MARK: Welcome to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Podcast for January 18th, 2007. I’m Mark Ross, with CPSC.

This week, CPSC announced five recalls of children’s products totaling more than 1 million units. With me to discuss these recalls is CPSC spokesperson Patty Davis. Patty, the first recall being conducted by Kids II Inc. It is recalling about 375,000 Bright Starts Teether Beads. What’s the hazard here?

PATTY: The hazard is that the teether ring can break and the beads can detach, which poses a choking hazard to infants.

MARK: Are there any injuries?

PATTY: The firm has received 24 reports of incidents of the rings breaking, but no injuries have been reported.

MARK: How do you tell if you have one of the recalled teething rings?

PATTY: There two different teethers. One was sold as Bright Starts Teether Beads and has plastic beads shaped as an oval, and the other model was sold as Bright Starts Star Teether Beads, which have beads shaped as stars, spirals and ovals.

MARK: So if you do have one of these teethers, you need to take it away from children immediately and contact Kids II by calling (877) 325-7056. Also this week, CPSC announced a recall of 460,000 plush baby rattles and photo frame ornaments that pose a choking and laceration hazard.

PATTY: Small parts on these items can break or detach, posing the choking hazard, and the rattles’ plastic ring can break and expose sharp points.

MARK: Target has received 11 reports of incidence, including one report of a baby mouthing a detached part, but no injuries have been reported.

PATTY: There are two styles of rattles included in the recall: a pink bear and a green moose. They were sold at dollar section of Target stores nationwide. Consumers should stop using the recalled items immediately and return them to the nearest Target store for a Target GiftCard. For more information, contact Target at (800) 440-0680.

MARK: Also this week, Graco Children’s Products Inc. Recalled about 100,000 Contempo Highchairs Due to Collapse Hazard. The highchair can collapse if it is not fully opened and locked into place from the storage position prior to use.

PATTY: The firm has received 18 reports of the highchair collapsing and two reports outside the U.S. There has been one report of an 18 month old male who suffered a bruise on his foot. The Contempo highchairs have an “A” frame design. The highchairs feature six height adjustment positions and three recline positions.

MARK: Consumers should contact the Graco toll-free at 877-445-1312 to obtain instructions on how to receive a free repair kit.

PATTY: Also this week, U.S. Toy Co. Recalled about 114,000 More Children’s Butterfly Necklaces Due to Lead Poisoning. There was a previous recall of these necklaces back in December. The recalled necklaces have pendants shaped as butterflies that are painted in various colors.

MARK: Consumers should immediately take this jewelry away from children, and return it to the store where purchased for a free replacement product, or contact U.S. Toy Company at 800-823-0224 for information on returning recalled necklaces.

PATTY: Finally this week, Geometix International LLC Recalled about 40,000 sets of MagneBlocks Toys. Tiny magnets inside the building pieces can fall out. Magnets found by young children can be swallowed or aspirated. If more than one magnet is swallowed, the magnets can attract each other and cause intestinal perforation or blockage, which can be fatal.

MARK: Though the firm is aware of one incident where a magnet became loose, no injuries have been reported. All types of MagneBlocks construction sets are included in this recall.

PATTY: CPSC recommends children under 6 years of age not play with toys containing magnets. If a magnet comes out of one of the blocks in these sets, immediately remove the block from the set and send it to Geometrix International for a free replacement block. For additional information, contact Geometix International at (866) 775-0265.

MARK: For more on these and other CPSC recalls and news, go to our Web site at www.cpsc.gov, and until next time, stay safe.

End.