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Toys

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) today announced its Top Ten list of recalled children's products as part of the agency's "Resale Round-up" campaign. CPSC's goal is to protect consumers by getting dangerous recalled products out of resale stores and off the Internet. Re-selling recalled products is a violation of federal law.

Before re-selling products, CPSC encourages re-sellers to check its Web site, www.cpsc.gov, to determine if the product has been recalled.

"Those who re-sell recalled children's products are not only breaking the law, they are putting children's lives at risk," says CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum. "Resale stores should make safety their business and check for recalled products and hazards to children."

A CPSC study conducted in 1999 found that nearly 70 percent of resale stores sold at least one recalled or otherwise hazardous product.

CPSC is partnering with the National Association of Resale & Thrift Shops (NARTS), the Salvation Army, state agencies and others to alert re-sellers about recalled products, product hazards including cribs that do not meet current safety standards, drawstrings in children's clothing and the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA).

"NARTS fully supports CPSC's outreach efforts to resale stores," says Adele Meyer, NARTS' Executive Director. "Our members are resale professionals committed to product safety who believe good value and selling safe products go hand in hand."

The agency's education campaign, which will include safety seminars for resale store owners and employees, is part of CPSC's commitment to protecting consumers, especially children.

CPSC's Internet surveillance team is monitoring online retailers and auction sites for sales of recalled and hazardous products. Re-sellers are reminded that they must comply with the federal law, which will be enforced for in-store and online sales.

CPSC has released a new "Handbook for Resale Stores and Product Re-sellers" to help resellers comply with the law. It can be found at www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/thrift/thrguid.pdf or can be ordered by calling CPSC's Hotline at (800) 638-2772.

CPSC's Top Ten list of recalled children's products can be found here. (8-07-09)

Name of Product: "Reflections of Magic" Hanging Mirrors

Importer/Distributor: The Bradford Exchange Ltd., of Niles, Ill.

Hazard: The metal plate used for hanging the mirror can become detached and cause the mirror to fall, posing an impact or laceration hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Ten reports were received of metal plate detachment from the mirrors while hanging on the wall. One consumer reported being cut while cleaning up the broken mirror.

Description: Reflections of Magic is an oval mirror that measures 29 inches high and 26 inches wide. It has a border decorated with animated characters and its SKU number 01-4326-001 can be found on the package.

Sold through: The Bradford Exchange, Ltd. mail order catalogue and direct mail, and collectiblestoday.com Web site from November 2008 through March 2009 for about $165.

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the mirrors with loose hanging devices immediately and contact the Bradford Exchange for instructions and to receive a refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact The Bradford Exchange toll free at 866-903-2755 Monday through Friday between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. CT or log on go to www.collectiblestoday.com. (8-05-09)

Name of Product: Little Tikes Clubhouse Swing Set

Manufacturer: Little Tikes, of Hudson, Ohio

Hazard: The recalled swing sets did not come with assembly directions for the swing seat harness. The swing seat harness assembly needs to be completed by the consumer. The swing seats can detach if the harness is not assembled properly, which could result in fall and injury during use. No incidents or injuries have been reported.

Description: The Little Tikes Clubhouse Swing Set is a plastic molded product that features a climbing wall, rope ladder, slide and two swings with blue and yellow seats. Only the blue seat model is being recalled. The model numbers are 400V and 612398.

Sold at: Various retailers including Toys R Us and Wal-Mart from October 2008 through March 2009 for about $450.

Remedy: Consumers should stop using recalled swing sets immediately until they have obtained and carefully read the assembly instructions for the swing seat harness. Instructions can be obtained by accessing the Little Tikes Web site or by calling the firm's hotline.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Little Tikes toll free at (800) 321-0183 between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. ET Saturday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.littletikes.com. (8-05-09)

Name of Product: Power Functions IR Remote Controls

Manufacturer: LEGO Systems Inc., of Enfield, Conn.

Hazard: The batteries in the remote controls can overheat, posing a burn hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: LEGO Systems Inc. has received four reports of batteries overheating. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves Power Functions IR Speed remote controls sold separately and as a part of the Emerald Night Train kit (Item K10194) and Power Functions kit (Item K8882). The gray plastic remote controls have two large orange dials and the word LEGO printed on the front.

Sold through: LEGO catalogs and online at LEGO.com from April 2009 through May 2009 for about $13.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled remote controls, and contact LEGO Systems Inc. to determine if their unit needs to be replaced. Consumers with defective remote controls will receive a replacement product. LEGO Systems Inc. is directly contacting consumers who purchased this product.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact LEGO Systems Inc. at (800) 718-1858 between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET Saturday and Sunday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.LEGO.com. (7-24-09)

Name of Product: My Pal Scout Electronic Plush Toy Dogs

Manufacturer: LeapFrog Enterprises Inc., of Emeryville, Calif.

Hazard: The decals on the paws of the plush toy can be removed and ingested by a child, posing a choking hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: LeapFrog has received two reports of children removing the decals from this toy, including one report of a child ingesting part of the decal.

Description: This recall involves My Pal Scout, a green and beige electronic plush dog with plastic decals on its paws. When those decals are pushed, the dog plays songs, speaks and barks. "Scout" is printed on the dog tag at the dog's neck. The plush dog measures about 9X9 inches wide. "LeapFrog Ent. Item No. 19142" is printed on the white tag attached to the dog and on the toy's packaging. My Pal Scout dogs with embroidered paws are not included in this recall.

Sold at: Toys "R" Us stores nationwide, and on the Web at www.toysrus.com, www.leapfrog.com and other retail Web sites from May 2009 through June 2009 for about $20.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the toy away from young children and contact LeapFrog to receive a replacement My Pal Scout with embroidered paws rather than decals.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact LeapFrog at (800) 701-5327 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET Monday through Thursday, and on Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET, or visit the firm's Web site at www.leapfrog.com/recall. (7-23-09)

Name of Product: Evenflo Switch-A-Roo Telephone Toys

Manufacturer: Evenflo Co. Inc., of Miamisburg, Ohio

Hazard: A mirror decal attached to the toy can peel away, posing a potential choking hazard. No incidents or injuries have been reported.

Description: The recall involves Evenflo Switch-A-Roo telephone toys made between October 2008 and June 2009. The model number is 6391911.

Sold at: Juvenile product stores nationwide, including Toys 'R Us, for about $8.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately remove the mirror decal from the toy and permanently dispose of it.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Evenflo at (800) 233-5921 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm's Web site at safety.evenflo.com. (7-17-09)

Name of Product: DesignWare Sport Balls

Importer: American Greetings Corp., of Cleveland, Ohio

Hazard: The surface coating on the basketball contains excessive levels of lead, in violation of the federal lead paint standard. No incidents or injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves DesignWare Sport Balls party favors. The package contains four mini sport balls: a basketball, a football, a baseball and a soccer ball. The model number is SPBL 1821 and is printed on the packaging.

Sold at: Various retailers in the United States and Canada from August 2004 through April 2009 for about $3.50.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled sport balls away from children and contact American Greetings to receive a coupon for a replacement product.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact American Greetings at (800) 777-4891 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.ag.com. (7-09-09)

Name of Product: Inflatable Baby Floats

Manufacturer: Aqua-Leisure Industries, of Avon, Mass.

Hazard: The leg straps in the seat of the float can tear, causing children to unexpectedly fall into or under the water, posing a risk of drowning.

Incidents/Injuries: There have been 31 reports of float seats tearing, causing children to fall into or under the water. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The recalled inflatable baby floats were sold in a variety of styles and colors. The names and model numbers are located on the packaging. A date between 08/02 and 07/08 is molded on the valves of recalled products. Products not included in the recall can be identified with the lettering "NP" molded on the valve. The names and model numbers included in this recall ca be found here.

Sold at: Juvenile product and mass merchandise retailers nationwide, including Target, Toys "R" Us, Wal-Mart, Dollar General, Kmart, Walgreens, Ace Hardware and Bed, Bath & Beyond from December 2002 through June 2009 for between $8 and $15.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using these recalled inflatable baby floats and contact Aqua-Leisure for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Aqua-Leisure toll-free at (866) 807-3998 between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm's Web site at www.aqualeisure.com. (7-02-09)

Name of Product: Orangatang Skateboard Wheels

Distributor: Loaded Boards Inc., of Beverly Hills, Calif.

Hazard: The recalled skateboard wheel's core can shear and blow-out, causing the wheel to separate from the skateboard truck's axle and bearings. This poses a risk of serious injury to riders.

Incidents/Injuries: Loaded Boards has received 10 reports of wheels separating. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The recall involves Orangatang "In-Heat" skateboard wheels. They were sold in two styles: 75mm/purple/83a durometer and 75mm/orange/80a durometer. The words "orangatang," "In Heat," and the size and durometer are written on the sidewall of the wheel. The wheels were sold in sets of four.

Sold at: Authorized Loaded Boards/Orangatang Wheels dealers nationwide from March 2009 through April 2009 for about $55 per set.

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the wheels immediately and contact Loaded Boards Inc. or any authorized dealer for a free replacement.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Loaded Boards Inc. toll-free at (877) 855-0708 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday or visit the firm's Web sites at www.loadedboards.com or www.orangatangwheels.com. (6-26-09)

Name of Product: 18-inch Kick Body Boards

Importer: JGR Copa LLC, of Hollywood, Fla.

Hazard: The green surface coating of the screened logo "Big Lizard body boards" on the underside of the body board contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard. No incidents or injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves the 18-inch Kick Body Board. The boards have various designs on the front including peace signs, white hibiscus or yellow smiley face. A green lizard and "Big Lizard body boards" are printed on the underside in green.

Sold at: Beachwear Outlet, Bargain Beachwear, Beach Village Inc., FJ Health & Beauty, Mor USA Inc., Shipwreck-Ocean Jewels, Wal-Mart and Wilcor International Inc. from January 2009 through May 2009 for about $4.

Remedy: Consumers should take the recalled body boards away from children immediately and return them to place of purchase or contact JGR Copa for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, call JGR Copa at (800) 345-4408 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.jgrcopa.com. (6-19-09)