CPSC recently released a slew of product recalls and warnings parents must be concerned about. These may be items you already have or are your using for your kids. To avoid any untoward incident and to fully understand what these are, read the recall orders:

Strollers Recalled to Repair by phil&teds USA Due to Amputation and Laceration Hazards

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Jogging Strollers

Units: About 22,000 in the United States and 7,200 in Canada

Importer: phil&teds USA Inc., of Fort Collins, CO

Hazard: When folding and unfolding the stroller, a consumer’s finger can become caught in the hinge mechanism, posing amputation and laceration hazards.

Incidents/Injuries: phil&teds has received three reports of incidents resulting in injuries to the adult users including a finger tip amputation and two reports of lacerations.

Description: This recall involves sport v2 and classic v1 model single-seat jogging strollers. The three-wheel strollers have a metal frame, cloth seat and a canopy. The sport v2 model stroller was sold in red, orange, green, black, charcoal, navy and in graffiti print. Sport v2 serial numbers included in the recall are 0308/0001 to 0510/0840. The classic v1 model strollers were only sold in red. Serial numbers for the classic v1 are 0308/0001 to 0510/0906. The first four digits of the serial number is a month/year date code and the last four digits are for the individual stroller. Serial numbers are printed on the inside of the folding hinge. The phil&teds logo is located on the crotch piece of the harness on both models.

Sold by: Specialty juvenile stores nationwide from May 2008 through July 2010 for between $350 and $450.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled strollers and contact phil&teds USA to arrange for the shipping of a free hinge-cover kit and repair instructions.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact phil&teds USA at (877) 432-1642 between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the company’s website at www.philandteds.com/support

Family Dollar Stores Recalls Remote Controlled Toy Tanks Due to Burn Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Remote-controlled toy tanks

Units: About 67,000

Retailer: Family Dollar Stores Inc., of Charlotte, N.C.

Importer: Family Dollar Services Inc., of Charlotte, N.C.

Hazard: The tank’s controller can overheat and melt, posing a burn hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Family Dollar has received five reports of the controllers overheating and melting. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recalled product is the Authentic Heroes Target Practice Tank play set, a remote-controlled green toy tank attached by a cable to a grey battery-powered controller. The controller requires three AAA batteries to power the tank to move forward and backward and the tank turret to rotate and shoot projectiles. The controller is marked “Target Practice Tank Play Set.”

Sold exclusively at: Family Dollar stores nationwide from September 2010 through December 2010 for about $5.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should take the toy away from children, remove batteries and return the toy to a Family Dollar store for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Family Dollar at (800) 547-0359 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s website at www.familydollar.com

Kang Sheng Group Recalls Butterfly Push Toy Due to Choking Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Butterfly Push Toy

Units: About 1,440

Distributor: Kang Sheng Group, of Lexington, N.C.

Hazard: The plastic balls on the butterfly’s wings can break, causing small metal balls inside to come free. These metal balls pose choking and aspiration hazards to young children.

Incidents/Injuries: None

Description: The recalled toy is plastic. It has a 21-inch long handle hooked like a cane. At the end of the handle is a butterfly with two movable 1 1/2-inch balls in each wing. The toy comes in various colors and makes noise when it moves. The item number L185819 is on a sticker on the package.

Sold at: Flea markets in North Carolina and South Carolina from May 2010 through October 2010 for about $2.

Manufactured in: Hong Kong

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled toys away from young children and return them to the place of purchase or contact Kang Sheng Group to receive a full refund or replacement.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Kang Sheng Group toll-free at (877) 485-7285 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET or e-mail the firm at ks9761@yahoo.com

While most parents warn their children of the dangers of those we may not know and to be wary (if not avoid altogether) the dangers and concerns associated with unwrapped candy can post to youngsters, or letting kids run around in dark streets, finding safe ways to enjoy Halloween can go much deeper than that.

• Costumes should be flame-resistant (and if you are making it yourself, look for flame-resistant fabric).
• Give kids glow sticks, glow in the dark bracelets, or attach reflective tape to costumes so that they can be seen by cars easier.
• If your child is allergic to certain ingredients found in candy, make sure you look at the ingredients before you let them eat any.
• Dentists say it is better to eat more at once, than eat candy over the course of a few months.
• It’s better to limit the sugar consumption and then brush children’s teeth after.
• Kids shouldn’t trick or treat alone, for safety finding a group to go with or even going with mom and dad (plus, dressing up don’t always lose it’s appeal).
• Check all candy before your child eats it, don’t allow ‘sampling’.
• Make sure all packaging is intact, and looks correct.

For more great tips, you can check out this resource. It has a ton of good advice and tips to make sure that your children stay safe and have a great time during this fun holiday.

With many areas getting nice weather for the first time in what seems like forever, parents are looking to let their kids finally get out and unwind a bit.  While the weather isn’t too warm, it’s a popular time to get out and just have some fun.

Remembering to protect your child’s delicate skin in just important in the cooler weather as it is when the sun is blaring.  Kids can get a sunburn just as easily in 60 degree weather as 90 degree, so remember to slather it on liberally and often.

It may seem a bit much, especially when so many usually associate sunburns with long hot days at the beach, but it is very easy to get burned in shady and cooler areas as well.  Applying a good children’s sun block at a minimum SPF of about 15.  While you can go anywhere from 15 to above, typically the higher the better protection.  Most experts recommend SPF 30 for children.

Vitamin D which comes abundantly from the sun has an important role in the human body, and getting enough can really be as easy as playing outside for a bit.  Just remember to take all the precautions before outdoor play for a safe and fun time.

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The CPSC has issued a recall effecting Infantino baby slings over the very real fears of a suffocation risk after a baby died.  

The recall overall has been issues for over 1 million slings.According the an article on MSNBC:

The Consumer Product Safety Commission said babies could suffocate in the soft fabric slings. The agency urged parents to immediately stop using the slings for babies under 4 months.

The recall involves 1 million Infantino "SlingRider" and "Wendy Bellissimo" slings in the United States and 15,000 in Canada.

Via: MSNBCWhile older babies and children are able to turn their heads, or otherwise alert a parent if they cannot breathe babies that young simply cannot.  This unfortunately leads to an increased risk of suffocation and other serious injuries.

If you own an Infantino baby sling, you are urged to stop using it especially (as quoted above) for babies under four months.

Even with baby slings not in any way effected by this recall it is better to be safe and make absolutely sure you are wearing the sling correctly (most manufactures have videos on their website showing the proper way to use them).

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Doctors are urging the food industry to develop a ‘choking-proof’ hot-dog. Food related choking is one of leading causes of death for young children, and the American Academy of Pediatrics is a huge supporter of the move.

Choking kills more than 100 U.S. children 14 years or younger each year and thousands more — 15,000 in 2001 — are treated in emergency rooms. Food, including candy and gum, is among the leading culprits, along with items like coins and balloons. Of the 141 choking deaths in kids in 2006, 61 were food-related.

(Source: Fox News)

While many are aware of the dangers of feeding their children foods that are possible to choke on, it still happens far too much.  It is a concern of many parents of young children, and this move can potentially save lives. 

Doctors recommend that any foods that may pose a risk (hot dogs, grapes, candies) be cut up, or avoided altogether. 

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