Health Alerts - May 2005

Graco Children's Products Inc., of Exton, Pa., is recalling 1.2 million toddler beds because a child's arm, leg or foot can become entrapped between the slats in the guard rails or footboard. This can result in broken bones or other injuries to children.

Graco has received reports of 77 entrapments resulting in numerous injuries.

The beds were sold under the names Cozy Toddler Bed, Glow-in-the-Dark Toddler Bed and Classic Toddler Bed. A label on the guard rail or leg contains one of the following model numbers: 8801, 8801WR, 8821, 8824, 8828, 8833,30066, 34434 and 11030.

The beds were sold at discount, department and juvenile product stores nationwide from February 1994 through March 2001 for $50 to $70. Consumers should remove the guard rails from the beds and call the firm at (800)837-4404 to receive a free retrofit kit. The kit includes custom designed mesh coverings that must be attached to the guard rails and footboard to prevent entrapment. The mesh coverings will be available in six to eight weeks. For more information, visit www.gracobaby.com.

MGA Entertainment Inc., of Van Nuys, Calif., is recalling 297,000 Bratz Stylin' Scooters because the wheels can break, causing users to fall.

This recall includes only Bratz Stylin' Scooters manufactured by Jurong Dumar Bicycle Inc. of China.

MGA has received six reports of cracked wheels, resulting in injuries including a broken arm.

The product is a non-motorized two-wheeled scooter. Item No. 266563 with a date of manufacture before July 2004 is located beneath the scooter platform or near the rear wheel.

The scooters were sold at toy and discount chain stores nationwide from September 2003 through November 2004 for $30.

Consumers should stop using the scooters and contact MGA for a refund or a replacement scooter. For information, call (800) 222-4685 or visit www.mgae.com.

Two companies are recalling pacifiers because the nipples can separate from the base, posing a choking hazard.

The Elegant Kids 2000 Inc., of Los Angeles, is recalling 34,500 pacifiers sold at gift shops, discount stores and Hispanic retailers nationwide from March 2000 through January 2005 for 50 cents to $1.

Consumers should return the pacifiers to the store where purchased for a refund.

For more information, call The Elegant Kids 2000 collect at (213)627-6716.

Solar Inc., of Tappan, N.Y., is recalling 24,000 flashing pacifiers and 2-in-1 flashing pacifiers with whistle necklaces sold at small retail stores,distributors, dollar stores and on Solar's Web site from January 2004 through February 2005 for about $1.

Consumers should discard the pacifiers or return them to the place where purchased for a refund.

For more information, call Solar Inc. toll-free at (800) 837-6527.

J.C. Penney Corp., of Plano, Texas, is recalling 57,000 Arizona brand boys'cardigan sweaters because the zipper-pulls can detach, posing a choking hazard.

The sweaters were sold in toddler sizes 2T to 5T and infant sizes 12M to 24M. An Arizona Jean Company tag is sewn in the neckline and includes“RN Number 93677.”

The sweaters were sold at J.C. Penney stores nationwide from September 2004 through January 2005 for $15 to $17.

Consumers should return the sweaters to any J.C. Penney store for a refund. For more information, call J.C. Penney toll-free at (888) 333-6063 or visit www.jcpenney.com.

Delta Enterprise Corp., of New York, is recalling 10,000 portable cribs because the slats can separate from the headboard, allowing children to become trapped or fall through the slat opening.

The cribs are made of wood in natural, cherry or white finishes. Model numbers 4464-1 (white), 4464-2 (natural) and 4464-4 (cherry) are printed on the mattress pad support board.

The cribs were sold at juvenile furniture stores nationwide from January 2004 through February 2005 for $100.

Consumers should stop using the crib and contact Delta Enterprise Corp. to arrange for two free replacement headboards. Call (877) 660-3777 or visit www.deltaenterprise.com.

T h o m s o n Inc., of Indianapolis, is recalling 47,000 batteries for RCA portable DVD players because the batteries can overheat and explode while recharging, posing a burn and fire hazard.

Thomson Inc. has received 16 reports of batteries overheating or exploding,and two consumers suffered burned fingers.

Only batteries used with RCA portable DVD players with model number DRC600N are being recalled. The DVD players were sold at electronic and department stores nationwide from September 2002 through July 2003 for $340 to $490.

Consumers should stop using and recharging the battery and contact Thomson at (800) 821-5875 or www.rca.com/recallfor a free replacement battery. The portable DVD player is not being recalled,and consumers can use it with the AC power adapter until they receive a replacement battery.

Adjmi Apparel Group, of New York, is recalling 8,000 Reebok children's wind wear and fleece jacket and pant sets because the zipper slider and pull can detach, posing a choking hazard.

The jacket/pant sets were sold in various color combinations in sizes up to children's size 7 at Gordmans, Fred Meyer, Kids R Us, Ross, Gottschalks and Reebok Corporate Headquarters retail store in Canton, Mass. The clothing was sold from August 2004 to February 2005 for $15 to $20.

Consumers should take the clothing away from young children and contact Adjmi at (800) 873-5570 to receive a replacement product.

For more information, visit www.reebok.com.

L.L. Bean Inc., of Freeport, Maine, and R i o Bra n d s, o f Philadelphia,are recalling 3,500 director's chairs and replacement director's chair padded seats due to several problems that can cause the chair's occupant to fall.

The recalled director's chair includes models XS78 and VU67, and the recalled replacement seat includes model XS79, which can be found on the label underneath the seat.

The chairs and pads were sold through the L.L. Bean catalog, Web site and L.L. Bean flagship store in Freeport from February through September 2004. Padded chairs sold for $79, unpadded chairs sold for $59 and the padded replacement seat sold for $29.

Consumers should stop using the director's chair and padded replacement seat and contact L.L. Bean toll-free at (800) 555-9717 to receive a refund or an L.L. Bean gift certificate. For more information, visit www.llbean.com/recall.

Kawasaki Motors Manufacturing Corp., USA, of Lincoln, Neb., is recalling 1,140 all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) because the age recommendation warning label is missing. Children under 16 years old riding these adult-size ATVs can suffer serious injury or death.

The recalled Kawasaki ATVs include the Prairie KVF700-D1 4x4 model, which was manufactured between June 2004 and February 2005. The ATVs were sold at authorized Kawasaki dealers for $7,100.

Consumers will receive a sticker to adhere to their ATV.

For more information, contact a Kawasaki dealer or call Kawasaki toll-free at (866) 802-9381 or visit www.kawasaki.com.

QSP Inc., of Pleasantville, N.Y., is recalling 555 battery-powered flying saucer toys because they can overheat while charging. As a result, the plastic motor cover may melt, creating a risk of burns to children handling the toy.

The toys are model numbers 83153 and 3321 and were distributed through school fund-raising programs nationwide from August through September 2004.

For information on returning the product for a replacement prize of equal value, call QSP Inc. at (800) 966-4540.