Department of Commerce urges shoppers to check list twice

Keep dangerous toys from your holiday celebration

The largest shopping days of the year are now here – the few days where a significant portion of the annual $20 billion are spent on toys in the United States. To help keep dangerous toys out of the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping, the Department of Commerce is reminding parents to stay vigilant about product and toy safety including hazardous chemicals, and to check product recall alerts.

“It’s a good reminder to watch for toy and product safety as families shop for infants and children this holiday season,” Commerce Commissioner Mike Rothman said.  “We ask people take steps to ensure the products they buy for children have not been recalled as well as look at potential issues like quality, size and age-appropriateness.”

There are several proactive steps consumers can take to ensure their homes are free from potentially dangerous products. The Department of Commerce recommends selecting age-appropriate toys, observing manufacturer’s warnings regarding safety hazards and monitoring use when necessary. Consumers can also create a toy inventory and record relevant information (manufacturer, serial or model # and purchase dates) to help identify the toy in the event it’s recalled.

The Department has put together toy safety tips that can be downloaded and printed, for parents and toy shoppers. A comprehensive list of recalled toys and products are also available on the Department’s website.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has developed a mobile app located at the RECALLS.GOV mobile application page to keep vital safety information in the palm of your hand. The app allows consumers to type in a product’s name to learn immediately whether that product has been recalled due to a safety concern. Photos of recalled products and tips for what to do with recalled products in your home are also available through the app.

In 2013, there was a number of toy, baby and child-care-product recalls. There are several different sources consumers can rely on for information regarding recalls.vConsumers can visit the Commerce Department’s website for an updated list and toy safety tips. Additionally, the Department recommends consumers sign up directly to receive email alerts from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

2013 Product Recalls

• 11/21/13: Angelcare Movement and Sound Baby Monitors
• 11/21/13: The Bailey Boys Children’s Pajamas
• 11/13/13: Dream On Me Cradle Gliders
• 11/13/13: Step2 Ride-On Wagon Toys
• 10/31/13: Snoopy Sno-Cone Machines by LaRose Industries
• 10/29/13: BreathableBaby Wearable Blanket
• 10/29/13: Target Children’s Sitting Stools
• 10/23/13: Infinitoy Softimals Toy Sets
• 10/22/13: Trail Crest Children’s Hooded Sweatshirts
• 9/27/13: Toys R Us Journey Girl Travel Trunks
• 9/17/13: The Children’s Place Footed Pajamas
• 9/11/13: Hachette Book Group Children’s Books
• 9/10/13: Be Amazing! Toys Monster Science Growing Spiders
• 9/10/13: Eco Novelty Jumbo Size and Jumbo Multipurpose Cosmo Beads
• 8/29/13: Build-A-Bear Stuffed Animal Toy “Sulley”
• 8/28/13: Baby Jobber Car Seat Adaptors for Strollers
• 8/21/13: HALO SleepSacks Wearable Blankets
• 8/20/13: Children’s Pajamas by Klever Kids
• 8/20/13: Apple Park Children’s Loungewear
• 8/15/13: IKEA Junior Beds
• 8/15/13: JP Boden Children’s Sandals
• 8/7/13: Toysmith Light-Up Frogs and Ducks
• 8/8/13: Holgate Toys Playmat Sets
• 7/23/13: Kids II Baby Einstein Activity Jumpers
• 7/23/13: Nan Far Woodworking Rockland Furniture Round Cribs
• 7/23/13: Girls Boots by Renaissance Imports
• 7/31/13: Far East Brokers Ladybug-themed Kids’ Outdoor Furniture
• 7/31/13: Be Amazing! Toys Monster Science and Super Star Science Colossal Water Balls
• 8/7/13: Toysmith Toy Light-Up Frogs and Ducks
• 8/8/13: Holgate Toys Playmat Sets
• 8/15/13: JP Boden Children’s Sandals
• 7/17/13: Thermobaby Bath Seats
• 7/3/13: Toys R Us Remote Controlled Helicopters
• 6/27/13: Fred and Friends Baby Rattles
• 6/19/13: Kolcraft Strollers
• 6/18/13: Buy Buy Baby Idea Baby Bath Sets
• 6/18/13: Chelsea and Scott Idea Baby Bath Seat
• 6/18/13: BeBeLove Baby Bath Seats
• 6/14/13: Nap Nanny and Chill Infant Recliners by Baby Matters LLC
• 6/7/13: Adobe High-Powered Magnets with Promotional Materials Package
• 5/30/13: Fred Meyer Chicken Dance Easter Chicks
• 5/29/13: Pottery Barn Kids Sweet Lambie Crib
• 5/29/13: HandM Children’s Water Bottles
• 5/29/13/ Vive La Fete Children’s Pajamas
• 05/16/2013 Anywhere Lounger Bean Bag Chairs
• 05/08/2013 Surly Pugsley Bicycle Forks Recall
• 4/25/2013 Plush Dollies
• 4/25/2013 Cervélo Bicycles with Aura Pro Handlebars
• 4/24/2013 Gingham Bunny Forks and Spoons for Babies
• 4/24/2013 Girl’s Clothing Sets
• 4/18/2013 Infant Socks
• 4/18/2013 Infant and Children’s Dungarees
• 4/17/2013 Slider Tricycles
• 4/16/2013 Spin-A-Mals Farm and Safari Puzzles
• 4/12/2013 Buckyballs and Buckycubes High-Powered Magnet Sets
• 4/11/2013 Infant Clothing with Zippers
• 4/10/2013 Baby Socks Trumpette
• 4/02/2013 Remote-Controlled Helicopters
• 3/28/2013 Bell Sports BMX Bike Helmets
• 3/28/2013 BabyHome USA High Chairs
• 3/28/2013 iCandy World Cherry Strollers
• 3/27/2013 Bugaboo Cameleon3 Strollers
• 3/26/2013 PT Domusindo Perdana Drop-Side Cribs
• 3/26/2013 West Music Recalls Egg-Shaker Toy Instruments
• 3/5/2013 Disco Lights Recalled
• 2/26/2013 Monster High City Motor Scooters
• 2/26/2013 Hello Kitty City Motor Scooters
• 2/7/2013 EVO Strollers
• 2/6/2013 Play Yard Sheets
• 1/31/2013 World Imports Recalls Bunk Beds
• 1/31/2013 Kringles Toys and Gifts Recalls High Powered Magnets
• 1/30/2013 Million Dollar Baby Dressers
• 1/30/2013 Natart Chelsea Dressers
• 1/15/2013 Bugaboo Strollers
• 1/15/2013 Circo Girls Fleece Pajamas
• 1/15/2013 Children’s Two-Piece Pajama Sets
• 1/8/2013 Fisher-Price Rock ‘N Play Infant Sleepers

Consumers can also sign up for alerts at: http://www.recalls.gov/; http://www.saferproducts.gov/Search/default.aspx; and http://www.cpsc.gov/cgi-bin/javascripts/widgetrss.html.

Visit the Commerce Department’s website for a list of all recalls, and information related to recalls, helpful tips on toy safety and additional resources for parents. Consumers who are concerned they are in contact with a potentially hazardous product should file a report with the CPSC. Instructions for reporting a product via phone, email or postal mail are included on their website.

The Department has developed useful information for retailers, detailing the steps that need to be taken when a product has been recalled and reminding retailers their vigilance is needed to identify and label dangerous children’s products.

Consumers with further questions can contact the Commerce Department’s Consumer Help Line at 651-539-1600 or 800-657-3602.

Questions or consumer complaints can also be directed by email to consumer.protection@state.mn.us or by mail to Minnesota Department of Commerce, 85 7th Place E., Suite 500, St. Paul, MN 55101.