Magnetic Maze Boards Recalled by Lakeshore Learning Materials Due to Choking, Intestinal and Aspiration 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. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Magnetic maze boards

Units: About 18,500

Manufacturer: Lakeshore Learning Materials, of Carson, Calif.

Hazard: The magnetic maze board’s plastic wand can separate and expose a magnet that can be a choking hazard to children. Also, if a child has more than one of these toys and the magnets detach and are swallowed, the magnets can attract each other and cause intestinal perforations or blockages, which can be fatal.

Incidents/Injuries: Lakeshore has received ten reports of wands separating and magnets detaching. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves wooden magnetic maze boards. The wooden boards have a clear plastic sheet that covers small wooden or plastic pieces located inside a maze. A plastic wand containing a magnet in its tip is attached to the board by a cord. The wand is used to move items inside the maze. The top of the board reads: “Who’s Hiding in the Garden?,” “Who’s Hiding in the Ocean?,” “Magnetic Counting Maze,” “Magnetic Alphabet Board” or “My Community Magnetic Board.”

Sold by: Lakeshore Learning Materials stores nationwide, its catalogs and online at www.lakeshorelearning.com from January 2009 through May 2010 singly or in sets for between $30 and $40.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take this toy away from children and contact Lakeshore to receive a free replacement product.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Lakeshore Learning Materials at (800) 428-4414 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or visit the company’s website at www.lakeshorelearning.com

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Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas. It cannot be seen, smelled or tasted, and can be fatal when high levels are breathed. Symptoms of carbon monoxide are similar to those of the flu and allergies. Carbon monoxide poisoning may also be misdiagnosed as migraine headache, stroke, food poisoning or heart disease. Over 500 people in the United States die from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning each year. CO poisoning more seriously affects infants, people with lung or heart disease, or people with anemia. The following information will help you better understand the ways you can protect your family from dangers associated with carbon monoxide.

Where does carbon monoxide poisoning come from?

* Fuel-burning machinery used indoors such as generators without proper ventilation.
* Car exhaust fumes entering the house from the garage.
* Combustion equipment such as furnaces or water heaters when not working properly or that have a blocked exhaust system.

What can you do?

Carbon monoxide poisoning is preventable. The following tips and pointers can help keep your family safe:

* Never run your car in a closed garage.
* Make sure fuel burning appliances are installed by a professional and that they are working properly.
* Choose vented appliances when possible.
* Never use a gas range or oven to heat your home.
* Have your heating system and chimneys inspected each year.
* During winter months check frequently that vents, flues and chimneys are not blocked by snow or ice.
* Replace dirty air filters on heating and cooling systems.
* Never run a generator, power washer, or any diesel or gasoline-powered engine inside a basement, garage or other enclosed structure.
* Keep your home well ventilated – Install ventilation for indoor combustion appliances and consider installing air exchanges or air conditioning if your home is tightly sealed.
* Never use a charcoal grill, hibachi, or camping lantern or portable stove inside your home, tent or camper.
* Install carbon monoxide detectors near bedrooms.
* Talk to your doctor or local health department if you suspect that you, or a family member, might be suffering from carbon monoxide fumes.
* Call your local building or code enforcement agency if you have concerns about the combustion appliances in your home.

Lincoln Park in Washington, DC’s Capitol Hill neighborhood comes alive every morning—children swing on the playground equipment, dogs chase balls, bicyclists take shortcuts to get to work, and cars, trucks and buses snake around the park’s four corners on their morning commute. There’s just enough chaos to make an elementary school student want a hand to hold and a friend to walk with.

That’s the idea of the Walking School Bus—there’s safety in numbers.

Every week at Maury Elementary School, families gather in the surrounding neighborhood to walk to school together. This morning the crowd was especially large—more than 100 students on foot, bikes and scooters joined their parents, grandparents and younger siblings in strollers for the stroll to campus. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan joined in with D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty, Chancellor Michelle Rhee, and Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez of the U.S. Department of Transportation, which manages the federal Safe Routes to School program to encourage more of the nation’s students to walk or bike to school.

The group that had clustered in Lincoln Park quickly spread out as those on wheels sped to the front. Walking in the middle of the pack with Chancellor Rhee, Mayor Fenty yelled ahead to Arne, who, at 6 ft. 5 in., has an unusually long stride.

“Secretary, you’ve got to slow down with those long legs, man,” the mayor said. “You’re leaving us little-legged people behind.”

For Niah Gamble, 5, and her classmates at Maury, Tuesday was the second day of school. In her hair Niah had tied ribbons in the school’s colors—blue and white—which also matched her brand-new uniform. On her feet were sparkly purple shoes, complementing a pink backpack that seemed unusually stuffed for a kindergartener.

She held the hand of her grandmother, Ellen Williams. Even before her granddaughter enrolled, Ms. Williams was volunteering her time at Maury. “What I do for her, I do for all,” she said. After the first day of classes, when Niah’s grandmother asked her to draw a picture of what she had liked best about school, she drew her teacher, Mamie Vick.

Ms. Vick greeted Niah and her 18 other students on the playground as they lined up to go inside. “We had a great day yesterday,” she said. “I think everybody went home happy.”

Ms. Vick is going back to school herself, attending a weekend program at a local university to get her master’s degree in education. Even with 22 years of experience, she’s still seeking to improve her teaching.

Maury Elementary’s spirit of family and community involvement wasn’t lost on Secretary Duncan. “If every school had this kind of camaraderie, this kind of energy, we’d be a much better education system,” he said during a news conference on the playground.

Walking to school is not only a way to be safe, Arne said; it’s a way to get exercise. “It may be a little bit old school, but I think it’s absolutely what our children need,” he said.

The school year is off to a smooth start, Chancellor Rhee reported. That hasn’t always been the case. There was a time not long ago, Arne said, when “DC had a school system that the city could not be proud of.” Now, he said, its public schools are on the right track.

“DC is fast becoming a model for the country, and I could not be prouder” of the district’s progress, he said. (Update @ 12:15 PM: Later today the Department further acknowledged the District of Columbia’s progress by awarding it up to $75 million from the Race to the Top program to pursue a bold education reform plan. DC and 9 states all won Round 2 grants in this unprecedented competition.)

Spread the word to eligible Families who may not know about free or low-cost health insurance for their children!!!!

Spread The Word

Baby Hammock Metal Stands Recalled by MamaLittleHelper Due to Fall Hazard

The following product safety recall was voluntarily conducted by the firm in cooperation with the CPSC. Consumers should stop using the product immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Infant and Toddler Hammock Metal Stands

Units: About 6

Manufacturer: MamaLittleHelper LLC, of Frisco, Texas

Hazard: The C-shaped metal stand can break where the curved arm attaches to the leg of the metal frame, posing a fall hazard to an infant in the hammock.

Incidents/Injuries: A four-month old infant girl fell out of the hammock when the metal stand broke, but she was not injured.

Description: The baby hammock hangs from the recalled metal C-shaped stand which is about five feet tall and is silver-colored. The metal C-shaped stands were sent to the six consumers with hammock model numbers 1010 and 1020 instead of the original metal frame advertised with the hammock.

Sold exclusively: Online at www.mamalittlehelper.com from December 2009 through February 2010 for about $100 with the hammock.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Parents and caregivers should immediately stop using the hammock stands and find an alternate, safe sleeping environment for their baby. Contact MamaLittleHelper to receive a free metal hammock stand in exchange for the recalled C-shaped metal stand. MamaLittleHelper is directly contacting the six consumers who received the C-shaped metal stands.

Consumer Contact: For more information, contact MamaLittleHelper toll-free at (866) 612-9986 between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, visit the firm’s website at www.mamalittlehelper.com or email the firm at recall@mamalittlehelper.com

Baby Hammocks Recalled by MamaLittleHelper Due to Suffocation Hazard

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. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Infant and Toddler Hammocks

Units: About 500

Manufacturer: MamaLittleHelper LLC, of Frisco, Texas

Hazard: The side-to-side shifting or tilting of the hammock can cause the infant to roll and become entrapped or wedged against the hammock’s fabric and/or mattress pad, resulting in a suffocation hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received three reports of the hammock becoming unbalanced, including one report of a two-month old who rolled to the side corner of the hammock and was found crying face down. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall includes MamaLittleHelper Hammocks with model numbers 1010, 1020 and BL222. They have a steel frame and a fabric hammock with a mattress which are connected by a large spring, safety rope and a metal hanger. Model BL222 has a computerized rocker device. “MamaLittleHelper” is printed on a label sewn onto the hammock models 1010 and 1020. Model BL222 does not have a label.

Sold exclusively: Online at www.mamalittlehelper.com from May 2008 through February 2010 for between $100 and $230.

Manufactured in: Malaysia

Remedy: Parents and caregivers should immediately stop using the hammocks and find an alternative, safe sleeping environment for their baby. Contact MamaLittleHelper to receive a free repair kit for hammock models 1010 and 1020. Consumers who own model BL222 should return the hammock to MamaLittleHelper in exchange for a new hammock. There is no repair available for model BL222. Repair kits can also be ordered online at www.mamalittlehelper.com/recall.htm

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact MamaLittleHelper toll-free at (866) 612-9986 between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, visit the firm’s website www.mamalittlehelper.com/recall.htm or email the firm at recall@mamalittlehelper.com

Models 1010 & 1020

Model BL222

Williams-Sonoma Recalls Baby Bottle Warmers Due to Burn Hazard

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. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Beaba Express Steam Bottle Warmers

Units: About 11,000

Importer: Williams-Sonoma Inc., of San Francisco, Calif.

Hazard: The bottle warmers can overheat liquids and baby food, posing a burn hazard to adults and babies.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received 10 reports of the bottles overheating, including one report of an adult who received a finger burn from touching a hot bottle.

Description: This recall involves the Beaba Express Steam Bottle Warmer which uses steam to heat baby bottles or baby food. The bottle warmer is green with an orange temperature dial. “Beaba” is printed on the base and model number 9602 is printed on the underside of the warmer.

Sold at: Williams-Sonoma stores nationwide, online at www.williams-sonoma.com and through Williams-Sonoma catalogs from June 2010 through July 2010 for about $65.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled bottle warmers and call Williams-Sonoma for instructions on how to return the product for a full refund. Additionally, consumers who return the bottle warmers will receive a $25 Williams-Sonoma merchandise card.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Williams-Sonoma toll-free at (877) 548-0850 between 4 a.m. and 9 p.m. PT seven days a week or visit the firm’s website at www.williams-sonoma.com

My teenager is starting to drive. How can I help keep her safe on the road?

Traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for teens and young adults. More than 5,500 young people die every year in car crashes and thousands more are injured. Parents can play an important role in reducing these numbers and keeping their teens alive. Before you let your teen drive, set specific rules that must be followed.

Parent-Teen Driving Agreement

I, _______________________________ , will drive carefully and cautiously and will be courteous to other drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians at all times.

I promise that I will obey all the rules of the road.

Always wear a seat belt and make all my passengers buckle up.
Obey all traffic lights, stop signs, other street signs, and road markings.
Stay within the speed limit and drive safely.
Never use the car to race or to try to impress others.
Never give rides to hitchhikers.
I promise that I will make sure I can stay focused on driving.

Drive with both hands on the wheel.
Never eat, drink, or use a cell phone while I drive.
Drive only when I am alert and in emotional control.
Call my parents for a ride home if I am impaired in any way that interferes with my ability to drive safely.
I promise that I will respect laws about drugs and alcohol.

Drive only when I am alcohol and drug free.
Never allow any alcohol or illegal drugs in the car.
Be a passenger only with drivers who are alcohol and drug free.
I promise that I will be a responsible driver.

Drive only when I have permission to use the car and I will not let anyone else drive the car unless I have permission.
Drive someone else’s car only if I have parental permission.
Pay for all traffic citations or parking tickets.
Complete my family responsibilities and maintain good grades at school as listed here: ____________________________________________________
Contribute to the costs of gasoline, maintenance, and insurance as listed here: ____________________________________________________
I agree to the following restrictions, but understand that these restrictions will be modified by my parents as I get more driving experience and demonstrate that I am a responsible driver.

For the next _____ months, I will not drive after ________ pm.

For the next _____ months, I will not transport more than _______ teen passengers (unless I am supervised by a responsible adult).

For the next _____ months, I won’t adjust the stereo or air conditioning/heater while the car is moving.

For the next _____ months, I will not drive in bad weather.

I understand that I am not permitted to drive to off-limit locations or on roads and highways as listed here: _______________________________________________________________________________

I agree to follow all the rules and restrictions in this contract. I understand that my parents will impose penalties (see below), including removal of my driving privileges, if I violate the contract. I also understand that my parents will allow me greater driving privileges as I become more experienced and as I demonstrate that I am always a safe and responsible driver.

Penalties for contract violations

Drove after drinking alcohol or using drugs
No driving for ______ months.

Got ticket for speeding or moving violation
No driving for ______ months.

Drove after night driving curfew
No driving for ______ weeks/months.

Drove too many passengers
No driving for ______ weeks/months.

Broke promise about seat belts (self and others)
No driving for ______ weeks/months.

Drove on a road or to an area that is off-limits
No driving for ______ weeks/months.

Signatures

Driver __________________________ Date ________________

Parent promise: I also agree to drive safely and to be an excellent role model.

Parent (or guardian) __________________________ Date ________________

Parent (or guardian) __________________________ Date ________________

Source: Parent-Teen Driving Agreement and Fact Sheet (Copyright © 2007 American Academy of Pediatrics)

Each State designates a specific agency to receive and investigate reports of suspected child abuse and neglect. To obtain the telephone number for your State, go to the The National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information website at http://www.childwelfare.gov/responding/reporting.cfm