There’s nothing more important than your child’s safety, right? Right. So you feed them the right food, make sure they look both ways before they cross the street, and tell them not to go anywhere with strangers. These are the rules; they follow them. But then there are the things you can’t really control.
Buying toys for your kids shouldn’t be a gamble: The fact that they’re in the stores and marketed for infants, or toddlers, or adolescents — whatever age — means that they should be safe. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. For example, Kids II is recalling more than 400,000 Baby Einstein Musical Motion Act Jumpers from stores due to potential injury. Thankfully, Toys “R” Us does parents the favor of posting a list of all the products they’ve recalled in the past few years. And we’re going to do our readers an even bigger favor by posting the list of 2013 recalls here. Most of them involve funky toys or handles-gone-wrong, but a few pose serious medical risks. Check out the list below to make sure you’re not stocking your home with toys that are far from kid-friendly.
1. Baby Einstein Musical Motion Act Jumper
What’s wrong with it? The sun attachment can rebound and injure the baby; more than 60 injuries have occurred.
2. Fast Lane FA-005 Radio-Control 3-Channel Helicopter with Gyro Stabilizer and Charger
What’s wrong with it? It’s possible for the rechargeable battery to overheat, which poses a fire and burn hazard.
3. Jeep Liberty Urban Terrain and Sport X Strollers
What’s wrong with it? “The inner tube of the tire on the stroller can rupture causing the wheel rim to fracture and fly off as a projectile, posing a risk of bodily injury and property damage.”
4. 2012 Huffy “Slider” 3-Wheeled Ride-on
What’s wrong with it? The handlebars can come lose, causing the ride to lose control.
5. Buckyballs High-Powered Magnet Sets
What’s wrong with it? “When two or more magnets are swallowed, they can link together inside a child’s intestines and clamp onto body tissues, causing intestinal obstructions, perforations, sepsis and death.”
6. Eat High Chairs
What’s wrong with it? The opening between the tray and the seat is large enough that a child’s body can pass through. Strangulation can occur if a child becomes trapped at the neck.
7. Hot Wheels Urban Shredder 24-Volt Battery-Powered Ride-On
What’s wrong with it? The ride-on can accelerate without warning, leading the child to lose control.
8. 2012 Bell Full Throttle Bicycle Helmets with Black Buckke
What’s wrong with it? “The black plastic buckle under the chin can fail, causing the helmet to eject from the head, posing a head injury during a fall.”
9. Bugaboo Cameleon Strollers
What’s wrong with it? “The handle connectors may break, presenting a falling hazard.”
10. Imaginarium Wooden Activity Walker
What’s wrong with it? If the front wheel comes off, the bolt and spacer can pose a choking hazards.
11. Hello Kitty City Cruiser
What’s wrong with it? Like the Hot Wheels Ride-On, this product can suddenly accelerate and cause the rider to lose control and fall.
12. Bugaboo Cameleon and Bugaboo Donkey Strollers
What’s wrong with it? “The white button on the carry handle may pop out when the…bassinet/seat is placed on the ground or on an unstable surface. This may cause the carry handle to detach.”
13. Newborn Rock ‘N Play Sleeper
What’s wrong with it? There have been reports of mold growing between the seat cushion and the plastic frame (due to moisture or improper/infrequent cleaning). This could lead to respiratory illness or other infections.
That’s the full Toys “R” Us recall list. The two we’re most concerned with are the ones that have direct health consequences: the mold in the Rock ‘N Play Sleeper and the Buckyballs. Don’t forget to check out the site for years’ worth of recalls.
