Baby Bargains Book Blog

RECALL: Simplicity cribs . . . again

NEWS from CPSC

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Office of Information and Public Affairs

Washington, DC 20207

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 2, 2009 Release # 09-260

CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Simplicity Drop Side Cribs Recalled by Retailers Due to Risk of Death from Suffocation

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Simplicity Drop Side Cribs

Units: About 400,000

Importer/Distributor: Simplicity Inc. and SFCA Inc. of Reading, Pa. (The firms appear to no longer conduct day to day operations.)

Hazard: The crib’s plastic hardware can break or deform, causing the drop side to detach. When the drop side detaches, it creates space between the drop side and the crib mattress. Infants and toddlers can roll into this space and become entrapped which can lead to suffocation.

Incidents/Injuries: CPSC is aware of one death involving an 8-month-old child from Houston, Texas who became entrapped and suffocated between the drop side and the crib mattress when a plastic connector on the drop side broke. The child’s death was previously reported by CPSC. CPSC also is aware of an additional 25 incidents involving the drop side detaching from the crib. In six of these incidents, the drop side detached because the plastic flexible tab deformed or broke. In four of the drop side detachment incidents, other plastic parts, including connectors or tracks, deformed or broke. In two of the incidents, two children became entrapped between the drop side and the crib mattress. There were no reported injuries.

Description: This recall involves all drop side cribs with a different or “newer” style of plastic hardware from those cribs recalled in September 2007. This newer style of Simplicity hardware can be identified by a flexible plastic tab at the top of the lower tracks. The recalled model numbers include but may not be limited to: 8050, 8325, 8620, 8745, 8748, 8755, 8756, 8765, 8778, 8810, and 8994, 8995, 8996.

Sold at: Department stores, children’s stores, and mass merchandisers nationwide from January 2005 through June 2009 for between $150 and $300.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled cribs and find an alternative, safe sleeping environment for their baby. Consumers should immediately return the crib to the place of purchase for a refund, replacement or store credit.

Check your home for this and other Simplicity recalls.

          

CPSC is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about it by visiting https://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/incident.aspx

Lascal pulls M1 baby carrier off market after Bjorn lawsuit

The Lascal M1 baby carrier is no longer being sold in the US after a lawsuit from rival Baby Bjorn claimed the carrier violated its patents.

Reader Anthea F. tipped us to this story---and it was confirmed by Lascal's U.S. distributor, Regal Lager, in an email to us today:

Yes, that information is unfortunately correct.  Lascal is fighting Baby Björn in Europe and trying to invalidate Baby Björn’s patents, so we’ll see what eventually happen.  Anyway, for now the M1 is not for sale in the US.
 

No word on when or if the Lascal carrier might return to the market. 

The Lascal carrier has been pulled off Regal Lager's web site. We still see the carrier sold online on some sites, but we doubt that will last much longer.

Meanwhile, in other Regal Lager news, the distributor is planning to bring back the original Diaper Dekor refills. As you might remember from reading our book, the Dekor's "eco" refills have been a disaster, sparking complaints from users about their, well, stink. We'll let you know when the original refills are back in stock.

RECALL: LaJobi Recalls Bonavita “Cabana” Drop Side Cribs Due To Entrapment and Strangulation Hazards

NEWS from CPSC

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Office of Information and Public Affairs

Washington, DC 20207

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 9, 2009 Release # 09-238

Firm’s Recall Hotline: (866) 688-9009 CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

LaJobi Recalls Bonavita “Cabana” Drop Side Cribs Due To Entrapment and Strangulation Hazards

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Bonavita “Cabana” Drop Side Cribs

Units: About 2,000

Importer: LaJobi Inc., of Cranbury, N.J.

Hazard: The wooden crib slats can detach or break creating a gap, which can pose an entrapment and strangulation hazard to infants and toddlers.

Incidents/Injuries: LaJobi has received 16 incident reports of crib slat failures, including 10 reports of slats falling out of rails and 6 reports of slats breaking. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves Bonavita “Cabana” wooden drop side cribs with metal mattress supports. The cribs were manufactured from January 2006 through October 2008 and have production dates between 01 JAN 2006 and 31 OCT 2008. The model name, color, product order (PO) number, production date and other crib identifiers are printed on a label located on the inside bottom rail of the headboard or footboard. The cribs were sold in three finishes, antique white, classic cherry and montego brown. Cribs with other production dates are not affected by this recall.

Sold at: USA Baby, Beautiful Beginnings, Buy Buy Baby and other specialty stores nationwide from January 2006 through May 2009 for about $450.

Manufactured in: Vietnam

Remedy: CPSC urges parents and caregivers to immediately stop using the recalled cribs and find an alternative, safe sleeping environment for their baby. Consumers should contact LaJobi to receive replacement crib side rails.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact LaJobi toll-free at (866) 688-9009 anytime, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.LaJobi.com

Media Contact: Ilya Welfeld at (201) 439-1010

 

CPSC is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about it by visiting https://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/incident.aspx

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RECALL: LaJobi Recalls Babi Italia Pinehurst and Bonavita Hudson Drop Side Cribs; Risk of Entrapment and Suffocation

NEWS from CPSC

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Office of Information and Public Affairs

Washington, DC 20207

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 9, 2009 Release # 09-239

Firm’s Recall Hotline: (866) 688-9009 CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

LaJobi Recalls Babi Italia Pinehurst and Bonavita Hudson Drop Side Cribs; Risk of Entrapment and Suffocation

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Bonavita “Hudson” and Babi Italia “Pinehurst” Drop Side Cribs

Units: About 2,900

Importer: LaJobi Inc., of Cranbury, N.J.

Hazard: The lower spring pins on the footboard and headboard can pop out of the tracks located on the drop side causing the drop side to detach from the crib. When the drop side detaches, it creates a hazardous gap between the drop side and the crib mattress in which infants and toddlers can become entrapped and suffocate or fall from cribs.

Incidents/Injuries: CPSC and LaJobi have received a total of 33 reports of drop side detachment due to spring pin failure. In these reports, two children became entrapped and one child fell from cribs. Both entrapped children were freed by caregivers, one child was bruised.

Description: The recalled cribs are wood with a metal mattress support and have drop sides and were sold in a variety of finishes including cherry, espresso, natural, and white. Hudson and Pinehurst drop side cribs with production dates from December 2006 through August 2007 are included in the recall. The recalled cribs have the production date, product order (PO) number, item number, and color printed on a label attached to the footboard or headboard.

Sold at: Babi Italia Pinehurst drop side cribs were sold exclusively by Babies “R” Us. Bonavita Hudson drop side cribs were sold at Baby Basics, Beautiful Beginnings, and Buy Buy Baby stores and children’s product stores nationwide for about $300. Cribs were sold from December 2006 through December 2007.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: CPSC urges parents and caregivers to immediately stop using the recalled cribs and find an alternative, safe sleeping environment for their baby. LaJobi will provide professional technicians to perform in-home installations of a free retrofit hardware kit. Consumers should contact LaJobi to register for the free retrofit kit service.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Lajobi toll-free at (866) 688-9009 anytime, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.Lajobi.com

Media Contact: Ilya Welfeld at (201) 439-1010

Note: This recall does not apply to the LaJobi crib models with straight pins on the headboard and footboard or non drop side cribs.

Spring Pin

CPSC is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about it by visiting https://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/incident.aspx

RECALL: Bugaboo Recalls Strollers Due to Risk of Brake Failure

NEWS from CPSC

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Office of Information and Public Affairs

Washington, DC 20207

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 2, 2009 Release # 09-233

Firm’s Recall Hotline: (800) 460-2922 CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Bugaboo Recalls Strollers Due to Risk of Brake Failure

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Bugaboo Bee Strollers

Units: About 22,500

Distributor: Bugaboo North America Inc., of Hermosa Beach, Calif.

Manufacturer: Bugaboo Design & Sales, B.V., of the Netherlands

Hazard: One or both sides of the brakes can fail, causing a stroller to unexpectedly roll away on an incline. This can pose a risk of injury to the child occupant.

Incidents/Injuries: Bugaboo has received 121 reports of the stroller’s brakes failing. No injuries have been reported.

Description: Bugaboo Bee strollers have item code 580210 on a label on the back of the seat and item code 50100 on a label on the plastic support under the seat. The strollers were sold in blue, dark khaki, pink, red, yellow, and black. “bugaboo® bee” is printed on the left side of the seat.

Sold at: Juvenile product retailers nationwide and on various Web sites from August 2007 through April 2009 for about $530.

Manufactured in: Taiwan

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the strollers immediately and contact Bugaboo to receive a free repair kit. To order the bracket kit, go to www.bugaboo.com and fill in the special order form or contact Bugaboo customer service.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Bugaboo at (800) 460-2922 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, visit the firm’s Web site atwww.bugaboo.com, or email the firm at bugaboobee-service@bugaboo.com

CPSC is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about it by visiting https://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/incident.aspx

Missing review: Carter's crib bedding

Due to a production error, we deleted a review of Carter's crib bedding from our most recent book. Here it is:

Carter’s (Kidsline) Call (310) 660-0110 for a dealer near you. Web: carters.kidslineinc.com/products . Kids Line is now producing the Carter’s line of bedding (with a separate web site at carters.kidsline.com). Kids Line has given the Carter’s bedding a much needed style-upgrade—there are six complete collections as well as a baby basics mix and match line. A four-piece set is priced at $180. Sheets ($11-15 each) are 200 thread-count, 100% cotton and quite a step up from the old Carter’s sheets we reviewed in the past. Kids Line has definitely improved both the quality and design. Rating: B

RECALL: Eddie Bauer Play Yards with Rocking Bassinets

	NEWS from CPSC and HC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission www.cpsc.gov		Health Canada    www.hc-sc.gc.ca

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 13, 2009 Release # 09-219

Firm’s Recall Hotline: (888) 233-4903 CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908 HC Media Contact: (613) 957-2983

Eddie Bauer Play Yards with Rocking Bassinets Recalled by Dorel Juvenile Group Due to Suffocation Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Eddie Bauer Soothe & Sway Play Yards

Units: About 71,000 in the United States and about 5,600 in Canada

Distributor: Dorel Juvenile Group Inc., of Columbus, Ind.

Hazard: The play yard’s rocking bassinet attachment can tilt when secured by straps (non-rocking mode) which can cause it to stay tilted without returning to a level sleeping surface while in the rocking mode. The tilted sleeping surface can cause an infant to roll to the corner or side of bassinet and become wedged in the corner or pressed against the side or bottom of the bassinet. This presents a risk of suffocation or positional asphyxiation.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm and CPSC have received 10 reports of infants rolling to one side, including 6 that had their faces pressed against the side or the bottom of the bassinet. One child reportedly was turning purple and was out of breath when discovered. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves Eddie Bauer Soothe & Sway portable play yards. The convertible play yard has a bassinet and changing station feature. A mobile with three teddy bears was also sold with the play yard. Models included in the recall are 05046 (all units) and 05044 units manufactured before December 1, 2008. Different models were sold in Canada. Model numbers and manufacture dates are printed on a sticker on one of the support legs underneath the play yard. Manufacture dates are printed in the YY/MM/DD format.

Sold at: Target, Sears, and Burlington Coat Factory stores nationwide and Internet retailers from January 2008 through May 2009 for about $150.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the bassinet attachment of the play yard and contact Dorel Juvenile Group for a $40 voucher toward the purchase of a new Dorel product. Consumers can continue using the play yard.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Dorel Juvenile Group toll-free at (888) 233-4903 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. EST Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.djgusa.com

Note: Health Canada’s press release can be seen at http://209.217.71.106/PR/recall-retrait-e.jsp?re_id=745

CPSC is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about it by visiting https://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/incident.aspx

Baby Bargains now available as a Kindle ebook!

Yes, we have joined the digital age: BABY BARGAINS is now available as a Kindle ebook. Now you can wirelessly download a copy of our book to your Kindle for a special low price: $9.99.

The Kindle ebook has all the baked-in goodness of our regular book, plus some neat-o interactive features:

• Live links. When we talk about a web site that offers great deals, you can click on the text and zap! You are transported to the site. (We know, you have been doing this online since 1997, but it is new to books).

• Search across the entire book. Want to find all mentions of Britax in our book? The Kindle lets you do a book-wide search. 

• Sync it to your iphone. You are out at Babies R Us, but forgot your book? You can use Amazon's free iphone app to read product reviews from BABY BARGAINS on your iphone. And it syncs where you left off in the text.

If you've got a Kindle, let us know what cool features you like about the device!

Peg quotes stroller weight . . . without wheels?

Reader Jessica N. writes in today with a funny story:

Hello,
I am a fan of your books so I thought I'd go to the experts to help advise consumers of this problem and maybe even help change it. I was at Babies R Us comparing the Combi strollers with the Peg Perego Aria OH. The Peg is advertised as lightweight and the specs say it's 10lbs but when my husband, the store employee and myself held both, the Peg was noticably heavier than the Combis whose specs were shown as over 11lbs. 

Because I like the Peg so much I looked up their website and it clearly states that it's 10lbs. Not wanting to give up I gave them a call and asked them if maybe they were listing the weight without the canopy and basket (like the Maclarens do on their website). The lady told me no but she could weigh it for me. She came back and told me that she "stands corrected" and the Peg is weighing in at 12.9 and the 10lbs listed on their specs is without the tires and snack tray. (But canopy and basket is included) 

I find it rediculous that a company would list their weight without the tires!! And outright deceiving when they don't mention that anywhere on their website. As an individual consumer I don't think I have much power to change the company so I am hoping that you can have some pull in the matter. Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Our thoughts on this: stroller weight deflation has been a long time game in the baby product biz. The reason is simple: stroller makers know parents want the lightest weight model available. So some stroller makers quote weights by leaving off certain parts of the stroller---most disclose this, however. As Jessica points out, at least Maclaren discloses their weights don't include the canopy.

But Peg has hit a new low: quoting a weight for a stroller without wheels! And snack tray! 

RECALL EXPANDED: Jardine cribs sold at Babies R Us

NEWS from CPSC

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Office of Information and Public Affairs

Washington, DC 20207

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 30, 2009 Release #09-207

Firm's Recall Hotline: 800) 646-4106 CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Jardine Announces Second Recall Expansion of Cribs Sold by Babies'R'Us; Cribs Pose Entrapment and Strangulation Hazards

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Jardine Cribs

Units: About 96,000 (320,000 units were previously recalled in June 2008 and 56,450 units were recalled in January 2009)

Manufacturer: Jardine Enterprises, of Taipei, Taiwan

Hazard: The wooden crib slats can break, creating a gap, which can pose an entrapment and strangulation hazard to infants and toddlers.

Incidents/Injuries: CPSC has received 31 incident reports of slats breaking, including two reports of children becoming entrapped in the gap created by the broken slat on the crib models identified below. In 10 of these incidents, consumers reported that their child broke the slat while in the crib. There was one report of minor injuries (bumps and abrasions.)

Description: This recall involves 7 models of Jardine wooden cribs with the date codes identified below. Cribs with other date codes are not affected by this recall. The date code and model number are printed on the label located on the inside of the bottom rail of the headboard or footboard.

Additional Recalled Jardine Cribs

Additional Recalled Jardine Cribs

Model #	Description	Date Code Between
0102B00	Drop-side Natural Olympia Single	9/2005-1/2007
0102E00	Drop-side Dark Pine Olympia Single	9/2005-1/2008
0302P00	Black Olympia Lifetime	11/2005-5/2008
0302C00	White Olympia Lifetime	6/2006-12/2006
0312D00	Americana Pecan 4-in-1	5/2006-11/2007
0308L00	Antique Walnut Capri 4-in-1	12/2005-11/2007
0108C00	Drop-side White Capri Single	8/2006-11/2007

Sold at: KidsWorld, Geoffrey Stores, Toys “R” Us, and Babies “R” Us stores nationwide, and at babiesrus.com, from September 2005 through April 2009 for between $220 and $330.

Manufactured in: China and Vietnam

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled cribs and contact Jardine to receive a full credit toward the purchase of a new crib. Jardine will provide consumers with detailed instructions for purchasing cribs in retail stores and online.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Jardine at (800) 646-4106 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site athttp://www.jardinecribrecall.com/

Drop Side Natural Olympia Single Model# 0102B00	Drop Side Dark Pine Olympia Single Model# 0102E00
Drop Side White Capri Single Model# 0108C00
White Olympia Lifetime Model# 0302C00	Antique Walnut Capri 4-in-1 Model# 0308L00
Americana Pecan 4-in-1 Model# 0312D00	Black Olympia Lifetime Model# 0302P00

CPSC is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about it by visiting https://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/incident.aspx