September Recalls

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

1.) Clarks(r) Children's Shoes Recalled by C & J Clark America Due to Choking Hazard

2.) The Tipping Point: CPSC Urges Parents to Inspect and Secure TVs, Furniture, and  

      Appliances to Prevent Tip-Over Deaths and Injuries

September 17, 2009
Release # 09-344 

Firm's Recall Hotline: (800) 425-2757
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908 

Clarks(r) Children's Shoes Recalled by C & J Clark America 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.

Name of Product: Children's Shoes

Units: About 2,000

Distributor: C & J Clark America Inc., d/b/a the Clarks Companies N.A., of Newton, Mass.

Hazard: Molded rubber pieces on the sole of the recalled shoes can detach, posing a choking hazard to infants and young children.

Incidents/Injuries: No incidents have been reported in the United States. In the United Kingdom there have been six reports of the rubber pieces detaching, including two reports of children mouthing the rubber piece. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves Clarks(r) children's shoes sold under the "crawlers" and "hazy daze" style names. The crawlers were sold in infant sizes 2 to 3 1/2; and the hazy daze in sizes 4 to 6 1/2. "Clarks" is printed on the sole underneath the heel and the words "Clarks First Shoes" is printed on a multi-colored label inside the shoe's heel area. The following names and model numbers are included in this recall.

Name - Model Number - Description
Little Kyle Blue Crawler - 89823 - Blue with red and black trim
Little Kyle Tan Crawler - 89824 - Tan with blue and brown trim
India Sparkle White Crawler - 88000 - White with light green trim and pink stitching
Kirstin Baby Pink Crawler - 88109 - Light pink with darker pink trim
Hazy Daze White Sandal - 88234 - White leather with cream and tan trim

Sold at: Clarks(r) retail stores nationwide from February 2009 through July 2009 for between $35 and $40.

Manufactured in: Vietnam

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the shoes away from children and return them to the nearest Clarks(r) store for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact C & J Clark America at (800) 425-2757 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.clarkskidsusa.com

To see this recall on CPSC's web site, including pictures of the recalled product, please go to: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09344.html

September 22, 2009
Release #09-345 

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

The Tipping Point: CPSC Urges Parents to Inspect and Secure TVs, Furniture, and Appliances to Prevent Tip-Over Deaths and Injuries

WASHINGTON, D.C. - For young children, the home is a playground, and while many parents childproof to ensure that their home is a safe place, some may not be aware that unsecured TVs, furniture and appliances are hidden hazards lurking in every room. Today, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging parents once again to take simple, low-cost steps to prevent deaths and injuries associated with furniture, TV, and appliance tip-overs.

CPSC staff estimates that in 2006, 16,300 children 5 years old and younger were treated in emergency rooms because of injuries associated with TV, furniture, and appliance tip-overs, and between 2000 and 2006, CPSC staff received reports of 134 tip-over related deaths. Additionally, CPSC staff is aware of at least 30 media reports of tip-over deaths since January 2007 involving this same age group.

"Many parents are unaware of the deadly danger of this hidden hazard. I urge parents to include securing TVs, furniture, and appliances in their childproofing efforts," said CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum. "Taking a few moments now can prevent a tip-over tragedy later."

"You may think your home is safe, but everyday things like a television can hurt your child. I was right there and it happened," said Sylvia Santiago, of West Haven, Connecticut who lost her two-year old daughter in 2008.

Typically, injuries and deaths occur when children climb onto, fall against, or pull themselves up on television stands, shelves, bookcases, dressers, desks, chests, and appliances. In some cases, televisions placed on top of furniture tip over and cause a child to suffer traumatic and sometimes fatal injuries. "The most devastating injuries that we see resulting from furniture tipping on children are injuries to the brain and when a child is trapped under a heavy piece of furniture and suffocates," said Gary Smith, MD, DrPH, Director of the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.

Recent revisions to the voluntary safety standards for clothes storage units provide for the inclusion of warning labels and additional hardware to secure the furniture to the floor or wall. To help prevent tip-over hazards, CPSC offers the following safety tips:

* Furniture should be stable on its own. For added security, anchor chests or dressers, TV stands, bookcases and entertainment units to the floor or attach them to a wall.

* Place TVs on a sturdy, low-rise base. Avoid flimsy shelves.

* Push the TV as far back as possible.

* Place electrical cords out of a child's reach, and teach kids not to play with them.

* Keep remote controls and other attractive items off the TV stand so kids won't be tempted to grab for them and risk knocking the TV over.

* Make sure free-standing ranges and stoves are installed with anti-tip brackets.

To see this release on CPSC's web site, including links to view a video and to download a new CPSC Poster and Safety Alert, please go to: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09345.html

Return to Recalls