Recent Children’s Product Recalls

Another round of Graco strollers is being recalled – following a previous recall in early 2010 due to finger amputation risk – this time due to the risk of infant strangulation. Graco and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission are recalling about 2 million strollers after reports of at least four strangulation deaths linked to the recalled models.

The recall includes Quattro Tour strollers and travel systems manufactured prior to November 2006, and MetroLite strollers and travel systems manufactured prior to July 2007. The products were sold in the U.S. from November 2000 to December 2007.

Graco says entrapment and strangulation can occur, especially to babies younger than 12 months, when a child is not strapped in. An infant can pass through the opening between the stroller tray and seat bottom, and his head and neck can get trapped by the tray and his neck can possibly be strangled.

Parents are advised to stop using the strollers immediately. For a complete list of recalled models and information on a free repair kit, contact the company at www.gracobaby.com.

Additionally, visit the CPSC’s Stroller Information Center for more information.

McNeil Consumer Healthcare, in cooperation with the Food and Drug Administration, is voluntarily recalling some liquid over-the-counter medicines. The medications being recalled include infant and children’s medications that have not expired and were manufactured in the United States. The products have been distributed in the United States, Canada, Dominican Republic, Dubai (UAE), Fiji, Guam, Guatemala, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Panama, Trinidad & Tobago, and Kuwait.

This recall is being taken as a precautionary measure since some of the products may not meet required quality standards. Some of the products may contain a higher concentration of the active ingredient than specified, inactive ingredients that may not meet internal testing standards, or tiny particles. While the potential for adverse medical events is small, parents are still advised to discontinue use.

For a complete list of the recalled liquid products, visit the website of McNeil Consumer Healthcare.

Graco and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) are recalling about 217,000 Graco-branded full-size wooden drop-side cribs made by LaJobi.

The drop side hardware can break or fall, causing the drop side to detach from the crib. When this happens, a gap is created between the drop side and the crib mattress. This can cause an infant or toddler to become entrapped and causes a suffocation and strangulation hazard.

The recalled cribs were sold at children’s product stores and other retailers nationwide from February 2007 to March 2010 for between $140 and $200.

For more information on this recall, visit the CPSC’s website.

The Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) has recalled over one million infant sling carriers manufactured by Infantino after being linked to three infant deaths. The CPSC is urging parents to immediately stop using them with children younger than four months of age.

The fabric from the sling can pose a suffocation hazard to babies in their first. It can press against a baby’s mouth and nose and block the air passage, making the baby unable to breathe.

The CPSC has reported that most babies who have died in a sling had a low birth weight, were born prematurely, or had a health issue affecting their breathing, such as a cold. Therefore, parents of preemies, babies of low birth weight, or babies in fragile health should exercise extra care when using an infant sling.

For more information on infant carrier slings, visit the CPSC’s website.

Dora Asia SRL and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) are recalling around 635,000 drop-side and non drop-side cribs due to a suffocation and strangulation hazard they pose to infants and toddlers. The drop side hardware can fail and cause the drop side to detach from the crib, creating a space in which an infant or toddler can fall into and become trapped, causing suffocation or strangulation.

The recalled cribs were sold at K-Mart, Sears, and Wal-Mart stores from January 2005 to December 2009 for between $120 and $700. To find out if your crib is affected, visit the CPSC at visit the CPSC’s website.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission and Stork Craft Manufacturing have announced the recall of over two million drop-side cribs, including some with the Fisher-Price logo. The drop side can weaken and detach, leading to babies either getting caught in the gap, or falling from the crib completely. Parents are urged to find safe, alternate sleeping arrangements for their babies until they receive an official repair kit. For information on how to obtain the repair kit, contact Stork Craft at www.storkcraft.com or (877) 274-0277.

Additionally, visit the CPSC’s Crib Information Center for more on how to keep your baby safe in the crib.

All Maclaren strollers sold between 1999 and 2009, after receiving reports that 12 separate children had inadvertently had fingertips amputated in a stroller hinge. Parents should immediately stop using the strollers, and contact Maclaren for a free hinge cover. More information is available online at www.maclaren.com/recall, or by phone at (877) 688-2326.

Several models of Adventure Playsets were built with some materials that can weaken over time, causing a ladder component to erode and break. Over 1,400 such incidents have been reported so far. Parents whose children have the affected models can receive a free replacement kit. For a list of models, and to order the kit, call (877) 840-9068.

Wooden bunk beds sold at Big Lots stores, with the model numbers WP-9108-1 and WP-9108-2, have been recalled due to structural problems. More information is available at the company’s web site, www.biglots.com, or by phone, at (866) 244-5687.

Several strollers from Baby Jogger have been recalled after it was found that the restraint buckle could break or unlatch, posing a fall hazard. For a list of the affected models, plus instructions for ordering a replacement safety buckle, parents can visit www.babyjogger.com or call (877) 506-2213.

The eebee’s “Have a Ball” Adventure books includes a ball on a string, which can be used to perform activities within the book, but also poses a strangulation hazard. No replacement or fix is available; however, consumers are entitled to a refund from the place of purchase. For more information, parents can call Sterling Publishing at (800) 367-9692, or email custservice@sterlingpublishing.com.

The restraints on Circo Booster Seats have been reported to pop open unexpectedly, possibly allowing children to fall. Sold exclusively at Target, these products can be exchanged there for a full refund. For more information, parents can call Target at (800) 440-0680 or visit www.target.com.

This clubhouse needs to be assembled by the consumer, and did not come with instructions for the swingset portion. Improperly assembled swingsets can be a safety hazards. Instructions are available either through the company’s website, www.littletikes.com, or by phone at (800) 321-0183.

A line of children’s shoes from Clarks® contains molded rubber pieces on the soles. Those pieces can detach, posing a choking hazard. Customers can return the shoes for a refund. For more information, visit www.clarkskidsusa.com or call (800) 425-2757.