From the category archives:

Toddler Safety

All Maclaren Strollers Recalled

by admin on November 9, 2009

Maclaren USA Recalls to Repair Strollers Following Fingertip Amputations

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Maclaren USA, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Maclaren Strollers

Units: About one million

Distributor: Maclaren USA, Inc., of South Norwalk, Conn.

Hazard: The stroller’s hinge mechanism poses a fingertip amputation and laceration hazard to the child when the consumer is unfolding/opening the stroller.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received 15 reports of children placing their finger in the stroller’s hinge mechanism, resulting in 12 reports of fingertip amputations in the United States.

Description: This recall involves all Maclaren single and double umbrella strollers. The word “Maclaren” is printed on the stroller. The affected models included Volo, Triumph, Quest Sport, Quest Mod, Techno XT, TechnoXLR, Twin Triumph, Twin Techno and Easy Traveller.

Sold at: Babies”R”Us, Target and other juvenile product and mass merchandise retailers nationwide from 1999 through November 2009 for between $100 and $360.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using these recalled strollers and contact Maclaren USA to receive a free repair kit.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Maclaren USA toll-free at (877) 688-2326 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Web site at www.maclaren.us/recall

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Toy Buying Safety Tips

by admin on December 6, 2008

ShopSmart, from the publisher of Consumer Reports, shares 4 safety strategies to make sure your holiday gifts are free of lead and other dangers:

Know what toys to avoid. Steer clear of no-name toys and, regardless of your child’s age, don’t buy toys with small magnets, even if the magnets seem safely contained within the toy. Don’t buy metal jewelry, especially the cheap stuff, for young children or allow them to play with key chains or items with metal charms. If you have an infant or toddler who still puts almost everything in her mouth, don’t buy squeezable soft plastic toys or books. Unless it says “no phthalates” on the package, there’s no way of knowing if they contain the chemical or not.

Buy according to a kid’s age. Look for manufacturer’s recommended age ranges on toy packaging. Age grading is more than a friendly hint. It can alert you to a possible choking hazard, the presence of small parts, and other dangers. And think twice before buying a toy with small parts for a child older than 3 who has a younger sibling. Keep all small round or oval objects, including coins, balls, and marbles, away from kids under

Check for recalls. Before shopping, go to www.cpsc.gov, a government Web site, to see whether the toys you plan to buy (and the toys already in your home) have been recalled. Also, sign up for free e-mail notices of recalls at www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx. And if a product you buy comes with a registration card, fill it out and send it in so you will be notified directly by the manufacturer if the item is recalled. It’s up to retailers to take recalled toys off store shelves but, once a recalled toy is in your home, it’s up to you to keep it away from your family or return it ASAP.

Watch where you shop. Be leery of drugstores, airports, and dollar stores. They’ve been known to carry flimsy plastic toys with dangerous sharp edges or small parts that can break off easily. Thrift stores, consignment shops, yard and garage sales, and eBay often have toys in excellent condition, but check to see that they’re well made and have no small magnets or parts. Wash the toys before giving them.

Tips Courtesy of the January 2009 edition of ShopSmart.

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I recently found a great website called My Precious Kid, which sells safety products and baby gear for children.

Nothing is more important than your child’s safety and this store has many practical items for baby and toddlers that you may have never seen or heard of. There are currently over 120 child safety products for purchase- one of the largest selections I have seen in one place.

One of my favorites, is a My Precious Kid Exclusive Child Safety Pack which includes:

1 – Child ID Card
1 – Child Car Seat ID Card
1 – Medical Release Card
1 – Child Luggage Tag ID Card
2 – Shoe ID Stickers
1 – Disposable Child ID bracelet
1 – Child DNA Fingerprint Kit

I also love the child travel wristbands and shoe ID stickers for when you are traveling or in a highly congested area (perfect for Disney World!) where you can never be to careful. These items provide your contact info in case your child were to get lost. A really smart idea that most parents don’t even think of doing.

My Precious Kid also sells baby gear such as Radian Car Seats, Baby Slings, and BPA-free Sippy Cups. Please see my review of the Klean Kanteen Sports Bottle graciously sent to us by My Precious Kid.

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Britax Carseat Sale

by admin on September 15, 2008

A few times a year Britax Carseats go on sale and this is about the only time they do so.

BabyUniverse.com currently has Britax Carseats on sale for 10% off and free shipping with a free $20 gift card when you spend between $200-$299 (larger gift card amounts if you spend more). You also get $10 off for signing up for their newsletter, and a free subscription to Cookie Magazine with a purchase over $50.

You can also get an additional 5% back when you sign up and go through eBates.

This makes for a pretty good deal on a Britax Carseat!

Sale Prices:

Britax Frontier – $249.99

Britax Regent – $249.99 (Click Here for my review of the Regent)

Britax Boulevard – $278.99

Britax Roundabout – $197.99

Britax Marathon – $249.99

Britax Diplomat – $229.99

Britax Companion – $189.99

Britax Decathalon – $259.99

Britax Verve Stroller – $99.99 (I love this stroller)

Britax Carseats are good for 6 years from the date they were manufactured.

BabyUniverse (The Parent Company)

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