to quickly force products with BPA off the market if other manufacturers don't do it voluntarily. The following are several safety tips that parents can follow to help protect against the possible risks of BPA:

Discard scratched or worn bottles and cups, which in addition to harboring germs, might release small amounts of BPA; Be cautious when heating formula, as boiling or very hot liquid might cause the release of BPA into infant formula; Check labels to make sure that only microwave-safe products are used in the microwave and only dishwasher-safe products are put in the dishwasher. This will aid in avoiding BPA leakage.

Toxic Metal Cadmium Detected in Children's Jewelry

Tues, 12 Jan 2010 15:52:00 EDT

UPDATE - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has announced that it is pulling children's jewelry from its shelves following an AP investigation that found high levels of cadmium in certain Chinese imports.

The study found that Chinese manufacturers were using cadmium, a soft, whitish metal, to replace lead. However, like lead, it can hinder brain development in the very young. The metal is also known to cause cancer.

The chairwoman of the Consumer Product Safety Commission has urged other countries to make sure that manufacturers don't substitute cadmium, antimony, or barium for lead in children's products. The commission also said it was opening an investigation into the AP's findings, vowing to "take action as quickly as possible to protect the safety of children."

ORIGINAL ALERT - An Associated Press (AP) study found that Chinese manufacturers have been using the dangerous heavy metal cadmium in children's jewelry sold throughout the country. Cadmium is a known carcinogen, and like lead, which has been banned from use in jewelry, it can hinder brain development in young children and cause cancer.

The AP organized lab testing of over 100 items purchased in major cities across the nation and found that 12 percent of the jewelry contained at least 10 percent cadmium. The most contaminated piece of jewelry contained 91 percent cadmium by weight. Kids don't have to swallow an item to be exposed - persistent biting or sucking on a piece of jewelry is enough for exposure. Furthermore, many of the items easily shed the metal, which poses an additional safety risk.

Some of the contaminated jewelry to receive the most troubling results were bracelet charms sold at Wal-Mart, the jewelry chain Claire's, and at a dollar store. The following are specific results found in the study:Four charms from two "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" bracelets sold at a Dollar N More store measured between 82 and 91 percent cadmium; Two charms on a "Best Friends" bracelet bought at Claire's consisted of 89 and 91 percent cadmium; Pendants from four "The Princess and The Frog" necklaces bought at Wal-Mart ranged between 25 and 35 percent cadmium; Three flip flop bracelet charms sold at Wal-Mart contained between 84 and 86 percent cadmium.

The AP reported that if the products were painted toys, they would face a recall, and if they were garbage, they would be considered hazardous waste. But because there are no cadmium restrictions on jewelry, such items are sold legally.

Over 50 Million Shades and Blinds Recalled

Tues, 15 Dec 2009 14:05:00 EDT

Over 50 million Roman shades and roll-up blinds have been recalled because they pose a strangulation hazard to children. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) said five deaths and 16 near-strangulations involving Roman shades have been reported since 2006, and three deaths linked to roll-up blinds have been reported since 2001.

About 5 million Roman shades and 3 million roll-up blinds are sold each year, and the CPSC recommends that consumers replace any product purchased before 2001. Roman shades pose a risk if a child's neck gets stuck between the exposed inner cord and the fabric on the backside of the blind, or if the cord gets wrapped around a child's neck. Roll-up blinds pose a strangulation hazard if a child's neck becomes entangled in the lifting loop, or if a child's neck gets between the lifting loop and the roll-up blind material.

Parents and caregivers are urged to examine all shades and blinds to make sure there are no accessible cords in the home. They are also advised not to place cribs, beds or other furniture close to windows because children can climb on the furniture and reach the cords. Cordless window coverings are recommended for all homes with children.

CPSC Says Zhu Zhu Hamsters Are Safe

Tues, 15 Dec 2009 11:00:00 EDT

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has refuted a consumer group's claim that Zhu Zhu hamsters contain high levels of a potentially dangerous chemical. The agency said that the toy hasn't violated any safety standards.

Following GoodGuide's announcement that their tests found high levels of antimony in the "Mr. Squiggles" hamster, the CPSC announced that it was beginning its own investigation into the matter. Within hours, the agency said it had talked to executives at Zhu Zhu's manufacturer, Cepia, and reviewed independent testing reports that proved the toy to be safe.

GoodGuide has since issued an apology, conceding that its tests differ in methodology from those used by the federal government. Therefore, the group said, its results can't be compared to federal standards.

Zhu Zhu Hamsters Raise Safety Concerns

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 16:00:00 EDT

Zhu Zhu hamsters, one of the hottest toys for the holidays, have come under the scrutiny of a consumer group. The group, GoodGuide, says that one of the toys contains high amounts of a potentially dangerous substance.

According to GoodGuide, the light brown hamster, "Mister Squiggles," has unsafe levels of antimony, which is used in textiles and plastics to make them flame-resistant. The federal standard for antimony is around 60 parts per million, but GoodGuide says the hamster contains 93 to 106 parts per million. Prolonged exposure to the substance can lead to lung and heart problems, ulcers, and diarrhea, says the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.

Zhu Zhu's manufacturer, Cepia LLC, said that its products have been subjected to "rigorous" testing and are in compliance with all safety regulations. GoodGuide is an organization that partners with for-profit businesses to address social and environmental problems.

Stork Issues Largest Crib Recall Ever

Tues, 24 Nov 2009 16:09:00 EDT

Stork Craft Manufacturing Inc. has recalled over 2.1 million drop-side cribs because they pose a suffocation hazard to babies and toddlers. In the wake of the recall, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) admitted that it hasn't acted as quickly as it should on crib safety.

The affected Stork cribs contain defective hardware that can cause young children to become trapped between the crib wall and the mattress. About 1.2 million of the cribs were distributed in the United States and approximately 968,000 were distributed in Canada. They were sold at major retailers like Sears and Wal-Mart and online at Amazon.com and Target.com from January 1993 through October 2009. This is Stork's second largest recall of the year - the company recalled over 1 million cribs in January.

Consumer advocates have lobbied against drop-side cribs for years. More than 5 million of them were recalled in the past two years after being linked to the deaths of a dozen children. The CPSC is considering new rules for making cribs safer and may ban the drop-side style.

Strollers Recalled by Maclaren Caused Amputations

Tues, 10 Nov 2009 16:05:00 EDT

Almost 1 million Maclaren strollers have been recalled after at least 12 reported finger amputations. The amputations occurred when babies or toddlers got their fingers stuck in the strollers' hinges.

The following models are included in the recall: Volo, Triumph, Quest Sport, Quest Mod, Techno XT, Techno XLR, Twin Triumph, Twin Techno and Easy Traveller. They were sold in the United States at retailers such as Target and Babies R Us and open with an "umbrella" mechanism.

Consumers are urged to stop using the dangerous products immediately and to contact Maclaren for a free repair kit.

Personal Help Buttons a Potential Choking Hazard

Mon, 28 Sept 2009 16:08:00 EDT

Philips Lifeline, a medical service designed to reduce the risk of living alone for the elderly, considers its personal help button to be "great looking," "comfortable and convenient," and "flexible." Sounds great? Think again.

Recently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning to users of the personal help buttons, which are worn around the neck on a cord. The buttons present a potential choking hazard because they are designed to remain in place when pulled, ensuring that they don't accidentally fall off. This same feature increases the risk that, if caught on a wheelchair, walker, bed with guard rails, or any other object, the defective devices could choke the wearer.

The FDA is currently aware of at least six reported choking injuries and deaths between 1998 and 2009 that occurred when the cord on the button became entangled with other objects. Over 500,000 of the devices are being used in the United States and Canada.

Household Cleaners Linked to Asthma, Birth Defects, and Fertility Problems

Fri, 18 Sept 2009 16:04:00 EDT

Many parents worry about their children's safety when they leave the confines of their home, but a recent finding has shown that parents may now have to be cautious about what they bring into their homes.

Manufacturers of detergents, household cleansers, and furniture polish are facing questions from consumers regarding the chemicals in their products. Although many of the chemicals are present only in small amounts, some have been associated with asthma, birth defects, and fertility problems in higher doses. Furthermore, even if the amounts are low, consumers are still concerned about the effects of using these products over the course of a lifetime.

A few manufacturers, like S. C. Johnson, which makes Windex, Shout stain remover, and Glade air fresheners, put all ingredients on product labels. Presently, the government requires only that ingredients posing an immediate danger be included. Some lawmakers argue, however, that consumers have a right to know exactly what is in their kitchen and bathroom cabinets.

Medtronic LifePak Defibrillators Recalled

Thu, 17 Sept 2009 16:08:00 EDT

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced the recall of some Medtronic LifePak CR defibrillators. The devices can malfunction in humid conditions, posing a safety risk to patients.

The defibrillators deliver electric shocks to correct abnormal heart rhythms, and in extreme humidity, the units may not analyze heart rhythms correctly. In such instances, the devices may deliver the shock late or not produce one at all.

The faulty defibrillators were manufactured and distributed from July 9 and August 19 of 2008. The serial numbers of affected models can be found on the FDA's website.