Mark: Welcome to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Podcast for February 16th, 2007. I’m Mark Ross.
Patty: And I’m Patty Davis. This week, CPSC announced five recalls of children’s products totalling more than three-quarters of a million units. These products pose fire, choking, aspiration, intestinal perforation, strangulation and lead poising hazards.
[BUNNY SOUND - "I have long ears and a short tail"]
Mark: First off this week, Fisher Price is voluntarily recalling about 500,000 “Laugh and Learn” Learning Bunny Toys. An additional 700,000 toys were sold worldwide. The bunny’s pink pompom nose can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children. No incidents or injuries have been reported.
Patty: These 10-inch tall yellow bunny toys have musical and counting sound effects: [MORE SOUND FX] The words, “Laugh and Learn” are printed on the bunny’s shirt. For more information, contact Fisher-Price at (866) 447-5003 anytime.
Mark: Also this week, JAKKS Pacific Inc. recalled about 245,000 Battery Packs used with FLY WHEELS XPV, radio controlled toy vehicles. The lithium-ion polymer batteries used to charge the toy vehicles can ignite while charging, posing a fire hazard.
Patty: JAKKS Pacific has received 30 reports of the batteries melting or catching fire while charging, including three reports of minor burns to fingers and 21 reports of property damage. Consumers can call the firm toll-free at 877-875-2557 to get a free replacement battery pack.
Mark: CPSC and Jazwares Inc. announced the recall of about 30,000 Link-N-Lite™ Magnetic Light-Up Puzzles. Small magnets used to connect the puzzle pieces can fall out. Magnets found by young children can be swallowed or aspirated. If more than one magnet is swallowed, the magnets can attract each other and cause intestinal perforation or blockage, which can be fatal.
Patty: The firm has received reports of nine incidents where magnets became loose from these puzzles. No injuries have been reported. These are double-sided plastic magnetic puzzles in two designs. The Disney-brand puzzle shows the Disney Princesses on the front and Ariel, from The Little Mermaid, on the back. The Marvel-brand puzzle shows “Spider-Man & Friends” on both sides.
Mark: Consumers should immediately stop using the puzzles and contact Jazwares at 800-370-1827 for a free replacement toy that does not contain magnets.
Patty: Finally this week, CPSC announced the recall of two children’s garments. Vacation Clothing, doing business as Basix USA recalled about 20,000 children’s hooded sweatshirts and windbreakers with drawstrings that pose a strangulation hazard. And, Samara Brothers LLC is recalling about 8,000 Heavyweight Outerwear Boys’ Jackets because the snap closures on the outerwear jackets contain excessive amounts of lead.
Mark: No injuries have been reported with either one of these recalls. Consumers with Basix USA children’s garments with drawstrings should remove the drawstring from the garments immediately. The Samara recall involves boy’s outerwear jackets with a Carter’s-brand logo on the front sold in charcoal, navy and red.
Patty: Stop using these jackets and contact Samara Brothers at 800-985-0078 to get a refund. For complete information on these and many more recalls, go to our Web site at www.cpsc.gov. -- And until next time, stay safe.
End.