OKK Trading pays $655,000 for violating child safety rules

OKK Trading has settled with CPSC to pay $655,000 for violating child safety rules. The agreement settles CPSC staff claims that OKK Trading sold products that violated the Federal Hazardous Substances Act. Specifically they sold rattles that violated the rattles provision, pacifiers that violated the pacifier provisions, toys with small parts that violated that provision, etc., as well as violating the lead paint standard and knowingly exporting toys in violation of the notification rules.

The period covered is from 2004-2008. Since 2007, OKK Trading has announced six recalls, four of them for violations of the lead paint standard.

Tenenbaum confirmed as CPSC chair by Senate

A new day is starting at the US Consumer Product Safety Commission. Inez Tenenbaum has been confirmed by the US Senate as the new chairman of the beleaguered agency. Her hearing before the Senate Commerce Committee was held Tuesday and the full Senate confirmed her today.

Inez Tenenbaum has Senate Confirmation Hearing

The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee held a confirmation hearing this morning for Inez Tenenbaum, President Obama's choice for Chairman of the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). She has the support of both her state's Senators and got a friendly reception from the committee. In her opening statement, she spoke of her experience as a child advocate and public servant and how it will influence her work at CPSC. Senator Lautenberg (D-NJ) asked questions directly about crib safety and recall effectiveness.

She mistakenly named Danny Keysar as the child killed by a lead tainted charm given with children's shoes. KID looks forward to the opportunity to meet with her about Danny's story and his legacy of safer children's products.

LaJobi recalls 4,900 Bonavita and Babi Italia cribs in two recalls

LaJobi and CPSC announced two recalls today for 4,900 cribs.

First, 2,000 Bonavita "Cabana" cribs were recalled for slat failure -- the slats can come loose and/or break. LaJobi had ten reports of slats coming out of the rails and six reports of slats breaking.

Also, 2,900 Babi Italia "Pinehurst" cribs and Bonavita "Hudson" cribs were recalled for drop side failures. The spring pins in the dropside mechanisms can come out, causing the side to detach and presenting an entrapment hazard. LaJobi had 33 reports of the pin failing, including two entrapments and one child falling out of the crib.

For the Cabana crib with the slat failures, consumers should stop using the crib immediately and contact LaJobi for replacement side rails.

For the Hudson and Pinehurst cribs, consumers should stop using the crib immediately and contact LaJobi. The company will arrange for professional technicians to provide an in-home retrofit.

KID is very interested in hearing from consumers about their experience with these recall remedies. Post in the comments below with your experience or send an email.

Mattel, Fisher-Price finally to pay fine for violating lead paint ban

CPSC announced today that Mattel and its subsidiary Fisher Price will pay $2.3 million in fines for violating the federal lead paint ban. Almost 30 years after the ban was put in place, these two companies had to recall at least 95 different toys that were tainted with lead and imported into the United States. Many of these millions of toys are still in homes and child care facilities today. You can search recalls for company, product type or hazard here.

The $2.3 million civil penalty is the largest ever for regulated product violations. The limit on these penalties was raised last year.

Bugaboo strollers recalled -- bad brakes

Bugaboo has recalled almost 23,000 $500+ Bee strollers because the brakes can fail, causing the stroller to roll on inclines and possibly injure the occupant or others. With 121 reports of failure, there are no reported injuries. Bugaboo will send replacement parts to anyone who registered their stroller prior to May 1 and has an online form for others to complete to get the repair kit.

Bugaboo strollers are certified through the Juvenile Products Manufacturing Association's (JPMA) certification program, meaning they meet the voluntary ASTM standard for strollers. The ASTM standard does include testing for brake integrity; it is not known how this product performed on that test. In many cases, failures that are identified through a recall can lead to stronger standards to avoid the problem in the future. Strollers are among the products specified by the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 as requiring the development of a new mandatory standard and third party testing.