Conference moira::parenting_v3

    Following is courtesy of Faith McBride, Philadelphia Office.  This
    item first appeared in her local newspaper.
    
    BACKYARD GYM SETS RECALLED FOR SAFETY
    
    If you own certain Hedstrom and Sears brand gym sets with "glide
    rides," and they haven't been retrofitted with glide guards to
    prevent potential finger amputations and lacerations, the Hedstrom
    Corp. of Bedford, Pa., wants to hear from you.  Hedstrom is renewing
    its campaign to provide free glide guards to owners of sets sold
    from 1982 to July 1, 1988, because of low consumer response to its
    original offer and because 19 additional injuries have been reported.
    
    This announcement is being made at this time to avoid additional
    injuries as the weather gets warmer and children are more likely to
    play on the unrepaired gym sets.  The affected model numbers are:
    
    Hedstrom Brand Numbers 4-277, 4-377, 4-677, 4-777, 4-778, 4-877.
    Sears brand numbers 72226, 72026 and 72066.
    
    The model number is on an identification label located on the top bar
    of the gym set.  Each model has a 2-3/8 inch diameter top bar with a
    glide ride assembly attached with a V-bolt bracket.  Approximately
    370,000 of these models were sold.
    
    If you have one of the models listed above, and it HAS NOT been
    equipped with a glide guard, please contact Hedstrom immediately for a
    free glide guard.  Call 1-800-242-9034 or write Hedstrom Corp.,
    Dept. 100, P.O. Box 432, Bedford, PA 15522-0432.
    
    In November 1988, Hedstrom and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety
    Commission (CPSC) originally announced that glide guards were available
    for these gym sets.  At that time, the firm was aware of 12 incidents
    where a child stood on the slide or crossbar, reached over to propel or
    stop the motion of the glide ride, and entrapped or pinched a finger in
    the bracket mechanism.  The reported injuries included severed or
    amputated fingertips and severe lacerations.
    
    Since then 19 more serious injuries have been reported and only about
    14,000 consumers have requested the free glide guards.  Hedstrom and
    CPSC are conccerned about the continuing incidents and the low response
    rate and are making another effort to reach owners of unrepaired
    models.

    I am looking for the 800 # for Fisher Price... 800 Info doesn't
    have it on record...
    
    I just found out that the carseat I have was recalled last year
    and I need to contact them to find out what to do!!!
    
    Help!
    
    Betty Rainville
    DTN 292-2079
    CSCMA::Rainville
    

    The number is 1-800-327-9980.  I'll type in the article, I don't know
    which newspaper this is from my in-laws cut it out for me.
    
    CONSUMER ALERT: If you purchased a Fisher-Price Car Seat, Model 9101,
    after Feb 1, 1990, you should be aware that approximately 20,000 seats
    require safety modifications due to a defective metal tongue in the
    retractor assembly, which could break apart in the event of an impact.
    
    These particular seats do not meet Federal Motor Vehicle Standard No.
    213, which governs child restraint systems.
    
    Car seats with package inspection stickers dated April, 1990 or later
    meet all safety standards.  Consumers can call Fisher-Price at
    1-800-327-9980 for a free modification kit to repair the car seat.

    Thanks for the info... What I heard on Channel 10 news the other
    night, was that the shoulder harness could really injure your child
    by pulling to tight if there was even a sudden stop.  According
    to the News, there is a plastic knob that is in the shoulder harness
    so that doesn't happen... I am trying to contact them to find out
    what to do... I will give more info if I find out.
    
    

    I finally reached Fisher Price...
    
    The recall was 3 yrs ago...It is a button stop that attaches to
    the shoulder harness...
    
    They will be sending on out for me...
    
    There was also another recall last year re: a foam piece behind
    the head... It was not up to fire standards,  I already rec. it
    and it was real easy to install...
    
    Thanks for the Number
    
    
    Betty
    

    On the local early morning news (in Boston) this morning, the anchor
    reported that Fisher-Price has *once again* issued a recall on its car
    seats (Models 9100 and 9101). Unfortunately, I wasn't prepared to write
    down the defects on each seat, nor copy the toll-free number. Does
    anybody have details on this recall? Can you also provide the 800
    number?
    
    BTW, the company also issued a recall for a carriage stroller, although
    I don't know the model number, nor the defect(s).
    
    We have two F-P car seats, and I'm really starting to get p***ed with
    these problems!
    
    Nancy-

    I think I read about the recall in the most recent issue (or two issues
    ago) of Consumer Reports.  It may have had something to do with the
    fact that the seatbelt locks when jerked forward and hard and is
    difficult to releast.  However, it's been a while since I read this,
    and it may have even been an earlier recall.
    
    I'll check my Consumer Reports this weekend and see if I can find the
    article.
    
    Nancy

    I just spoke with the 800 operator at Fisher Price. 
    The recall is again on the car seat with the button on the strap. They
    need to know when your car seat was manufactured. Even on some of the
    new ones the buttons are popping off. 
    
    The 800 number is 1-800-527-1034
    
    They told me to test how strong the button is on my car seat. The ones
    they are recalling come off very easy. They will send you a new button
    if you have one that pops off.
    
    Lynne
    
    P.S. I'm just curious, what you you think of this car seat??????

    	The report I heard this morning was on STROLLERS not car seats,
    they said they were recalling the strollers because they were
    collapsing while the children were just sitting in them. 
    
    

The F/P car seat has a button on the left strap about 6" from the
front anchor that keeps the auto-Reel-in on the straps from
reeling in too far and choking the baby. My Century-2000 that I
got for Sammy is manual; you need to pull a strap to lock the
strap in. At least it won't have a chance in choking Sammy.

cal

    
    What happens is the character on the other side becomes loose the first
    time the pacifier falls on the floor, making it *easy* for the child
    to take it off...  It happened to us a few months back, we returned 
    the pacifiers we'd bought and just got better ones (not same kind of
    course)...
    
    
    John
    

    Disney Characters pacifiers have just been recalled due to them coming
    apart and possibly choking your child.  Just and fyi for any moms or 
    dads.  I guess you just bring them back to the store where you
    purchased them and they'll refund your money.  I had bought my son 
    one last week, whew!! glad nothing happened.

    I'm sorry not to be more specific, brandwise, but the other day I was
    at the Pedi's and saw a recall notice for some brand of Baby Beanbag
    chair.  The poster said some large number (18 comes to mind) babies
    have suffocated, from being laid on this beanbag thins face down.
    
    Sorry I can't get a name, but if you've got a beanbag thing,
    specifically for your baby, check with the manufacturer to see if this
    is the one being recalled.
    
    Lyn

I believe all beanbags for infants are now being recalled, or at least
called dangerous.  Seems that they did some tests with rabbits, and even
if the baby can still breathe while in the beanbag, they may be breathing
back in the old, trapped air that they just breathed out, and they can
still suffocate!

     Carol

To add to the confusing chronology of this note...;^)
    
================================================================================
Note 676.25                   Stroller--what type?                      25 of 38
DEMON::DEMON::CHALMERS "Ski or die..."               23 lines  22-MAR-1991 15:19
                      -< F/P & Graco stroller recalls... >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    This may be a tangent, but seems like a good spot to post this:
    
    Just read in a recent issue of "Parents" or "Parenting" of two stroller
    recalls. I'm writing this from what's left of my memory, but I'll try
    to post the actual article next week.
    	
    	1) Graco has issued a recall notice on many of their stroller
    	models purchased before July 1989, due to a defect in the mechanism
    	that allows the handle to be moved from front to back (something
    	about the risk of catching a baby's hand...) They are sending some
    	sort of modified part to replace or cover the defect.
    
    	2) Fisher Price is recalling some/all (?) of their strollers due to 
    	some sort of major defect with the locking mechanism that holds the 
    	unit in an open position, allowing the stroller to collapse. 
    	Apparently, there have been some major injuries (i.e. broken limbs) 
    	attributed to this problem. F/P is asking that anyone having such a 
    	stroller to remove one of the wheels (as proof of ownership?) and 
    	return the wheel to them. They will then ship a new stroller as a 
    	replacement.
    
    There were 800-numbers listed for each recall...If I remember, I'll 
    bring them in and post on Monday.

Followup to my -.1
    
================================================================================
Note 676.28                   Stroller--what type?                      28 of 38
DEMON::DEMON::CHALMERS "Ski or die..."               27 lines  25-MAR-1991 13:02
                       -< Stroller recalls: Graco & F/P >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Taken from 'PARENTS' magazine's March 'Almanac' page...

(Reprinted without permission)

    STROLLER RECALL ALERT 
    --------------------- 
    In response to reports of injuries caused by strollers, two
    manufacturers, Fisher-Price & Graco, intend to replace or repair their
    products free of charge.

    Twenty-three injuries, ranging from bruises to a broken arm, have been
    reported after Fisher-Price carriage strollers collapsed while
    children were in them. Owners of the defective model, #9121, can call
    the company's toll-free number, 1-800-527-1034, weekdays from 8:00
    a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST to receive a prepaid mailing package that
    contains instructions for returning  one wheel of the stroller. Upon
    receiving the wheel, F-P will provide a new, modified stroller.

    Children have suffered lacerations, fractures, and even amputations
    when they poked their fingers into the exposed recline brackets on
    Graco strollers sold prior to June, 1989. Consequently Graco is
    offering a recline-bracket cover kit to all owners of the defective
    models sold as Travel-Mate, Stroll-a-Bed, Elite, Brougham, Regency,
    Regency Ltd., Premier and Premier Ltd. To receive the kit, which will
    work only on Graco strollers, call 1-800-344-8000.

    

    Can anyone tell me how to determine the manufacturer and model number
    on my swing set.  This could be difficult, but my inlaws bought the set
    earlier this summer, and I really paid no attention to it during the
    assembly process.  The box went out in the curbside trash only a couple
    days later, so I don't know much about the swing set except that it
    does have a glider, and so far no problems, but I really don't want to
    invite any more trouble than I've got with my miniature houdini!
    
    Lyn

I know this is late but why don't you take a picture of it to your local Child
World or Toys-R-Us?  Those folks eat, sleep and breath those things.  Also they
will usually have a catalog of pictures of them, as swingsets aren't the kind
of thing they usually have on display!

W-

    From September '91 Consumer Reports
    
    Cosco Soft Shield and Auto Trac Child Safety Seats.  Seat may not
    adequately restrain child in accident, increasing risk of injury.
    
    Products:  9519 seats made 10/89-6/90, including Soft Shield models
    02-090 and 02-190, and Auto Trac models 02-0290, 02-790 and 02-890.
    
    What to do:  Phone 800-544-1108 toll-ree fro harness-retainer kit and
    installation instructions.

    From October '91 Consuer Reports
    
    Kolcraft Playskool child safety seats.  Foam seat cushion could burn
    too quicklly if exposed to fire or extreme heat.
    
    Products:  13,500 seats, models #'s 140-155 and 180-400, made
    12/89-8/90.
    
    What to do:  Contact Kolcraft at 800-453-7673 for replacement cushion
    

    
    Just learned that Renolux's Turnatot Car Seats manufactured
    before April, 1991 have a couple of problems.  The cloth seat covering 
    doesn't meet highest non-flammability standards and the base is not set 
    at the best (safest?) angle. 
    
    Renolux will send replacement parts.  Call 803 848-0569 
    

(Long Note)

From the "for the PEOPLE" magazine "providing education, understanding and
response to consumer needs":

Recalls:

"Roll Back Wheel" toys with Kermit the Frog (model #B356) by Remco Baby, Inc.
were recently recalled by the CPSC.  Small parts pose a choking hazard. 
Return to place of purchase for refund or mail to Remco Baby, Inc.  
1107 Broadway, New York, NY  10018.

"Jumpin' Jeans" denim paint kits by Polymerics, Inc.  Paint on wooden handles
of brushes contains excess lead.  Return for refund, or call 1-800-458-7010.

"Funny Zig-Zag Copter" (item #THK 3309, model #832X12A) and "Wind-Up Circus"
(item #THK 4766, model #9026W) by McCrory Corp.  Small parts pose a choking
hazard.  Return for refund, or call 1-800-284-3704.

"Rescue Truck" friction toys (model #8115) by Harco, Inc.  Small parts pose
a choking hazard.  Return for refund or call 1-800-477-9138.

"Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends Push-A-Long Train" (model #8841) and
"Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends Shape Sorter Pull Toy" (model #8809) by
Nylint Corp.  Small parts pose a choking hazard.  Return for a refund, or
call 1-800-397-8697.

"Best Friends" stuffed bunnies by Associated Merchandising Corp.  Plastic
strip in ears poses laceration hazard.  Return for refund, or call 
(212) 536-4732.

"Bear Ringing Phone" #821, "Clown Ringing Phone, #824, and "Panda Ringing
Phone", #825 by TDT Toys.  Small parts pose a choking hazard.  Return for
refund, or call (213) 687-3547.

"Exer-Climber" and "Promo-Stepper" exercise equipment by Dynamic Classics, 
Ltd. (models sold from May 1989 to Dec. 1990).  Springs may break during
use and result in serious foot injuries.  Product should not be used until
the springs are replaced with retrofit kit.  Call Dynamic Classics at
1-800-284-8492 for a free retrofit kit.

"Gift Gallery Potpourri Burners" by Kmart.  Candle burns too hot and may
pose risk of fire.  Return for refund, or call (301) 492-6580.

"Luv N' Care Orthodontic Pacifiers", Item #G-15.  Choking hazard.  Return
for refund or call (318)388-4916 for more information.

"Bib-to-Bowl" Pacifiers by Universal International, Inc.  (#1852045,
1852037, 1854645).  Small parts may pose fatal asphyxiation hazard.  
Return for refund.

"Little Levi's Girl's Belt" by Levi Strauss & Co.  Sold summer and fall
of 1990; one denim skirt style and one denim jeans style, both in sizes
2 to 4T and 4 to 6X.  Metal tip of belt may detach and pose choking hazard.
For information, call 1-800-USA-LEVI.

Infant Suffocation Warning:

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has received reports of over 250 
infants, up to 12 months of age, who suffocated on adult or youth beds
between 1985 and December 1990.  The agency warns parents and caregivers 
never to leave infants on adult or youth beds, whether mattress type or
waterbed.  Place infants in a crib that meets federal safety standards and
industry standards for cribs and has a tight-fitting mattress.  To receive
more information about nursery equipment call the Consumer Product Safety
Commission's toll-free hotline at 1-800-638-2772.

Exercise Cycle Warning:

CPSC is warning consumers of the danger of finger amputation associated
with Merchant Corporation of America model ST-81 exercise cycles without
chain guards.  Consumers are urged to have chain guards installed or to
discard the product.  Call CPSC at (301) 492-6580.


Susan

================================================================================
Note 1216.33                     Thomas the Tank                        33 of 33
TENNIS::MUNSON                                       20 lines  15-JAN-1992 11:22
                             -< Consumer Reports >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
re .31

I have the book here at my desk - here's what it says:

Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends Push-A-Long and Shape Sorter Pull Toy-
small parts could choke child.

Products:  5800 toys sold 1/90-10/90.  Push-A-Long Train, sold as model 8841
for $20, is plastic and includes blue engine and two brown passenger cars.
Engine measures 5-1/4" high, 9" wide, and 9-1/2" long, is decorated with
pictures of engineers, and contains six colored shapes-red, green, yellow,
blue, white, orange.  Lid is black and back door is blue with red latch.
Passenger cars are 6" tall, 4-1/2" wide, and 10" long and identified by
name - Annie and Clarabel.  Shape Sorter Pull Toy, sold as model 8809 for
$10, consists of engine identical to that in Push-A-Long Train, with red
cord and blue pull ring.  Label under each toy reads in part, "Manufactured
in China Under License to Nylint Corp., Rockford, IL  61104-5491 USA."

What to do:  Return toy to store or mail it to Nyling Corp., 1800 16th Ave.,
Rockford, IL  61101 for refund and reimbursement of shipping cost.

    
    Caught a brief glimpse of a recall notice on this morning's news.
    
    Graco Children's Products, Inc. has issued a recall on their
    "Converta-Cradle" (cradle/swing unit).   I did not catch the
    specifics of the recall (couldn't hear it!).  The number to
    call is: 1-800-942-1700.
    
    
    

    Somehow the cradle unit is believed to cause suffocation.  This is just
    the cradle unit.  The whole unit is still very much usable and they
    will replace the cradle unit.  Call their 800# for details.
    
    -sandy
    

    I have found a phone number to the Federal Carseat Hotline:  They would
    know all the recalls and which seats are approved and which aren't. 
    the number is 800-424-9393.
    
    Kathy  

    Does anyone know anything about the Cosco Youth Bed recall?  I think I
    have one of these beds.  Supposedly, kids are getting their heads
    caught between the bars of either the headboard or footboard.  Before I
    call the company, I thought someone might be able to tell me more about
    it.
    
    - cj

    I'd call the company. My mom mentioned that she saw the announcement
    of the recall on the evening news on Channel 5 (Boston).
    
    

    The Cosco bed recall is on models T23 and T24 (or is it T22 and T23?).
    I have the information, including the 800 number written down at home.
    I've got one of those, too (which happens to be T25 model), so I was
    alsop concerned.  I'll let you know definately tomorrow.
    
    					Mair
    

    					Mair
The Cosco Bed Recall is on Models T22 and T23.  The number to
call for more information is (800) 468-0174.

					Mair