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Walkie-Talkies sold at Toys R Us recalled for burn hazard

If you started holiday shopping early this year, you may want to check the packaging if you bought a Cobra 2 way radio (what we used to call walkie-talkies) at Toys R Us.

The manufacturer and U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission are cooperating on a recall of 8,000 units of the cool looking toys (pictured left) because the rechargable batteries can leak and cause a chemical burn.

The great news is that no one has been hurt yet, so cheers to Cobra for moving fast on this recall.

How To Tell If Your Walkie-Talkie Is Recalled

The recall involves two-way radios with the 300 mah “CEL” batteries. The walkie talkie style radios are made of pink plastic and come in purple packaging. Product number PR191-2VP is located on the front of the packaging and on the label inside the battery compartment. The batteries are standard AAA Nickle Metal Hydride battery cells with a black wrapper with the battery name 300 mah (CEL) with the date code (TF or RF) on the battery itself.

Cobra asks that consumers stop using the radios and contact them for a free replacement and a 20% coupon on a new purchase.   Do not touch anything that has leaked from the battery, which is sound advice in almost all cases, come to think of it.

More information is available toll-free at (888) 252-9889 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday

Posted under Products, Recalls, Safety

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

Heavy darts with projectile tips tossed in the air and burying deep into all but the most hardened dirt or grass were a popular game a generation ago.  They were called lawn darts, and they were fun until as Mom said, someone loses an eye.

That happened far too often, as did other injuries, and lawn darts were banned twenty years ago because they’re essentially little arrows with weighted shafts.

Two companies were apparently selling these as a deluxe family entertainment package for about sixty bucks.  If you bought one, you need to send them back for a refund.   Thanks to the CPSC jumping on this issue fast, refunds should be relatively easy to arrange.   Simply call the distributor toll free at (877) 374-8881 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. MT Monday through Friday.

Many recalls are for a potential hazard.  This one is for a very real hazard.  Unless you’ve got an archery range set up at your home, leave the flying darts alone because these particular beauties have a shaft that is more than one foot long.

Posted under Products, Recalls

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

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has offered parents a wonderful opportunity by making its Kidz Smart DVD available for free.

The non-profit’s site features a quote from Bryan Cranston, the father on the TV show Malcolm in the Middle, who says, “I believe in this cause so much, I made this DVD with my own money. I hope it helps you and your children stay safe in a world that seems to be growing more dangerous every day.”

Consumer Help Web has always supported this amazing organization’s work, and we urge all parents to watch this video with their children and help keep them safe.

Consumers can order the DVD by clicking this link. And when you’re done, why not pass the video along to another family so the word can continue to spread?

Posted under Products, Safety