Green Treehouse

September 3, 2008: The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (”CPSC”) has announced a voluntary recall of Action Baby Carriers, manufactured by Optave Inc. The affected baby carriers were sold from May 2008 through June 2008, “in various colors and patterns: blue, brown, green, ’so square’, ‘the larrisa’ and ’spring breeze.’”

According to CPSC, “The baby carrier’s chest strap can detach from the shoulder straps, posing a fall hazard to the baby.”

For more information about the recall or to learn whether your infant carrier may be affected by the recall, check out the CPSC news release here.

August 27, 2008: The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (”CPSC”) is urging consumers to discontinue use of Simplicity 3-in-1 and 4-in-1 Convertible “Close-Sleeper” Bassinets. At least two infant deaths due to strangulation have been reported. CPSC urges consumers to spread news of this safety alert because the company (SFCA Inc.) that owns Simplicity has refused to cooperate with the government and recall the bassinets.

According to CPSC, “The Simplicity 3-in-1 and 4-in-1 convertible bassinets contain metal bars spaced farther apart than 2 3/8 inches, which is the maximum distance allowed under the federal crib safety standard. The metal bars are covered by an adjustable fabric flap which is attached by velcro. The fabric is folded down when the bassinet is converted into a bed-side co-sleeping position. If the velcro is not properly re-secured when the flap is adjusted, an infant can slip through the opening and become entrapped in the metal bars and suffocate. This warning does not cover bassinets produced in recent months that have fabric permanently attached over the lower bar.”

Click here to learn more about this CPSC safety alert.

Whether you have five plus years to go until your baby heads off to school or are sending your baby to kindergarten (or beyond) this year, check out the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (”CPSC”) Tips for Back to School Safety (August 19, 2008).

Here are two tips that made the list:

* Avoid Children’s Clothing with Drawstrings. According to CPSC, “Drawstrings at the hood or neck area are a strangulation hazard. They can catch on playground equipment and other items. Remove hood and neck drawstrings from upper outerwear clothing already in your child’s closet, and do not buy children’s clothing that uses them.”

* Confirm that playground equipment is safe. “Check with school officials to make sure that equipment has been inspected and maintained.” Parents can even listen to a podcast on playground safety here.

August 7, 2008: The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (”CPSC”) has announced a voluntary recall of Fisher-Price Learning Pots and Pans Toys (Model No. G6685), which have stackable pots and pans, a lid and shape-sorting blocks.

According to CPSC, “Missing screws in the blue toy pan can cause the clear plastic cover to come loose and release small balls, presenting a choking hazard to young children.”

For more information about the recall or to learn whether your toy may be affected by the recall, check out the CPSC news release here.

August 5, 2008: The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (”CPSC”) has announced a voluntary recall of certain Mother Hubbard’s Cupboards Cribs, with date codes from 0306 through 0308: “Enchantment” (model #210), “Hush a Bye” (model #215), “Once upon a time” (model #320) and “Rock a bye” (model #1900-350).

According to CPSC, “The cribs fail to meet the federal safety standards. The distance between the mattress support bracket in the lowest position and the top of the side rail in the highest position is less than the required 26 inches, posing a fall hazard to children who climb over the railing.”

For more information about the recall or to learn whether your crib may be affected by the recall, check out the CPSC news release here.

August 5, 2008: The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (”CPSC”) has announced a voluntary recall of Davenport Cribs by Baby Appleseed. The cribs were sold from December 2006 through September 2007.

According to CPSC, “The cribs fail to meet the federal safety standards for cribs. The cribs have a two mattress support system. The secondary mattress support, used for the lowest position, does not meet the full 26 inch minimum height in its lowest position, allowing children inside to crawl over the railing, posing a fall hazard.”

For more information about the recall or to learn whether your crib may be affected by the recall, check out the CPSC news release here.

July 29, 2008: The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (”CPSC”) has announced a voluntary recall of Wooden Toys by Earthentree of Kirkland, WA. The wooden toys affected by the recall include egg shakers (maracas), pull toys, rattles, and trains, which are painted glossy red, orange, green, brown, yellow or natural wood.

According to CPSC, “The recalled toys contain small parts or can break into small parts, posing a choking hazard. The recalled rattles violate the federal rattle standard. Some of the toys also have a string longer than 12 inches, which can pose a strangulation hazard to young children.” No injuries have been reported.

For more information about the recall or to learn whether your toy may be affected by the recall, check out the CPSC news release here.

July 24, 2008: The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (”CPSC”) has announced a voluntary recall of approximately 19,000 Kids II Inc. Bright Starts Ring Rattles. The recalled soft toy rattle is a “bee with a yellow head, ring-shaped green body, blue/green wings and purple/red antennas. Model number 8534 and date code PA8 are printed on a sewn-in label on the bee’s head.” The recalled product was sold in retail stores from January 2008 through June 2008.

According to CPSC, “The tip of the rattle’s antenna, which is attached to a bee figure, can detach and pose a choking hazard to small children.” No injuries have been reported.

For more information about the recall or to learn whether your Kids II Infant Rattle may be affected by the recall, check out the CPSC news release here.

July 22, 2008: The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (”CPSC”) has announced a voluntary recall of approximately 115,000 It’s My Binky Personalized Pacifiers, imported by It’s My Binky, of Henderson, Nevada. The recalled pacifiers “have ‘Japlo’ imprinted on the front of the pacifier shield at the bottom, center. The pacifiers were sold in blue, white and pink with various words or designs printed on the button of the pacifier.” Text examples include: stud muffin, my mom rocks, prince charming, mute button.

According to CPSC, “The pacifier button, ring handle and shield with nipple can detach, posing a choking hazard to infants.” No injuries have been reported.

For more information about the recall or to learn whether your youth bed may be affected by the recall, check out the CPSC news release here.

July 3, 2008: The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (”CPSC”) has announced a voluntary recall of approximately 9,350 LaJolla Boat Beds and Pirates of the Caribbean Twin Trundle Beds imported by Bayside Furnishings, of San Diego, CA. The beds were sold at Costco and furniture retail stores from January 2006 through May 2008.

According to CPSC, “The lid supports on the toy chests fail to prevent the lid from closing too quickly, posing an entrapment and strangulation hazard to young children.” One incident report involves the death of a 22-month-old boy.

For more information about the recall or to learn whether your youth bed may be affected by the recall, check out the CPSC news release here.