Health Alerts - April 2001

McDonald’s Corp., of Oak Brook, Ill., in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), is recalling 234,000 Scooter Bug Toys distributed with Happy Meals because the bug’s antenna can break off, posing a choking hazard to young children.

McDonald’s has received two reports of children choking and one report of a child gagging on a broken-off antenna.

The Scooter Bug toy, about 3 inches long and 2½ inches wide, has a yellow face with red antennae, orange feet and a purple body with green spots. When the toy is rolled across the floor, the bug’s legs move back and forth. “Fisher Price” is on the top of the toy, and “Mfg. for McD Corp. China” is on the rear of the toy.

McDonald’s restaurants in the United States and Canada distributed the toys with Happy Meals from November 2000 through February 2001.

Take the toy away from children and return it to any McDonald’s restaurant for a replacement toy. For more information, visit McDonald’s Web site at www.mcdonalds.com. For questions, call CPSC’s hotline at (800) 638-2772.

Burger King Corp., of Miami, and Alcone Marketing Group, of Irvine, Calif., in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, are recalling 400,000 “Rattling, Paddling Riverboat” toddler toys distributed in Burger King Kid’s Meals because the plastic-capped metal pins that attach the paddle wheel to the riverboat toy can come out and choke young children.

Burger King Corp. has received 10 reports of the pin coming out, but there have been no injuries. One child was found with the pin in her mouth but her father removed it.

The riverboat toys are red plastic boats about 2 to 3 inches in diameter. The captain figure squeaks when it is pushed down. When the boat is moved across the floor, beads in the boat’s paddle wheel make a rattle sound. The following is imprinted on the bottom of the boat, “Sassy, Mfg for Burger King Corp., Made in China.” The packaging reads “Toddler Toys For Kids Under Three Years Old.”

Burger King restaurants nationwide distributed the toys inside Kid’s Meals in January and February. Alcone Marketing Group imported the toys for Burger King.

Take the toy away from children and call (800) 661-9173 to return it for a free replacement toy. For more information, access Burger King’s Web site at www.burgerking.com.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), By Us International Co. Ltd., of Taiwan, is recalling 40,000 Ballistic front suspension forks installed on certain Brunswick mountain bicycles because they can break, causing riders to fall and sustain serious injuries. This is an expansion of a May 2000 recall of 13,500 forks.

By Us and Brunswick have received 26 reports of forks on these bicycles breaking, resulting in nine riders, including teen-agers, suffering serious head and bodily injuries, abrasions, bruises and chipped teeth.

The recalled forks were installed on Mongoose S-20 and MGX S-20 bicycles, which are orange, and Roadmaster Ridge Rider bicycles, which are red. The forks on these bikes are black with decals that read “Ballistic” and “105” on the sides of the suspension fork legs.

Discount department stores, including Wal-Mart, and toy stores, including Toys ’R Us, sold the bicycles with these forks nationwide from June 1998 through June 2000 for $125 to $150.

Consumers should stop using these bicycles and call Brunswick Bicycles with the serial number of their fork, located on the inside of the suspension fork leg. Consumers with recalled forks will receive a free replacement fork and free installation. For more information, call Brunswick toll-free at (877) 211-3525 or visit its Web site at www.mongoose.com.

The recalled bikes have the following serial numbers:

  98022001 —   98030000

BA10021201 — BA10029200

BA10050001 — BA10051000

BA10054001 — BA10058000

BA10067791 — BA10069390

BAX0001251 — BAX0006750

  98031051 —   98033050

BA10044001 — BA10049000

BA10052001 — BA10053000

BA10059251 — BA10067750

BA10069703 — BA10077102

BAX0006781 — BAX0007080

NIKE USA Inc., of Beaverton, Ore., in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, is recalling 225,000 pairs of Jordan Trunner LX and Jordan Trunner 2000 cross-training shoes because they have sharp edges that can injure feet or legs.

A thin metal strip on the outside of the heel can protrude from the shoe and form a sharp edge that can cut consumers.

NIKE has received 16 reports of consumers receiving cuts to the lower legs; in several of these cases, stitches were required.

The recalled shoes have a 4-inch-long metal strip at the upper part of the back of the shoe, which is encased in plastic. These shoes, size 6 and higher, are model number 136040 (Jordan Trunner LX) and model number 136050 (Jordan Trunner 2000 Mid). On the Jordan Trunner LX, the model number is on a label on the inside tongue of the shoe, above the UPC code. On the Jordan Trunner 2000 Mid, the model number is above the UPC code on a label inside the heel of the shoe.

The Jordan Trunner LX, available in various color combinations, features a Velcro strip instead of laces, and has the name “Jordan” on a cloth strip just below the Velcro strap and also on the bottom of the shoe. The Trunner 2000 Mid comes in two color combinations: white and black with metallic silver trim, and black and gray with fluorescent yellow trim. The name “Jordan” appears in block letters near the shoelaces and on the bottom of the shoe, and “Trunner” is on the back heel of the shoe over the metal strip.

Major athletic shoe stores and department stores nationwide sold these shoes from May 2000 to February 2001 for $100 to $125.

Return the shoes to the store where purchased to receive a substitute product or a store credit. For more information, call NIKE at (800) 344-6453, or access its Web site at www.nikebiz.com.

Graco Children’s Products Inc., of Elverson, Pa., in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, is recalling 860,000 highchairs because the chair’s legs can come out, causing falls with potentially serious injuries.

Graco has received 108 such reports, with 105 injuries that have included a mild concussion, two broken noses, six cuts requiring stitches, black eyes, and bumps and bruises.

The model and serial numbers are found on a sticker beneath the seat; the model number contains “3170,” “36051” or “74001” within it, and the first six numbers in the serial number indicate the date of manufacture. The recalled highchairs were manufactured from Jan. 1, 1995, through Dec. 8, 1997 (or from 010195 through 120897).

The highchairs, made of a white plastic seat with white metal legs, feature the name “Graco” on the front of the tray. Mass merchandise, juvenile products and discount department stores nationwide sold these highchairs from January 1995 through June 1998 for $30 to $35.

Call Graco at (800) 617-7447 to receive a free repair kit. For more information, access www.gracobaby.com under Customer Service/Recall Information, or write to Customer Affairs, Graco Children’s Products Inc., Box 100, Elverson, PA 19520.

Highchairs with push pins on the legs that snap into the seat are not recalled.

Simmons Juvenile Products, of New London, Wis., in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, is recalling 68,600 cribs for repair because the bracket hooks used to position the height of the mattress can break, causing the mattress to collapse, which can entrap babies and cause them to suffocate.

In the past four months, Simmons has received more than 800 reports of bracket hooks breaking. In one case, a 6-month-old hit his chin on the side rail when the mattress dropped.

Simmons, which is offering a free repair kit with replacement brackets and instructions, states that the repair can be made easily in the home.

Most of the recalled Simmons cribs were made in 1998. Only 1998 cribs of all models are recalled, except for the cribs sold at Sears. For the Sears cribs (which are model numbers 025260 and 065060), the years ’98, ’99 and ’00 are recalled because the problem bracket hooks were used all three years. The brackets on all other Simmons cribs (except for those sold at Sears) used a different type of attachment after 1998.

The cribs were sold under the name “Little Folks.” Simmons and the two-digit year of manufacture are on a label affixed to the crib’s headboard. The year is the two-digit number following the model number. “Little Folks” is on another label affixed to the headboard.

The cribs are constructed of maple or ash, and are painted or stained in more than a dozen different colors, including natural, golden and white. “Simmons” is on the top rail.

Discount, mass merchandise, juvenile product and department stores, including Sears, sold the cribs nationwide from January 1998 through December 2000 for between $200 and $600.

Stop using these recalled cribs, and contact Simmons to receive free replacement brackets by overnight mail. Call the company at (800) 421-2951 or access www.simmonsjp.com/recall.cfm.

IMT Accessories, of New York, in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, is recalling 70,000 Barbie sunglasses because the frames can break, allowing the petroleum distillate and floating glitter to leak out. Petroleum distillates, which can be fatal if ingested, also can be harmful to children’s eyes and skin.

IMT Accessories has one report of a 6-year-old who received chemical burns in her right eye as a result of petroleum distillates leaking from the sunglasses.

The recalled sunglasses, which have a pink tint to the lenses and floating glitter in the temple, feature “Barbie” and “Mattel” on the left side of the earpiece, and “China” on the right side.

The sunglasses, manufactured under license with Mattel, were sold nationwide in Target, Walgreens and Bradlee’s, from June 1999 through August 2000 for $6.

Return the sunglasses to the store where purchased for a refund. For more information, call IMT Accessories at (800) 868-7870.

Chick-fil-A Inc., of Atlanta, in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, is recalling 3.8 million Planet Discovery Kid’s Meal toys because the suction cup on the toy can come off, presenting a choking hazard to young children.

Chick-fil-A has received seven reports of the suction cup coming off. In one case, a child began choking, but the parent removed the suction cup before medical treatment was needed.

The Planet Discovery toys, which depict the planets, moon and sun, are plastic discs (2 to 3 inches in diameter) with a suction cup (about 1.5 inches in diameter) on the back. Each toy is in a plastic bag labeled “Planets: Collect Them All!” and includes the statement: “Parents: This toy has been safety-tested for children of all ages.” Imprinted on the toy are “Chick-fil-A Inc. 1999,” “1998 Namkung Promotions Inc” and “China.”

The toys were distributed at 800 Chick-fil-A restaurants nationwide during January 2001 and January 1999.

Discard the toy or return it to a Chick-fil-A restaurant for a free replacement premium or a small “Icedream.”

For more information, contact Chick-fil-A toll-free at (866) 736-5914.

Pottery Barn Kids, of San Francisco, in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, is recalling 2,900 wooden dog pull toys because the pegs can come off, posing a choking hazard to young children.

Pottery Barn Kids has received a report of one peg coming off a toy. No injuries have been reported.

The wooden dog pull toy is about 10 inches long and 5 inches high. The dog’s legs are attached to wooden wheels with small pegs. A black string with a large wooden ball on the end is connected to the front of the toy.

The Pottery Barn Kids store in Corte Madera, Calif., and Pottery Barn Outlet stores in Virginia, Texas, Georgia, Tennessee and Ohio sold the toys from June 2000 through January 2001 for $6.

Return them to the store where purchased for a refund. For more information, call Pottery Barn Kids at (866) 428-6467.

Supreme Toys (H.K) Ltd., of Hong Kong, in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, is recalling 290,000 toy vehicles because small parts can break off, posing a choking hazard to young children.

Supreme Toys has not received any reports of small parts breaking off the toy vehicles.

The recalled vehicles — airplanes, cars, dump trucks, trains and fire engines sold under the Playgo brand name — are made of multicolored plastic with red, blue, green and yellow parts. Each vehicle has a battery-operated, detachable remote control with a 40-inch cord. Enclosed in the cab of each vehicle are small multicolor balls about ¼ inch in diameter. A label on the vehicles and the remote reads “Playgo.” The words, “Playgo Ltd. (Hong Kong) made in China,” are imprinted on the bottom of each toy.

Drug, grocery, variety stores and discount department stores, including Wal-Mart, sold these toys from June 1995 through December 1998 for $5.

Cut the remote control cord off the toy, discard the vehicle, and mail the cord (only) to Supreme at: 8348C, Olive Road, St. Louis, MO 63132 for a $5 refund plus the cost of postage. For more information, call Supreme Toys at (800) 567-1774.

Dura Kleen (USA) Inc., of Brooklyn, N.Y., in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), is recalling 459,000 nightlights that pose shock and fire hazards to consumers because their electrical connections are loose; they are made from flammable plastic; and the power switch does not work.

CPSC and Dura Kleen are not aware of any injuries associated with these nightlights.

The nightlights consist of a small light fixture with a 5-watt bulb that plugs into a wall electrical outlet. The base of the bulb reads, “Made in China for Dura Kleen USA Inc.” The nightlights have different colored shades, including purple, green, yellow and red, with different designs; others feature opaque decorative shades molded in the form of religious figures.

Discount stores nationwide sold the nightlights from March 1999 through August 2000 for $1.

Return the nightlights to the store where purchased for a refund. For more information, call CPSC at (800) 638-2772.

Eden LLC, of New York, N.Y., in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, is recalling 5,800 toy drums because the mallet sold with the drum has spheres on each end that can pose a choking hazard if lodged in a young child’s throat.

No injuries have been reported.

The toy drums, shaped like a soft, stuffed green crab with multicolored stuffed feet and blue stuffed claws, are sold under the name Little Lessons Music Makers. The crab’s center is yellow plastic with green spots. The drums have labels on the front and near the right leg that read “Eden.”

Department, specialty, gift and toy stores, including FAO Schwarz, sold the toys nationwide from May 2000 through February 2001 for $12 (when sold alone) to $45 (when sold as part of a set).

For instructions on returning the toy and receiving a replacement toy, call Eden toll-free at (800) 658-8373.

Lakeshore Learning Materials, of Carson, Calif., in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, is recalling 13,000 children’s educational games because metal weights found in the games contain lead, which presents a poisoning hazard to children. Lead poisoning in children is associated with behavioral problems, learning disabilities, hearing problems and growth retardation.

No injuries have been reported.

The Concept Classification Activity Kits were sold to teachers and schools nationwide between January 1992 and January 2001 for $50. Each game has various discs that read, “Hot,” “Cold,” “Light,” “Heavy,” and so on. Children then match the appropriate game piece to the disc that best describes the characteristics of the object. One of the objects is a silver-covered metal weight, shaped like a disc measuring 1¼ inches in diameter, with a small loop at the top. Imprinted on one side of the disc is the partial face of a bird and the number “4”; and on the other side, it states, “4 Woody Gardena.”

The Opposites Take-Home Pack, a transparent backpack with blue trim, was sold to teachers and schools nationwide between January 1999 and January 2001 for $10. Games inside the pack include opposite picture cards, crayons, paperback book and various objects. One of the objects is a silver-covered metal weight, shaped like a disc measuring 1¼ inches in diameter, with a small loop at the top. Imprinted on one side of the disc is the partial face of a bird and the number “4”; and on the other side, it states, “4 Woody Gardena.”

Discard the metal discs. To receive a lead-free replacement piece, call Lakeshore Learning Materials toll-free at (800) 421-5354.

EMSCO Inc., of Girard, Pa., in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), is recalling 2,200 children’s toy brooms because the paint on the broom handles contain high lead levels, which can cause lead poisoning if young children ingest the lead. CPSC standards ban toys and other children’s products containing high levels of lead.

No injuries have been reported.

The Ti-dee Helper brooms, with natural straw bristles, are about 37 inches long and feature a wood handle painted yellow. A silver label on the handle reads, “made in Mexico.” The plastic packaging that covered the broom bristles reads, “Ti-dee Helper child’s broom,” and contains the model number “6089.”

Toy, discount and grocery stores sold these brooms from April 2000 through February 2001 for $9.

Return the brooms to the store where purchased for a refund. For more information, call EMSCO Inc. at (800) 458-0839 or visit its Web site at www.emscogroup.com.

In the wake of another fatality, Baby Trend Inc. of Ontario, Calif., in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), is repeating its announcement of the 1995 recall of Home and Roam and Baby Express portable cribs/play yards, which can collapse and entrap an infant.

In January 2001, a 9-month-old in Longview, Wash., died of asphyxiation when her neck was caught in the V-shape created by the collapsed sides of her crib/play yard. There have been three other deaths and three reports of babies found not breathing (who were revived) associated with these products.

In 1995, Baby Trend offered a free repair for the cribs/play yards. To encourage consumers to search for these recalled cribs/play yards, Baby Trend now is offering a free, new play yard to consumers who find and return the recalled product.

There were 100,000 Home and Roam and Baby Express portable cribs/play yards sold between 1992 and 1994.

The crib/play yard can appear to be set up properly even if the top rails are not fully locked. If the crib/play yard is not set up so that each top rail is securely locked in position, a baby can be caught by the neck and strangled.

All Home and Roam and Baby Express model cribs/play yards are recalled (recall information can be found on Baby Trend’s Web site at www.babytrend.com/recall2.jpg). The words “Home and Roam” or “Baby Express” and “Baby Trend” appear along the top rails.

The cribs/play yards, priced from $60 to $130, were sold nationwide from 1992 to 1994.

Consumers should search their homes and day care centers for these portable cribs/play yards. Stop using them immediately and call Baby Trend toll-free at (800) 328-7363 to get a free, new play yard. Baby Trend portable cribs/play yards sold since 1994 have different side rails and are not recalled.

CPSC had previously announced the recall of several other portable cribs/play yards with rotating top rails that can collapse and entrap a child in the folded top rails. CPSC is aware of 14 deaths of children resulting from the top rails of play yards collapsing. A new safety standard requires that the top rails of play yards automatically lock into place when the unit is fully set up. In addition to the Baby Trend Home and Roam and Baby Express models, CPSC obtained voluntary recalls of the following play yards with top rails that consumers had to twist into place when setting up the unit: Evenflo Happy Camper, Happy Cabana and Kiddie Camper; Century Models 10-710 and 10-810; and Kolcraft Playskool Travel-Lite Model. CPSC also issued a safety warning about All Our Kids Models 742 and 762 play yards imported by a firm that is out of business.

Check all second-hand products against CPSC recall lists at www.cpsc.gov or by calling (800) 638-2772.

Great Skott Foods, of Milwaukee, is recalling its 16-ounce Yogurt Raisins (bar code 74526 70177) because they may contain undeclared peanut pieces, which can cause life-threatening or serious allergic reactions in people who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to peanuts.

No illnesses have been reported. The recall was initiated after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration confirmed the problem in response to a consumer complaint.

The recalled yogurt raisins, packaged in a clear cellophane bag, have an 0201 or 0202 code in the lower right corner of the white rear label, under the nutritional information.

Return the yogurt raisins with the above codes to the place of purchase for a refund. For more information, call Great Skott Foods at (404) 291-9977.

Newer televisions with larger, heavier screens in smaller casings are a growing threat to toddlers, who can be injured or killed by these front-heavy models, according to a recent study in

The death rate for toddlers reported in that study was comparable to that for all causes of blunt trauma in children, including car accidents. And incidents are likely to rise as high-definition TV models grow in popularity, researchers reported.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), 2,300 children end up in emergency departments each year due to injuries from falling televisions. The CPSC advises parents to place TV sets on low furniture, as far back as possible, and to use braces or anchors to secure TV-holding structures to the wall.

La Mexicana Enterprises Inc., of New York, N.Y., is recalling 2-ounce packages of Botana Fiesta assorted spicy snacks because they contain undeclared peanuts.

People who are allergic or highly sensitive to peanuts run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product.

The recalled product was distributed in New York and New Jersey.

Return the product to the place of purchase for a refund. For more information, call the company at (718) 672-4141.

Consumers can report an injury caused by a product, or obtain product recall information, on the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Web site, www.cpsc.gov. To report an unsafe product, click on Report Unsafe Products. To review recalls by date, product or company, click on Recalls/News. To report an injury, call the CPSC’s toll-free hotline at (800) 638-2772. When prompted, press extension 300 to speak with a hotline representative.