NEWS from CPSC

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Chairman Hal Stratton today warned holiday season gift buyers to be on the lookout for recently recalled toys and children's products that pose serious safety threats to youngsters. To provide consumers easier access to all recall announcements, Chairman Stratton also announced the launch of a new federal government inter-agency Web site -- www.Recalls.gov.

"Before purchasing or giving any gift, particularly one intended for a child, double-check to make sure it does not pose a hazard,” Stratton said. “Visit CPSC's Web site to determine if it has been recalled. Another option is to go to the easy-to-remember Web address www.Recalls.gov. It's a 'one-stop shop' for the latest information on all federal government recalls."

The new www.Recalls.gov site provides links to all federal agencies with statutory authority to issue recalls, including CPSC, the Food and Drug Administration, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Visitors can easily find information about all federal government recalls -- regardless of the jurisdiction of the agency or the nature of the recall.

"We're confident visitors will find www.Recalls.gov to be a convenient portal to important safety information covering consumer goods, automobiles, boats, drugs, cosmetics and environmental products," Stratton said. "I want to thank our federal partners, including the General Services Administration, which manages www.usa.gov, for their cooperation. I also want to acknowledge many corporate and trade association partners for their efforts to make Americans aware of www.Recalls.gov (list of partners). By working together, we can save countless lives and prevent injuries," Stratton said.

While considering product safety when shopping for new gift items, Stratton also urged Americans to examine older toys and products in their possession that can pose hazards. He urged operators of daycare centers and thrift stores to be especially vigilant in removing previously recalled items such as older baby cribs, baby walkers, and high chairs from their premises.

Consumers can get the list of recalled toys and children’s products by going to the CPSC Web site, www.cpsc.gov, or by calling toll-free (800) 638-2772.

• Woody Dolls (40,000) distributed by Walt Disney Parks and Resorts at the Disney Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., Disney’s Vero Beach Resort, Magic of Disney and Flight Fantastic shops at the Orlando International Airport, and Disney’s Worldport shop at Pointe Orlando. The doll’s clothing has buttons that can detach, posing a choking hazard for young children. Walt Disney Parks and Resorts received one report of a child removing a button from the Woody doll, but no injuries were reported. Call Walt Disney Parks and Resorts at (866) 228-3664 or visit www.waltdisneyworld.com to receive a refund.

• Little People Animal Sounds Farm (67,000) distributed by Fisher-Price. Two small metal screws that hold the toy “stall doors” in place can come off, posing an aspiration or choking hazard to young children. Fisher-Price has received 33 reports of the screws coming off the toy, including four reports of a screw that was found in the child’s mouth and one report of a child who aspirated a screw into his lung. This case required the child to be hospitalized and undergo emergency surgery to remove the screw from his lung. Call Fisher-Price toll-free at (866) 259-7873 to receive a free repair kit. Log on to www.service.mattel.com to determine if your product is one of the recalled models and to order the free repair kit.

• Drumsticks sold with toy drum sets (300,000) distributed by Battat Incorporated. The end piece of the drumstick handle can break off, posing a choking hazard to young children. The screw at the end of the drumstick can loosen and detach, posing a choking hazard. Battat and CPSC have received about 240 reports of drumsticks breaking and children mouthing the small pieces, including 1 report of a child who began to choke. Call Battat toll-free at (800) 247-6144 to get a replacement set of drumsticks.

• Scooters (30,000) and Mini Bikes (55,000) distributed by Fisher -Price. The motor control circuits can malfunction causing the scooters and mini bikes to continue to run after the power or throttle button is released, posing a risk of injury to children. Fisher-Price has received 56 reports of incidents with scooters and 24 reports of mini bike incidents, including a broken arm and one report of a leg laceration. Call Fisher-Price toll free at (800) 528-7153 anytime or log on to www.service.mattel.com to receive information on how to have the toys serviced for free at a certified Power Wheels Service Center.

• Cosco “Arriva” and “Turnabout” Infant Car Seats/Carriers (1,200,000) distributed by Dorel Juvenile Group Inc. When the seat is used as a carrier, the plastic handle locks can unexpectedly break or release from the carrying position, causing the seat to unlatch or flip forward. When this happens, an infant can fall to the ground and suffer injuries. Dorel Juvenile Group has received 416 reports of the handle locks breaking or unlatching, resulting in nine injuries to children. Consumers may continue to use the product as a car seat but should stop using it as a carrier. Call Dorel at (800) 880-9435 to get a free repair kit, or go to www.djgusa.com.

• “Spit Smatter” Spray Foam (1,300,000) distributed by JAKKS Pacific Inc. The aerosol cans can forcefully break apart, posing a risk of serious injury. JAKKS has received four reports of the aerosol cans breaking apart, including one incident that resulted in a laceration injury to a consumer and several incidents involving property damage. Call JAKKS Pacific at (800) 554-5516 to get instructions on disposal and how to receive a refund.

• Magic Start Crawl ‘n Stand (300,000) distributed by Playskool. The toy, which is designed to encourage crawling babies to pull themselves up and stand, can tip over during use and strike falling babies in the head, face or neck, resulting in injuries. Playskool has received 44 reports of the toys tipping over during use. There have been 26 reports of babies suffering injuries, including one minor concussion, and various bumps, bruises, black eyes and cut lips. Call Playskool at (800) 509-9554 anytime to get information on how to return the product to receive a free replacement item of similar value.

• “Pack ‘n Play” portable play yards with raised changing tables (538,000) distributed by Graco Children’s Products. When children are placed in these portable play yards when the changing table is still in place, they can crawl under and lift the table up. If this occurs, a child’s head and neck can become trapped between the changing table and the play yard rail, causing a strangulation hazard. A 13-month-old girl strangled when her neck became trapped between the Pack ‘n Play rail and the raised changing table. Consumers should never place a child in these portable play yards when the changing table is still in place. Contact Graco to receive a free warning label to be affixed to the changing table. Call (800) 233-1546 or go to www.gracobaby.com.

• Playpens that can collapse (five brands totaling more than 1,500,000 units) and entrap a child in the V-shape folded top rails. The top rails must be turned to set up the playpen. CPSC is aware of 15 deaths to children when the top rails of playpens collapsed. A new industry standard requires that the top rails of these playpens automatically lock into place when the playpen is fully set up. CPSC obtained voluntary recalls of the following playpens with top rails that people had to turn into place when setting up the playpen: Evenflo “Happy Camper,” “Happy Cabana,” and “Kiddie Camper;” Century “Fold-N-Go” Models 10-710 and 10-810; Baby Trend “Home and Roam” and “Baby Express;” and Kolcraft “Playskool Travel-Lite Model.” CPSC also issued a safety warning about “All Our Kids” Models 742 and 762 playpens imported by a firm that is out of business.

• Multicolored Sidewalk Chalk (26,000 packages) imported by Target Corporation. The multicolored sidewalk chalk contains high levels of lead, posing a risk of poisoning to young children. The sidewalk chalk was sold at Target stores from March 2003 to July 2003 for about $1 per package. Consumers should return the multicolored sidewalk chalk to Target stores for a refund. Call Target Corporation at (800) 440-0680 between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. CT, Monday through Friday or go to the company’s Web site at www.target.com.

Consumers can also view a video clip about these recalled children's items and recalls.gov (standard version or a higher quality version - broadband connection recommended) (transcript) . This is in "streaming video" format.

CPSC News Release	Product and Firm	Problem	Remedy
03-098 3/20/03	Woody Dolls sold at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., Disney’s Vero Beach Resort, Magic of Disney and Flight Fantastic shops at Orlando International Airport, and Disney’s Worldport shop at Pointe Orlando. Imported from China. Distributed by: Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Sold from January 2000 through January 2003 for about $12	The doll’s clothing has buttons that can detach, posing a choking hazard for young children. 40,000 units One incident in which child removed a button from the doll; no injury.	Contact Walt Disney Parks and Resorts for full refund. (866) 228-3664 www.waltdisneyworld.com
03-111 4/23/03	Little People Animal Sounds Farm with model numbers 77973 or 77746 Imported from Mexico by Fisher-Price, East Aurora, N.Y. Sold nationwide from July 2002 through December 2002 for about $30	Two small metal screws that hold the toy “stall doors” in place can come off, posing an aspiration or choking hazard to young children. 67,000 units; 33 reports of screws coming off the toy, including four reports of a screw found in child’s mouth and one report of a child who aspirated a screw into his lung, requiring surgery to remove the screw.	Contact Fisher-Price to get a free repair kit. (866) 259-7873 www.service.mattel.com
03-110 4/17/03	Drumsticks sold with toy drum sets Distributed by: Battat Incorporated Plattsburgh, N.Y. Sold from November 2001 through March 2003 for about $25	The end piece of the drumstick handle can break off, posing a choking hazard. The screw at the end of the drumstick can loosen and detach, posing a choking hazard. 300,000 units; 240 reports of drumsticks breaking and children mouthing the small pieces, one report of a child beginning to choke.	Call Battat for a replacement set of drumsticks. (800) 247-6144
03-107 4/15/03	Magic Start Crawl ‘n Stand (encourages crawling babies to pull themselves up and stand) Playskool Pawtucket, R.I. Sold nationwide from November 2002 through April 2003 for about $14	The toy can tip over during use and strike falling babies in the head, face, or neck, resulting in injuries. 300,000 units; 44 reports of tip over including 26 reports of injuries including a minor concussion, various bumps, bruises, black eyes and cut lips.	Contact Playskool to get information on how to return the product to receive a free replacement item of similar value. (800) 509-9554 www.playskool.com
03-148 6/25/03	Cosco “Arriva” and “Turnabout” infant car seats/carriers Dorel Juvenile Group, Inc. Columbus, Ind. Sold from September 10, 1997 through December 2000 for between $30 and $60	When the seat is used as a carrier, the plastic handle locks can unexpectedly break or release from the carrying position, causing the seat to unlatch or flip forward. An infant can fall to the ground and suffer injuries. 1.2 million units; 416 reports of handle locks breaking or unlatching, resulting in nine injuries.	Contact Dorel Juvenile Group to receive a free repair kit. (800) 880-9435 www.djgusa.com
03-153 7/2/03	“Spit Smatter” Spray Foam Imported from China by: JAKKS Pacific Inc. Malibu, Calif. Sold from February 2002 through June 2003 for about $10	The aerosol cans can forcefully break apart, posing a risk of serious injury. 1.3 million units; four reports of aerosol cans breaking apart, including one laceration and several incidents with property damage.	Contact JAKKS Pacific for instructions on disposal and how to get a full refund. (800) 554-5516
04-031 11/13/03	Scooter (30,000) and Mini Bikes (55,000) Fisher-Price East Aurora, N.Y. Scooters sold from November 2001 through October 2003 for about $250 and Mini Bikes sold from May 2003 through September 2003 for about $200.	The motor control circuits can malfunction causing the scooters and mini bikes to continue to run after the power or throttle button is released, posing a risk of injury to children. 30,000 scooters/ 55,000 mini bikes; 56 reports of scooter incidents including one chipped tooth & one broken arm; 24 reports of mini bike incidents with one report of a leg laceration.	Contact Fisher-Price anytime to receive information on how to have the toys serviced for free at a certified Power Wheels Service Center. (800) 528-7153
03-189 9/24/03	“Pack ‘n Play” portable play yards with raised changing tables Imported from China by: Graco Children’s Products Inc. Exton, Pa. Sold from October 2001 through September 2003 for between $99 and $119	When children are placed in these portable play yards when the changing table is still in place, they can crawl under and lift the table up. If this occurs, a child’s head and neck can become trapped between the changing table and the play yard rail, causing a strangulation hazard. 538,000 units; a 13-month-old girl strangled when her neck became trapped between the rail and the raised changing table.	Never place a child in these portable play yards when the changing table is still in place. Contact Graco to receive a free warning label. (800) 233-1546 www.gracobaby.com
99-021 11/17/98 98-156 8/21/98 98-128 6/18/98 93-043 03/10/93	Portable Cribs with rotating top rails Brand: "Playskool" Travel-Lite Models 77101 and 77103 Kolcraft Enterprises, Inc. Chicago, Ill.	Product may collapse and entrap child in folded top rails. 11,600 units¹	$120 reward Call firm 800-453-7673
97-146 06/25/97	Portable Play Yards with rotating top rail hinges Brand: Evenflo "Happy Camper, Happy Cabana, and Kiddie Camper" Evenflo Company, Inc. Piqua, Ohio	If hinges are not fully rotated, product may collapse and entrap child in folded top rails. 1.2 million units¹	Free hinge covers Call firm 800-447-9178
97-028 11/21/96	Portable Crib/Playards with rotating top rail hinges Brand: All Our Kids, Models 742 and 762 Draco Corporation Montebello, Calif.	The crib/playard may collapse and entrap child in folded top rails. 13,000 units¹	Stop use and destroy. (Firm out of business.)
97-026 11/21/96	Playards with rotating top rail hinges Models 10-710 and 10-810 Century Products Co. Macedonia, Ohio	The playard may collapse and entrap child in folded top rails. 212,000 units¹	Repair Call firm 800-541-0264
01-094 2/28/01 95-056 1/1/95	Portable Cribs/Playpens made before 1995 Brands: Home and Roam, Baby Express Baby Trend Inc. Chino, Calif.	Product may collapse and entrap child in folded top rails. 100,000 units¹	Free new play yard Call firm 800-328-7363
		¹ CPSC knows of a total of 15 deaths from entrapment in collapsed play yards that had rotating top rail hinges.
04-032 11/13/03	Multicolored Sidewalk Chalk Manufactured by: Anglo Corp., Hong Kong Imported by: Target Corporation Minneapolis, Minn.	The multicolored sidewalk chalk contains high levels of lead posing a risk of poisoning to young children. 26,000 packages	Consumers should return the multicolored sidewalk chalk to Target stores for a refund. (800) 440-0680 www.target.com

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.