Health Canada has recalled approximately 26,290 Melissa and Doug toys because testing has revealed that the surface paint on the toys contains barium in excess of the allowable limit.

Some forms of barium are safely used in medical and commercial applications, while other forms of barium can be toxic, causing adverse health effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and cramps as well as more severe symptoms. Children’s toys coated with paint containing barium in excess of the allowable limit are strictly prohibited in Canada.

This recall involves all batches of the following three products by Melissa & Doug.

• Slice and Bake Cookie Set: The set includes a tube of 12 sliceable wooden cookies with 12 decorative toppings, a kitchen mitt, a wooden cookie sheet, knife and spatula. The recalled sets can be identified by UPC 000772040747. Health Canada tested batch number ZP1208.
• Shape Sorting Cube: This toy is a wooden cube with a lid and 12 colourful cut-out shapes that fit into 12 holes, based on the shape. The cut-out shapes are red, yellow, green, and blue. The recalled toys can be identified by UPC 000772005753. Health Canada tested batch number XY0309.
• Pound-a-Peg: This toy includes 8 colourful wooden pegs, a wooden hammer, and a wooden bench. The pegs are red, green, yellow, and blue, and can be pounded into the wooden bench using the hammer. The recalled toys can be identified by UPC 000772004961. Health Canada tested batch number ZP0609.

Health Canada has not received any reports of incidents or illnesses related to the use of this product.

The recalled products were sold from November 2008 to November 2009.

Consumers may return the item to the store where it was purchased for a full refund, or contact Melissa & Doug at at 1-203-762-4500 to exchange the product.

VIA ZRECS_SAFETY

Health Canada issued a recall of two types of Natursutten baby teethers yesterday after tests showed the liquid inside might be contaminated by bacteria.

The Natursutten Liquid-filled Teethers were distributed by EcoBaby Aps of Denmark and were made in Germany. About 2,500 were sold at independent children’s stores across Canada and by online retailers between October 2008 and October 2009.

The teethers are made from EVAtane, filled with water, and labelled as phthalate-free, silicone-free and BPA-free. One recalled model looks like a fish, while another looks like an apple.

The bacterium, Bacillus sphaericus/fusiformis, is a type that generally does not cause illness, but it could cause infection in children with weakened immune systems if the teether is punctured and the liquid ingested. It could also cause infection if it comes into contact with open wounds.

Health Canada has not received any reports of incidents or illnesses but said consumers should take them away from children and return them to the store where purchased for a full credit.

For more information, consumers may contact Monarch Distributing at info@monarchdistributing.ca.

SOURCE

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Maclaren USA, today announced a voluntary recall of about 1 Million strollers because the stroller’s hinge mechanism poses a fingertip amputation and laceration hazard to the child when the consumer is unfolding/opening the stroller.

The firm has received 15 reports of children placing their finger in the stroller’s hinge mechanism, resulting in 12 reports of fingertip amputations in the United States.

This recall involves all Maclaren single and double umbrella strollers. The word “Maclaren” is printed on the stroller. The affected models included Volo, Triumph, Quest Sport, Quest Mod, Techno XT, TechnoXLR, Twin Triumph, Twin Techno and Easy Traveller.

Consumers should immediately stop using these recalled strollers and contact Maclaren USA to receive a free repair kit.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Maclaren USA toll-free at (877) 688-2326 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Web site at www.maclaren.us/recall

About 282,000 Adventure Playsets are being recalled in the U.S. and Canada. The plastic coated lumber on the horizontal ladder (monkey bar/swing beam) can weaken over time due to rotting of the whitewood (spruce, pine and fir species), resulting in a fall hazard.

Adventure Playsets has received more than 1,400 reports of rotting ladders involving 16 injuries that resulted in nine emergency room visits. The injuries include two arm fractures, lacerations, scrapes, and bruises to children younger than 8 years old. Most of the reported injuries occurred when the swing came out of the monkey bar/ swing beam that had rotted.

This recall involves wooden play sets with swings, slides and ladders. Each set has an overhead monkey bar ladder that acts as both the monkey bar and swing beam, and an end ladder coated with cranberry or green plastic. The instruction manual has the name ‘Adventure Playsets’ and one of the following model numbers printed on the cover.

The Bellevue,Tacoma and Durango swing sets were previously recalled due to detaching frames and a fall hazard.

The playsets, made in the U.S., were sold at Walmart, Toys R Us, Academy Sports, Menards, and Mill stores nationwide, and online at Walmart.com, ToyRUs.com, Willygoat.com and through the DMSI catalog from January 2004 through December 2007 for between $300 and $600.

Consumers should immediately stop using the swing sets and contact Adventure Playsets to receive a replacement kit.

For more information, contact Adventure Playsets toll-free at (877) 840-9068 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.adventureplaysets.com. Consumers can also email the firm at custservice@adventureplaysets.com

The recall is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

VIA CONSUMERAFFAIRS

Target is recalling about 600,000 halloween flashlights because they can overheat and melt, posing a burn hazard to consumers.

The firm has received eight reports of flashlights overheating and melting, including one report of burns to the hand.

This recall involves two types of Halloween-themed flashlights: the mini flashlights and flashlights sold with stencils.

Mini Flashlights – The mini flashlights have a key ring extending from the bottom and were sold in a pack of three colors: orange, green and black. The orange and purple packaging has “Mini Flashlights (3 Pack)” printed on the front and “DGI”, “Made in China” and “DPCI# 234-02-1813″ printed on the back.

Standard Size Flashlights – Also included in the recall are standard sized flashlights with a black handle and an orange top. The flashlights were sold with six stencils in various colors and images: a pumpkin, ghost, spider, cat, witch and skull & cross-bones. “Flashlight with Stencil” is printed on the front and “Tien Hsing,” “Made in China” and “234 02 1838″ is printed on the back of the packaging.

The flashlights were sold at Target stores nationwide from August 2009 through September 2009 for $1 for the mini flashlights and $2.50 for the flashlights with stencils. They were made in China.

Consumers should immediately stop using the flashlights and return the product to any Target store for a full refund.

For additional information, contact Target at (800) 440-0680 between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm”s Web site at www.target.com.

Plum Organics ™ announced today that it is taking the precautionary measure of voluntarily recalling one particular batch of its 4.22 oz. Apple & Carrot Portable Pouch baby food with the best by date May 21, 2010 and marked with the following universal product code (UPC) #890180001221 located on the bottom of the package. These pouches are sold individually at Toys-R-Us and Babies-R-Us locations nationally.

The recall is being undertaken with the knowledge of the U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Consumers with any questions are asked to call 888-974-3555 between the hours of 8 am – 5 pm PST, or email info@plumorganics.com

SOURCE

Baby Jogger LLC is recalling about 41,000 City Mini strollers. The stroller’s restraint buckle could break or unlatch allowing the child to fall out.

This recall involves Baby Jogger City Mini single and double strollers. “City Mini” is printed on the stroller. Item numbers and date codes included in this recall are listed in the chart below along with stroller colors. The item number is printed on a sticker on the rear wheel crossbar. The manufacturing date code is engraved on the frame behind the rear wheel axle crossbar or on the back of the frame on the upright bar between the right rear wheel and the seat.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled strollers and contact Baby Jogger to receive a free replacement restraint buckle and installation instructions.

For additional information, contact Baby Jogger at 877-506-2213 between 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET, email the firm at recall@babyjogger.com, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.babyjogger.com.

SOURCE

Toys R Us Inc. announced today that they are launched a trade-in program for potentially unsafe used cribs and other baby gear.

Between Aug. 28 and Sept. 20, all Babies R Us and Toys R Us locations nationwide(CANADA EXCLUDED) will accept returns of any used cribs, car seats, bassinets, strollers, travel systems, play yards and high chairs.

In exchange, shoppers will receive 20% off the purchase of any new item in those product categories, from select manufacturers.

“We are all looking for ways to stretch our dollars, but in doing so, children’s safety should not be compromised,” said chief executive Jerry Storch. “[It's important to be] vigilant about potentially unsafe children’s items that may still be in the marketplace.”

The trade-in offer aims to educate consumers that certain baby items should not be reused or resold. The program also seeks to call attention to the fact that only 30% of recalled baby products are ever actually returned, the company said, which means that many dangerous items remain in circulation.

Beyond recalls due to safety hazards, used baby products can pose further dangers, Toys R Us noted. For example, the materials that car seats are made of can break down over time, making the product less effective in a crash.

Manufacturers participating in the “Great Trade-In” event include Baby Cache, Babi Italia, Baby Trend, Bertini, Britax, Chicco, Contours by Kolcraft, Cosco, Delta, Eddie Bauer, Evenflo, Graco, Jeep, Nature’s Purest by Summer Infant, Safety 1^st and Sorelle. Customers can save 20% on a new purchase, from any of the specified product categories and from any of the aforementioned manufacturers, in Babies“R”Us and Toys“R”Us stores nationwide on the day they trade in their used item. Day care centers or other organizations who wish to exchange items in bulk are encouraged to contact their local Babies“R”Us or Toys“R”Us store prior to returning their used items to ensure adequate availability of new merchandise.

For more information customers can visit the company’s Safety website, Toysrus.com/Safety

Recently Recalled Baby Gear:

• RECALL: Burley Design Child Trailers Due to Risk of Injury
  
• RECALL: 1.6 Million Little Tikes™ Toy Workshop Sets and Trucks Due to Choking Hazard
  
• RECALL: Dorel Juvenile Group Expands Recall of Safety 1st Stair Gates Due to Fall Hazard
  
• RECALL: Graco Jump ‘n Jive Doorway Jumpers Due to Choking Hazard

SOURCE

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Burley Design LLC, today announced a voluntary recall of about 2,700 d’lite ST and Solo ST child trailers.

The axle assembly’s internal sleeve can loosen, causing one wheel to separate from the trailer. This poses a risk of injury to the child occupant or bike rider.

The recalled products are two-wheeled child trailers designed to carry one or two children behind a bicycle. Only the 2009 d’lite ST and 2009 Solo ST trailers with serial numbers that begin with D939 or D948 are included in the recall. The serial number is located in the rear cargo area behind the seat on the lower left rear frame tube. The trailers have “d’lite ST” or “solo ST” screen printed on the cover.

Consumers should stop using the trailer immediately and contact Burley to receive a free repair kit or to locate a retailer to assist with the free repair.

For additional information, contact Burley at (800) 311-5294 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Web site at www.burley.com/STProductRecall.

Little Tikes is recalling about 1.6 million workshop sets and toy trucks. The recalled toys have oversized, plastic toy nails that can pose a choking hazard to young children.

The firm has received one report of an 11-month old boy from Goose Creek, S.C. who choked when the toy nail become forcefully lodged in his throat. The child was hospitalized and made a full recovery.

The oversized, plastic toy nail is about 3 ¼ inches long by 1 ¼ inch in diameter and comes in red or blue colors. It has a large round head; about 1 ¼ inches below the head is a plastic ridge, slightly smaller than the nail head and about 1 inch in diameter. They were sold with a variety of Little Tikes Children’s products. The names, model numbers and UPC code of the products included in this recall are listed below:

Model #	Name	Picture
0914	Electronic Project Workshop SOLD FROM MARCH 1994 THROUGH DEC 2003 UPC: 0-50743-00914-3
0920/612237	Little HandiWorker Workhorse SOLD FROM MARCH 1999 THROUGH JUNE 2009 UPC 0-50743-10920-1 UPC 0-50743-61223-7
4146	Home Improvements 2-Sided Workshop SOLD FROM FEBRUARY 2001 THROUGH JANUARY 2009 UPC 0-50743-04146-4
440Z	Swirlin’ Sawdust Workshop SOLD FROM APRIL 2004 THROUGH NOVEMBER 2008 UPC 0-50743-38540-7
4028	Black Pickup Truck with Tools SOLD FROM MARCH 2000 THROUGH APRIL 2009 UPC 0-50743-04028-3

Consumers should immediately take the toy nails away from young children and contact the firm for a free replacement toy nail.

For additional information, contact Little Tikes at (800) 791-2737 between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. ET Saturday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.littletikes.com

CPSC