So the CPSC is always recalling all sorts of crap, like the surprising candles which could lead to fire, or the snowboards which could lead to falling, but as a concerned parent, all you care about is the toys. The freakin’ toys. The ones with the lead and the chokey parts. Well, even though their website coder probably doubles as the meatloaf server at lunchtime, they’ve got a catchall page that is your go-to spot for all the toy hazard related recalls. Just memorize the simple URL: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/category/toy.html.
Transportation & Infrastructure
How Topps Hamburger Overproduced Themselves Out Of Business
By 10.24.07
The demand for frozen hamburger patties is overwhelming! Shoppers just can’t get enough of cheap frozen hamburgers.
By 10.24.07
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Home Automation 64 Zone Wireless Receivers (failure to receive security signal), Toyota Siennas (faulty door lock).
By 10.24.07
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If you’re doing holiday shopping online but want to know where your toys are made before you buy them, check out the list at FatBrainToys. They don’t sell things like Bratz or Hot Wheels, but if you’re in the market for unique (sometimes even “educational”) toys, it’s a good place to start. [FatBrainToys.com]
By 10.23.07
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Game Pieces Sold with “Cars” Backpacks (choking), Reynolds Bicycle Forks (falling), previously repaired Cybex Treadmills (fire), 2006 Line X-Fly and Line Pro Ski Boards (falling).
CPSC Says Consumer Lead Testing Kits Are A Complete Waste Of Time
By 10.22.07
The CPSC has announced the results of a special investigation into the effectiveness of home lead testing kits. The verdict? Don’t waste your time.
Walmart Recalls "Realistic Animals" Tainted With Lead
By 10.21.07
A plague of lead has stricken Walmart’s stock of “realistic animals”. Affected animals include farm animals, jungle animals, and even the feared dinosaur. The animals are currently trapped in chinsy cellophane bags clad shut by a brandless cardboard strip that proudly boasts: 88 Cents!
“Wal-Mart said independent testing revealed excessive levels of lead in the base material, not the surface coating.”
By 10.19.07
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Payless Girls’ Boots (falling), Kong Maxx Ladder Stands Sold at Gander Mountain (falling), Sportsstuff Air Pumps included with Launch Pod Water Trampoline (laceration), Gymboree Toy Pirate Swords (laceration), Shain’s of Maine Kahlua Brownie and Double Fudge Brownie Ice Cream (undeclared egg).
By 10.18.07
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Despite problems involving Chinese-made goods sold in the U.S., a Chinese spokesperson says that orders for Christmas toys are “up” and that factories can’t keep up with demand. But he also says, “I urge the importers of Chinese toys to come to China and buy more Chinese toys and I wish children around the world a Merry Christmas,” which makes the claim sound like PR spin. [Reuters]
By 10.17.07
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Albert’s Skull Pails Filled With Halloween Candy Mix (lead), Antioch Cool Clip™ and Mini Cool Clip™ Bookmarks (lead), Guidecraft Tabletop Puppet Theaters (lead), John Deere Gator Utility Vehicles (injury), Nautilus Bowflex® Ultimate 2 Home Gyms (injury), Plow & Hearth Recalls Aluminum Chimenea (fire, burn), Dunkin’ Donuts Glow Sticks Due (choking, strangulation), Procycle Rocky Mountain-Solo Bicycles (fall).
Free $5 Tylenol Coupons
By 10.17.07
Because of recent recalls of useless and potentially deadly children’s cold medicines, Tylenol is giving out $5 coupons. Be advised though that you have to install a special coupon printing program to take advantage of the offer. Turn on your printer, disable popup blocks, hit the red button, install the program, and a $5 coupon good for TYLENOL, MOTRIN, PediaCare, Benadryl, SUDAFED, St. Joseph, or Immodium pops out.
This Huffy Bike Will Injure You
By 10.16.07
If you own this Huffy bike, you should be aware that at any moment “the bicycle crank can unexpectedly come off, causing the rider to lose control, fall and suffer serious injuries.”
By 10.16.07
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Yamaha Snowmobiles 2007 Model Year PZ50 (injury, death), Oro Disc Brakes on bikes (loss of braking), 2007 Huffy “Howler” and “Highland” Bicycles (crank falling off, loss of control), Lochmead Farms Country Fresh Chocolate Premium Ice Cream (undeclared almonds), Arko Veal Co Beef Patties Mix (E. coli), J & B Meats Corporation Inc various meats (E. coli).
Medtronic Stops Selling Faulty Defibrillators
By 10.15.07
Medtronic is “recalling” its latest heart defibrillator models because of faulty wiring, which could lead to either it not working when you most need it, or it shocking you randomly in the heart with painful electric jolts. “The company is urging all of the roughly 235,000 patients with the lead, known as the Sprint Fidelis, to see their doctors to make sure it has not developed a fracture that can make the device misread heart-rhythm data.”
Winne-The-Pooh Playsets Are Contaminated With Lead, Not Honey
By 10.12.07
Winnie-the-Pooh is the latest character to fall victim to the lead toy contamination epidemic, according to the CPSC, which recalled the playsets yesterday.
By 10.12.07
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“Jeff Gordon” Mini Helmets (lead), Kipp Brothers Bendable Dinosaur Toys (lead), Cracker Barrel Princess Magnetic Travel Art Set Lap Desks (lead), Disney™ Deluxe Winnie-the-Pooh 23-Piece Play Sets (lead), J.C. Penney Deluxe Wood Art Sets (lead), J.C. Penney Breyer 2006 Stirrup Ornaments (lead), Wegmans Food You Feel Good About Country Wheat Rolls (actually potato rolls, with undeclared milk allergen), Aliki Chicken Broccoli Fettuccine Alfredo Made with White Chicken (Listeria), J.C. Penney “Alyssa” Shag Rugs (fire), Ross Stores Turtle Sprinklers (laceration), Collections Etc. Inc. Double Hammocks (falling), Alltrade Tools Recalls Power Tool Batteries (burn and laceration), Fisher Controls International, Gas Regulators (leaks).
14 Children's Cold Meds Withdrawn From the Market
By 10.11.07
Johnson & Johnson today recalled several infant cough and cold medicines, citing “rare instances of misuse leading to overdose, particularly in infants under two years of age.”
