The U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission (”CPSC”) has announced a voluntary recall of certain Toy Wooden Block and Train Sets sold by Christmas Tree Shops, of South Yarmouth, MA and made by First Learning Ltd., of Hong Kong.

According to CPSC, “Surface paint on some pieces of the toys contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.” 

No injuries have been reported. 

For more information or to see what style numbers have been recalled, check out the CPSC News Release.

Think your home is safe for your child?  You may need to think again.  According to the U.S. Consumer Protection Safety Commission (”CPSC”), here are the top five hidden home dangers that often go unnoticed by consumers:

1.  Magnets.

2.  Recalled products.

3.  Tip-overs. 

4.  Windows & Coverings.

5.  Pools & Spa Drains.

To learn what you can do to protect your child from these hidden home dangers, go to the CPSC news release.

The U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission (”CPSC”) has announced a voluntary recall of Cranium Cadoo Board Games, which are imported by Cranium Inc., of Seattle, WA.  The recall involves Board Games with lot numbers 2007195 through 2007244.  

According to CPSC, “The surface paint on the die contains excessive levels of lead.”

No injuries have been reported. 

For more information, check out the CPSC News Release.

The U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission (”CPSC”) has announced a voluntary recall of “BabyTown” Pacifiers, which are imported by Shims Bargain Inc. of Los Angeles, CA.  The pacifiers were sold at Dollar stores from March 2004-December 2007.

According to CPSC, the pacifiers fail to meet federal safety standards for several reasons:  pacifier size, ventilation hole size and placement, and lack of appropriate warning instructions.

No injuries have been reported. 

For more information, check out the CPSC News Release.

The U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission (”CPSC”) has announced a recall of metal red toy wagons (model number MH1250), which are imported by Tricam Industries of Eden Prairie, Minnesota.

The wagons were sold at Tractor Supply Company stores from September 2002 through November 2007. 

According to CPSC, “Surface paint on the wagon bucket contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.” 

No injuries have been reported.

For more information, check out the CPSC News Release. 

EeBoo, the company which makes Tot Tower toys, has announced a voluntary recall of Tot Tower toy blocks.

The recall involves Tot Tower toy blocks purchased since January of 2003. 

According to the company, “There have been reports of isolated incidents of sheets of plastic film laminate being peeled off Tot Tower blocks,” and “this could present a choking risk to small children.” 

No injuries have been reported. 

For more information about the recall, check out eeBoo’s news release.

Merck & Co. announced a recall yesterday of 1.2 million doses of the Hib vaccine.  The vaccine is used to protect against meningitis, pneumonia, and other infections.  This vaccine is routinely administered to children, beginning around two months of age.

For more information about the recall, and to better understand how the recall may affect your child, check out Merck’s recall notice.

If you’re in search of safety-tested toys or simply curious whether an item you want to buy or have already purchased has been tested, check out HealthyToys.org. 

Several nonprofit environmental health groups, including Washington Toxics Coalition and the Center for Environmental Health, have come together to test toys.  The result is a searchable list of 1,200 tested toys.  You can search by toy name, brand or toy type.      

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (”CPSC”) wants consumers to know the ABC’s of toy safety: “(A) awareness, and knowing the (B) benefits, for (C) consumers – (Awareness Benefits Consumers).”

CPSC urges consumers to stay informed about toy recalls.  One way consumers can keep aware of toy recalls is to sign up for CPSC’s e-mail notification of recalls.

Making charitable donations this time of the year goes hand and hand with the holiday spirit.  Each holiday season, my little ones and I prepare food and toy donations for drop-off at a local charity.  Although we engage in other charitable endeavors at other times during the year, I use this time of year to teach the point of the holiday season–giving to others.  This year, like every year, charities rely upon donations of all sorts.  Money.  Food.  Clothes.  Time.  Toys. 

When it comes to toys, though, in light of recent recalls, charities are reminding parents to properly dispose of recalled toys.  Disposing of recalled toys does not mean bringing them to a charity. 

Many charities, such as the Salvation Army, rely extensively on volunteers to help sort toys and weed out recalled ones.  This season is keeping charities especially busy.  

When toys are recalled, proper disposal of toys is essential for child safety.  The U.S. Consumer Protection Safety Commission (”CPSC”) and manufacturers usually provide specific information on what should be done with recalled toys, such as contacting the manufacturer for replacement or refunds.

Check out the CPSC web site for additional information about recalls.