Huge Fisher-Price Recall, Parents Please Look

Lounge By emrldsky Updated 5 Oct 2010 , 12:38pm by Rachie204

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emrldsky Posted 30 Sep 2010 , 3:31pm
post #1 of 10

Announcements about the recall are at the Consumer Product Safety Commission site here: http://www.cpsc.gov/

Search for items you might have to see if they are recalled here: http://service.mattel.com/us/

My local news site had an article about it so I felt that it might be worth it to post here.

Mods, please move if you feel this needs to be moved, but I urge you to let it stand in The Lounge, since more people view posts and threads there.

9 replies
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leily Posted 30 Sep 2010 , 5:42pm
post #2 of 10

Thank you for posting this, i don't always get a chance to read the news online (yes of course CC comes first! lol) i'm going to go take a look right now.

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emrldsky Posted 30 Sep 2010 , 6:08pm
post #3 of 10

You're welcome! I've been keeping a closer eye on recalls since I've started putting together a list of baby-items. I've also been scouring Consumer Reports for info on cribs, car seats, etc.

I figured if I'm diligent, others might be as well and would want to know these things when they come up. icon_biggrin.gif

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lecrn Posted 30 Sep 2010 , 9:37pm
post #4 of 10

Thanks for posting this. I usually don't get to watch the news, but caught this on CNN walking past a TV @ work today. I just read that you really shouldn't buy any generic toys or toys from the dollar store b/c they are not screened/recalled like the big company toys.
BTW, they are also recalling baby sleep positioners due to the risk of suffocation. That's pretty scary, since I used one on my last baby!

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Rachie204 Posted 1 Oct 2010 , 12:06am
post #5 of 10

thanks for posting this...we have the trike and the highchair....both which have been used for about 4 years or more....scary.

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hollyml Posted 1 Oct 2010 , 9:29am
post #6 of 10

Just a note of caution here: The CPSC is really throwing its weight around lately, and while it SEEMS like a good idea to be very diligent about product safety when it comes to stuff meant for young children, there is a dark side to these recalls. Many of the risks are vastly overblown (in 13 years, six kids were injured by falling on a little bit of rounded plastic -- so *7 million* ride-on toys are recalled?) and any *real* problems with the way these products are sold or used are not addressed. On top of the new CPSIA rules (compliance with which is extremely expensive), the CPSC's recent bully tactics in the children's-products marketplace are creating an environment where small businesses are closing, parents' choices are being severely restricted, and babies are LESS safe!

Some examples:
http://www.healthychild.com/healthy-child-blog/dont-let-the-cpsc-limit-your-choice-to-buy-a-non-toxic-organic-baby-mattress/
http://www.forbes.com/2010/07/21/consumer-product-safety-hazard-opinions-columnist-lenore-skenazy.html
http://babycarrierindustryalliance.memberlodge.org/positionpaper

I am a political liberal and a big fan of government regulation of the market, normally, so it feels weird to be taking this position, but as a parent I am really worried that soon I won't have the option of buying *anything* for my kids that was NOT made from petrochemicals by sweatshop laborers hired by a mega-business! And I am worried about how the next generation will be affected by this environment of fear, where all too often the cure is worse than the disease. How are parents supposed to distinguish the *important* safety issues or learn how to use *anything* safely when we get weekly dramatics over stupid stuff like wheels falling off of toy cars?

Anyway, if you're in the market for baby gear it is a good idea to keep track of recalls...but pay attention to the details so you know whether there is a real risk and if so, what it is, and whether that risk is really significant enough to forego whatever the benefits are of using the product in question. A lot of good products are being recalled and a lot of good small businesses are going under because of this stuff lately.

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emrldsky Posted 1 Oct 2010 , 10:15am
post #7 of 10

I am of the mind that to be informed is to make better decisions. icon_smile.gif In no way am I saying that people should go out and throw things away. In fact, I'm advocating nothing, other than viewing the recall site, providing the link to check the items, and to be informed.

I'm a huge "research before you buy" kind of person, and my goal in posting was merely to inform, not guide.

Quote:
Originally Posted by hollyml

Just a note of caution here: The CPSC is really throwing its weight around lately, and while it SEEMS like a good idea to be very diligent about product safety when it comes to stuff meant for young children, there is a dark side to these recalls. Many of the risks are vastly overblown (in 13 years, six kids were injured by falling on a little bit of rounded plastic -- so *7 million* ride-on toys are recalled?) and any *real* problems with the way these products are sold or used are not addressed. On top of the new CPSIA rules (compliance with which is extremely expensive), the CPSC's recent bully tactics in the children's-products marketplace are creating an environment where small businesses are closing, parents' choices are being severely restricted, and babies are LESS safe!

Some examples:
http://www.healthychild.com/healthy-child-blog/dont-let-the-cpsc-limit-your-choice-to-buy-a-non-toxic-organic-baby-mattress/
http://www.forbes.com/2010/07/21/consumer-product-safety-hazard-opinions-columnist-lenore-skenazy.html
http://babycarrierindustryalliance.memberlodge.org/positionpaper

I am a political liberal and a big fan of government regulation of the market, normally, so it feels weird to be taking this position, but as a parent I am really worried that soon I won't have the option of buying *anything* for my kids that was NOT made from petrochemicals by sweatshop laborers hired by a mega-business! And I am worried about how the next generation will be affected by this environment of fear, where all too often the cure is worse than the disease. How are parents supposed to distinguish the *important* safety issues or learn how to use *anything* safely when we get weekly dramatics over stupid stuff like wheels falling off of toy cars?

Anyway, if you're in the market for baby gear it is a good idea to keep track of recalls...but pay attention to the details so you know whether there is a real risk and if so, what it is, and whether that risk is really significant enough to forego whatever the benefits are of using the product in question. A lot of good products are being recalled and a lot of good small businesses are going under because of this stuff lately.


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leily Posted 1 Oct 2010 , 12:16pm
post #8 of 10
Quote:
Originally Posted by hollyml

Just a note of caution here: The CPSC is really throwing its weight around lately, and while it SEEMS like a good idea to be very diligent about product safety when it comes to stuff meant for young children, there is a dark side to these recalls. Many of the risks are vastly overblown (in 13 years, six kids were injured by falling on a little bit of rounded plastic -- so *7 million* ride-on toys are recalled?) and any *real* problems with the way these products are sold or used are not addressed. On top of the new CPSIA rules (compliance with which is extremely expensive), the CPSC's recent bully tactics in the children's-products marketplace are creating an environment where small businesses are closing, parents' choices are being severely restricted, and babies are LESS safe!

Some examples:
http://www.healthychild.com/healthy-child-blog/dont-let-the-cpsc-limit-your-choice-to-buy-a-non-toxic-organic-baby-mattress/
http://www.forbes.com/2010/07/21/consumer-product-safety-hazard-opinions-columnist-lenore-skenazy.html
http://babycarrierindustryalliance.memberlodge.org/positionpaper

I am a political liberal and a big fan of government regulation of the market, normally, so it feels weird to be taking this position, but as a parent I am really worried that soon I won't have the option of buying *anything* for my kids that was NOT made from petrochemicals by sweatshop laborers hired by a mega-business! And I am worried about how the next generation will be affected by this environment of fear, where all too often the cure is worse than the disease. How are parents supposed to distinguish the *important* safety issues or learn how to use *anything* safely when we get weekly dramatics over stupid stuff like wheels falling off of toy cars?

Anyway, if you're in the market for baby gear it is a good idea to keep track of recalls...but pay attention to the details so you know whether there is a real risk and if so, what it is, and whether that risk is really significant enough to forego whatever the benefits are of using the product in question. A lot of good products are being recalled and a lot of good small businesses are going under because of this stuff lately.




I just wanted to say that i agree with this, i actually read why some of these were getting recalled and one of the highchairs was getting recalled b/c children fell and hurt themselves on the bottom of the legs. Well looking at the highchairs they are similiar to 90% of the ones out there on the market, children fall and hurt themselves. My kids could do it on the highchair we have too, but we're cautious about it when they're around it and don't let them play on it.

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emrldsky Posted 1 Oct 2010 , 12:31pm
post #9 of 10
Quote:
Originally Posted by leily

Quote:
Originally Posted by hollyml

Just a note of caution here: The CPSC is really throwing its weight around lately, and while it SEEMS like a good idea to be very diligent about product safety when it comes to stuff meant for young children, there is a dark side to these recalls. Many of the risks are vastly overblown (in 13 years, six kids were injured by falling on a little bit of rounded plastic -- so *7 million* ride-on toys are recalled?) and any *real* problems with the way these products are sold or used are not addressed. On top of the new CPSIA rules (compliance with which is extremely expensive), the CPSC's recent bully tactics in the children's-products marketplace are creating an environment where small businesses are closing, parents' choices are being severely restricted, and babies are LESS safe!

Some examples:
http://www.healthychild.com/healthy-child-blog/dont-let-the-cpsc-limit-your-choice-to-buy-a-non-toxic-organic-baby-mattress/
http://www.forbes.com/2010/07/21/consumer-product-safety-hazard-opinions-columnist-lenore-skenazy.html
http://babycarrierindustryalliance.memberlodge.org/positionpaper

I am a political liberal and a big fan of government regulation of the market, normally, so it feels weird to be taking this position, but as a parent I am really worried that soon I won't have the option of buying *anything* for my kids that was NOT made from petrochemicals by sweatshop laborers hired by a mega-business! And I am worried about how the next generation will be affected by this environment of fear, where all too often the cure is worse than the disease. How are parents supposed to distinguish the *important* safety issues or learn how to use *anything* safely when we get weekly dramatics over stupid stuff like wheels falling off of toy cars?

Anyway, if you're in the market for baby gear it is a good idea to keep track of recalls...but pay attention to the details so you know whether there is a real risk and if so, what it is, and whether that risk is really significant enough to forego whatever the benefits are of using the product in question. A lot of good products are being recalled and a lot of good small businesses are going under because of this stuff lately.



I just wanted to say that i agree with this, i actually read why some of these were getting recalled and one of the highchairs was getting recalled b/c children fell and hurt themselves on the bottom of the legs. Well looking at the highchairs they are similiar to 90% of the ones out there on the market, children fall and hurt themselves. My kids could do it on the highchair we have too, but we're cautious about it when they're around it and don't let them play on it.




I agree! I made a similar point on another forum I belong to (a cat forum, heehee). I compared watching our children around toys that they can hurt themselves on if not careful to leaving a cat toy out that has strings on it without supervision.

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Rachie204 Posted 5 Oct 2010 , 12:38pm
post #10 of 10

I have to say that I thought it was a little odd that the recall was for such a simple issue..on the trike we have it's just a little plastic key they claim children are getting hurt on. I guess I can somehow see that happening but we have had this toy for 4 years and 2 children have used it with not issues. I almost felt silly ordering the repair kit for it and the highchair was the same way, but at the same time I consign lots of my children's items when they are done with them or sell them online and in order for the consignment shop to take them they have to be up to standard meaning either not on a recall list or fixed with the kit.

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