Fisher-Price along with the Consumer Product Safety Commission announced today a recall of several defective products due to child safety concerns. The recall involves about 7 million children’s trikes, 100,000 small cars, 2.8 million inflatable balls and 950,000 high chairs in the U.S alone. These products were also sold in Canada and are being recalled in conjunction with Health Canada.
The tricycles being recalled are the Fisher Price Trikes and Tough Trikes. These trikes have a fake key that protrudes from the bar just in front of the seat which has caused serious injury or genital bleeding. A flat replacement key is available from Fisher-Price.
The recalled small cars are part of the Little People Wheelies Stand n Play Rampway toy. The wheels of the purple and green cars can come off and pose a choking hazard. New replacement cars are also available by contacting Fisher-Price.
The over 2 million inflatable balls were sold under several brand names: “Baby Playzone Crawl & Cruise Playground”,” Baby Playzone Crawl & Slide Arcade”, “Baby Gymtastics Play Wall”, “Ocean Wonders Kick & Crawl Aquarium”, “1-2-3 Tetherball”, and “Bat & Score Goal”. The valve used to inflate the ball can detach and also poses a choking hazard. These balls should immediately be taken the balls away from children. But Fisher Priced has asked that you do not dispose of them as there is a replacement kit.
The “Healthy Care, Easy Clean” and the “Close to Me” high chairs are recalled due to a bolt or peg that protrudes from the leg of the chair. Toddlers have required stitches when they fell against them. Again, consumers should contact Fisher Price for a replacement kit.
The contact information for all of the replacement/repair kits is as follows: 1-800-432-5437 or on the web www.service.mattel.com. Due to the high quantity of items involved in this recall, I can image there could be a long delay in trying to reach Fisher Price. However, the CPSC recommends that all of these items be removed from use and out of reach of children until they can be repaired.
An age old problem with the recall of childrens’ items like these is that they are very popular resale items at garage sales and flea markets. Anyone who purchases children’s toys or furniture at these locations, whether it is child seats, toys, high chairs or cribs, should check with the CPSC past “Most Wanted” recall list before putting them to use and possibly putting their child are risk.
