Product Recall News

Pediatrics for Parents, Nov, 1998 by Rich Sagall

Baby Crib

Product: Francisca full-sized cribs sold in the J.C. Penney catalog. The 6000 cribs affected by the recall, models 343-3935 and 343-4065, were sold from 8/96 to 4/97 for around $200.

Manufacturer: Not specified.

Danger: The spindles may come of the side rails. This creates a space large enough to trap a child's head, resulting in strangulation. The space may allow a child to fit through it and fall out.

Consumer Action: Return the crib to a J.C. Penney store for a full refund or replacement.

Infant Car Seats/Carriers

Product: Over 800,000 of these "On My Way" seats have been sold. Manufactured between 12/15/95 and 7/27/97, model 492 includes a stroller; model 207 doesn't. The manufacturer and model number are on the bottom of the seat.

Manufacturer: Evenflo Company (1-800-203-2138).

Danger: When using the seat as an infant carrier, the seat can flip forward, tossing the infant on ground.

Consumer Action: Call the manufacturer for redesigned latch button. Until it arrives, it's safe to use the seat in the car, but not as a carrier.

Booster Seat Dangers

Product: Evenflo Sidekick child booster seat model numbers beginning with 244. The 35,900 seats affected by the recall were made between 4/23/97 and 5/20/97.

Manufacturer: Evenflo (800-233-5921)

Danger: The seat may not adequately restrain the child when used with the shield. The shield is necessary when the booster seat is used only with a lap belt.

Consumer Action: You can get a partial refund if can use the booster seat without the shield with a lap-shoulder belt. A full refund is available if you use the booster seat in a seat equipped with only a lap belt.

Infant Seat Risks

Product: Kolcraft Secure-Fit and Performa infant safety seats made between 1/96 and 7/97. The date of manufacture is on the label on the seat shell.

Manufacturer: Kelcraft (800-453-7673)

Danger: The buckle may be hard to release after a crash making it hard to remove the child. The shield pads on the 1000 Performa don't meet federal flammability standards.

Consumer Action: Call the manufacturer for a free replacement buckle, pad cover, tools, and installation instructions.

Little People

Product: Fisher-Price Little People Roadside Rescue toy sold since 2/ 97. The 17,000 sets involved in the recall consist of a blue plastic police car, a yellow tow truck, a red passenger car, three toy people, two orange traffic cones, a red stop sign, and a yellow yield sign. The box is labeled "Fisher-Price Little People Roadside Rescue ... Ages 1 1/2-5 yrs.... 72394 ."

Manufacturer: Fisher-Price, 1-888-407-6479.

Danger: The back of the police car may break into small parts which could choke a child.

Consumer Action: Call Fisher-Price for a replacement police car.