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Jan
12
Cadmium in Children’s Jewelry
Filed Under Articles, Toy Safety | Comments Off
- Existing drop-side cribs will no longer be sold (new OR used)
- New cribs will be required to have 4 sides (or a fold down side rather than drop side for shorter people)
- Lead will be essentially eliminated from all children’s products.
- Toys and other children’s products will be required to be tested for safety before they are sold.
- Toxic phthalates will be banned from children’s products.
- CPSC will receive substantial increases in its resources including its budget, staffing levels, computer resources and its various authorities to conduct recalls and take other actions.
- CPSC will have the authority to levy more significant civil penalties against violators of its safety regulations, which will help deter wrongdoing.
- The CPSC will be restored to five commissioners but quorum will be immediately restored with the two current commissioners in power.
- State Attorneys General will have the necessary authority to enforce product safety laws.
- Consumers will have access to a public database to report and learn about hazards posed by unsafe products.
- Whistleblowers will be granted important protections.
- Once you’ve cleaned, considering not letting people wear outside shoes on areas of your carpet that the baby plays on. I know you don’t want to be one of those people, but it can be done tastefully.
- Commercial carpet cleaning solutions use perchloroethylene, a dry cleaning additive which can cause dizziness, fatigue, nausea, kidney and liver damage. Fun! They also contain naphthalene, which is both neurotoxic and a possible human carcinogen, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
- Ask if they can use a cleaning solution that uses plant-derived ingredients, and turn your nose up at solvent-based cleaners with ingredients like butoxy-ethanol and propoxy or butoxy diglycol ethers. They get released right into the air. Bi-O-Kleen makes carpet solutions that are made with safer ingredients.
- Instead of steam cleaning your whole carpet, which can aid the release of all the gross chemicals its already been pre-treated with (like stain sealants and moth-proofing), consider doing some safe home spot cleaning and giving it a thorough vacuum.
- Environmental Working Group Action Fund and ask the CA Health Committee to vote Yes on SB 1713, a bill aiming to ban BPA from children’s products in California. They vote today so head on over and send in your voice.
- Z Recommends Car Seat Review: The have an excellent review of the new Britax New Frontier carseat and booster. It is very thorough and they have a nifty video demonstration.
- CPSC Crib Recall: Jardine has recalled a number of cribs for a strangulation hazard. I don’t normally point out recalls since they’re right over there on the sidebar but this is a big one that I thought warranted a mention.
- Moms Speak Up about Plastic Scrubbies: I read a post by one of the lovely ladies at Moms Speak Up that the exfoliating beads in Oil of Olays Olay Body Wash Plus Spa Exfoliating Ribbons is actually made of polyethylene beads. I’m so glad that Oil of Olay is okay with washing plastic beads into our water systems and into the digestive systems of fish and marine life. Excellent. That sounds fabulous along with the parabens and phthalates… what a treat!
A few friends have mentioned this recent news to me and I’ve been meaning to talk about it here for a while. Children’s jewelry tends to pop up often in CPSC’s recall notices quite a bit due to lead. But now in the news is cadmium in childrens jewelry. Let’s talk about cadmium. Cadmium is a soft blueish-white metal that occurs naturally in certain soil and is used many times in rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries, but also is used in pigments, electroplating to prevent corrosion on metal and as a stabilizer in plastic. Why is it a concern? Cadmium is highly toxic and carcinogenic (causes cancer).
So why is it in childrens jewelry? Good question. A while back the CPSC came down on jewelry manufacturers for using lead in children’s jewelry so those manufacturers looked for an alternative. That alternative was cadmium. Its cheap and easy to work with, but is just as if not more toxic and dangerous to kids than lead.
Children can be exposed by sucking or biting such jewelry. But without direct exposure, most people do not experience its worst effects: cancer, kidneys that leak vital protein and bones that spontaneously snap.
The worrisome results came in tests of bracelet charms sold at Walmart, at the jewelry chain Claire’s and at a Dollar N More store. High amounts of cadmium also were detected in “The Princess and The Frog” movie-themed pendants.
Eighty-nine items were free of cadmium.
I hate to say it but I would avoid metal kids jewelry if at all possible (costume jewelry, charms, pendants, etc) – especially if your child tends to put stuff in their mouths. They pop up in the recall notices constantly, are cheaply made in usually China, and yes the little girls love it but surely there are safer choices out there until regulators can get a grip on this market of items.
Read about the whole ordeal here. Also, Walmart has pulled some of the offending jewelry off their shelves but who knows how much of it was already sold to unknowing customers.
Dec
23
Infant Carrier Cart Seats Recalled due to Fall Hazard
Filed Under Car Safety, Product Recalls, Product Safety | 1 Comment
I noticed this recall in my email, and as you know, we don’t typically post an article about every recall but when it comes to bigger items and massive recalls like car seats and cribs I try to bring it up. I know how busy we all mare being parents or grandparents that sometimes these things go unnoticed, so I wanted to post it before the holiday madness. This latest recall involves 447,000+ car seats made by Dorel Juvenille Group which includes the following brands: Safety 1st, Cosco, Eddie Bauer and Disney branded infant car seat/carriers. You can check your particular seat against the list of model numbers on the CPSC website.
The recall is for infant seats/carriers and involvesthe child restraint handle on the seats which can loosen and come off, posing a fall hazard to infants. The CPSC suggests not using the seat until receiving a repair kit from the Dorel Juvenille Group.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Dorel Juvenile Group at (866) 762-3316 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Web site at www.djgusa.com/safety_notice
CPSC Official Recall Notice: Dorel Juvenille Group Infant Seat Recall
Nov
9
Recall Alert: Maclaren Recalling Strollers Due to 12 Fingertip Amputations
Filed Under Product Recalls | Comments Off
We generally don’t post recalls, here, but this is a big one, and so many of my friends have Maclaren strollers. They’re one of the most popular lightweight strollers out there. So when I found out they were recalling one million of them because of severed fingers, I figured, I should probably scrape the baby food out of my hair and get myself together enough to post this.
From NPR:
The recall applies to every umbrella stroller Maclaren has distributed in the US since 1999. The specific models are: Volo, Triumph, Quest Sport, Quest Mod, Techno XT, TechnoXLR, Twin Triumph, Twin Techno and Easy Traveller.
The CPSC says the strollers’ hinge mechanism, “poses a fingertip amputation and laceration hazard to the child when the consumer is unfolding/opening the stroller.”
Maclaren is suggesting that consumers stop using the stroller immediately and call the company for the repair kit. However, due to the size of the recall, you may want to either purchase a different stroller, or be prepared for a wait. NPR reports that they’ve tried the hotline a bunch of times and only got a busy signal.
Recall Information:
This recall involves all Maclaren single and double umbrella strollers. The word “Maclaren” is printed on the stroller. The affected models included Volo, Triumph, Quest Sport, Quest Mod, Techno XT, TechnoXLR, Twin Triumph, Twin Techno and Easy Traveller.
Sold at: Babies“R”Us, Target and other juvenile product and mass merchandise retailers nationwide from 1999 through November 2009 for between $100 and $360.
For additional information, contact Maclaren USA toll-free at (877) 688-2326 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Web site at www.maclaren.us/recall
Mar
22
Industry Poises to Ban Drop-Side Cribs
Filed Under Product Recalls, Product Safety | Comments Off
I’m a tad late in typing this up, thanks to a sick 3 year old – but I wanted to quickly highlight this. The Consumer Reports blog reported about it, and I also stumbled on it over at Polliwogged and DaddyTypes (2 great GREAT blogs to be reading by the way) so you can get your fill of information.
But basically, here’s the deal. Since the beginning of 2007, the Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced 19 crib recalls totaling nearly 4.3 million full-size cribs. Faulty hardware has contributed to the deaths of children who became entrapped and/or strangled in the gaps created due to the hardware failure. Almost 75% of the recalled cribs were due to failures of the crib drop-side hardware. (Source: ConsumerReports)
This move will likely take months and stricter rules regarding drop-side cribs (or the elimination of them all together) will be put in place. When this ban takes place it will mean:
From what I can tell, existing drop-side cribs won’t be recalled (we’ll have to wait and see on that one) but you won’t be able to sell them to second hand shops and/or you’ll be stuck with a crib that doesn’t meet the most current safety standards. Of course this still needs to go through a few months of ironing so I’ll post the “in plain English” versions as they become available.
Please read the articles at Polliwogged, DaddyTypes and Z Recommends (for a much more nitty gritty look at the cuurent proposaed ban)
Feb
7
CPSC Issues Phthalates Compliance Guidelines
Filed Under Green Mama, Phthalates Info, Product Safety | Comments Off
This has been in the works for some time but the CPSC issued a formal press release yesterday stating that starting on February 10, 2009 children’s toys and child care items cannot contain more that 0.1% of any of the six phthalates (DEHP, DBP, BBP, DINP, DIDP, and DnOPA) regardless of when they were manufactured. (Why not Zero??) A court ruling on the 5th stated that the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (ban on phthalates in children’s products) should apply to current inventory and not just new products manufactured.
The statute also prohibits phthalates over the limit in child care articles, which include products that a child 3 and younger would use for sleeping, feeding, sucking or teething. By way of example, a pacifier/teether would be an item that would help a child with sucking or teething; a sippy cup would facilitate feeding; and a crib mattress would facilitate sleeping.
Companies must meet their reporting obligation under federal law and immediately tell the Commission if they learn of a children’s toy or child care article that exceeds the new phthalates limits starting on February 10, 2009. Companies also should know that the CPSIA generally prohibits the export for sale of children’s products that exceed the new phthalates limits.
Definitely good news and a step forward, but I fear there will always be a struggle for parents to eliminate it from every scenario. Personally I have already had to contact my child’s school regarding the vinyl mats they insist they nap on… here’s hoping that a stricter rule about phthalates in children’s products is the thing we needed to move that ban forward everywhere.
Sep
15
In the News: Stricter lead rule, phthalates may pose a bigger challenge
Filed Under Product Safety, Toy Safety | Comments Off
The Consumer Product’s Saftey Commission (CPSC) is expected to release a new rule today, regarding the tougher standard on lead in toys according to The Washington Post:
The opinion, a copy of which was obtained by The Washington Post, represents the agency’s official guidance to businesses. It allows companies to sell off their existing inventory of soon-to-be banned products through Feb. 10, including through exports.
After that, manufacturers and retailers will probably have to destroy products that don’t comply with the new limit, said Gary Wolensky, a partner with Phoenix-based law firm Snell & Wilmer who represents companies in product-liability cases.
You can read the entire article over at The Washington Post. According to the article, Toys “R” Us is already in compliance, as well as the company that manufactures Thomas the Train toys, which were a part of a major recall last year. The law will apply to clothing and electronics companies as well, and will protect children up to the age of 12.
Source: The Washington Post
Aug
14
President Signs Product Safety Bill!
Filed Under Articles, Take Action | Comments Off
Finally! Today President Bush signed landmark product safety reform legislation into law. This law will help proptect our kids from unwanted chemicals and lead in toys and kids products. The law, according to the list posted on the Consumer Reports website outlines what it entails:
The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 aims to make huge improvements to an antiquated system… Long overdue! It’s nice to finally see some progress being made. I’ll keep my opinion on Bush’s usual antics to myself and just bask in the glory of what he accomplished today.
Hooray!
Jul
2
Dear SafeMama
Filed Under Dear SafeMama | Comments Off
Q: I am in dire need to get my carpets cleaned as my son is starting to crawl and I don’t want him on the carpets before they are cleaned. I know most companies that come out to clean carpet use harsh chemicals. Can you give me a “cheat sheet” or tips of things to ask to make sure I am getting the safest for my son when I am calling some of the carpet cleaning companies.
Since we have gotten this question before I thought it was a good time to talk about it! Carpet is a tricky thing. Everyone walks all over it, stuff spills, dust, dirt, pets… and then your precious baby learns to crawl and you are repulsed at the very thought of their little baby hands all over it. I get it. I’ve cringed along with you. First things first: You will never get your carpet as clean as you think it is. Carpet is just a magnet for gunk and it stays in there and gets under it and it will always be a source of filth. However, no one lives in a sterile environment (unless you live in my mother in-laws house in which case… I would be comfortable having open heart surgery on her kitchen counter – it’s that clean) so a little dirt isn’t going to hurt your little baby bean. But if it’s time for a good cleaning here are a few things to think about when hiring a professional.
For more about the above information and some great home carpet cleaning tips and recipes check out this article from The Green Guide.
Q: I was recently told that all infant and children’s pajamas are treated with flame retardant. Is this true? Is it a law or are just some nationally recognized brands treated?
Not all infant and children’s pajamas are treated with flame retardants. But some are… although not in the way you might imagine. The CPSC says “less than 1% of either polyester or cotton sleepwear garments are treated with flame retardant chemicals”. But that doesn’t mean flame retardants aren’t in there. The bottom line is most children’s sleep clothes made of synthetic fabrics will contain flame retardant chemicals either by way of the woven fabric used to make the pajamas or applied after they are made. However the CPSC has rigorous guidelines regarding flame retardants on children’s clothing so in most cases, they don’t pose a significant health threat. Flame resistant chemicals bond to the fabric and are “quite stable” but they use chlorine and bromine to do it. Synthetic clothing is less breathable and can lead to overheating and rashes, which is another reason some might choose to avoid them. Additionally, they can pose a negative impact on the environment during its manufacturing since it requires petrochemicals. If you’d rather choose something else, choose cotton, snug-fitting pajamas. Even better, choose organic snug-fitting pajamas. This article in The Green Guide (again! I love that site) has a full explanation. Another good one: Green Mom, Chemical Free Sleepwear.
Personally, I have a hard time finding organic cotton pajamas so I rely on the cute snug fitting ones found at Old Navy. If anyone has organic ones they like, send us your finds!
Have a question? Email us your Dear SafeMama questions and we’ll do our best to get them answered!
Jun
24
SafeMama Link Round Up
Filed Under Bisphenol-A, Eco-Mama | Comments Off
Just a few articles and links I found worth mentioning today…
Jun
4
Crocs Safety: Beware of Escalators
Filed Under Articles, Product Safety | Comments Off
The popular shoes, Crocs™ worn by kids and adults alike have swept the retail-nation like wildfire. My son has a pair or two. They are easy to get on and off (which is a huge help when kids don’t want to put shoes on AT ALL like mine) and are great for the beach or pool. They’re comfortable, water and slip resistant and the material they’re made with Croslite™, their proprietary foam material is nontoxic, bacteria and mold resistant too.
But not so fast, there are some concerns to be aware of before letting your little one walk to earth in them. While they’re a great convenience, they are being reported as a safety issue with escalators. 77 cases of escalator entrapment have been reported since January of 2006 in connection with Crocs™ and similar imitation brands, according to the CPSC. The hard teeth of escalator steps and the soft nature of the shoe materials have caused some serious injuries to mostly children. The CPSC has warned of the shoes risk when using escalators in the past but with the summer here, they are bringing it to the public’s attention once again.
Consumer Reports has a good article on the subject with a useful bulleted list of safety tips for escalator use. Check it out… but Safe Mama recommends not wearing Crocs™ to the mall or places that have escalators. And be careful on those escalators with kids.
Recycling Tip: I recently stumbled on a website that offers a great recycling option for the shoes. SolesUnited (I can’t tell if this is part of the Crocs™ team or not) collects used shoes and grinds them up to make new shoes for underdeveloped countries and also uses the recycled shoes for playground flooring. You can find a participating store near you on the website or get the mailing address of where to ship your used shoes.
Links:
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Latest CPSC Childrens Products and Toy Recalls
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Car Seat Recalls
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Latest Recalls in Canada
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Safer States Action Alerts
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