Mothers

WITH ATTITUDE

AUGUST 27, 2001

As they recall
The latest in poorly made products.

by Terri Mauro

As kids are getting back to school, here are some products that are going back to the store, as the latest recalls from the Consumer Product Safety Commission. (I was hoping that a massive wheeled backpack recall might have been issued, so I'd have a reason to deny my daughter one, besides my just thinking they're stupid, but no luck.)

Item recalled: Huffy bikes manufactured April 2000 or before, with the model names "Cool Taz," "Sweet Tweety," "Mudslinger," "Secret Treasures," "Rugrats," "Best Friends," "Space Racer," "Fairy Magic," "MX1200," "High Gear," "MX 1800."
What’s wrong with them: The bikes' frames may break.
What to do if you have one: Call (888) 366-3828 or go to www.huffybikes.com to see if your bike's on the list.
What you get: New bike.

Item recalled: Satefy 1st safety latches used to keep kids out of cabinets or drawers.
What’s wrong with them: They're not so safe--they may break, and kids could either choke on a small spring or get into a cabinet or drawer.
What to do if you have one: Call (800) 366-1282 or go to www.safety1st.com.
What you get: Replacement latch.

Item recalled: Fischer-Price portable bassinets manufactured before April 2000 with the names "Sit & Soothe Portable Bassinet," "Soothing Sounds Bassinet" and "Soothing Sounds Portable Bassinet" and the model numbers 79338, 79334 or 79336.
What’s wrong with them: The frame can pinch, cut, or even break little fingers.
What to do if you have one: Call (800) 285-0324 or go to www.fisher-price.com.
What you get: Free repair kit.

Item recalled: Burger King kids' meal toddler toys "Hourglass Space Sprout" and "Look for Me Bumblebee."
What’s wrong with them: If the toys break, kids can choke on the small beads inside.
What to do if you have one: Call (800) 661-9173 or go to www.burgerking.com.
What you get: Free replacement toy.

Item recalled: The Baby Sitter infant seat pad from Basic Comfort Inc.
What’s wrong with them: Strangulation risk--if the child falls off the chair, the shoulder straps could choke her.
What to do if you have one: Call (800) 456-8687 or go to basiccomfort.com.
What you get: Replacement pad.

Item recalled: Stuffed bears from Inca Imports.
What’s wrong with them: Choking risk--nose, eyes and bells of bear may come off.
What to do if you have one: Return bear to store or call (800) 279-4040.
What you get: Refund.

Item recalled: Toy feeeding sets called "Cuddles Feeding Set" or "Cuddles Meal Time," with the words "Imperial" and "No. 8327" on the packaging.
What’s wrong with them: Choking risk -- nipple may come off toy baby bottle.
What to do if you have one: Return to the store where purchased, or call the Imperial Toy Recall Hotline at (800) 543-6551.
What you get: Refund.

Item recalled: Educational kits from Advantage Publishers Group.
What’s wrong with them: Lead paint on the stencil sheet in "Let's Start Numbers" kits and on the pen in "Optical Illusions Lab" kits.
What to do if you have one: Toss the stencil or pen, and then call (866) 748-3731 or visit www.advantagebooksonlines.com .
What you get: A presumably lead-free replacement.

Item recalled: Peg Perego high chairs with the names "Prima Pappa," "Roller," and "Martinelli Pappa and Nanna."
What’s wrong with them: Child's head can become entrapped between the armrest and the backrest.
What to do if you have one: Call (877) 737-3464 or go to www.perego.com.
What you get: Free replacement armrests.

Item recalled: Kitty Kitty Kittens, stuffed toy cats that purr from DSI Toys.
What’s wrong with them: They have contaminated water inside them.
What to do if you have one: Call (800) 628-8882 or go to www.dsitoys.com.
What you get: Free replacement toy.

Item recalled: Children's velcro wallets, in bright colors with a black trim, from Raymond Geddes & Co.
What’s wrong with them: Zipper on back containes lead.
What to do if you have one: Return to store where purchased; or call (800) 533-6273 or go to www.raymondgeddes.com.
What you get: Refund.

Item recalled: Build-A-Ball preschool toy from Chicco.
What’s wrong with them: A ball half could get stuck on a child's face.
What to do if you have one: Return to store where purchased; or call (866) 242-0643 or go to www.chiccousa.com.
What you get: Refund.

Item recalled: Toys from STK International, sold at dollar stores and labeled "2 PC Tambourine Set," "Bathtime Water Wheel," "Funny Loco Wind-Up" and "Pull Back Duck in Boat."
What’s wrong with them: If the toys break, the small balls released can choke a child.
What to do if you have one: Call (800) 536-7855 to find out where to send it.
What you get: Refund.

Item recalled: Skateboard helmets from World Industries.
What’s wrong with them: They don't offer adequate head protection.
What to do if you have one: Return to store where purchased, or call (888) 338-4562.
What you get: Refund.

Item recalled: Little Tree natural wood dollhouse bathroom furniture sets from XL Machine Ltd., sold at Target stores.
What’s wrong with them: The yellow paint on the furniture contains lead.
What to do if you have one: Return to store where purchased; or call (866) 746-8097 or go to www.target.com.
What you get: Refund.

Item recalled: "Koala Baby" and "Little Legends" cargo pants sold at Kids R Us and Babies R Us.
What’s wrong with them: Toggles on pockets can come off and choke a child.
What to do if you have one: Remove toggles.
What you get: Toggle-less pants.

Item recalled: LiteSport strollers from Kolcraft.
What’s wrong with them: Locks on the side can break, causing stroller to collapse on baby.
What to do if you have one: Call the Kolcraft Recall Hotline at (800) 922-2130.
What you get: Free repair kit.

copyright © 2001 by Terri Mauro