Evenflo high chairs recalled after more than 1000 failure reports

Evenflo and CPSC are announcing the recall of 95,000 Majestic High Chairs because hardware failure (loose screws and plastic caps fall out) leads to falls and choking hazards. After almost 100 injuries and 1000 reports of the screws falling out, the company is now offering a repair kit. If you have this chair, in addition to requesting and using the repair kit, report to CPSC if you have also had the problem with loose screws.

When shopping, probably best to avoid metal jewelry

Over the past few years millions of rings, necklaces and other jewelry have been recalled because of lead content or paint. Yet a recent study by the Center for Environmental Health finds that much of that still on the shelves is still tainted with lead.

New regulations to limit lead content in children's products, including jewelry, goes into effect in February. At that time, manufacturers will have to certify that the product has been tested by an independent third party laboratory and is free of lead (or under 600ppm at least).

But in the meantime, as the CEH study shows, it is likely that jewelry currently for sale may still contain lead. Perhaps books would make a better gift this holiday season....

Mattel settles case with 39 state AG's on lead in toys

A settlement was announced today between Mattel and its subsidiary Fisher Price and 39 state attorneys general on toys tainted with lead. Mattel will pay the states $12 million, reduce the lead paint in their products immediately to the federal level of 90 ppm that will be effective next August and spend additional funds on lead testing and notification of consumers. California had reached an agreement with Mattel and other manufacturers earlier this month.

University of Michigan students design safer crib

Students at the University of Michigan joined together in Project Safe Crib to look at design ideas to eliminate some of the hazards that have led to millions of cribs being pulled from the market due to defects, injuries and deaths. The team developed a prototype (painted of course in proud Michigan colors) that can only be assembled one way and with virtually no hardware, even though it still has a dropside. The dropside can even store under the mattress creating a daybed or changing table mode.

If you are interested in learning more, contact us at KID. The project is part of KID's Teach Early Safety Testing (TEST) program to integrate design safety into undergraduate engineering programs. This is the sixth year KID has worked with a team from UM.

Recent Safety Resources

• KID joined Illinois PIRG in the release of its 23rd annual toy safety report, Trouble In Toyland.The report educates consumers about the new federal safety legislation and highlights the year's most pressing hazards including lead, choking and phthalates.
  
• For crib recall information and safe sleep tips, check out the Illinois Attorney General's Rest Assured Guide.
• The IL AG has also released Play It Safe, a 2008 recall guide.
• Consumers Union has released Still Not Safe, a report on recalls issued during the CPSC 2008 fiscal year.
• Healthytoys.org just released their results from testing toys for toxic chemicals. Check out their findings here.
  
• CPSC has a holiday toy safety poster for child care or health care facilities to post for parents.