Health Alerts - October 2001

The Perrigo Co., of Allegan, Mich., in cooperation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is recalling 7,788 bottles of cherry-flavored pain reliever suspension liquid (lot 1AD0228) because they may cause an overdose of acetaminophen.

No injuries have been reported.

The 4-ounce bottles were sold under the Good Sense, Hy-Vee and Kroger labels in stores around the country. They may contain up to 29% over the labeled amount of acetaminophen.

Return products to the place of purchase for a refund. For more information, call Perrigo at (800) 321-0105.

Report any adverse reactions to the FDA’s MedWatch Program; call (800) FDA-1088, fax (800) FDA-0178, write MedWatch, HF-2, FDA, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20852-9787; or visit www.fda.gov/medwatch/index.html.

Kolcraft Enterprises Inc., of Chicago, is recalling 115,000 LiteSport strollers because the lock mechanisms on both sides can break, causing strollers to collapse.

Kolcraft has received 124 reports of lock mechanisms breaking, including 31 reports of strollers collapsing. Twenty-two children suffered injuries, including scrapes, cuts and bruises.

The recall includes LiteSport strollers with model number 36122. Strollers were manufactured from December 1997 through December 1999 and were sold at department and juvenile products stores nationwide for $30.

Stop using the strollers and call Kolcraft at (800) 922-2130 to receive a free repair kit.

STK International, of Los Angeles, is recalling 110,000 children’s toys because small balls will be released if the toys break, posing a choking hazard to young children.

STK International has not received any reports of incidents.

The recalled toys include:

• • 2 PC Tambourine Set: Two tambourines consisting of a colorful plastic ring with three balls attached. Inside the balls are beads that create a rattle sound when shaken.

• • Bathtime Water Wheel: A multicolored plastic toy with a suction cup base and six small cups attached to a water wheel.

• • Funny Loco Wind-Up: A multicolored train with a pig character on a sticker on both sides of the toy.

• • Pull Back Duck in Boat: A plastic blue and white boat with colored stickers on the side, a transparent red windshield and white duck mounted on top of the boat. The toy also comes with a miniature fishing pole and a plastic lobster.

Dollar stores nationwide sold these toys from September 1999 through May 2001.

Take toys away from children and return to STK International for a refund. For information on where to return toys, call (800) 536-7855.

Kids II, of Alpharetta, Ga., is recalling 21,000 Carter’s butterfly baby toys because the antennae contain wire that can pass through the fabric, causing cuts and scratches to babies.

Kids II has received 27 reports of wires passing through the fabric on these toys, resulting in injuries to nine babies.

The recall involves green and purple Carter’s Activity Butterflies with model number 50052. The toys make various sounds when squeezed. Mass merchandise and juvenile specialty stores nationwide sold these butterfly toys from February through August 2001 for $15 to $20.

Take toys away from babies and return butterflies to the store where purchased, or contact Kids II at (877) 325-7056 or www.kidsii.com for a free replacement toy.

Racing Champions Ertl Inc. (RCE), of Dyersville, Iowa, is recalling 11,600 John Deere Kids Toolboxes because the toy’s carrying handle can break, creating small parts and a sharp plastic edge that pose a hazard to young children.

No injuries have been reported.

Toolboxes were sold with a green and yellow plastic ratchet wrench and pliers inside. John Deere dealers and other farm supply retail stores nationwide sold the toys from June through September 2001 for $13.

Take toolboxes away from young children and contact RCE at (866) 898-4999 for instructions on returning toys and receiving a free replacement toolbox.

Kids “R” Us and Babies “R” Us, divisions of Toys “R” Us Inc., of Paramus, N.J., are recalling 7,000 children’s cargo pants because the toggle on the pockets can break off, posing a choking hazard to young children.

Kids “R” Us has received one report of a 9-month-old boy who began to choke on a toggle he removed from the pants. The toggle was dislodged.

The recalled pants are navy, khaki or stone with different color stitching around the pockets. A label on the rear inside seam reads “Koala Baby” or “Little Legends.” The $10 pants were sold in newborn and infant sizes at Kids “R” Us and Babies “R” Us stores nationwide and some Toys “R” Us stores from June through July 2001.

Remove and discard the two toggles on the leg pockets. The pants then can be worn without the toggles. For more information, call Toys “R” Us at (888) 243-6337 or visit www.inc.toysrus.com and click on Kids “R” Us or Babies “R” Us.

XL Machine Ltd., of Eden Prairie, Minn., is recalling 10,000 sets of dollhouse bathroom furniture because the yellow paint on the furniture contains lead, which can present a risk of lead poisoning to young children.

XL Machine Ltd. has not received reports of any injuries related to the dollhouse furniture sets.

The Little Tree natural wood dollhouse bathroom furniture sets contain a tub, sink with mirror, toilet, shower, bench, towel rack and a wooden doll. Target stores nationwide sold the sets from August 2000 through June 2001 for $15.

Take dollhouse furniture away from children and return sets to the Target store where purchased for a refund. For more information, call XL Machine Ltd. at (866) 746-8097 or visit Target’s Web site at www.target.com.

World Industries Inc., of Huntington Beach, Calif., is recalling 10,000 skateboard helmets because they failed impact testing required under the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) Safety Standard for Bicycle Helmets. Riders wearing these helmets are not protected adequately from falls and could suffer head injuries or death.

CPSC and World Industries have not received any reports of injuries.

The recalled helmets come in black, blue and white. On the sides of the helmet, yellow and blue cartoon characters can be seen shooting fire from a gun.

Retail outlets, chains and catalogs nationwide sold the helmets from October 2000 through May 2001 for $40.

Stop using these helmets and return them to the stores where purchased for a refund. For more information, call (888) 338-4562.

Maya Wrap, of Omaha, Neb., is recalling about 5,000 infant carriers/slings because the metal rings that support the carriers/slings can break, posing a fall hazard to young children.

Maya Wrap has received 20 reports of rings breaking, but no injuries have been reported.

The recalled carriers/slings are made of 100% cotton fabric with two metal support rings. They were sold in a variety of colors, prints and sizes for $30 to $40. Web sites, individual distributors nationwide and eight children’s boutiques in various states sold the carriers/slings from January through July 2001.

Stop using the carriers/slings and call Maya Wrap at (800) 501-9979 for instructions on how to have the product repaired.

BikeE Corp., of Corvallis, Ore., is recalling 1,400 suspension forks on 2000 and 2001 FX and RX model recumbent bicycles because the link pins in the forks can fall out, causing the rider to lose control of the bicycle.

BikeE Corp. has received two reports of pins falling out of forks, resulting in two minor injuries to riders.

The recalled forks were used on the front suspension of the BikeE FX models and on the full suspension of the RX models. The recalled bicycles have a lowered seating position and foot pedals below the handle bars, allowing riders to sit in a horizontal riding position.

BikeE authorized dealers sold the bicycles from December 1999 through August 2001 for $1,500 to $1,750.

Stop using these bicycles and bring them to the nearest BikeE authorized dealer for a free repair. For more information, call (800) 231-3136 or visit www.bikee.com.

Following another report of a death, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Baby Trend Inc., of Ontario, Calif., are reminding consumers to search for recalled Home and Roam and Baby Express portable cribs/play yards because they can collapse and entrap infants.

In June 2001, an 8-month-old Seattle boy strangled when his neck was caught in the V-shape created by the collapsed sides of a Home and Roam play yard. There have been four other deaths associated with these products and three reports of babies found not breathing but who were revived.

Instructions for getting a free replacement can be found in CPSC’s February 2001 re-announcement of the Baby Trend play yard recall at www.cpsc.gov.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Lane are renewing their efforts to urge all consumers to find and fix Lane cedar chests manufactured before 1987.

On Aug. 16, 2001, three young boys from St. Louis suffocated after becoming trapped in a cedar chest. CPSC has received reports of 10 deaths (including the St. Louis incident) and two near fatalities involving children who became trapped in the chests when the lids closed and latched shut. Since 1987, all Lane cedar chests have been manufactured with a lid that does not latch automatically when closed.

More information can be found in CPSC’s March 2000 re-announcement of the Lane cedar chest recall at www.cpsc.gov.