Now that Americans are making close to 300 million visits to amusement parks each year, every effort must be made to keep our youngest visitors as safe as possible. Although the current injury and fatality statistics for these parks are fairly low, we need to keep trying to reduce them even further.

Every time another child is seriously injured or dies on a theme park ride, we’re reminded that added safety measures might have saved that child’s life. Recently, another young girl died after she fell to her death from a New Jersey Ferris wheel. She had won the right to visit the park with classmates after earning top grades. Questions are now being raised as to whether or not safety belts or other devices might have prevented her tragic death.

Explain Your Group’s Safety Rules Before Leaving for Any Park Grounds

It’s important for all adults to sit down and have thorough safety talks with teens and young children before taking them to any amusement parks or allowing them to go with supervised groups. After children and teens are informed about the various hidden dangers present at amusement parks, they should be told that they must behave properly or they’ll not be allowed to board any further rides that day.

Important Amusement Park Safety Tips

Here are some basic tips that should help you keep your kids safe when you take them to a theme park or allow them to visit with other adults:

• Make sure there will be adequate adult supervision. Never allow your child to visit any amusement park unless you’ve personally checked to be sure that there will be an adequate number of adult chaperones accompanying the group;
• Abide by all park rules. All young children and teens must abide by the park’s rules concerning minimum height and age requirements for boarding various rides. If you’re concerned about your children obeying the rules, either don’t allow them to go or personally sign up as one of the chaperones;
• Find Out When the Major Rides Were Last Inspected. Feel free to phone ahead and ask when the most dangerous rides were most recently inspected. Most of them are usually checked on a daily, weekly, monthly or annual basis.
• Ask about the experience level of those who operate and monitor the rides. Just because a young high school or college student can run the controls, it doesn’t mean he or she has enough training and experience to properly protect you and your kids once you’ve taken off on a ride;
• Use common sense and avoid the most dangerous-looking rides. Although many children are tempted to try and prove their bravery by riding on massive rollercoasters and other scary rides, make sure the supervising adults know which types of rides your children can and cannot ride. Having children wear specific colors to make it easier for the chaperones to keep up with this type of information may prove helpful;
• Keep kids together and don’t let them venture into forbidden areas. An adult should always accompany every child or group of children leaving the main group to get refreshments or use the restrooms. Always count the number of kids with you after getting off rides or leaving restaurants or food stands;
• Make sure the supervising adults are able to provide adequate water and sunscreen. It’s too easy for children and adults to become dangerously dehydrated or overexposed to the sun in most amusement parks. Schedule regular breaks so that everyone can rest in the shade (or indoors where there’s air conditioning) while eating meals or enjoying occasional cold drinks or special treats;
• On larger rides, try to have at least one adult accompany each group of kids to prevent unnecessary horseplay. Since even a gentle or playful push can cause a child to lose their footing and suffer a serious injury, be sure to tell children and teens that there will be “zero tolerance” regarding horseplay. Offenders will be “grounded” for the remainder of the day if they fail to act safely;
• Tell children to always remain seated on rides until they’re told they may disembark. Always keep at least one chaperone with each group of children boarding the rides so they can check and be sure all safety bars have been locked before the kids have taken off on any ride;
• Keep sick children at home. Since health problems can quickly worsen, never let sick children or teens visit amusement parks. Make sure that at least one chaperone has been designated to carry all medications for the children who suffer from chronic conditions;
• Immediately report dangerous staff (or visitor) behavior to park officials. If workers aren’t properly handling their safety tasks, report them at once. Likewise, it’s wise to privately report any suspicious behavior (including illegal drug use) by other park visitors to the park officials so that no one’s safety will be compromised.

If every child is carefully supervised at amusement parks, injuries can be minimized. All kids deserve the chance to one day recall how much fun they had eating cotton candy, ice cream and other treats while visiting with friends and waiting for more rides on rollercoasters, Ferris wheels and other special attractions.

*   *   *

Demas & Rosenthal remains one of Sacramento’s most highly respected and accomplished personal injury law firms. We’ve been successfully representing clients for almost twenty years.  Every Demas & Rosenthal attorney takes great pride in obtaining the full compensation and complete justice owed to every client.

Elizabeth Smith, J.D., M.A., is a freelance writer who has successfully written about general health, safety, legal, medical and business topics for over twenty years. She has also served as the author and co-author of two professional legal texts.

by Elizabeth Smith

Young children often dress up in odd costumes and jewelry while playing various games. Unfortunately, they frequently put jewelry pieces in their mouths, increasing their chances of swallowing numerous germs and harmful substances. Since many negligent importers and manufacturers keep marketing children’s costume jewelry containing harmful substances (or covered with excessive lead-based paint), health concerns keep mounting.
For this reason, all parents and caregivers are urged to check their children’s costume jewelry to be sure it wasn’t manufactured or imported by the companies named below, during the years referenced.  A number of the children’s costume jewelry recalls issued since January of 2010 are set forth below.

Recent Recalls of Children’s Play Jewelry Items

• In June of 2011, EK Success Brands recalled about 75,000American Girl Crafts™ Pearly Beads & Ribbon Bracelets Kits because they violated federal lead paint standards;
• In September of 2010, D&D Distributing-Wholesale recalled about 19,000“Love Tester” Mood Rings and 4,000Necklaces due to their excessive lead content that can cause “adverse health effects;”
• In July of 2010, Tween Brands recalled about 137,000 pieces of children’s metal jewelry containing high levels of cadmium;
• In June of 2010, SmileMakers Inc., of Spartanburg, South Carolina, recalled about 66,200 Children’s Happy Charm Bracelets and 2,200 Football Rings because they contained unacceptable, high levels of the toxic substance cadmium;
• Also in June of 2010, Wilton Industries recalled about 7,300 Children’s Tiaras because they contained an excessive amount of lead;
• In May of 2010, Claire’s Boutiques Inc., of Hoffman Estates,Illinois, recalled about 19,000“Best Friends” Charm Bracelet Sets because they contained high levels of cadmium;
• In March of 2010, the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a warning concerning the high levels of cadmium in Children’s Winter and Holiday-Themed Charm Bracelets(an unknown quantity were sold);
• In February of 2010, Playmates Toys of Costa Mesa, California, recalled about 252,000Children’s Toy JewelrySets because they contained excessive amounts of lead;
• Schurman Fine Papers, of Fairfield, California, recalled about 174,000Papyrus Brand Greeting Cards with Braceletsin February of 2010because the paint covering the bracelets contained so much lead that they violated the federal lead paint standard; and
• In January of 2010, FAF Inc., of Greenville, Rhode Island, recalled 55,000Children’s Metal Necklaces(sold exclusively at Walmart’s)because they contained extremely high levels of cadmium.

Four deaths have been blamed on the older model versions of the Quattro Tour and MetroLite strollers made by Graco Children’s Products Inc. of Atlanta.* For this reason, the company is now recalling about two million of those models. The four infant deaths referenced occurred between 2003 and 2005.

In addition to those four deaths, six other infants suffered either cuts, bruises, entrapment or breathing difficulties after being placed in those strollers. The potentially dangerous Quattro Tour strollers were made before November 2006 and the MetroLite strollers were manufactured prior to July 2007.

All Graco 2010 Recalls Prior to The Current One:

In some ways, the year 2010 hasn’t been a particularly good one for Graco Products. The company has had to make the following recalls earlier this year:

• January 2010.  Approximately, 1.5 million strollers had to be recalled due to dangers of finger amputations;
• March 2010. About 1.2 million highchairs had to be recalled due to the possibility that  the chairs might tip over and harm infants;
• April 2010. Close to 217,000 cribs were recalled since infants and small children might suffer strangulation if placed in them.

Exact Model Numbers Being Recalled

Concerned parents and other caregivers may want to review the rather lengthy list of the model numbers affected. By clicking on this link to Graco’s own Web site, you can browse through the list. You can obtain repair kits for these strollers by clicking on this additional Graco Web page. Frequently asked questions concerning these stroller models can be found on this Graco page

Stores That Sold These Strollers

Purchasers of these strollers probably bought them at one of the following stores:  AAFES, Babies R Us, Burlington Coat Factory, Fred Meyer, Kmart, Meijers, Navy Exchange, Sears, Target and Walmart. A few other stores also sold them. All consumers are reminded to avoid buying any of these strollers that may still be for sale in secondhand stores.

Additional Recall Information

• Consumers can find helpful videos posted on Graco’s Web site that will tell them how to use the repair kits once they arrive.
• Owners do not need to return their strollers to the stores where they bought them. They should just order a repair kit at the link already provided above in this article.
• Consumers who do not have ready access to the Internet or who have questions not addressed on Graco’s Web site can call:  1-877- 828-4046. This phone number can be called 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

We hope this information will help you quickly obtain the repair kits you need for these recalled products.

*(Note: Graco Children’s Products is a unit of Newell Rubbermaid).

*   *   *

Demas & Rosenthal remains one of Sacramento’s most highly respected and accomplished personal injury law firms. We’ve been successfully representing clients since our firm first opened its doors back in 1993. Every Demas & Rosenthal attorney takes great pride in obtaining the full compensation and complete justice owed to every client.

March 2010: Product Recalls and Related News

Part Two of Two

Those who’ve already read Part One of this review know that an unusually high number of products posing choking, strangulation and fall risks are set forth in the March 2010 Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC’s) recall list. Other noted items can create shock, burn and poisoning hazards for members of the public.

These monthly government lists help protect consumers by urging them to avoid using or purchasing dangerous products. Our law firm recommends that you regularly review these lists before ever making a major purchase or buying anything for a child.

Part Two of our March 2010 review looks at products posing fire, shock, burn and laceration risks, as well as items that threaten the safety of infants and young children. This second half of our review also notes important CPSC news.

Products Posing Gas Leak, Shock, Laceration, Fire and Burn Hazards

• In response to both the CPSC and Health Canada, Telebrands Corp., of Fairfield, New Jersey, has agreed to voluntarily recall about 98,500 (United States) and 1,500 (Canada) Therma Scarf scarves. When these “scarves” are heated in a microwave, they can become too hot – creating a fire and burn risk to those using them.
• Lennox Hearth Products, of Nashville, Tennessee, has agreed to recall close to 5,700 Superior VFGL Vent-Free Gas Log Sets and VF Vent-Free Fireplaces. When the front burners of these two products fail to ignite, gas can escape, creating a fire or explosion hazard.
• Gerber Legendary Blades, of Portland, Oregon, a division of Fiskars Brands Inc., of Madison, Wisconsin, has agreed to recall about 149,000 Gator Machetes and 6,000 Gator Machetes Jr. If these saws get stuck in wood while being used (and consumers’ hands slide off the handles and move forward over the machete blade), a laceration injury can occur.
• American Electric Lighting, a division of Acuity Brands Lighting Inc., of Conyers, Georgia, is voluntarily recalling about 900 Outdoor Lighting Fixtures. Consumers are at risk of being shocked due to the poor wiring in these light fixtures.
• Tumi, of South Plainfield, New Jersey, has agreed to recall about 5,000 Mobile Power Packs. While charging, the lithium-ion cells in the Mobile Power Pack can catch fire or explode, posing burn and other risks to consumers. (Note: This hazard can only occur if the units have not been charged.)
• Fluke Corporation, of Everett, Washington, has agreed to recall about 33,000 Fluke VoltAlert® Voltage Detectors. When these testers fail to indicate when live voltage is present, users may incorrectly assume that the electrical power is off. Unfortunately, such errors can cause serious harm or even death due to burns or electrical shock.
• Lumetique Inc., of Los Angeles, California, is cooperating with both the CPSC and Health Canada in recalling about 6,000 DayNa Decker Botanika Candles. Unfortunately, the candles’ glass holders can crack when the flame suddenly flares up, possibly causing laceration, fire and burn injuries.

Product Posing A Special Danger to Infants

• Infantino LLC, of San Diego, California, at the request of both the CPSC and Health Canada, is now offering to replace “SlingRider” and “Wendy Bellissimo” infant slings (one million in the United States and 15,000 in Canada). Consumers are urged to “immediately stop” using these slings for any infants less than four months old to avoid serious suffocation problems.

Products That Can Cause Lead and Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

• Carolina Biological Supply Co., of Burlington, North Carolina, has agreed to voluntarily recall about 2,300 Carolina Function Generator Kits. Inspections have shown that there are excessive amounts of lead in the kits’ yellow lids. Young children can suffer serious health problems due to such excessive lead.
• S&S Worldwide Inc., of Colchester, Connecticut has agreed to recall about 1,000 bags of Wooden Flowers and Insect Painted Beads since the beads contain unacceptable levels of lead.
• Simpson Dura-Vent Company Inc., of Vacaville, California, has agreed to recall about 500 DuraTech Anchor Plates with Damper and DuraChimney II Anchor Plates with Damper. When a user tries to either open or shut these fireplace dampers, they can get stuck, posing a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Furthermore, some of these dampers pose threats simply because they were assembled backwards.
• Chandigarh Fashion Inc., of Flushing, New York, is voluntarily recalling close to 1,200 Children’s Bangles since the bracelets’ surface coating contains so much lead that it violates the federal lead paint standard.

Building and Construction Tool Poses Serious Injury Hazard

• Hitachi Koki U.S.A., Ltd., of Norcross, Georgia, in cooperation with both Health Canada and the CPSC, has agreed to recall about 50,000 (United States) and 15,000 (Canada) Coil Nailers because they have a malfunctioning feeder that may allow nails to be fired out sideways, creating serious injury risks for users or others in the immediate vicinity.

General Consumer Product Safety Commission News

I. New Rule Regarding Civil Penalty FactorsBy a 4-to-1 vote, the Consumer Product Safety Commission has approved a final rule addressing the proper factors to be reviewed when determining what civil penaltyamount should be assessed when a company or corporation knowingly violates CPSC laws.II. Warnings

A. The CPSC is warning all parents and other caregivers to be especially careful when using any baby or infant (carrying) slings when the babies are less than four months old. Research conducted over the past 20 years indicates that 14 infants have died due to such sling-style infant carriers, including three babies in 2009. Twelve of these tragedies involved infants who were not even four months old.

B. The commission is warning consumers about children’s winter and holiday- oriented bracelets. This jewelry, imported by Buy-Rite Designs, of Freehold, New Jersey (no longer in business), contains excessive amounts of cadmium which can be toxic when swallowed by young children.

III. Civil Penalty Imposed The CPSC has imposed a Two-Million Dollar Penalty on Daiso Holding USA Inc., Daiso Seattle LLC, of Seattle, Washington and Daiso California LLC, of Hayward, California. All of these Daiso companies have agreed to pay a 2.05 million dollar civil penalty and stop importing toys and products into the U. S. for children. Furthermore, Daiso must also “demonstrate to the Commission that it has sufficient knowledge of and is in compliance with” the CPSC’s testing requirements and standards because of its “alleged violations of federal safety laws.” (See: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prerelmar10.html). Sylvia, I felt it was legally necessary to indicate where the quoted material just referenced above came from — so I added that hyperlink.

Our firm hopes that these monthly CPSC product recall reviews will help readers protect themselves, as well as their friends and families, from the many dangerous products that continue to find their way to the marketplace.

Demas & Rosenthal remains one of Sacramento’s most highly respected and accomplished personal injury law firms. We’ve been successfully representing clients since our firm first opened its doors back in 1993. Every Demas & Rosenthal attorney takes great pride in obtaining the full compensation and complete justice owed to every client.

March 2010:  Product Recalls and Related News

Part One of Two

An unusually high number of products posing choking and strangulation risks are noted in the March 2010 Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC’s) recall list.  Other referenced items can cause fire, burn, shock or laceration injuries, while still others pose a special threat to infants and young children. Several of the remaining recalled products put consumers at risk for excessive lead paint and cadmium poisoning.

These monthly government lists help protect the public by urging consumers to avoid using or purchasing various dangerous products. Our law firm recommends that you regularly review these lists before ever making a major purchase or buying anything for a child.

Part One of our March 2010 recalled products review focuses mainly on items posing choking and strangulation hazards. It also describes several goods that create fall risks for consumers.

Part Two of our March 2010 review looks at many other products, including those posing lead paint, carbon monoxide and cadmium poisoning risks. Other noted items can create fire, burn, gas leak, shock and laceration hazards. This second half of our review also notes recent CPSC news.

Products Posing Choking and Strangulation  Hazards

• Peachtree Playthings of Atlanta, Georgia, has agreed to recall 127,000 children’s Batman, Tweety and Scooby Doo fork and spoon sets since the middle prongs of the forks can break off, posing a choking hazard to children. (These items are sold at Dollar Tree and Deals).
• Since such a large number of companies have agreed to recall their hooded sweatshirts (with drawstrings) for boys and girls due to their strangulation hazards, they will only be listed here by company name and any special brand name on the jackets. These companies include: Ten West Apparel, Children’s Apparel Network, Burlington Coat Factory, Liberty Apparel Company, LELE & Company Inc., Haselson International Trading Inc., Byer California (DBA Amy Byer, Philly) and Brand Revolution. (The two companies’ coats sold by Burlington carry the names Bubblegum USA and Regaliti Inc.)  The following are some of the additional coat names included in this recall: Jewel Girls’ Hooded Sweatshirts with Drawstrings, Girls’ Cargo Pocket Jackets, Locks All Over Boys’ Hoodies, All Over Skaters Boys’ Hoodies and Rock Mask Boys’ Hoodies.
• Also under recall are the Roman Shades and Roll-Up Blinds made by several companies, including: Ethan Allen Global Inc., Meijer and Lutron Electronics. Repair kits are available for some of these shades and blinds. (When young children play with these blinds, they can get their necks caught in them and even choke themselves).

Product Recalls Due to Fall Risks

• Cost Plus Inc., of Oakland, California, has agreed to voluntarily recall about 4,300 Konrad and Loft Office Chairs. When some of the chair backs become detached from the seats, consumers can fall.
• Graco Children’s Products Inc., of Atlanta, Georgia, is voluntarily recalling approximately 1.2 million Graco Harmony™ High Chairs.  If the chair leg screws come loose and fall out (or if the rear leg bracket breaks), the high chair may become unsteady, putting children at risk of falling.
• BikeMine of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Quality Bicycle Parts of Bloomington, Minnesota; Security Bicycle Accessories of Hempstead, New York and Bicycle Technologies International (BTI) of Santa Fe, New Mexico, have all agreed to recall about 325 Ventus Ltd™ and Ventus Team™ Bicycle Aerobars. If the two rubber hand grips on these handle bars become loose while consumers are riding their bikes, they can fall off and injure themselves.
• Both the CPSC and Health Canada have asked Evenflo Co. Inc. of Miamisburg, Ohio to voluntarily recall about 150,000 (U. S.) and 33,000 (Canada) Evenflo Top-of-Stair™ Plus Wood Gates. If the gate slats detach or break, children can fall and harm themselves.

Other products posing fire, burn, poisoning and shock risks are covered in Part Two of our review of the March 2010 Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recall list.  Part Two also briefly notes some recent CPSC news.   Readers interested in reviewing the complete March 2010 CPSC list can visit the following link: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prerelmar10.html)

*   *   *

Demas & Rosenthal remains one of Sacramento’s most highly respected and accomplished personal injury law firms. We’ve been successfully representing clients since our firm first opened its doors back in 1993. Every Demas & Rosenthal attorney takes pride in obtaining the full compensation and complete justice owed to every client.

As warmer temperatures return and people head outdoors more often, they’re at greater risk of sustaining serious dog bites. Everyone needs to bear this fact in mind since about four-to-five million Americans are bitten by dogs each year. Approximately one-fifth of those injuries require some form of medical treatment.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 31,000 people had to have reconstructive surgery in 2006 due to their dog bites. Sadly, children are at greater risk of being bitten than anyone else, largely due to their trusting nature and desire to make every dog their friend. It’s critical for all parents and caregivers to teach children to never pet animals they’ve never seen before.

The CDC reports that children between the ages of five and nine are especially vulnerable to dog bites. As most of us know, small children often fail to recognize danger before it’s too late. Even careful adults can be bitten if they drop their guard too soon upon encountering startled, frightened or aggressive dogs.

Ways to Protect Yourself from Harmful Dog Bites

The following tips can help each of us lower our chances of being bitten by a dog.

• Thoroughly look into a dog’s behavioral history and learn more about its breed before deciding if it might get along well with you and your family;
• If you can, be sure to interact for an extended period of time with any dog you’re hoping to adopt. Some of the best shelters will allow you to do this since they want to avoid having any pets returned to them. Ask if there’s a special pen or area set aside for this purpose. Find out if the adoption facility will allow your child to also interact with the dog. Be prepared to sign some type of liability
  waiver before you and other members of your family will be given this option.
• Consider adopting a dog currently living in a foster home so you can visit with the caregiver about the dog’s behaviors and tendencies;
• Once you bring a new dog home, never leave it alone with any of your children, especially the younger ones. Don’t even leave your older kids alone with a new dog until you’re certain they all get along well and your kids know to never antagonize any pet;
• Always supervise your children when they’re playing outside. Even if you don’t have a dog, you can never know when one might jump into your yard or follow someone into it after a gate has been opened. Always keep a first aid kit available and be ready to take your child for immediate medical help after a dog bite;
• Remind every family member to never wave their hands or other objects too close to a dog’s face or head; this can startle the dog and make her react much more aggressively than normal;
• Be sure to have your dog spayed or neutered since this often helps reduce aggressive behavior;
• Don’t allow anyone to play rough or wrestle with your dog;
• Train your dog to respond obediently to your commands. Give serious thought to enrolling your dog in a local pet store’s obedience class so proper behaviors can be taught. This small (or moderate) financial investment can greatly increase your family’s future happiness – and your dog’s;
• Never approach a dog you don’t know and try to pet it. If the owner is present, ask if the dog is usually friendly to strangers. Next, let the dog approach you first and sniff you briefly before trying to pet it;
• Hire a dog trainer if your dog demonstrates serious behavioral problems. This odd behavior often shows up when a new child enters the home or another pet;
• Avoid running or screaming when an unfamiliar dog approaches (try to remain motionless);
• If a strange dog knocks you to the ground, roll into a ball and lie still — try to protect your face with your hands;
• Report stray dogs to the proper authorities; keep this phone number posted near your main phone or list it on your cell phone;
• Never look directly into an unfamiliar dog’s eyes as this can aggravate the dog and make it to behave even more aggressively;
• Don’t ever disturb any dog that’s sleeping, caring for its young or eating;
• Make sure to take your dog in for regular medical check-ups and shots. An aggressive dog may simply be ill or in great pain;
• Be sure your pet gets plenty of exercise, even if you have to hire someone else to help you walk your dog daily. Excess energy can sometimes increase a dog’s aggressive behavior. Buy ample toys for young puppies and older dogs.
• When you must leave town, be sure to board your dog in facilities known for always properly feeding, walking and caring for pets. Get referrals from your vet or friends for such places. Paying a little extra for your pet’s boarding can keep your pet calm and make it easier for him to readjust to your home environment once you and your family return;
• Make sure that each family member gets a tetanus shot every five years (or at regular intervals suggested by your doctor); and
• Consider having a local veterinarian or dog trainer speak to your child’s school and your local parents’ group to be sure everyone receives a refresher course on avoiding dog bites (or how best to handle them once they occur).

Our firm hopes that this list of tips will keep you and your family safe from the more dangerous dogs that sometimes appear in all neighborhoods. However, be sure to teach your children that a good family dog can become one of the best friends they’ll ever have.

Demas & Rosenthal remains one of Sacramento’s most highly respected and accomplished personal injury law firms. We’ve been successfully representing clients since our firm first opened its doors back in 1993. Every Demas & Rosenthal attorney takes pride in obtaining the full compensation and complete justice owed to every client.

Products intended for use by and for infants tend to draw much attention from consumers, especially when a potential defect is discovered that could put children in positions of danger.  Several different products of this type have been recalled in the past year, and it now appears that another infant product could be joining that growing list – baby slings.  The reason appears to be risk of injury and even death.

According to the Examiner:

“According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, they are preparing to issue a warning about baby slings before the end of the week.

Baby slings are carriers that allow parents to keep their infants strapped close to their chest. Although they may look safe – they may not be.

According to Associated Press, these cuddly slings will soon be the subject of a government safety warning due to the fact that infants carried in these slings could potentially be suffocated.

According to Inez Tannenbaum, head of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, they know of too many deaths in these slings and the hazard for very small babies is real.”

There have already been several recalls for these products by different companies, but if you are using one of them with your child, you should stop doing so immediately. If your child has suffered an injury because of one of these products and you need legal help, you need to contact the Sacramento defective products lawyers who understand what it takes to hold corporations of all sizes accountable for the harm they’ve caused.  Contact Demas & Rosenthal today to schedule a free initial consultation.

We’ve posted several times recently regarding the new dangers being reported in conjunction with products intended for children and infants.  One of the most recent involved thousands of baby swings, but now comes word of a much larger recall that’s being initiated by one of the world’s leaders in children’s products.  Graco has announced the recall of 1.5 million cribs.

According to the Sun-Sentinel in Florida:

“About 1.5 million strollers sold at Wal-Mart, Target and other major retailers are being recalled after some children’s fingertips were amputated by hinges on the products.

The recall by Graco Children’s Products Inc. includes certain model numbers of its Passage, Alano and Spree Strollers and Travel Systems. The Exton, Pa., company received seven reports of children placing their in a stroller’s canopy hinge as the canopy was being opened or closed. Five children had their fingertips severed and two children received cuts on their fingertips.

The strollers were made in China by Graco and sold at AAFES, Burlington Coat Factory, Babies R Us, Toys R Us, Kmart, Fred Meyer, Meijer, Navy Exchange, Sears, Target, Wal-Mart and other retailers nationwide from October 2004 to December 2009.

In announcing the recall Wednesday, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said the strollers pose an amputation and laceration hazard to children when opening or closing the canopy. The government advised consumers to stop using the strollers and contact Graco to receive a free repair kit.

The recall involves strollers made between October 2004 and February 2008. The model numbers and manufacture dates are on the lower inside portion of the rear frame, just above the rear wheels.”

If you are using one of these models, stop doing so immediately until you can be sure of your child’s safety.  If your child has been injured by one of these or any other children’s products, you need the help of Sacramento defective products lawyers who have a track record of successfully holding large corporations accountable for the injuries they caused.  Contact Demas & Rosenthal today to schedule a free initial consultation.

For many years, the Chinese have been shipping consumer goods to the United States for many reasons.  On the consumer side, these products sold well because they did not cost as much as goods manufactured in the United States or in other countries.  However, that cost savings came with a risk – Chinese products were found to contain high amounts of lead that caused serious injuries.  One such product line that remains popular is children’s toys manufactured in China, and now comes word that in response to the lead concerns, Chinese manufacturers have allegedly replaced that toxin with another, that being cadmium.

According to an AP report published in the Sun-Sentinel in Florida:

“Federal and state watchdogs in the U.S. have opened a new front in the campaign to keep poisons out of Chinese imports, launching inquiries into high levels of cadmium in children’s jewelry while Walmart pulled many suspect items from its store shelves.

A day after The Associated Press documented the contamination in an investigative report, the top U.S. consumer safety regulator warned Asian manufacturers Monday not to substitute other toxins for lead in children’s charm bracelets and pendants.

Regulators and lawmakers reacted swiftly to the AP report, which found that some Chinese manufacturers have been using cadmium, sometimes at extraordinarily high levels. Congress clamped down on lead in those products in 2008, but cadmium is even more harmful.”

Direct exposure to cadmium can lead to cancer, kidney problems and brittle bones, and this could simply be the start of another drawn-out issue with China.  In the meantime, if you or someone you love has been harmed by exposure to this or any other toxic substance, you need the help of Sacramento defective products lawyers who understand how to handle the complicated nature of these sorts of claims.  Contact Demas & Rosenthal today to schedule a free initial consultation.

We’ve been posting recently in regards to several large recalls of products that were intended for use by children and infants, and all of these recalls has raised the level of concern by parents to previously unseen heights.  In response to the public outcry against the penetration of these defective child products on the market, the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has announced new rules that are intended to improve the registration process and thereby ramp up the efficiency of future recalls.

According to a press release put out by the CPSC:

“The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) on December 16, 2009 unanimously approved (5-0) a new rule requiring manufacturers of durable infant or toddler products to establish and maintain a registration card program.

As mandated by the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA) Sec. 104(d)(1), CPSC is issuing a final consumer product safety rule requiring each manufacturer of a durable infant or toddler product to: (1) provide a postage-paid consumer registration form with each product; (2) keep records of consumers who register their products with the manufacturer; and (3) permanently place the manufacturer’s name and contact information, model name and number, and the date of manufacture on each such product. The final rule specifies the text and format for the registration form and establishes requirements for registration through the internet.

This new rule affects 18 product categories: full-size cribs and nonfull-size cribs; toddler beds; high chairs, booster chairs, and hook-on chairs; bath seats; gates and other enclosures for confining a child; play yards; stationary activity centers; infant carriers; strollers; walkers; swings; bassinets and cradles; children’s folding chairs; changing tables; infant bouncers; infant bathtubs; portable toddler bed rails; and infant slings.”

While these rules could help improve overall safety, they will not release companies that introduce defective products to the market from liability.  If your child has been injured by such a product, you need the help of Sacramento defective products lawyers who have years of experience in successfully obtaining recoveries from those responsible for these injuries.  Contact Demas & Rosenthal today to schedule a free initial consultation.