July Recalls

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1. CPSC Issues New Drawstring Safety Rule for Children’s Outerwear

2. Mini Stars Building Sets Recalled by Edushape Due to Choking Hazard

3. CPSC Announces New, Lower Limit for Lead Content in Children’s Products

4. Target Recalls Children's Task Lamps Due to Laceration and Fire Hazards

5. CPSC Adopts Testing Requirements for Children's Toys Stay of Enforcement for Testing Until December 31, 2011

6. Child Safety Latches and Outlet Covers Recalled by Prime-Line; Screw Breaks Can Allow Unintended Access

7. Prime-Line Products Recalls Child Bathtub Non-Slip Pads Due To Fall Hazard

8. Fisher-Price Recalls to Repair Little People Builders' Load 'n Go Wagons due to Laceration Hazard

9. Strollers Recalled by phil&teds USA Due to Risk of Injury from Brake Failure

10. Bravo Sports Recalls Disney-Branded Pogo Sticks Due to Fall and Laceration Hazards

11. CPSC Adopts Testing Requirements for Phthalates in Children’s Toys and Child Care Articles
Stay of Enforcement for Testing Until December 31, 2011

1. July 1, 2011
Release #11-268

CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

CPSC Issues New Drawstring Safety Rule for Children’s Outerwear
Drawstrings at Neck and Waist Present Strangulation Hazard and Other Dangers

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) voted (5-0) today to approve a new federal safety rule for drawstrings in children’s outerwear. The final rule designates children’s upper outerwear in sizes 2T through 12, with neck or hood drawstrings, and children’s upper outerwear in sizes 2T through 16, with certain waist or bottom drawstrings, as substantial product hazards. Drawstrings can catch or become entangled with objects, such as a car door or playground slide, posing dragging, strangulation entrapment hazards to children.

CPSC has received 26 reports of children who have died when the drawstring on their garment became entangled on playground slides, school bus doors, and other objects. Waist and bottom drawstrings that have been caught in doors or other car parts have resulted in dragging incidents.

The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) of 2008 provided CPSC with the authority to specify, by rule, for any consumer product or class of consumer products, characteristics whose existence or absence shall be deemed a substantial product hazard.

CPSC’s federal partners at Customs and Border Protection now have authority to stop potentially hazardous shipments of children’s outerwear with drawstrings from entering the United States. In addition, CPSC has increased regulatory authority to issue product recalls of violative garments.

In February 1996, CPSC issued guidelines (pdf), which were incorporated into an industry voluntary standard in 1997, to help prevent children from strangling or becoming entangled on drawstrings in outerwear garments, such as jackets or sweatshirts. Since the industry standard was introduced, fatal incidents involving garments with drawstrings through the neck or hood have decreased by 75 percent, and fatalities associated with drawstrings through the waist or bottom have dropped 100 percent. Nonetheless, from 2006 through 2010, the agency has participated in 115 recalls of noncomplying products with drawstrings.

CPSC Commissioners' statements regarding the vote on drawstrings in children’s outerwear (all pdf): Chairman Inez M. Tenenbaum and Commissioner Nancy A. Nord.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this type of product or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about your experience with the product on SaferProducts.gov

2. July 7, 2011
Release #11-272

Firm's Recall Hotline: (800) 404-4744
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Mini Stars Building Sets Recalled by Edushape Due to Choking Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Mini Stars building sets

Units: About 18,000 (additional star building sets were recalled in September 2010)

Distributor: Edushape Ltd., of Deer Park, N.Y.

Hazard: Plastic knobs can break from the center of the stars, posing a choking hazard to young children.

Incidents/Injuries: CPSC and Edushape have received two reports of the knobs breaking off from the center of the stars. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves Mini Stars building sets. The Mini Stars measure three inches in diameter and are made of opaque plastic. Each star has six circular knobs protruding from a ring-shaped center. Edushape only makes Mini Stars in red, green, yellow or blue colors which are included in this recall. The Mini Stars do not have any markings, codes or logos stamped into the plastic. They were sold in sets of 12, 24, 36, 48 and 72 pieces.

Sold at: Small retail stores nationwide, online at Toys R Us.com, Amazon.com and CSN on walmart.com from January 2007 through December 2009 for between $10 and $50.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled Mini Star building sets away from children and contact Edushape for a free replacement set or credit towards another Edushape product of equal or lesser value.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Edushape at (800) 404-4744 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's website at www.edushape.com

3. July 15, 2011

Release #11-278

CPSC Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

CPSC Announces New, Lower Limit for Lead Content in Children’s Products

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) voted (3-2) that there was insufficient evidence to make a determination that manufacturers of children’s products sold in the United States could not meet a total lead content limit of 100 parts per million (ppm) for a product or product category. The new total lead content limit, which is called for in the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), goes into effect on August 14, 2011 for manufacturers, importers, retailers and distributors of children’s products.

Through the CPSIA, Congress set tough new levels for lead content in products designed or primarily intended for children 12 and younger. Lead is a heavy metal that is toxic for children, and associated with lowered levels of learning, impaired hearing, brain damage and, at high levels, can be fatal.

Congress directed CPSC to phase in the reduced levels for lead content over a three year period, starting with 600 ppm on February 10, 2009. The level dropped to 300 ppm on August 14, 2009. Finally, Congress directed the total lead content limit be set at 100 ppm, unless the Commission determined it was not technologically feasible for a product or product category.

The Commission was not able to determine that 100 ppm total lead content is not technologically feasible, as staff found that materials containing less than 100 ppm total lead content are commercially available in the marketplace for manufacturers. CPSC staff also found many products currently on the market, that have been tested by CPSC or other organizations, that are already in compliance with the new 100 ppm total lead content limit.

Starting on August 14, 2011, manufacturers, importers, retailers and distributors of children’s products must comply with the new 100 ppm federal limit for total lead content. CPSC will not enforce the CPSIA’s independent third party testing requirement for total lead content until December 31, 2011, due to a stay of enforcement that is already in place.

The stay of enforcement does not apply to children’s metal jewelry, which currently must undergo independent third party testing.

The new 100 ppm lead content limit does not apply to inaccessible (internal) parts of children’s products and certain component parts of children’s electronic devices, like electronic connectors and plugs, including headphone plugs.

Lead content levels for children’s products are different from the levels Congress set for lead in paint or surface coatings. The limit for lead in paint or surface coatings is .009 percent. The .009 percent level has been in place since August 14, 2009 and independent third party testing is required for all paints or surfaces coatings used on children’s products.

Commissioner's Statements: Chairman Inez Tenenbaum and Commissioner Nancy Nord (both PDF).

4. July 20, 2011
Release #11-279

Firm's Recall Hotline: (800) 440-0680
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Target Recalls Children's Task Lamps Due to Laceration and Fire Hazards

Name of Product: Circo Children's Task Lamps

Units Sold: Approximately 13,000

Importer: Target Corporation, of Minneapolis, Minn.

Hazard: Lamps can overheat, causing the adhesive inside the lamp socket to melt and migrate into the bulb area of the socket. The cooled glue can adhere to the light bulb base and make the bulb difficult to remove which can result in a broken light bulb, posing a risk of laceration to consumers. Melted flammable glue that migrates onto the electrical components of the lamp poses a risk of fire.

Incidents/Injuries: Target has received six reports of glue on the lamp socket melting and migrating into the bulb area of the socket. No injuries have been reported.

Description: Four styles of the children's task lamp are included in this recall with the names Striped, Sports, Dot or Flower Dot and have a label with the UPC number on the bottom. The lamps in this recall include:

Style Name	Style Description	UPC Number
Striped	Navy-colored head, with sky blue and white stripes and blue lamp base	490970221923
Sports	White head, with baseball stitch pattern and blue lamp base	490970222685
Dot	White head, with lines of multicolored dots and lavender lamp base	490970224047
Flower Dot	Pink head, with pattern of white flowers and leaves and pink lamp base	490970221947

Sold exclusively at: Target stores nationwide and Target.com from January 2011 to April 2011 for about $13.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the lamps and return them to any Target store to receive a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Target Guest Relations at (800) 440-0680 between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m.

5. July 22, 2011
Release #11-282

CPSC Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

CPSC Adopts Testing Requirements for Children's Toys Stay of Enforcement for Testing Until December 31, 2011

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) voted 5-0 on July 20 to approve new third party testing requirements, through a notice of requirements, to ensure the safety of children's toys. While the toy industry has had to comply with mandatory toy safety requirements for more than two years, the Commission voted to give manufacturers, importers and private labelers additional time to put a third party testing program into place.

CPSC has approved a stay of enforcement on the requirement for third party testing and certification of children's toys until December 31, 2011. The Commission will enforce third party testing and certification of compliance based on the testing for toys manufactured or imported after that date.

In the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA), Congress required that the existing voluntary standard become a mandatory standard and directed CPSC to require testing to that standard. In May 2009, the Commission adopted the updated voluntary ASTM standard known as F 963-08 as the mandatory safety standard for toys and ASTM F 963-07ε1 as the mandatory safety standard for toy chests.

Safeguards in the mandatory toy standard strive to eliminate electrical, thermal and mechanical hazards, including cuts from broken wires, strangulations from long cords, burns from heating elements, shocks from electrical circuits and suffocations from hemispherical-shaped objects.

Commissioner's Statements: Chairman Inez Tenenbaum, Commissioner Nancy Nord, and Commissioner Robert Adler (all PDF)

6. July 27, 2011
Release #11-284

Firm's Recall Hotline: (855) 839-9555
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Child Safety Latches and Outlet Covers Recalled by Prime-Line; Screw Breaks Can Allow Unintended Access

Name of Product: Safety Latches and Outlet Covers

Units: About 37,000

Importer: Prime-Line, of Redlands, Calif.

Hazard: The screws on the safety latches and outlet covers can loosen and/or break. When this happens, young children can gain access to electrical outlets and other potentially hazardous items.

Incidents/Injuries: Prime-Line has received four reports of screws breaking. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves Prime-Line child safety drawer and cabinet latches and outlet covers with rotating receptacle covers. These products were sold under the brand name Child Safe.

The drawer and cabinet latches were sold three per package, in model number S 4439 with SKU 049793044396, and model number S 4444 with SKU 049793044440.
The outlet covers were sold one per package, in ivory, model number S 4447 with SKU 049793044471, and white, model number S 4461 with SKU 049793044617.
The model number and SKU are printed on the back of the package.

Sold at: Drawer and cabinet latches were sold at Ace Hardware, Bostwic-Braun, Cal-Do-It Centers, Do-It-Best, Friedman Brothers, Menards, Orgill, The Andersons Inc. and True Value stores nationwide between October 2010 and June 2011 for between $2.50 and $2.70. Outlet covers were sold at Ace Hardware, Cimarron Lumber & Supply, Do-It-Best, Friedman Brothers, Handy Hardware, Menards and W.E. Aubuchon stores nationwide between October 2009 and June 2011 for about $3.50.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately contact Prime-Line to receive a free replacement kit.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Prime-Line toll-free at (855) 839-9555 anytime, or visit the firm's website at www.prime-line-products.com

7. July 27, 2011
Release #11-285

Firm's Recall Hotline: (855) 839-9555
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Prime-Line Products Recalls Child Bathtub Non-Slip Pads Due To Fall Hazard

Name of Products: Bathtub Non-Slip Pads

Units: About 8,000

Importer: Prime-Line Products Company Inc., of Redlands, Calif.

Hazard: Some pads do not stick to the bathtub surface, posing a fall hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Prime-Line has received one report of the pad failure. No injuries were reported.

Description: The recalled items are whale-shaped, white, vinyl, non-slip bathtub pads with textured surfaces and adhesive backings and are used to help prevent children from slipping and falling in bathtubs. The pads come in sets of 12 and 15. Each set contains pads that range in size from 2 to 4 inches tall. The model number is S-4630 and SKU number is 049793846303. Both are printed on the back of the packaging.

Sold at: Ace Hardware & Menards nationwide between May 24, 2010 and June 13, 2011 for about $6.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the pads and contact Prime-Line to receive a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Prime-Line at (855) 839-9555 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT. Consumers also can visit the Prime-Line website at www.prime-line-products.com

8. July 28, 2011
Release #11-287

Firm's Recall Hotline: (800) 432-5437
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908
HC Media Contact: (613) 957-2983

Fisher-Price Recalls to Repair Little People Builders' Load 'n Go Wagons due to Laceration Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Little People® Builders’ Load ‘n Go Wagon

Units: About 208,000 in the United States and 2,800 in Canada

Importer: Fisher-Price, of East Aurora, N.Y.

Hazard: The back of the wagon’s plastic handle has molded-in reinforcement. This design adds stiffness and facilitates children gripping the handle. The handle poses a laceration hazard if a child falls on it.

Incidents/Injuries: CPSC and Fisher-Price are aware of seven reports of injuries, including five reports of children requiring surgical glue or stitches.

Description: This recall involves the Fisher Price’s Little People® Builders’ Load ‘n Go Wagon model number P8977. The product includes a red wagon with a yellow handle, multi-colored plastic blocks and a dog figure. The model number is located on the bottom of the wagon. “Little People® Builders” is found on a label on the side of the wagon and “Fisher Price” is embossed on the handle. Wagons with green handles are not included in this recall.

Sold at: Mass merchandise retail stores nationwide from June 2009 through July 2011 for about $25.

Manufactured in: Mexico

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled wagons away from children and contact Fisher-Price for instructions on how to obtain a free repair kit.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Fisher-Price at (800) 432-5437 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s website at www.service.mattel.com

9. July 28, 2011
Release #11-288

Firm's Recall Hotline: (855) 652-9019
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908
HC Media Contact: (613) 957-2983

Strollers Recalled by phil&teds USA Due to Risk of Injury from Brake Failure

Name of Product: Explorer and Hammerhead Strollers

Units: Explorer: 7,400 in the U.S. and 1,900 in Canada; Hammerhead: 160 in the U.S. and 65 in Canada

Importer: phil&teds USA Inc, of Fort Collins, Colo.

Hazard: The brake mechanism on the strollers can fail, posing an injury hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: Eight incidents have been reported globally; none in North America. No injuries were reported.

Description: The recalled strollers have metal frames and were sold as single strollers or with a doubles kit to make them double strollers. The Explorer has three wheels and the Hammerhead has four. Both have a cloth seat and canopy. Explorer strollers were sold in the following colors: black, apple green, navy, red/black and apple green/black. Hammerhead strollers were sold in black only. The phil&teds logo is located on the crotch piece of the harness on both models. The strollers have the text “phil&teds model EX explorer” or “phil&teds model HH hammerhead” printed on a sticker on the rear axle bar. The serial numbers run consecutively with the month and year followed by the unit number. Affected serial numbers: 0610/0001 to 0111/4788 (June 2010, unit #1, to January 2011, unit #4788). This information can be found on a sticker attached to the inside of the left hand hinge when viewing the stroller from behind.

Sold by: Sold online at philandteds.com, pishposhbaby.com, and albeebaby.com; and at Babies R Us and specialty juvenile retailers in the United States and Canada from August 2010 through June 2011 for between $475 and $500.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the product and contact phil&teds to arrange to receive a upgraded brake assembly. Explorer owners will receive a new frame fitted with an upgraded brake assembly. Consumers can perform an in-home swap out of the affected frame. Hammerhead owners will receive a pre-paid return shipping container in order to return the stroller to phil&teds where the brake assembly will be replaced and the stroller returned.

Consumer Contact: For additional information in the U.S. and Canada, contact phil&teds USA toll free at (855) 652-9019 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. MT Monday through Friday, or visit the company’s website at www.philandteds.com/support

10. July 29, 2011
Release #11-290

Firm's Recall Hotline: (855) 469-3429
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Bravo Sports Recalls Disney-Branded Pogo Sticks Due to Fall and Laceration Hazards

Name of Product: Pogo sticks

Units: About 159,000

Distributor: Bravo Sports of Santa Fe Springs, Calif

Note: Disney licensed its brand name to Bravo Sports

Hazard: The bottom rubber tip attached to the pogo stick frame can wear out prematurely, posing a fall hazard to consumers. Also, the end caps on the handlebars can come off, exposing sharp edges. This poses a laceration hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Bravo and CPSC have received 82 reports of the bottom tip wearing out on the pogo sticks, including five reports of injuries. A 9-year-old girl suffered a skull fracture and chipped a tooth. Another 9-year-old girl cut her lip and chin, requiring stitches. Other injuries included scrapes, hits to the head and teeth pushed in.

Note: Consumers can visit the search page on SaferProducts.gov to view incident reports about Bravo’s recalled pogo sticks.

Description: This recall includes pogo sticks in various colors. The models included in this recall are the Disney Hannah Montana Pogo Stick, the Disney/Pixar Toy Story Cruising Cool Pogo Stick, the Disney/Pixar Cars Pogo Stick, the Disney Princess Pogo Stick and the Disney Fairies Cruising Cool Pogo Stick. The pogo sticks have Disney labels between the handlebars. The manufacturing date codes between 01/01/2009-022CO and 11/30/2010-022CO are on a clear label on the stem of the pogo stick near the foot pedals.

Sold at: Burlington Coat Factory, Kmart, Kohls.com, Target and Toys R Us from February 2009 through June 2011 for about $20.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the pogo sticks and contact Bravo Sports for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Bravo Sports toll-free at (855) 469-3429 between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT or visit the firm’s website at www.bravopogorecall.com

11. July 29, 2011
Release #11-291

CPSC Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

CPSC Adopts Testing Requirements for Phthalates in Children’s Toys and Child Care Articles
Stay of Enforcement for Testing Until December 31, 2011

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) voted 5-0 July 27, 2011, to approve new third party testing requirements for phthalates, through a notice of requirements, to ensure that children’s toys and child care articles meet the federal phthalates limits.

Phthalates are a type of chemical used to make plastics and other materials more flexible. The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA) permanently banned the use of three phthalates in concentrations greater than 0.1 percent in children’s toys and child care articles and temporarily banned the use of three others in concentrations greater than 0.1 percent in children’s toys and child care articles that can be mouthed, sucked or chewed pending further study. Since February 2009, it has been unlawful to manufacture or import children’s toys and child care articles violating these standards.

The CPSIA also required testing to prove compliance with these standards. While makers and sellers of toys and child care articles have had to comply with the phthalates requirements for more than two years, the Commission has voted previously to give manufacturers, importers and private labelers additional time to put a third party testing program into place. CPSC has approved a stay of enforcement on the requirement for third party testing and certification of these children’s toys and child care articles to the phthalates limits until December 31, 2011.

The Commission will enforce certification of compliance with the phthalates limits based on third party testing of children’s toys and child care articles manufactured or imported after that date.

The Commission agreed with the staff’s recommendation that only those plastic parts or other product parts which could conceivably contain phthalates should be tested. Untreated/unfinished wood, metal, natural fibers, natural latex and mineral products are not expected to inherently contain phthalates and need not be tested or certified provided that these materials have neither been treated or adulterated with the addition of materials that could result in the addition of phthalates into the product or material. The guidance contained in the Commission’s August 2009 Statement of Policy for certain other materials, such as polyolefins, remains in effect.

Commissioner's Statements: Commissioner Nancy Nord (PDF)