More US recalls: Fish pool toy rips fingernail off child, numerous toys with excessive lead

November 10, 2007

The U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission has recalled more products over the last few days, though not all because of excessive lead.

While American toy companies have been rocked in the last few months by numerous unsafe Chinese-made products, mostly due to excessive amounts of lead in paint, a few of the latest recalls were actually due to design flaws.

Also recently recalled are sunglasses and toy cars from the Dollar General chain of price-point retailers.

Products affected

 * "Big Red" Wagons
 * About 7,200 units have been made by Northern Tool & Equipment Co., of Burnsville, Minnesota. The reason for the recall is "Surface paints on the wagon and handle contain excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard." The product was sold through the Northern Tool & Equipment catalog, Web site, and retail stores nationwide from July 2007 through September 2007 for about US$60. Customers should immediately take the recalled wagon away from children and return it to any Northern Tool store for a free replacement. For additional information, contact Northern Tool & Equipment Co. at (800) 222-5381 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.northerntool.com


 * Curious George Plush Dolls
 * About 175,000 units have been made by Marvel Toys of New York, New York. The reason for the recall is "Surface paint on the toy’s plastic face and construction hat contain excessive levels of lead, which violates the federal lead paint standard." They were sold at toy and discount department stores nationwide from December 2005 through August 2007 for about $15. Consumers should immediately take the recalled toys away from children and contact Marvel Toys to receive a full refund. For additional information, contact Marvel Toys at (800) 352-2064 between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.regcen.com/curiousgeorge


 * Dizzy Ducks Music Box
 * About 1,300 units have been made by Schylling Associates of Rowley, Massachusetts. The reason for the recall is "Surface paints on the wooden base of the music box contain excessive levels of lead, which violates the federal lead paint standard." People with the product are to contact Schylling to receive a refund or free replacement toy. Their hotline—(800) 767-8697—is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET. There have been no reported injuries as result of this product.


 * Dragster and Funny Car toy
 * About 7,500 units have been made by International Sourcing Ltd (ISL), of Springfield, Missouri. The reason for the recall is "Surface paint on the wheels and engine of the toys contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard." The product was sold at National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) events through Schumacher Racing, and by Matco Tools through door to door sales by its representatives from March 2007 through September 2007. Consumers should immediately take the toy away from children, and return it to International Sourcing Ltd. for a full refund or replacement product. For additional information, contact International Sourcing Ltd at (877) 404-1584 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Web site at www.islpromotions.com


 * Duck Family Collectable Wind-Up Toy
 * About 3,500 have been made by Schylling Associates of Rowley, Massachusetts. The reason for the recall is "Surface paints on the ducks contain excessive levels of lead, which violates the federal lead paint standard." People with the product are to contact Schylling to receive a refund or free replacement toy. Their hotline—(800) 767-8697—is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET. There have been no reported injuries as result of this product.


 * "Robot 2000" collectable tin robot
 * About 2,600 have been made by Schylling Associates of Rowley, Massachusetts. The reason for the recall is "Surface paints on the robot contain excessive levels of lead, which violates the federal lead paint standard." People with the product are to contact Schylling to receive a refund or free replacement toy. Their hotline—(800) 767-8697—is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET. There have been no reported injuries as result of this product.


 * "Skippy" Pool Toys
 * About 31,000 have been made by Swimways Corp., of Virginia Beach, Virginia. The reason for the recall is "The elastic tongue of the fish can break and forcefully come out and cut the users' hands during launching of the toy." Swimways has received 24 reports of the pool toy breaking during use. There were five reports of injuries to children including one requiring stitches to a child’s hand. Another child’s thumb nail was ripped back from the nail bed. Products were sold at mass merchandisers and independent pool supply stores nationwide from February 2007 through September 2007 for about $10. Consumers should take the toy away from children immediately and contact Swimways for a free replacement toy. For additional information, contact Swimways toll-free at (888) 559-4653 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.swimways.com


 * Winnie-the-Pooh Spinning Top
 * About 3,600 have been made by Schylling Associates of Rowley, Massachusetts. The reason for the recall is "Surface paint on the wooden handle of the top contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard." People with the product are to contact Schylling to receive a refund or free replacement toy. Their hotline—(800) 767-8697—is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET. The products feature the classic Pooh illustrations, not the Disney characters. There have been no reported injuries as result of this product. This follows a previous recall of circus, Thomas and Friends, and Curious George brand tops back in August, by the same company.