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Safe Kids is committed to keeping you informed about recalls of products that can put kids at risk. This recall report includes baby walkers that can pose serious injury risks as well as various medications and vitamins that fail to meet child-resistant packaging requirements. The Safe Kids’ recall center is a unique place where parents and caregivers can go to stay up-to-date on recalls of all child-related products.

Updates to the Food Recalls

Three recalls of food products more likely to be on a kids’ menu can be found on the right-hand side. Here are links for all food/drug recall information announced by the Food and Drug Administration and USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service.

We also bring you consumer news and concerns about children's products and safety issues. Here are our headlines:

Announcements

Safe Kids Worldwide Releases New Parent’s Guide to Child Safety

Safe Kids has a new comprehensive resource to help reach families with important safety information. The Parent’s Guide to Child Safety is a comprehensive 24-page booklet with proven advice and top tips to help families reduce risks, prevent injuries and keep kids safe at home, at play and on the road. The Parent’s Guide is available on the home page of safekids.org and on the Members Resource Center for coalition coordinators and members.

News

Top Recall

March 19, 2020 CPSC: Kids & Koalas Baby Walkers were recalled because they fail to meet federal safety standards, posing fall and entrapment hazards. Babies using these walkers can be seriously injured or killed. Units: About 3,600.

March 19, 2020 CPSC: Grizzly Industrial recalled its Children’s Tool Kits, because the components contain levels of lead in violation of the federal lead content standard. In addition, the toy goggles and hardhats do not meet toy safety requirements. Units: About 20,645 (an additional 100 sold in Canada).

Recalls

May 7, 2020 CPSC: Sobeauty recalled its “Mag Cube” Magnetic Ball Sets because they contain high-powered magnets and violate the federal standard for children’s toys. If swallowed, they can link together in a child’s intestines, causing obstructions, perforations, sepsis and death. Such internal injuries can pose serious lifelong health effects. Units: About 600 sets.

May 7, 2020 CPSC: Noah Clothing recalled its Men’s Reverse Fleece Hoodies because they fail to meet the federal flammability standards for clothing textiles, posing a burn risk to consumers. Units: About 1,400 (an additional 165 sold in Canada).

May 7, 2020 CPSC: Fully Popped recalled its Poppin’ Cobs 10 Pack Microwave Popcorn because their paper bags can catch fire in the microwave, posing fire and burn hazards. Units: About 4,900.

May 6, 2020 CPSC: Prepac recalled its 4-Drawer Chests because they are unstable and can tip over if not anchored to a wall, posing tip-over and entrapment hazards that can result in death or injuries to children. Units: About 21,000.

May 1, 2020 CPSC: Epson recalled its Power Adapters sold with Epson Scanners because they can overheat, melt and catch fire, posing burn and fire hazards. Units: About 314,000 (an additional 25,000 sold in Canada).

April 30, 2020 CPSC: Modular Robotics recalled its rechargeable battery packs because they can short circuit, causing them to overheat and posing a fire and burn hazard to consumers. Units: About 2,400.

April 30, 2020 CPSC: Bellman & Symfon recalled its Flash Receivers for Reduced Hearing Persons because back-up batteries can fail to fully charge and fail to alert hearing-impaired persons to an emergency. Units: About 450.

April 30, 2020 CPSC: Essential Trading Post recalled its Wintergreen and Birch Essential Oils because its packaging fails to meet the child-resistant standards of the Poison Prevention Packaging Act, posing a poisoning risk to young children. Units: About 200.

April 30, 2020 CPSC: Ximi Vogue recalled its Children’s Neck Pillows because paint on their zippers contain levels of lead exceeding the federal lead paint bans, posing a risk of adverse health effect to children. Units: About 160.

April 23, 2020 CPSC: BioFinest recalled its Wintergreen Essential Oil because the packaging fails to meet the child-resistant standards of the Poison Prevention Packaging Act, posing a poisoning risk to young children. Units: About 20.

April 23, 2020 CPSC: LUS Brands recalled its LUS Hair Dryers & Diffusers because they do not have an immersion protection device, posing an electrocution or shock hazard if the product falls into water while plugged in. Units: About 2,700 (an additional 410 sold in Canada).

April 23, 2020 CPSC: Naturo Sciences recalled its Eiji Essential Wintergreen Oil because the packaging fails to meet the child-resistant standards of the Poison Prevention Packaging Act, posing a poisoning risk to young children. Units: About 1,200.

April 23, 2020 CPSC: Natural Health Partners recalled its Dr. Mercola Wintergreen Essential Oils because the packaging fails to meet the child-resistant standards of the Poison Prevention Packaging Act, posing a poisoning risk to young children. Units: About 5,600.

April 16, 2020 CPSC: Wyndmere Birch recalled its Birch Sweet Essential Oil and Aches and Pains Synergistic Blend because its packaging fails to meet the child-resistant standards of the Poison Prevention Packaging Act, posing a risk of poisoning if the contents are swallowed by young children. Units: About 2,850.

April 16, 2020 CPSC: The Vitamin Shoppe recalled its Energy Formula Multivitamins (90 Tablets) because the packaging fails to meet the child-resistant standards of the Poison Prevention Packaging Act, posing a poisoning risk to young children. Units: About 2,800.

April 8, 2020 CPSC: Continuum recalled its Lenox 2.5 Quart Tea Kettles because they can expel hot water during use, posing a burn hazard to consumers. Units: About 56,000.

April 6, 2020 CPSC: Joybird recalled its Blythe dressers because they are unstable if not anchored to a wall, posing tip-over and entrapment hazards that can result in death or serious injuries to children. Units: About 100.

April 2, 2020 CPSC: Stelpro Design recalled its ASSO and ASSOS Sonoma wall fan heaters because an internal part of the heater fails to meet flammability performance requirements, posing a fire hazard. Units: About 3,600.

April 2, 2020 CPSC: VP Harrier and Giant Pinner DH bicycle pedals recalled because the pedal body can separate from the pedal spindle resulting in a loss of balance, posing fall and injury hazards to riders. Units: About 5,400.

April 2, 2020 CPSC: Southern Motion recalls its “Wireless Power” reclining furniture because their lithium-ion batteries can overheat, posing a fire hazard. Units: About 2,300.

April 2, 2020 CPSC: Manhattan Toy recalled its Musical Lili Llama because the screws used to attach the spinning flowers to the sides of the toy can become loose and fall off, posing a choking hazard for young children. Units: About 4,000 (an additional 63 sold in Canada).

March 19, 2020 CPSC: Plant Therapy recalled its Wintergreen, Organic Wintergreen, Muscle Aid Synergy Blend, Tingly Mint Synergy Blend, and Vein Aid Synergy Blend Oils because the packaging fails to meet the child-resistant standards of the Poison Prevention Packaging Act, posing a poisoning risk to young children. Units: About 34,000.

March 19, 2020 CPSC: Woom Bikes USA recalled its model 4, 5, 6 bicycles because their front fork can loosen and detach, posing fall and injury risks to the rider. Units: About 5,500.

March 19, 2020 CPSC: Thule recalled its Thule Sleek Car Seat Adapters because their plastic brackets can break, posing a fall hazard to infants. Units: About 1,430 (an additional 116 sold in Canada).

March 19, 2020 CPSC: Kidz Concepts recalled its Lilly of New York Children’s Winter Boots because their soles contain levels of lead exceeding the federal lead content ban, posing a risk of adverse health issues to children. Units: About 3,200.

March 19, 2020 CPSC: Crate and Barrel recalled its Miles Glass Pitchers with Wood Lid because the handle on the pitcher can break, posing a laceration hazard. Units: About 2,560 (an additional 11 sold in Canada).

March 18, 2020 CPSC: Novartis recalled Sandimmune 100 mg soft gelatin capsules and Neoral® MODIFIED 100 mg soft gelatin capsules prescription drug blister packages, because their packaging fails to meet the child-resistant standards of the Poison Prevention Packaging Act, posing a poisoning risk to young children. Units: About 73,000.

March 18, 2020 CPSC: SeeNext Venture recalled its NumbSkin pain relief cream with lidocaine because the packaging fails to meet the child-resistant standards of the Poison Prevention Packaging Act, posing a risk of poisoning to young children. Units: About 8,000.

News

Safe Kids, Safe States Alliance and YMCA of the USA Webinar on Child Drowning

Please join Safe States Alliance, Safe Kids Worldwide and YMCA of the USA for a May 27th, 2:00 – 3:15 p.m. (EDT) webinar entitled, Wading Through the COVID-19 Impact. Recent data from Florida shows that childhood drownings have significantly increased over the same time last year, all involving children 3 and under—consistent with CDC reporting that the number one cause of death of children age 4 and under is drowning. The Florida data indicates a direct tie to COVID-19 stay-at-home orders and parental distraction. Today, and post-pandemic, we need national action on childhood drowning. Hear from national and local experts on the new data, the urgent need for federal resources to respond to this crisis, and what states and national organizations are doing and could do with more resources

Safe Kids Research Reveals a COVID-19 100 Percent Increase in Child Drownings Compared to 2019

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, a Safe Kids advocacy research memo reports on a 100 percent increase in Florida child drownings between New Years and mid-April 2020 to the same time period in 2019. The research was conducted in connection with a request for a $5 million appropriation funding a three-pronged drowning prevention program at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Consumer Reports Article Discusses Challenges of Child Passenger Safety in COVID-19 Pandemic

The essential consumer product safety journal, Consumer Reports, ran an article on the challenges of child passenger safety during the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on the partnership between Safe Kids and the Juvenile Products Manufacturing Association, the article provide tips from Safe Kids coalition leaders Luis Rivera of Safe Kids Connecticut and Kristen Beckworth of Safe Kids Greater Houston, and cites a video on rear-facing car seats developed by Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, home to Safe Kids Southeastern Pennsylvania.

Safe Kids DC Medical Director Dr. Sadiqa Kendi Warns of Rising Child Injuries During Pandemic

In a piece for The Guardian, Dr. Sadiqa Kendi, Medical Director for Safe Kids DC and a physician at Children’s National Hospital, warned families to remain vigilant about preventable injuries during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Kendi highlighted how school cancellations, telework and stay-at-home orders are challenging parents’ ability to provide constant supervision, noting that this can increase the risk of a number of home injuries. Specifically, she calls attention to poisonings by medications and cleaners, furniture tip-overs, falls, burns and drownings.

US Lockdowns Coincide With Rise in Poisonings From Cleaners

Reports of accidental poisonings from cleaners and disinfectants have increased this year during the coronavirus pandemic. Poisonings rose by 20 percent in the first three months of this year compared to 2018 and 2019, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Families are spending more time at home and have been vigilant about cleaning, which often means that there are more potential poisons that children may get access to, such as hand sanitizer or medicines. The CDC report cited 45,000 recent calls to poison centers nationwide about incidents involving cleaning chemicals or disinfects, 40 percent of which involved poisonings in children age 5 or younger

Doctors Expect a ‘Huge Spike’ in Pediatric Injuries at Home; New York Times article quotes Safe Kids’ President Torine Creppy

Experts warn that there may be a higher risk for pediatric injuries at home as children are spending more time at home due to school closures and stay-at-home orders. Many parents are also busy working from home, in addition to their normal responsibilities. The resulting challenges to consistent supervision are likely to lead to an increase in home child injuries, from tip-overs to poisonings. Quoted in The New York Times, Safe Kids Worldwide President Torine Creppy said “We are anticipating that, as kids have more unstructured time at home in the coming weeks and months, and parents are focused on everything from watching their children to teleworking to constantly sanitizing, childhood injuries are likely to go up.”

CPSC Advances Rulemaking on Crib Bumpers to Protect Infants

The USCPSC voted unanimously to advance rulemaking on a federal safety standard for crib bumpers that would prohibit the sale of padded, pillow-like bumpers that fail to meet minimum air flow requirements. Without enough airflow, infants can suffocate when they roll against the crib bumper and become wedged between bumper and mattress, or when the pillow-like surface obstructs their mouth and nose. In addition to the airflow requirement, the proposal would reduce the allowable crib bumper thickness to under 2 inches and would add a firmness requirement.

Consumer Quick Takes

Drowning: CPSC warns parents about in-home drowning, citing data that nearly 90 kids drown inside the home every year. Many happen in bathtubs. A child can drown in 2 inches of water.
Flavored E-Cigarettes: The FDA is set to ban all e-cigarette flavors except for tobacco and menthol and would only apply to pre-filled cartridges not open ones that can be filled by the user

Consumer Safety Glossary

Anaphylaxis: A severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction which can be prompted by a number of allergens, including bee stings or eating nuts. An anaphylactic reaction can be treated with a shot of epinephrine (adrenaline), but a person suffering such a reaction should also be taken to an Emergency Room immediately.
Cadmium is a metal similar in toxicity to arsenic, mercury and lead and can cause medical conditions including stomach irritation, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Button Batteries: These are tiny batteries which power things like remote controls, thermometers, games, toys, hearing aids, calculators, bathroom scales, musical greeting cards, key fobs, electronic jewelry, holiday ornaments, cameras, and candles. When swallowed they can have dangerous consequences for a small child.
Glyphosate: An herbicide widely used in agricultural production that controls broadleaf weeds and grasses and is believed to be toxic by some experts.
Listeria Monocytogenes: A bacteria which can be found in certain foods and can cause an infection to which women, newborns, older adults and people with weakened immune systems are especially vulnerable.
Lithium batteries: These are high-powered, longer lasting power sources that have caused fires in a number of products ranging from smartphones to hoverboards. If a product is manufactured according to proper standards, these batteries are typically considered safe.
Organohalogens: Chemicals that are flame retardants, commonly used in children’s products, furniture, mattresses and plastic casings surrounding electronics. Research suggests organohalogens are carcinogenic.
Phthalates: Chemicals often used in the production of many types of plastics, usually to make them softer and/or more pliable. Many forms have been banned by federal law and the CPSC.
Salmonella: A bacteria that can cause people to have serious bouts of diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps between 12 and 72 hours after infection. Most vulnerable are infants, older adults and those with compromised immune systems.
Talaromyces penicillium: An opportunistic thermal dimorphic fungus which can cause allergic reactions and irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat and lungs. It can also be injurious to people with challenged immunity systems.

Are there other words we use that you don’t understand? Tell us and we’ll define them for you.

This service collects recalls from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Consumer Product Safety Commission, Food and Drug Administration and Food Safety and Inspection Service. Parents Central at NHTSA’s safercar.gov is a go-to resource on car seats.

A few more reminders:

Register all new car seats and booster seats. http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/recalls/register/childseat/
Be careful about using hand-me-downs or buying children’s products at a secondhand shop or yard sale.
It violates federal law to sell recalled products. If you know of an unsafe product, you can report it to the CPSC. https://www.saferproducts.gov/CPSRMSPublic/Incidents/ReportIncident.aspx

Learn more and follow us on Twitter: @SKWAdvocate.