Earlier today, the Consumer Products Safety Commission issued product recalls for 3 separate children's toys due to concerns that they posed choking and/or ingestion hazards. Fortunately, there were no reported incidents of injuries to children, although there were some reported incidents of pieces separating from the toys and being mouthed by small children.
But the relatively obvious dangers posed by these particular products raises a serious - and important - question: what safety testing - if any - was done on these products before they were sold and marketed to the general public?
My guess is, not much.
Here is a list of the 3 toys, together with the product recall information for each:
- Name of Product: Kid O Products Baby wooden baby rattles - Prisma and Duo styles
Safety Concern: The beads from the baby rattle may come off when the rattle is either pulled with force or twisted. - Remedy: Buyers of this product can contact Kid O Products via their website www.kidoproducts.com, in order to get a full refund for the product.
- Name of Product: Cool-it Soother by Vulli
Safety Concern: This teething ring contains an untreated liquid which is prone to the growth of bacteria and mold, which poses gastrointestinal hazards to infants that ingest it.
Remedy: Buyer can contact the manufacturer, Calisson, toll-free at (888) 318-9803, or view its website at www.sophiegiraffeusa.com for additional recall information. -
- Name of Product: Toddler Talk Toy Mobile Phones by Discovery Toys, LLC
Safety Concern: The clear plastic antenna of the toy phones are prone to break off (and in fact, there are 3 reported cases of them having done so), and posed a choking hazard to small children.
Remedy: Buyers of this product can call Discovery Toys directly at (800) 426-4777 or go the company's website at www.discoverytoysinc.com for additional product recall information.
