Child Safety

Has Your Child's Product Been Recalled?
by Bea Sheftel

When you buy a product to be used by your child whether it is a toy or furniture or other item, you expect it to be safe. We put our trust in manufacturers believing they have tested the products. The problem is manufacturers put our children at risk everyday. It is hard to believe but true, even after extensive testing, some products are sold with known faults. The manufacturers factor in the probabilities and decide it is less expensive to have a few accidents, then redo the product. What does this mean to you and your children? It can mean a child will be hurt, maimed or even killed. The manufacturer would rather pay off liability than redesign.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission is the watch dog for the American consumer, and even so, they usually don't act until complaints have been lodged. Once they do determine there is a problem they alert the media. The head of the CPSC is often seen on the Today Show warning parents about certain recalls. It is imperative that parents check the website. It is: CPSC-www.cpsc.gov Some of the latest recalls include toys. KB toys announced a recall of their Electronic Light N'Learn activity gyms. There are small parks that pose a choking hazard to young children.

Even a noted parent-friendly corporation such as Gymboree has a recall of its' Baby Boy Bodysuits. Part of the zipper can twist off and become a chocking hazard. In fact, chocking is the biggest problem in children's products. Even without a recall, parents of young children should be aware of this. The biggest problem is with older children. They may not have a chocking hazard but the toys they use may present a problem to their younger siblings. Faulty strollers have been responsible for many injuries to children. Century recalled their multi-use strollers because they can unexpectedly collapse. The child can fall and suffer serious injuries. The model names are: "Take2," "Travel Solutions," "Pioneer," "Travelite," and "Pro Sport". These are all 4-in-1 strollers. When money is tight many couples look to tag sales and flea markets to buy good, used baby furniture and equipment. Unfortunately, this can create more problems. The older models might have been recalled or might have been made before recalls were instituted. In particular I'm thinking of a handmade crib a friend had. Her father made it for his children and it was past down to the grandchildren. The only problem was the slates were too far apart and a child could get his or her head stuck. Putting bumper guards didn't help because children have been known to get caught on those and choke. I remember using an infant pillow in my son's carriage. He was born before the 1992 Federal Hazardous Substances Act which banned infant pillows and cushions. They pose a suffocation hazard to infants. A 7-month old baby was caught around the neck by a cord attached to a rattle on a cushion.

Backyard swings and gym sets also pose a problem when manufacturers don't ensure their safety features. Hedstrom, and their Backyard Products division have recalled Star Cruiser and Rocket Rider swings. The screws in the swing can fall out causing a falling injury. There were 19,000 of these products recalled. Most manufacturers do not voluntarily have a recall. They are nudged by the CPSC. Most of the time you can bring the product back to the store for credit, even if it was a gift. The store is required to take the item if it is recalled, even if you don't have a receipt. This brings up another problem. What about distant relatives who buy kids gifts? I had an incident at a fabric shop where I bought a cute white teddy for my new great niece. My niece lives thousands of miles from me. A month later, after I'm sure she gave the baby the toy, a recall was issued. The small facial parts could come off and pose a chocking hazard. I couldn't return the item since I no longer had. The particular store was not near by niece. What can you do as a parent? Buy a product that has been out a while. I can't say buy from a trusted manufacturer since some of the best companies have had major recalls. Don't buy used products unless you have checked them on the CPSC web page. Don't accept used baby equipment either unless you have checked the manufacturer. For distant relatives, I suggest sending money and letting the parent buy the gift. This way if there is a recall they can more easily return it to the store where they bought it.

The old rule applies. Better safe than sorry. Century Products received 681 complains about its child stroller. There were 250 injuries, some serious. There have been many deaths attributed to faulty products as well. This includes everything from pacifiers to cribs and high chairs. Century is also responsible for faulty infant car seats and carriers. 4 million were recalled because when the seat is used, the handle can break. The child is tumbled to the ground. The company will provide a new, safer, handle. There were over 2,700 reports of this handle problem and reports of 200 injuries including concussions, skull fractures, lacerations, broken bones, bruises, and scratches.

The bottom line is don't trust the manufacturer to be honest about their baby products. Whatever you buy, test it out. If there is any problem at all, return it to the store. Shower and Christening guests should be told to include the receipt in their packages, or to hold on to the receipt in case there is a recall.

(Information provided by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.)