Recalls of the Week

Yes, holiday times are here. Everyone rushing around buying gifts, going to parties, hanging out with friends and family. Its a time you want to sit back and sort of breath a little. Alas, my work schedule does not allow me. Hope all of you are enjoying this crazy, hectic and in some many ways beautiful time of year. So for the Recalls of the Week, here we go:
1. All Roman Shades : This one is hot off the presses today. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced today a voluntary recall of ALL Roman shades and roll-up blinds…yes that is correct, ALL….to prevent strangulation issues to young children. Over the past several months, certain specific shades have been recalled for this reason, but this time, it is across the board with no exceptions. It is reported that this recall involves millions of Roman and roll-up shades. Since 2006, the CPSC has received reports of 5 deaths and 16 near strangulation with Roman Shades and 3 deaths since 2001 for roll-up blinds. If you have these shades in your home, you need to contact the Window Covering Safety Council (WCSC) at www.windowcoverings.org or by calling 800-506-4636 and you will be sent a free repair kit. It is an issue with the cords used with these blinds. For more information regarding this recall and for instructions on what to do until you receive the repair kit, see here.
2. Sylvania Portable Nightlights: About 26,000 LED Rocketship PalPODzzz Portable Nightlights manufactured by Sylvania are being recalled due to the bottom plastic cover on the recharging base can break, which can expose internal electrical parts posing risk of shock to consumers. The recall involved model number 72174. The nightlight is shaped like a rocket and sits on a plastic base that plugs into the wall. The nightlights were sold at Home Depot, Stop and Shop and at other retailers and online at Amazon.com and other websites. You should immediately stop using the light and contact Sylvania for a free replacement and a $5 coupon to by other Sylvania products. For more information, see here.
3. Evenflo ExerSaucer 1-2-3 Tea for Me Activity Learning Centers: This recall involves activity learning centers for young children. About 66,000 of these have been sold in the U.S. at Toys “R” Us and other juvenile product stores between December 2008 and March 2009. There is a cake toy that is part of the Learning Center and the candle flame attached at the top can detach and create a choking hazard for small children. The two-tier cake is light blue, dark pink and yellow. Models included in the recall are 6161834 and 6161920. The model numbers are on a label located on the underside of the base of the product. You should immediately remove the cake toy from the product and contact Evenflo for a free replacement. For more information, see here.
4. Amby Baby Motion Beds: These “beds”, which essentially are a steel frame and a fabric hammock which is connected to the frame by a large spring and crossbar, are meant to lay infants down to sleep. However, the side-to-side shifting of the hammock can cause an infant to roll and became entrapped in the fabric, creating a potential for suffocation. The manufacturer, Amby Baby, is aware of 2 suffocation deaths in the hammock. There is only one model of the hammock. It was sold by online retailers, including Ambybaby.com between 2003 and October 2009. If you have one of these hammocks, stop using it immediately and contact Amby Baby for a free repair kit. In the meantime, find another place for your child to sleep. For more information, see here.
That’s all for this week. Please, with the holidays and all the rushing around, remember this is all about family and spending time with the ones you love and care about. As always, be careful out there.