New rules aim to make high chairs safer
New rules to make high chairs used in homes and restaurants safer for infants and toddlers have taken effect.
High chairs manufactured or imported on or after June 19 must meet requirements for stability, have a crotch restraint and three-point restraint system, and include a warning label on how to prevent falls. The new safety standards, approved by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), do not apply to booster seats or hook-on high chairs.
About 18,500 high chair-related injuries were treated in U.S. emergency rooms from 2015 through 2016, according to the CPSC’s National Electronic Injury Surveillance System. Most of the injuries were due to falls when a child tried to climb into or out of the high chair; when the chair tipped over as a child pushed back or rocked back and forth in the high chair; or when part of the high chair (such as the restraint, tray or lock) failed.
Following are tips from the CPSC and American Academy of Pediatrics to keep children safe in high chairs:
- It is safest to use high chairs manufactured on or after June 19. You can find the manufacture date on a label on the high chair. If you have an older chair, it might not have the new safety features.
- Always use the safety straps, including the crotch strap, and adjust them to fit the child snugly.
- Do not use the tray to hold the child in the high chair. Instead, use the restraints.
- If the chair folds, be sure it is locked each time you set it up.
- Do not leave your child alone in the high chair.
- Do not let children climb into or stand on the high chair.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has announced the recall of the following products. Consumers should stop using recalled products unless otherwise instructed. Consumers can submit reports of harm to CPSC’s searchable online product safety database atwww.SaferProducts.gov. A searchable food and medical product recall database is available at www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/default.htm.
Plush toys
Units: About 80,000
Hazard: The “googly” plastic eyes on the toy can detach, and children can choke on them.
Description: A “Forky” plush toy from Disney Pixar’s Toy Story 4 has poseable arms, rainbow screen art on top of the foot and plastic rolling “googly” eyes. Toys with tracking codes FAC-024868-18338, FAC-024868-19032, FAC-024868-19060 and
FAC-024868-19091 are recalled. The tracking codes are on the label attached to the base of the toy.
Sold at: Disney Stores nationwide, Disney Theme Parks, online at shopdisney.com and through the Disney store on Amazon Marketplace from April through June 2019 for about $20.
Remedy: Return toys to any Disney Store retail location, Walt Disney World or Disneyland Resort theme park retail store for a refund.
Contact: Call 866-537-7649 or email [email protected].
Custom cellular shades
Units: About 30,000
Hazard: The pull cords are joined by a non-breakaway cord connector, which poses a strangulation hazard for small children.
Description: The Levolor two-corded custom cellular window shades were sold in the following styles: bottom-up single-cell products (60 inches or less in width); bottom-up double-cell products (44 inches or less in width); top-down/bottom-up or day/night corded products (42 inches or less in width); and various custom cellular configurations of specialty shapes. The Levolor logo is on a sticker on the bottom rail. The date of manufacture is printed on a sticker on the head rail. Only units manufactured between Dec. 15, 2018 and April 3, 2019 are recalled.
Sold at: Levolor dealers nationwide and at www.levolor.com from December 2018 through April 2019 for $65 to $1,125.
Remedy: Stop using the shades and contact Levolor for a free repair kit.
Contact: Call 800-752-9677, email [email protected] or visit https://www.levolor.com/customcellularproductrecall.
Infant head and neck supports
Units: 14,000
Hazard: The head support area can be overstuffed and cause the infant’s head to be tilted too far forward, and the infant can suffocate.
Description: Boppy Head and Neck supports are an accessory used in infant swings, bouncers and strollers. They were sold in two styles: ebony floral and heathered gray. Model number 4150114 or 4150117 is printed on the fabric label on the back of the head support.
Sold at: Target, Buy Baby and other juvenile products and discount furniture stores nationwide and online at Amazon.com from March through May 2019 for about $20.
Remedy: Contact The Boppy Company for a refund.
Contact: Call 888-772-6779, email [email protected] or visit https://www.boppy.com/pages/recall.
Toddler bikes
Units: About 11,560
Hazard: The steer tube clamp on the bike can break, and children can fall.
Description: Model year 2013 through 2019 Trek Kicksters are recalled. The bikes are made for toddlers who are learning how to ride a two wheeler. The Kicksters do not have pedals so children can focus on balancing. They come in black, blue, red and pink, and “TREK” is written on the crossbar.
Sold at: Independent bicycle stores nationwide and online at www.trekbikes.com and other online retailers from August 2012 through April 2019 for about $170.
Remedy: Take bikes to a Trek retailer for a free repair.
Contact: Call Trek at 800-373-4594 or visit http://bit.ly/2GArlFb.
Wintergreen oil
Units: About 11,580
Hazard: The packaging is not child resistant. Young children may be poisoned if they ingest the oil.
Description: This recall involves Majestic Pure Wintergreen essential oil. “100% Pure & Natural Therapeutic Grade” is written on the front of the brown bottle. The ingredients listed on the side panel include “Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbent) essential oil. Steam distilled.”
Sold at: Amazon.com from June 2016 to April 2019 for about $18.
Remedy: Keep the product out of children’s reach, and contact Epic Business Service to receive a free replacement child-resistant dropper.
Contact: Call 888-995-8495 or email [email protected].
Children’s pajamas
Units: About 9,000
Hazard: The children’s pajama sets do not meet flammability standards, posing a risk of burn injuries to children.
Description: This recall involves two styles of children’s 100% cotton knit, long-sleeve top and pant pajama sets in sizes 2 through 10. The first style was sold as a set of two pajamas. One of the long-sleeve tops is pink with a dog’s face on the front and two extended 3D fabricated ears. The second top is gray with a pink bow trim at the neckline and a pink heart printed on the left chest. The set also include long pants with a pink and polka dot print. Product code 0494860 is on the wash care label inside the garment. The second style is single set with product code 0537645. The set includes a white long-sleeve top with a cat’s face on the front with two extended 3D fabricated ears. It also includes long white polka dot pants. Only the top is recalled.
Sold at: H&M stores nationwide and online at www.hm.com from July 2018 to May 2019 for $14.99 to $24.99.
Remedy: Contact H&M for a refund, plus a $20 gift card.
Contact: Call 855-466-7467 or visit http://bit.ly/2GRNO0T.
Bouncers
Units: About 5,400
Hazard: The Stokke Steps Bouncer can detach from the Stokke Steps Chair, and the child can fall out of the bouncer.
Description: This recall includes Stokke Steps Bouncers, which are part of Stokke Steps all-in-one modular seating system. The bouncers have a plastic arm and fabric seat. Bouncers with item number 483201, 483202, 483203, 483204 and 483205 and certain serial numbers are recalled. Check for recalled serial numbers at https://reclamations.stokke.com/stepsbouncer/. The item and serial numbers are on the tracking label underneath the bouncer seat plastic frame.
Sold at: Juvenile product stores nationwide and online at www.stokke.com and www.Amazon.com from February 2014 through December 2018 for about $200.
Remedy: Stop using the Stokke Steps Bouncer with the Stokke Steps Chair. Visit https://reclamations.stokke.com/stepsbouncer to check if the bouncer is recalled. If it is, consumers should register on the site to receive repair instructions. Consumers can continue to use the Stokke Steps Bouncers and the Stokke Steps Chairs separately.
Contact: Call 877-978-6553, email [email protected] or visit http://bit.ly/332miaj.
Inline skates
Units: About 2,700
Hazard: The skate axle can become loose or part of the axle can sheer off during use. A wheel then can separate from the skate’s frame, and the skater can fall.
Description: This recall involves the following K2 Sports skate models and colors: VO2 S 90 PRO M (black/steel/red), VO2 S 90 PRO W (black/blue), VO2 S 100 PRO M (black/yellow), VO2 S 100 X PRO W Hi Lo (black/purple) and VO2 S 100 BOA (red/white). K2 is printed on the toe and wheels of the skates, and the model name is on the label on the tongue of the skate and the ankle strap.
Sold at: Specialty stores nationwide and at www.k2sports.com from January through May 2019 for $280 to $300.
Remedy: Contact K2 Sports or the store where purchased for a free repair.
Contact: Call 866-734-5746, email [email protected] or visit http://bit.ly/30G9550.
Children’s security blankets
Units: About 700
Hazard: The blanket’s snaps can detach, and children can choke on them.
Description: The Swaddle Bee’s Loviebee security blankets for infants were sold in blue/gray, blue/white, pink/gray and pink/white color combinations with optional personalized embroidery. Two straps with a metal snap at the end of each strap and the body of the blanket are used to attach the blanket to a stroller, crib, car seat or wrist.
Sold at: Online at swaddlebee.com and on the Swaddle Bee Instagram account from September 2018 through May 2019 for about $24.
Remedy: Contact Swaddle Bee for instructions on how to receive a refund.
Contact: Call 800-643-7044, email [email protected] or visit http://bit.ly/30MRJmP.
Wooden toys
Units: About 300
Hazard: The wooden wheels can detach and release small parts, which young children can choke on.
Description: The Playtive Junior Wooden Grasping Toy is made of wood in the shape of an elephant with four blue wheels. Model number HG04414 is on the underside of the toy.
Sold at: Lidl stores in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York from March through May 2019 for about $4.
Remedy: Return the product to any Lidl store for a refund.
Contact: Call 844-747-5435 or visit http://bit.ly/2O9WXYC.