NEWS from CPSC

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Office of Information and Public Affairs

Washington, DC 20207

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	CPSC Contact: Nychelle Fleming
November 21, 2001	(301) 504-0580 Ext. 1192
Release # 02-045

CPSC Announces Recall Round-up of Toys and Children's Products

Washington, D.C. - As families gather for the holidays, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is warning consumers that dangerous children's products may still be in their homes. Grandparents dust off old playpens; older children often share their toys with younger relatives; and keepsakes are stored in old cedar chests. The CPSC wants to prevent these holiday traditions from becoming tragedies. Despite recall notices and public warnings, CPSC has found that many products with the potential to seriously injure or kill are still being used by consumers. CPSC is releasing a list of dangerous children's products- over 23 million product units -- that might still be in people's homes. These are some of the CPSC's largest recalls or consumer alerts involving children's products over the last year. Families should check whether old products have been recalled and place them out of the reach of children. Manufacturers will usually offer a free repair kit or replacement product.

Parents can get the list of recalled products by going to the CPSC website, www.cpsc.gov, or calling toll free, 1-800-638-2772. This list identifies recalled children's products that are off store shelves but may still be lurking in attics, basements, toy boxes or closets.

The CPSC is also providing safety tips (see box) that will help consumers choose appropriate toys this holiday season and year round.

Recalled Children's Products that May Still be in Consumers' Homes

Zapper Toys (940,000) distributed by nine firms. Small balloon tongues and the cylinders holding the tongues can detach posing a choking hazard. One firm received a report of a 3-year-old boy who inhaled a balloon tongue that detached from a Zapper toy into his sinus cavity. He required medical treatment to remove the part from his nose. Throw away toys or take them back to place of purchase for a refund.
Sassy Rattles (455,000) distributed by Sassy Inc. Rattles have sewn-on spherical fabric eyes that can detach, posing a choking hazard. 129 reports of eyes detaching; 1 child started to choke and parent used Heimlich maneuver to remove the eye. Take rattle away from young children and return to Sassy for free replacement. Contact Sassy at (800) 781-1080 or www.sassybaby.com
Little Tikes Swings (250,000) distributed by Little Tikes Company. The buckles on the swing can break and the shoulder restraint straps can pull out of the back of the seat, causing young children to fall. 14 reports of problems, 5 injuries. Contact Little Tikes to receive a free repair kit at (800) 815-4820 or visit the firm's web site at www.littletikes.com
Lane Cedar Chests (12 million) distributed by Lane Co. The cedar chest lids automatically latch shut when closed, posing a suffocation hazard to children. 10 children suffocated inside the chests. New locks, used since 1987, will prevent entrapments because they do not automatically latch shut. No Lane cedar chests manufactured since 1987 pose this safety hazard. Contact Lane to get new free locks (easy to install at home) to prevent entrapments, (888) 856-8758 or www.lanefurniture.com
Safety 1st Fold-Up Booster Seat models 173, 173A and 173B (1.5 million) distributed by Safety 1st. . The top half of the booster seat insert can separate, causing a child to fall and be injured. 32 reports where the seat halves separated; 7 injuries. Contact Safety 1st for free repair kit at (888) 579-1730 or www.safety1st.com
Evenflo Joyride Car Seats/Carriers models 203, 205, 210, 435, 493 (3.4 million) distributed by Evenflo Co. Inc., when used as an infant carrier, the handle can unexpectedly release, causing the seat to flip forward and allowing an infant to fall to the ground and suffer serious injuries. 240 reports of handles releasing; 97 injuries. Contact Evenflo to get a free repair kit at (800) 557-3178 or www.joyridecarseat.com
Century Car Seats/Carriers (4 million) distributed by Century products, when used as an infant carrier, the handle can break, causing an infant to fall to the ground and suffer serious injuries. 2700 reports of handle-related problems; 200 injuries. Contact Century to get a free easy-to-install replacement handle at (800) 865-1419 or www.centuryproducts.com
Baby Trend Portable Cribs/Play Yards models Home and Roam and Baby Express (100,000) distributed by Baby Trend Inc., these cribs/play yards can collapse and entrap an infant in the V-shape created by the collapsed sides of the crib/play yard. Play yards made since 1997 meet a new safety standard that requires the top rails automatically lock into place when the unit is fully set up. 5 deaths and 3 reports of babies found not breathing (who were revived). Contact Baby Trend to get a free new play yard at (800) 328-7363 or www.babytrend.com
Cosco Playpens models "Zip n Go", "Okie Dokie" and "Carters" (102,000) distributed by Dorel Juvenile Group, plastic tabs on the playpen that lock the rails into the corners can break or loosen over time, allowing the rails to turn inward, collapse, and entrap an infant. 421 reports of rails not locking; 1 death to a baby whose chest was caught in the V-shape created by the collapsed sides of his playpen. Contact Dorel Juvenile Group to get a refund or replacement product at (800) 314-9327 or www.djgusa.com
Twister Portable Lamps (480,000) distributed by Emess Lighting Inc. and SLI Lighting Solutions Inc. The lamp's bulb can become hot, presenting a risk of burn injuries and the risk of fire if the bulb touches combustibles. 5 injuries and 12 reports of property damage. Contact the firm to get a free retrofit kit at (800) 366-2579 or www.twisterlamp.com

The following tips will help consumers choose appropriate toys:

Select toys to suit the age, abilities, skills, and interest level of the intended child. Toys too advanced may pose safety hazards to younger children.
For infants, toddlers, and all children who still mouth objects, avoid toys with small parts which could pose a fatal choking hazard.
Look for sturdy construction, such as tightly secured eyes, noses, and other potential small parts.
For all children under age 8, avoid toys that have sharp edges and points.
Do not purchase electric toys with heating elements for children under age 8.
Be a label reader. Look for labels that give age recommendations and use that information as a guide.
Check instructions for clarity. They should be clear to you, and when appropriate, to the child.
Immediately discard plastic wrappings on toys, which can cause suffocation, before they become deadly playthings.

Toy and Child Product Recall Round-Up: November 21, 2001 This is a selected list of recalled toys and children's products. Visit CPSC's web site for a complete list of recalls: www.cpsc.gov
CPSC News Release	Product and Firm	Problem	Remedy
01-110 3/19/01	Zapper toys in the shapes of smiley face, globe with glasses, troll, bumble bee, lion, bear, tiger, raspberry face, fish, frog, snake, and lizard. Imported from China. Distributed by eight firms: Bonita Marie International Inc. Dillon Importing Co. Oriental Trading Co. Inc. Play By Play Toys & Novelties Inc. Rhode Island Novelty Sherman Specialty Co. Inc. Toy Investment Inc. U.S. Toy Co. Inc. Sold from October 1998 through March 2001 for about $1	Small balloon tongues and the cylinders holding the tongues can detach posing a choking hazard. 940,000 units; 1 incident	Throw away toys or take them back to place of purchase for a refund
02-030 10/31/01	Sassy Rattles with soft sewn-on fabric eyes Imported from China by Sassy Inc. Northbrook, IL Sold nationwide from August 1999 through mid-October 2001 for about $5	The soft Sassy rattles have sewn-on spherical fabric eyes that can detach, posing a choking hazard. 455,000 units; 129 reports of eyes detaching; 1 child started to choke and parent used Heimlich maneuver to remove the eye.	Take rattle away from young children and return to Sassy for free replacement. www.sassybaby.com or (800) 781-1080
02-011 10/10/01	Little Tikes Swings "2-in-1 Snug 'n Secure" Model 4117-00 Little Tikes Company Hudson, Ohio Sold from December 2000 through September 2001 for about $20	The buckles on the swing can break and the shoulder restraint straps can pull out of the back of the seat, causing young children to fall. 250,000 units; 14 reports of problems; 5 injuries	Contact Little Tikes to receive a free repair kit: www.littletikes.com or (800) 815-4820
00-084 3/30/00	Lane Cedar Chests "Lane" and "Virginia Maid" chests Lane Co. Altavista, VA Manufactured between 1912 and 1987.	The cedar chest lids automatically latch shut when closed, posing a suffocation hazard to children. New locks, used since 1987, will prevent entrapments because they do not automatically latch shut. 12 million units; 10 children suffocated inside the chests	Contact Lane to get new free locks (easy to install at home) to prevent entrapments. www.lanefurniture.com or (888) 856-8758
02-009 10/10/01	Safety 1st Fold-Up Booster Seat models 173, 173A and 173B Safety 1st Canton, MA Sold from January 1994 through August 1999 for about $18	The top half of the booster seat insert can separate, causing a child to fall and be injured. 1.5 million units; 32 reports where the seat halves separated; 7 injuries	Contact Safety 1st for free repair kit www.safety1st.com or (888) 579-1730
01-137 5/1/01	Evenflo Joyride Car Seats/Carriers models 203, 205, 210, 435, and 493 Evenflo Co. Inc. Vandalia, Ohio Sold from January 1988 through December 1998	When used as an infant carrier, the handle can unexpectedly release, causing the seat to flip forward and allowing an infant to fall to the ground and suffer serious injuries. 3.4 million units; 240 reports of handles releasing; 97 injuries	Contact Evenflo to get a free repair kit. www.joyridecarseat.com or (800) 557-3178
01-012 10/13/00	Century Car Seats/Carriers Century Products Macedonia, Ohio Manufactured from January 1991 through July 1997	When used as an infant carrier, the handle can break, causing an infant to fall to the ground and suffer serious injuries. 4 million units; 2,700 reports of handle-related problems; 200 injuries.	Contact Century to get a free easy-to-install replacement handle. www.centuryproducts.com or (800) 865-1419
01-094 2/28/01	Baby Trend Portable Cribs/Play Yards Home and Roam and Baby Express models Baby Trend Inc. Ontario, CA Sold between 1992 and 1994	These cribs/play yards can collapse and entrap an infant in the V-shape created by the collapsed sides of the crib/play yard. Play yards made since 1997 meet a new safety standard that requires the top rails automatically lock into place when the unit is fully set up. 100,000 units; 5 deaths and 3 reports of babies found not breathing (who were revived)	Contact Baby Trend to get a free new play yard www.babytrend.com or (800) 328-7363 NOTE: CPSC previously announced the recall of several other portable cribs/play yards with rotating top rails that can collapse and entrap a child in the folded top rails. CPSC obtained voluntary recalls of these other play yards, details of which are listed in news release 01-094 at CPSC's web site www.cpsc.gov
02-008 10/10/01	Cosco Playpens with these names: "Zip n Go," "Okie Dokie," and "Carters" Dorel Juvenile Group Columbus, IN Sold from May 1995 through December 1999	Plastic tabs on the playpen that lock the rails into the corners can break or loosen over time, allowing the rails to turn inward, collapse, and entrap an infant. 102,000 units; 421 reports of rails not locking; 1 death to a baby whose chest was caught in the V-shape created by the collapsed sides of his playpen.	Contact Dorel Juvenile Group to get a refund or replacement product www.djgusa.com or (800) 314-9327
02-032 10/31/01	Twister Portable Lamps with Looney Tunes or Disney cartoon characters on the plastic shade. Imported from China by Emess Lighting Inc. and SLI Lighting Solutions Inc. Ellwood City, PA Sold from January 1997 through June 2001 for about $18	The lamp's bulb can become hot, presenting a risk of burn injuries and the risk of fire if the bulb touches combustibles. 480,000 units; 5 injuries and 12 reports of property damage	Contact the firm to get a free retrofit kit: www.twisterlamp.com or (800) 366-2579

NOTE: Products listed above may have already been repaired or there may be similar products that do not have the identified problems. For assistance in identifying recalled products, call the manufacturer listed or the CPSC toll-free Hotline at 800-638-2772.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission protects the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death from 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC's hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC's teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270, or visit CPSC's web site at http://www.cpsc.gov/talk.html. For information on CPSC's fax-on-demand service, call the above numbers or visit the web site at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/103.html. To order a press release through fax-on-demand, call (301) 504-0051 from the handset of your fax machine and enter the release number. Consumers can obtain this release and recall information at CPSC's web site.

HOLIDAY SAFETY ALERT

NEWS from CPSC

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

CPSC Announces Recall Round-up of Toys and Children's Products

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