Mothers

WITH ATTITUDE

JUNE 15, 2001

Perilous playthings
The latest recalls from the Consumer Product Safety Commission

by Terri Mauro

Boy, is Fisher Price in trouble now. The toy company stands accused of knowing that its Power Wheels ride-on cars had a tendency to catch fire or crash, but failed to do anything about it. When the Consumer Product Safety Commission found out, the toy giant sure had some 'splaining to do. And a fine to pay: $1.1 million, the largest sum ever levied against a toymaker.

They're paying up, while denying any wrongdoing. After all, if they had specifically marketed this as "Crash and Burn Power Wheels!," kids would have been clamoring for it like crazy. The tiny customers who received minor burns or collision injuries, and their parents who suffered property damage from careening toy cars, just got an ultra-realistic bonus. Hey, real cars crash into garages sometimes too!

Other kid-stuff manufacturers on the CPSC's bad side:

Item recalled: Electronic Light N' Learn activity gyms from KB Toys.
What’s wrong with them: Choking risk -- Pegs on the detachable rattle toys can break off and find their way into baby's throat.
What to do if you have one: Take it back where you bought it. If you bought it online, return it to the nearest KB Toys or check www.KBKIDS.com for more info.
What you get: Refund.

Item recalled: Gymboree Baby Boy Bodysuits that have a wheel-shaped zipper pull and a patch on the sleeve that reads: "1st Place Soap Box Derby."
What’s wrong with them: Choking risk -- zipper pull can twist off.
What to do if you have one: Take it to any Gymboree store, or check www.gymboree.com for more info.
What you get: Refund.

Items recalled: A mess of Century strollers: "Take 2" (made in 2000), "Travel Solutions (1999-2000), "Pioneer" (1998-2000), "Travelite" (1997-1998) and "Pro Sport" (1996-1999).
What’s wrong with them: Injury risk -- the strollers can unexpectedly collapse, or the car seat/carrier adapter can unexpectedy detatch. Either way, baby ends up on the ground, with injuries that have included concussions, skull fractures, chipped teeth, and really bad boo boos.
What to do if you have one: Call Century toll- free at (800) 766-9998, with the stroller nearby.
What you get: Free repair kit.

Item recalled: Parents™ magazine-brand Soft Landing Beanbag cushions from Battat.
What’s wrong with them: Suffocation risk -- infant pillows are a generally bad idea. And strangulation risk -- cords that attach toys to the beanbag can wrap around child's neck.
What to do if you have one: Take it away from baby at once (good luck) and return it to the Target store where you bought it; or go to www.battat-toys.com for mail-in info.
What you get: Refund.

Item recalled: BRIO Small Baking Set and BRIO Baking Set.
What’s wrong with them: Choking risk -- a knob can break off the hand mixer.
What to do if you have one: Take the hand mixer away from the kids and call BRIO toll-free at (888) 274-6869 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday.
What you get: Refund or replacement.

Item recalled: Star Cruiser® and Rocket Rider® swings on Hedstrom backyard gym sets.
What’s wrong with them: Injury risk -- screws that hold the swing together can fall out.
What to do if you have one: Detach the swing from your gym set and call Hedstrom toll-free at (800) 642- 9193 anytime.
What you get: Free repair kit.

copyright (c) 2001 by Terri Mauro