Health Alerts - August 2004

Several firms are recalling 150 million pieces of metal toy jewelry because about half of it contains dangerous levels of lead, posing a risk of lead poisoning to children.

There has been one report of lead poisoning when a child swallowed a piece of metal toy jewelry. Lead poisoning in children is linked with behavioral problems, learning disabilities, hearing problems and growth retardation.

The toy jewelry was sold in vending machines in malls, discount, department and grocery stores nationwide from January 2002 through June 2004 for 25 cents to 75 cents. The firms recalling the jewelry include A & A Global Industries Inc., of Cockeysville, Md., Brand Imports LLC, of Scottsdale,Ariz., Cardinal Distributing Co. Inc., of Baltimore, and L. M. Becker &Co. Inc., of Kimberly, Wis.

The jewelry includes various style rings, necklaces and bracelets. All of the recalled toy jewelry was manufactured in India.

Consumers should throw away recalled jewelry. For more information, contact the Toy Jewelry Recall Hotline at (800) 441-4234 or visit www.toyjewelryrecall.com.

Dorel Juvenile Group USA, of Columbus, Ind., is recalling 300,000 Cosco“Rock'N Roller” baby strollers because the seat can partially detach from the frame during use if the stop pins are bent or missing or the seat is not fully attached. The infant then can be injured in a fall.

Seventy-seven incidents and injuries have been reported, including a slight concussion, a cut requiring stitches, and bumps and bruises.

The recalled strollers are model numbers 01-654, 01-622, 01-624, 01-646 and 01-656, which can be found on the label on the back of the frame. They have seats that can be removed from the stroller frame and can function as a bassinet, or be repositioned on the stroller frame facing front or back. The strollers were sold at children's toy and furniture stores, such as Wal-Mart,Kmart, Sears, Toys R Us, Target, JC Penney and Service Merchandise nationwide from April 1996 through August 2002 for $79 to $179.

Consumers should stop using the recalled strollers with detachable seats. To determine how to inspect the stroller for possible replacement, contact the firm at (800) 711-0402, visit www.djgusa.comor e-mail [email protected].

Dream On Me Industries, of Brooklyn, N.Y., is recalling 20,000 baby walkers because they will fit through a standard doorway and are not designed to stop at the edge of a step. Babies could be injured or killed if they fall down stairs.

No incidents have been reported.

Two models are being recalled: model 408 and model 423. The baby walkers were sold at small toy and juvenile product stores in New York from April 2002 to March 2004 for $25 to $30.

Consumers should stop using the walkers and return them to the retailer for a refund. Contact Dream On Me at (877) 768-5500 for more information.

Associated Electrics Inc., of Costa Mesa, Calif., is recalling 4,900 Reedy Quasar Pro Battery Chargers, used to charge batteries for remote control cars,because the battery packs can overheat and explode, posing a risk of serious injury.

Three incidents involving exploding battery cells have been reported. One resulted in a bruised hand and the other in an eye injury from flying debris.

The #611 Quasar Pro Chargers are gray charger boxes with “Quasar Pro” printed on the front in yellow. There is either no barcode on the charger or a barcode label with the numbers “611” or“611A.” They were sold at hobby dealers nationwide from February 2002 through February 2004 for $200.

Consumers should stop using the charger immediately. To receive a free repair, contact Associated Electrics at (800) 518-7339 or visit www.teamassociated.com.

Huffy Bicycle Co., of Springboro, Ohio, is recalling 12,000“Cranbrook” bicycles because the handlebar can loosen suddenly,causing the rider to lose control of the bicycle.

No injuries have been reported.

The bicycles are single speed with 26-inch wheels and the name“Cranbrook” printed on the frame. They were sold in both the men's(model 56462) and ladies' (model 56472) style frames. Serial numbers ranging from, a n d i n c l u d i n g, S N H H E 0 4 C 5 2 5 5 6 t o SNHHE04C64557 are being recalled. Both the serial and model numbers can be found on the bottom bracket of the frame, where the crank is attached to the bicycle. The bikes were sold at Wal-Mart stores nationwide from April through May 2004 for$80.

Consumers should stop using the bicycles. Contact Huffy Bicycle toll-free at (888) 366-3828 or visit www.huffybikes.comto determine if the product is part of the recall. Consumers will receive a free replacement handlebar and stem.

Payless ShoeSource Inc., of Topeka, Kan., is recalling 441,000 Smart Fit and Teeny Toes athletic shoes because the metal eyelet lace holder at the top of the shoes can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.

There has been one report of a child starting to choke on a detached eyelet from one of these shoes, but no injuries have been reported.

The shoes are white with different color trim and come in pre-walk and toddler sizes with “Smart Fit” or “Teeny Toes” written on the sole and insole. The model numbers being recalled are 31056, 31057,31219, 32264, 32265, 33060 and 33061, and can be found on a label on the bottom of the shoe tongue.

The shoes were sold at Payless ShoeSource stores from December 2003 to April 2004 for $10.

Consumers should return the shoes for a refund or exchange. For more information, contact Payless at (800) 654-0697.

Samara Brothers Inc., of Edison, N.J., is recalling 30,000 children's swimsuit coverups because the zipper pull can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.

No incidents have been reported.

The cover-ups for boys and girls were sold separately or as part of a swimsuit set. The cover-up is short-sleeved and has various patches depicting beach and swim-related themes. They range in sizes from 3 to 24 months, 2T to 4T and 4 to 6X. The size, along with the brand name “Samara” or“Carter's,” is printed on the garment-care tag. The cover-ups were sold in department stores and specialty shops nationwide from January to April 2004 for $10 to $20.

Consumers should stop using the cover-ups and contact Samara Brothers toll-free at (866) 448-7758 or e-mail the firm at [email protected]to receive instructions on obtaining a free repair or replacement cover-up.

Backyard Products, of Collingwood, Ontario, is recalling 47,600 swings because the chains can detach and cause the child to fall and possibly suffer injuries.

Thirty-one incidents and five injuries have been reported, including a sore back, cut lip, and bumps and bruises.

The single swings and acrobatic swings were sold separately or as part of the Backyard Products wood gym set. The swings were sold nationwide from January to April 2004 for $12 to $16, and the sets were sold for $300 to$1,200.

Consumers should not let children use the swings. Contact Backyard Products at (800) 841-4351 to find out which models are being recalled and to receive a free repair kit.

The Land of Nod, of Wheeling, Ill., is recalling 3,500 children's wooden chairs because the leg supports can crack, causing the chair to collapse and injure children sitting in them.

There have been three reports of chairs collapsing and one minor injury.

The round back (item #0409042) and straight back (item #0409102) child's wooden chairs have a red, light blue, dark blue, pale yellow or light green lacquer painted finish. The item number refers to the chair's order number from the catalog or from the firm's Web site.

The chairs were sold nationwide via the Land of Nod catalog and Web site,and Land of Nod stores in Illinois and Washington between August 2002 and January 2004 for $69 to $79.

Consumers should stop using the chairs immediately and call toll-free at(866) 990-5263 or visit www.landofnod.com/recallfor instructions on how to return these chairs.

Old Navy LLC, of San Francisco, is recalling 666,000 children's zippered outerwear because the plastic zipper pull can detach, posing a choking hazard.

There have been 13 reports of the zipper pulls detaching.

The clear oval-shaped zipper pulls were sold on garments sizes 6 months to 4T. The recalled style numbers are 210209, 210210, 210211, 210212, 210672,210673 and 210228, and can be found on a white label sewn into the garment.

The outerwear was sold at Old Navy stores nationwide from November 2003 through May 2004 for $14 to $34.

Consumers should return the garments to Old Navy for a refund and a $5 appreciation card. For more information, call Old Navy at (866) 580-9930.

Front Porch C l a s s i c s, o f Seattle, is recalling 2,000 “Dread Pirate” coffee table games because they contain lead and pose a risk of lead poisoning to young children.

No incidents have been reported.

The “Old Century Dread Pirate” coffee table games have lot numbers 75, 79 and 81 on the bottom of the “treasure chest.” They were sold nationwide from October 2003 to March 2004 for $100.

Consumers should call Front Porch at (800) 526-0314 for a free replacement.