CAUTION! - Recall Alert

Like you, Erin and I would like to consider ourselves relatively savvy shoppers. We usually try to do at least some research on any item before we take the leap and make a purchase. This is especially true when it comes to things we purchase for our daughter, Olivia. Like most parents, we have adopted the philosophy: "You can't be too careful". But, we still like to know when manufacturers recall their products just in case, despite our diligence, we happen to have the misfortune of selecting a product that turns out to present a hazard.

What is a recall? Wikipedia defines a recall as, "a request to return to the maker a batch or an entire production run of a product, usually due to the discovery of safety issues. The recall is an effort to limit liability for corporate negligence (which can cause costly legal penalties) and to improve or avoid damage to publicity. Recalls are costly to a company because they often entail replacing the recalled product or paying for damages caused in use, albeit possibly less costly than indirect cost following damages to brand name and reduced trust in the manufacturer."

Usually, a U.S. regulatory organization known as the CPSC will enforce and announce the recall of products that present a significant risk to consumers either because the product may be defective or violates a mandatory standard issued by CPSC.

What is the CPSC? The Consumer Protection Safety Commission is a Federal regulatory agency that works to reduce the risk of injuries and deaths from consumer products. There are a few ways they seek to accomplish this. One is by developing voluntary standards in cooperation with industry regarding the safe manufacturing of products. In addition to this they issue and enforce mandatory standards that are established by the government. They also ban consumer products if no feasible standard would adequately protect the public. Other ways the CPSC serves the public interest is by conducting research on potential product hazards; informing and educating consumers through the media, State and local governments, private organizations, and by responding to consumer inquiries.

We encourage you to check the current recalls issued by the CPSC yourself by pointing your browser to: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prerel.html

For the benefit of ourselves, and our readers, we have already examined the last few months worth of recalls and selected those that seemed most pertinent to new parents. The following list contains the recalls issued by the CPSC in the months of August, September, and October of 2006. Check the list to see if you identify anything of concern to you.

LeapFrog Recalls to Repair Children’s Activity Centers Due to Arm Entrapment Hazard
In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), LeapFrog Enterprises Inc., of Emeryville, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 186,000 Playground Activity Centers. A child’s arm can become caught in the activity center’s plastic tube, posing a risk of injury to children.

Playskool Voluntarily Recalls Toy Tool Benches after the Death of Two Toddlers
In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Playskool, of Pawtucket, R.I., is voluntarily recalling about 255,000 Team Talkin’ Tool Bench toys following the deaths of two young children. Playskool received reports that a 19-month-old boy from Martinsburg, W.V., and a 2-year-old boy from League City, Texas, suffocated when oversized, plastic toy nails sold with the tool bench toys became forcefully lodged in their throats.

Suave Kids Bath Sets Sold at Wal-Mart Recalled for Choking, Other Hazards
In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Almar Sales Co., of New York, NY, is voluntarily recalling about 11,000 Suave Kids Bath Sets. Items in the baths sets contain small parts that pose a choking hazard to young children. Additionally, some of the handles on the carrying case are long enough to pose a strangulation hazard. Also, the plastic carrying case poses a danger of suffocation.

Baby Cookie Monster Toys Sold with DVD at Wal-Mart Recalled for Choking Hazard
In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), The Betesh Group of New York, NY, is voluntarily recalling 31,000 Baby Cookie Monster Plush Toys. The small felt fabric cookie attached to the plush toy’s hand can be removed easily and ingested by young children, posing a choking hazard.

Scandinavian Child Recalls Cariboo™ Baby Changing Tables Due to Fall Hazard
In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Scandinavian Child, of Raleigh, N.C., is voluntarily recalling about 90 Cariboo™ Folding Changing Tables and 40 Cariboo™ Bassinet Changers. If the zipper is misaligned, it can come apart and allow the cloth surface to separate, posing a fall hazard to the baby.

LEGO Recalls Toy Trucks Due to Puncture Hazard to Young Children
In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), LEGO Systems Inc., of Enfield, Conn., is voluntarily recalling about 358,000 LEGO EXPLORE Super Trucks. The plastic wheels on the truck can detach, exposing a metal axle. This poses a puncture hazard to young children.

Erin and I have subscribed to the CPSC mailing list and anticipate receiving email alerts any time a new recall is issued for any baby related merchandise. You could do the same when you visit their website. As an alternative, be sure to check back here at "Babies On The Net" since we will surely post any recalls we become aware of for your benefit.