Five Lead Recalls – Toys, Jewelry, Address Books and Journals
August 23, 2007
The Onondaga County Health Department's Lead Poisoning Control Program is alerting parents of five voluntary recalls of children's magnetic toy train sets, address books/journals, jewelry sets, charm bracelets, and spinning tops/tin pails. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has determined that these products contain high levels of lead.
Magnetic Toy Train Sets
Product Description: This recall involves Magnetic Alphabet and Number train sets. The train sets include a wooden engine, caboose, letters and numbers. The miniature train sets are sold in a rainbow of colors and have either a letter or number attached to the top of a base with four wooden wheels. The alphabet train set contains 28 pieces, and the number train set contains 12 pieces. Each car in the train set is 2 ½ x 2 ½ x 2 inches in size.
Sold by: Johnson Smith Company, The Paragon Gifts Inc., and Starcrest Products of California catalogues nationwide from December 2005 through July 2007 for about $30.
Importer: Hampton Direct, of Williston, Vt.
Manufactured in: China
Remedy: Consumers should stop using and dispose of the recalled trains. Consumers of record will receive a free replacement train. For additional information, contact Hampton Direct at (800) 208-4050 between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.hamptondirect.com.
SpongeBob SquarePants™ Address Books and Journals
Product Description: The recall involves address books and journals with SpongeBob SquarePants™ character on the front cover and a black metal spiral binding. The UPC numbers (80773007505 for the address book and 80773002260, 80773075501 and 80773007551 for the journal) are printed on the back covers.
Sold by: Retail stores nationwide from June 2006 through July 2007 for about $2.
Importer: Martin Designs Inc., of Ashland, Ohio
Manufactured in: China
Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled address books and journals away from children. Consumers should remove the UPC as proof of ownership and contact Martin Designs Inc. at (866) 898-0261 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.martindesigns-ltd, for a full refund.
TOBY & ME Jewelry Sets
Product Description: The three recalled jewelry sets include: a princess pink and clear crystal bead necklace and bracelet set with a painted metallic crown pendant; a pink and white pearl necklace and bracelet set with a painted metallic poodle pendant; and a pink pearl necklace, earrings and ring set. All sets are sold in a pink gift box with "TOBY & ME" printed on the front and "TOBY & ME" hangtags attached to the packaging.
Sold by: T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, and A.J.Wright from August 2006 through May 2007 for about $8.
Importer: TOBY N.Y.C., of New York, N.Y.
Manufactured in: China
Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled jewelry away from children and contact TOBY N.Y.C. at (866) 235-0588 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or email the firm at info@tobynyc.com, for information on receiving a full refund or replacement item.
Children's Divine Inspiration Charm Bracelets
Product Description: The recalled charm bracelets have silver-colored charms, including angels, crosses, and hearts, and clear and pink beads that hang from a silver-colored chain.
Sold by: Dollar stores and other small retail stores nationwide from March 2004 through August 2007 for about $1.
Importer: Buy-Rite Designs Inc., of Freehold, N.J.
Manufactured in: China
Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled jewelry away from children and return it to store where purchased for a full refund. If unable to return it to the store, contact Buy-Rite at (888) 777-7952 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.buyriteinc.com.
Thomas and Friends, Curious George and Other Spinning Tops and Tin Pails
Product Description: The recalled tops and pails are primarily metal and have wooden handles. The tops are painted with Thomas and Friends, Curious George, or a circus scene. The pails are painted with Thomas and Friends, Curious George, or in a solid red or yellow color. Tops with plastic handles are not included in this recall.
Sold by: Specialty toy stores and gift shops nationwide from July 2001 through July 2002. The tops were sold for about $13. The pails were sold for about $6.
Importer: Schylling Associates Inc., of Rowley, Mass.
Manufactured in: China
Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled toys away from children and contact Schylling at (800) 767-8697 between 9 am and 5 pm ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.schylling.com, to receive a refund or free replacement toy.
Pictures of all of the recalled items are available at www.cpsc.gov.
Here are some suggestions parents should consider when evaluating children's products:
· It is not possible to tell whether a product contains lead by looking at it. Only specific laboratory tests can be used to determine the lead content.
· If possible, purchase products made in the United States. Most of the recalled products were manufactured in China.
· Do not assume that products containing lead may only be found at discount stores.
· Contact the retailer, manufacturer or importer to be sure that it does not contain lead.
· Monitor your child's play, paying particular attention toys or jewelry that a child may put into his/her mouth frequently. Blood lead testing of the child would be advised if a child was observed with one of the recalled items in his/her mouth.
Young children are especially at risk for lead poisoning because they often put non-food items in their mouth. Children with lead poisoning do not look sick. A blood lead test must be done to determine if a child has lead poisoning. If left untreated, lead poisoning can cause behavioral and learning problems. To have your child tested or for more information about lead poisoning prevention call your doctor or the Onondaga County Health Department Lead Poisoning Control Program at (315) 435-3271.
