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A Casper the Friendly Ghost outdoor figurine has been recalled two days before Halloween.

The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission announced today that the 3 inch high figure has unacceptable levels of lead. The figures were priced from $1 to $3 and sold for almost three years in a variety of stores.

The manufacturer, Coyne and Company, has agreed to a full refund or credit for any figures that are returned. You can call the company anytime at (800) 336-8666.

Be safe this Halloween. Don’t forget our post about Safe Trick or Treating Tips if you are taking a little one trick-or-treating on Friday.

Posted under Recalls, Safety

Two years after we reported on a Leapfrog recall affecting children 6 months to 36 months of age, word now comes that the company has recalled 35,000 units of a video game system.

The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission says rechargable batteries and power sources for the company’s game system marketed under the Didj name can overheat.  Twelve reports of overheating have been reported to the company thus far resulting in at least one reported minor burn.

The recharging base and battery, made in China, should no longer be used.  Consumers can call Leapfrog toll-free at (800) 701-5327 for more information.

Posted under Products, Recalls, Safety

Almost every child in America between the ages of 4 and 12 participate in Halloween activities, says the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.  The non-profit agency reports that 94 percent of children between those ages will trick-or-treat, attend parties or otherwise be involved during the holiday, which falls this year on a Friday.  The group released a list of tips today to help parents keep their children safe during the festivities.

Halloween Safety Tips - 10 Ways Parents Can Keep Children Safe

1. CHOOSE bright, flame-retardant costumes or add reflective tape to costumes and candy bags so children are easily seen in the dark.  Carry a glow stick or flashlight too.
2. PLAN a trick-or-treating route in familiar neighborhoods with well-lit streets.
3. NEVER send young children out alone. They should always be accompanied by a parent or another trusted adult. Older children should also travel in groups.
4. ALWAYS walk younger children to a house’s door while they are trick-or-treating.  Do not let them enter a home unless you are with them.
5. BE SURE children do not approach any vehicle, occupied or not, unless you are with them.
6. REVIEW basic pedestrian safety rules that children should use when walking to and from houses.  Even familiar routes look different at night, especially to young eyes.
7. CONSIDER organizing a home or community party as an alternative to “trick-or-treating.”
8. MAKE sure children know their home phone number and address in case you get separated. Teach children how to call 911 in an emergency.
9. TEACH children to say “NO!” or “This is not my mother/father” in a loud voice if someone tries to get them to go somewhere, accept anything other than a treat or leave with them.  Also teach them that they should make every effort to get away by kicking, screaming and resisting.
10. REMIND children to remain alert and report suspicious incidents to parents and/or law enforcement

The non-profit NCMEC has assisted law enforcement in recovering more than 120,000 children and takes a proactive role such as publishing these Halloween safety tips.  There was no word on how to protect children (or adult!) teeth from stale candy corn.

Posted under Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is advising consumers that tainted baby formula traced to China is likely not being sold in mainstream stores within the U.S.

Baby formula from China reportedly includes a substance called melamine, the same substance found in tained pet food last year. More than 10,000 infants in Asia have become sick from contaminated formula, and officials report at least one case in Hong Kong.

The FDA, meanwhile, is urging U.S. residents who shop in Chinese or Asian markets to not purchase baby formula there.  The governement agency reported that inspections in 1,000 U.S. retail stores failed to detect a single case of tainted baby formula.

Posted under Health, Recalls, Safety

Perhaps the most frustrating issue of any food recall is that consumers may not know if the food was used as an ingredient in another type of food.  This happened earlier this year with beef recalls and is a major issue now with a salmonella threat looming over certain tomatoes.

In a signal to food suppliers and buyers, the Food and Drug administration issued multiple statements indicating which tomato crops were deemed safe.    The agency falls woefully short, however, on consumer advice, suggesting that consumers ask restaurant servers or other food personnel about the tomato’s origin.

That is a nice thought, but more than a little naive.  Note to restaurant owners:  you can stop laughing now, but make sure your staff doesn’t give false information.  When they don’t know, the correct answer is “I don’t know” or “I’ll find out”.

Meanwhile, nearly 400 consumers have now been confirmed to have contracted salmonella from tainted tomatoes.  Of that group, more than 10% have required hospitalization.

The fast food chains performed admirably, pulling the fruit-not-a-vegetable from their shelves.  With guidance, the chains have now added the tomato back on their burgers and gone back to spooning up salsa.

Until a better rationale is found, however, I’m all for “hold the tomato” at home and when dining out.

Posted under Recalls, Safety

A Chinese manufactured baby bottle and food warmer appliance marketed under the name Munchkin has been recalled because it may overheat and cause a fire.

The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission said that that the units could overheat and potentially posed a fire hazard.  The agency reported receiving word of nine such incidents without injury or substantial damage.

The warmers (sample pictured right) were sold from last summer through April 2008 for approximately $20.  Consumers who purchased one of the 5,000 units involved in the recall should immediately stop using the unit and contact the company for a replacement.

How To Tell If Your Baby Bottle Warmer Was Recalled

Take a look at your unit.  If the word “Munchkin” appears with the lot number “TP-1487 on the bottom, you have a recalled unit.

Consumers who have a recalled unit can call Munchkin customer service toll-free at (866) 619-8673 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday.  If you prefer to handle the matter online, visit Munchkin’s site for more information on the recall.

Posted under Recalls, Safety

Those ubiquitous “Crocs” shoes (photo by antonde, left) and their many imitators are under fire again. Complaints to U.S. government regulators haven’t apparently gone far enough for the government to take action. The Japanese government, however, has asked the company to redesign the children’s shoes to protect their feet on escalator.

Crocs, Inc. (NADAQ:CROX) exploded with what intiially seemed to be a fad, and is now a business approaching $1 billion in annual revenues. Millions of pairs of shoes have been sold in Japan, and the government said this weekend that dozens of children suffered foot injuries, even losing toes, while wearing the plastic shoes.

Posted under Safety

See that picture on the right? If your child has one of these colorful little gizmos, it’s time to take the item away.

The toy is called the Imaginarium Actvity Center and was sold by Toys R Us from August of last year to February.

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that it has received 12 reports of those cute little sliders coming off the Activity Center and creating a choking hazard for children. Given that the item sold for between $20 and $50, this isn’t simply a dollar store tossaway item, but one that is worth pursuing.

First, take the Activity Center from your child.

Once you’ve done that, you can return the item to your local Toys R Us store for a refund. If you still have the box, you can check to ensure your particular model is covered because the item numbers 69042 (multi-sided) and 69083 (jungle) are printed on the back of the box, near the bar code.

Consumers with questions can call Toys R Us toll-free at (800) 869-7787 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. ET Monday through Saturday and between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Sunday.

Posted under Recalls, Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning this weekend that cantaloupe from Honduras may be linked to salmonella.

The Honduran company, Agropecuaria Montelibano, is reportedly linked to dozens of illnesses throughout the US. The FDA is specific on action: if you’ve recently bought cantaloupe, check with the retailer to see if they can identify the company supplying the fruit. If they can’t, throw the fruit away.

Symptoms of foodborne Salmonella infection include nausea, vomiting, fever, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. In persons with poor health or weakened immune systems, Salmonella can invade the bloodstream and cause life-threatening infections. Individuals who have recently eaten cantaloupe and experienced any of these symptoms should contact their health care professional.

Posted under Safety

Medicis Pharmaceutical Corporation of Scottsdale, Ariz., will pay the United States $9.8 million to settle allegations that the company violated the False Claims Act with respect to claims submitted to Medicaid, the Justice Department announced today. The settlement resolves allegations that Medicis promoted the use of a topical skin preparation, Loprox, for use on children under the age of 10, without approval by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA).

The United States and the whistleblowers – former Medicis employees – alleged that from approximately November 2001 through April 2004, Medicis sales personnel targeted pediatricians, urging the doctors to use Loprox as a treatment for diaper rash. The use of Loprox, which is approved by FDA as a fungicide for patients over 10 years of age, is not a “medically accepted indication” for the treatment of diaper dermatitis and other skin disorders in children under 10.

“This settlement demonstrates our ongoing commitment to protecting funds for federal health care programs,” said Assistant Attorney General Peter D. Keisler. “Pharmaceutical companies need to know that they will be held accountable for off-label marketing schemes and other illegal activities that affect those programs.”

The Food, Drug & Cosmetic Act prohibits pharmaceutical companies from marketing or promoting a drug for uses that the FDA has not approved, a practice known as “off-label marketing.” In the case against Medicis, the United States alleged that the Medicaid program paid millions of dollars for Loprox prescriptions that would not have been reimbursed if government authorities had known that the prescriptions resulted from the company’s off-label marketing campaign.

Medicis sold its pediatric sales unit in 2004.

The civil settlement resolves claims brought by four former Medicis sales representatives. As a result of the settlement, the whistleblowers will collectively receive in excess of $1,078,000 as their statutory award. Under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act, private parties can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of the settlement if the government reaches a monetary agreement with the defendants.

Posted under Health, Safety