Recalls and more recalls of children’s products

Posted on October 19, 2010 in Our Blog,Public Safety

I honestly do not know whether to laugh or cry when I read about recall after recall of various children’s products. You may wonder what would prompt me to laugh. Well, it’s because some of the hazards prompting these recalls sound so ridiculous and unbelievable that I figure, they must be joking. Sadly, they are not.

Evenflo, which makes children’s products such as toys, cribs, gates, and high chairs, is the king of recalls, and now they have another product to add to their recall list: Maestro Combination Booster Seats. The recall affects about 18,000 booster seats. The company found during testing that some of the seats may be prone to cracking during a frontal crash. Evenflo is offering free repair kits to consumers. For more information, seethis article.

Okay, so that one wasn’t so funny. How about this one? JAKKS Pacific issued a recall of the Spa Factory Aromatherapy Fountain and Bath Benefits Kits because, according to a press release from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), “Pressure from the buildup of carbon dioxide in the jars of Bath Bombs/Balls or Bath Fizzies that come with the kits can cause the unvented lids to blow off, posing explosion and projectile hazards.” I guess an explosion would make bath time more interesting, wouldn’t it? What makes this recall more ridiculous is that the same recall was announced in January 2009, yet the explosions continued. And I’m sorry, but who thought “spa kits” and “aromatherapy” for kids were good ideas to begin with? Read more about the bath bombs here.

And a final recall for today that also involves bath time. Munchkin, Inc., issued a recall of plastic submarine bath toys because of the risk of injury. Apparently the submarine has an intake valve that can suction to a child’s skin and pose a “laceration hazard.” The press release issued by the CPSC further states, “CPSC and the company are aware of 19 incidents of lacerations to boys’ genital areas.” Seriously. Read more about this recall here.