Troy the Activity Truck is a red, yellow and blue plastic truck with bead runs, adorned with star, circle and heart-shaped beads. It has been voluntarily recalled due to a potential choking hazard. There have been 28 reports from consumers stating that the beads have detached. Due to their size, the beads are a choking hazard for young children. Two children reportedly gagged on the loose beads.

Troy the Activity Truck was available for purchase at Toys R Us, Meijer, Babies R Us, Marshalls, TJ Maxx as well as other toy stores across the nation. The trucks were sold between September 2009 and February 2011.

If you have one of these toys, then you should immediately discontinue use and contact Infantino for a replacement.

Arm’s Reach Concepts’ Infant Bedside Sleeper is described as a “co-sleeper” by the company. The bedside sleepers are built with one side that’s lower than the other, so when placed next to a bed, a parent can easily reach her baby for feedings and comfort. The models being recalled include all the Arm’s Reach Universal and Original styles manufactured between September 1997 and December 2001.

The Infant Bedside Sleepers are being recalled after 10 reports of infants falling from the raised to the lower mattress or became entrapped between the side of the unit and the edge of the mattress. No children were reported to have been hurt, but to avoid the risk of suffocation or injury, they’re recalling the co-sleepers.

The Arm’s Reach Concepts’ Infant Bedside Sleeper was available for purchase at retailers nationwide, including Babies R Us and Burlington Coat Factory, between September 1997 and December 2001.

If you have an Infant Bed-Side Sleeper, then discontinue use and visit www.armsreach.com/instructions for further instructions on how to use the unit safely.

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Imagine my surprise when I casually checked the Internet and found that the items that my baby and family depended on had been recalled for one safety reason or another. Recently, Graco, a trusted name in the stroller industry, issued a massive recall of cribs made between 2000 and 2007 due to a strangulation risk. These models were purchased by more than 2 million people.

That’s right, folks, a stroller that you have been using or previously had used to haul your children from one place to the next for the last decade posed a risk of killing them. Then the company just issues a recall that hopefully the majority of the 2 million people will see, saying, “Oops, our bad.”

I am sorry, but I am just not OK with that. Did no one at Graco take the time to think that maybe this could have happened? Maybe we can give Graco a little leeway because it involved the child not being strapped in properly. But what about the hundreds of other child safety recalls that happen so frequently that it’s hard to keep track of them all.

They encompass every aspect of killing my child, from lead in the paint to small parts for choking and, of course, the various means of strangulation, mutilation and maiming from exploding parts, excessive heat and just idiotic design flaws.

What are we as parents supposed to do? Most of us are just trying to find the time to eat a proper meal while we attempt to keep the mortgage paid and the electricity on, and now we have to worry that our child’s Diego doll is going to strangle him like Chucky from “Child’s Play.”

I think these companies need to be held accountable for what they have done. It shouldn’t be up to the parents who lose their children to sue for monetary damages. The federal government needs to step up and say, “Your negligence caused children to die, and now you must pay the penalty.” What penalty, you may ask? How about forcing them to disclose their safety procedures to ensure every aspect is checked? How about a funding an organization designed to randomly check safety procedures?

Or better yet, how about forcing them to close their doors or change management when children die? I am tired of taking toys and other items back to the store because they might kill my children, and I bet you are, too.

Image Source: flickr.com/photos/kevinpoh/4545094285

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Product Descriptions:

Light-up Rings

-The plastic face of the ring, which is the likeness of Chuck E.Cheese, measures 1 1/8 inches horizontally and is connected to an elastic band. The ring was available in five colors: pink, blue, yellow, green and purple. The band is black on all rings.

-These rings were given out as promotional products at parent-teacher association conventions and sold at Chuck E. Cheese Restaurants between April 2009 and June 2010.

Star Glasses

-The clear, red plastic glasses have star-shaped frames and are 5 ½ inches wide and 2 ½ inches high. On the arm, Chuck E. Cheese’s is painted in white lettering.

-These glasses were included in birthday package deals at Chuck E. Cheese Restaurants between April and August 2010.

Hazards: If the plastic on either the Star Glasses or Light-up Rings is broken or crushed, small pieces or battery exposure may result. If a child were to swallow these pieces or the battery, damage could be done to his intestine, stomach, esophagus or nasal mucus membranes.

Two incidents have been reported involving the batteries of the Light-up Rings. One child swallowed a battery, while the other inserted a battery into his nose. As of this post, no incidents involving the Star Glasses have been reported.

If your child has one or both of these products, please discontinue their use and take them back to a Chuck E. Cheese Restaurant for a refund or replacement product.

Light-up Ring- Your choice of $1 and four tokens or a Soccer Promo-Cup and four tokens.

Star Glasses- Your choice of a $4.99 refund or a Flashing Hands toy.

Source: cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10345.html

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Zooper Tango Double Strollers Recalled

LAN Enterprises is recalling about 3,700 double strollers, due to the possibility of unexpected collapse. The frame latch situated above the front wheels can fail if the stroller hits an object, resulting in unexpected folding of the unit with a little passenger inside.

These strollers (model numbers SL808B and SL808F) were sold in stores nationwide, as well as via the Internet, between January 2007 and April 2008.

To avoid minor injuries such as cuts, bruises or scrapes, please discontinue use immediately and contact Zooper USA online or by phone at (888)966-7379 for a repair kit. Lines are open between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m PT Monday through Friday.

Levana Wireless Video Monitors Recalled

Circus World Displays announced a voluntary recall of about 800 Levana Wireless Video Baby Monitors due to overheating and possible burn hazards.

After receiving two reports of overheating, smoking camera units, thankfully both without injury, Circus World has issued a recall on all Levana Wireless Video Baby Monitors (model number LV-TW300).

This model was sold at BB Buggy, Health and Safety stores, and online between February 2010 and May 2010.

If you own one of these monitors, please discontinue use immediately and return it for a replacement (with a different model) or a complete refund. Mail the unit directly to:

Circus World Displays Ltd
Attention: Adam Crysler
Dealer Returns Specialist
60 Industrial Parkway Suite Z64,
Cheektowaga, NY 14227

If you’d like more information you can visit www.mylevana.com or contact Circus World Displays at (866) 946-7828 (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET) Monday through Friday or by emailing support@svat.com.

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The baby girl, who was strapped into the recliner, had partially wiggled out of the restraint and was suspended over the side of the seat, with her leg in the harness and head caught between the crib bumper and Nap Nanny.

There was another similar incident reported, which resulted in a cut on the baby’s forehead. Baby Matters and the CPSC have received 22 additional reports of infants, most under the five-months-old, falling or hanging over the side of the Nap Nanny, even though most had been fastened into the harness.

There are two generations of Nap Nanny recliners. The first incarnation didn’t include D-rings in the foam base. The second has D-rings attached to the foam base with Velcro straps that are inside the fabric cover. The newer product has a safer construction, but is often used improperly which can result in injuries.

The recall encompasses both generations of Nap Nannies which were sold online and in children’s and toy stores nationwide from January of 2009 to July of 2010.

If you own either type of Nap Nanny, please discontinue use immediately and follow the recall instructions below.

First-generation (without D-rings) units should contact Baby Matters at (888)240-4282 or through the website to request an $80 voucher for a new Nap Nanny.

Second-generation owners should use the above contact information to receive new safety instructions and warnings.

Image Source: flickr.com/photos/7378221@N03/464518806

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The recalls are primarily voluntary to assuage parent’s fears of a malfunctioning crib. These failures can occur as a result of anything from mis-assembly to age related wear and tear. The cribs are no longer available at retail stores, and there are initiatives underway to ban the manufacturing of these types of cribs.

The CPSC has a list with pictures of the specific cribs being recalled, as well as contact information for anyone who has these cribs. The brands are:

Simmons Drop-Side Crib
Million Dollar Baby Drop-Side Crib
LaJobi Drop-Side Crib
Jardine Drop-Side Crib
Evenflo Drop-Side Crib
Delta Drop-Side Crib
Child Craft Drop-Side Crib
Child Craft Fixed-Side Crib

The last crib listed is a fixed-side crib, with a side that can be assembled up-side down. The side will fit if assembled improperly, but a little head can get stuck in the gap created by a bar that belongs on the bottom of the bed. There are photos on the CPSC site of the mis-assembled crib as well as what could happen…(they use a doll for the demonstration, but if you are squeamish, consider yourself warned).

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A cooker at a Texas plant malfunctioned, leaving some of the meat undercooked. The Agriculture Department is taking no chances and is recalling product made since December 2008. While it is believed that the malfunction happened recently, Campbell spokesman Anthony Sanzio stated that they are taking an “abundance of caution” with their actions.

Most of the SpaghettiOs in this broad recall have likely been consumed. The good news? To date, there have been no illnesses reported or complaints filed. Questions about this recall can be directed to Campbell’s at (866) 495-3774.

IKEA has recalled all of their Roller, Roman, and Roll-Up Blinds. Popular for their style and price, these have been used frequently in kid’s rooms. Due to the cord design, there have been a couple of near-strangulations which prompted the recall. Pictures of which blinds are being recalled are on the CPSC site. Questions can be directed to IKEA at (888)966-4532 or the company’s website.

Trendy youths will have to follow a different fad if they own one of the belts being recalled from Target. Too much lead in the buckle caused the voluntary recall of the Cherokee boy’s belt and Circo girl’s belt. The boy’s belt is a reversible black and brown belt with heavy stitching in sizes M-XL. The girl’s belts are pink and white with hearts buckles in sizes XS-L. They were sold between December 2008-December 2009 for $7-$9. If you would like to see what the belts look like, click here. Contact Target at (800)440-0680.

Image Source: flickr.com/photos/mojodaisy/178192664

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Cadmium can be used to create red and yellow paint colors. “It is a pigment in the paint that was used that was tested positive for cadmium,” said McDonald’s USA spokesman Bill Whitman. The paint would be touching children’s hands when they touch the glass, and could leach into the child’s system when they put that hand into their mouth.

The 16-ounce glasses were being sold for about $2 with the images of Shrek, Princess Fiona, Puss in Boots, and Donkey. They were part of a promotion for the latest installment in the very successful Shrek movie series. The glasses were to be sold from may 21st through June. About seven million glasses have already been sold, with another five million awaiting sale or shipment.

On Friday, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, along with McDonalds, announced their decision. They have asked that anyone with the glasses stop using them immediately. McDonald’s is offering a full refund. Previous Shrek-themed items sold are not being included in this recall. Unlike the jewelry recalls of earlier this year, the glassware is made here in the United States. The jewelry recalls have prompted the CPSC to set strict levels on cadmium-allowances in children’s products. With the extra awareness of cadmium, McDonald’s felt it best to recall the glasses even with a very small amount of the metal.

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Deux Par Deux Minimome

These very cute coats and snowsuits have been recalled due to the drawstrings on the hood. They pose a potential strangulation hazard which are not inline with the guidelines the CPSC set up in February of 1996. The coats are for sizes 2-12. Contact the company or visit them online.

Niko’s SPORTSLINE Hooded Sweatshirts

Along the same lines, these sweatshirts also have drawstrings on the hoods. These are for sizes 2T-5T, and were sold from June 2007-January 2008. Remove the drawstrings from the hood immediately and contact GJC International of Florida with any further questions.

Le Hing Inc. Baby Walkers

While this is a very small recall (only about 200 baby walkers), it made me think about if my baby’s walker was sufficient. They fit through a standard doorway and do not stop at the edge of a step. This is a great time to double check our own walkers and see if they are safe from these dangers.

These are the most recent recalls for this week. Try out the weak-steps for these products to make sure that your child is safe!

Image Source: flickr.com/photos/daveynin/4532937468

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The latest recall by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) caught my attention relating to this very thing. Bauer, a manufacturer of hockey gear, has recalled several models of their children’s hockey sticks. Many of them carry the Nike logo. They violated the standards set for the levels of lead in the paint, and many sticks, shafts, and blades are affected.

Gund also had a recall this week, pulling a series of books from the Gund Baby Paperboard Books series. The books have rattles for handles and measure 4.5″ by 7″. The ones involved are titled “Animals,” “Numbers,” and “Colors.” These books were sold individually or as a set. They could pose a choking hazard, and should be removed from baby’s playthings immediately.

Build-A-Bear Workshops is recalling their Folding Toy Beach Chairs. These little chairs have a wooden frame and canvas seat designed to seat the stuffed bears. Little fingers can get caught and be pinched, cut, or bruised when these little chairs are folded. Return the chairs to Build-A-Bear.

Frighteningly, there are more play-yard recalls. The Dorel Juvenile Group has now recalled their Eddie Bauer Rocking Bassinets. The specific models being recalled are the Soothe and Sway Play Yards. It is the bassinet portion of the play-yard that is the problem, and use should be discontinued promptly.  On this topic, one of the biggest recalls on the CPSC’s list is that of the Kolcraft play yards. The models are in the Travelin’ Tot collection, the Sesame Beginnings version, and the Jeep line.   There is a strangulation hazard with a restraint strap on the changing table portion.

With recalls continuously taking place, I will try to keep updated on some of the bigger ones that affect us parents and our kids monthly. Are there any products you would like to know more about regarding a recall?

Be sure to check back with Smarter for safe baby activity toys.

Image Source: flickr.com/photos/unmundane

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