The consumer product safety commission announced, on September 8, that Toys ‘Я' Us has issued a recall for its Babies ‘Я' Us pacifier clips due to a potential choking hazard caused by the items spring clip mechanism breaking and releasing small parts.
The pacifier clips were sold in an assortment of six different colors and character designs. These characters include a giraffe, winking owl and a wide-eyed owl, monkey, red monster and blue monster. Each pacifier clip has a circular plastic cover attached to a metal spring clip and a fabric strip with snaps at the other end. The recalled model assortment displays the number 5F6237F and ®2014 Geoffrey, LLC engraved on the back of the plastic cover.
Toys ‘Я' US to date has received two reports of pacifier clips breaking. So far there have been no injuries reported.
The pacifiers were sold exclusively through Babies ‘Я' Us and Toys ‘Я' Us locations nationwide for around $4 each. There were approximately 51,000 of them sold between February 2015 and April 2015. They were all made in China.
Anyone who has one of these potentially hazardous pacifiers should take it away from the baby immediately and return the product to Toys ‘Я' Us or Babies ‘Я' Us for a full refund. For more information, consumers may contact Toys ‘Я' Us at 800-869-7787 from 9AM to 5PM ET Monday through Friday or online at www.toysrus.com and click on Product Recalls for additional information.
Preventative Measures for Choking in Young Children
Choking is a leading cause of injury and deaths among children under 4 years of age. Food, coins, and toys are the cause of the majority of choking incidents. The Academy of Pediatrics led by a doctor at Nationwide Children's Hospital published a policy statement in Pediatrics, an online magazine, aimed at the prevention of preventing choking in children.
Parents need to be aware of foods that can cause choking hazards as well as small parts on toys and common items that may be in reach. Some foods that pose an extreme choking hazard are hot dogs, grapes, and popcorn. Hot dogs are the leading cause of food choking fatalities among young children due to their perfect shape to block a small windpipe completely. Grapes also can become airtight stoppers. Popcorn with its light weight can easily become inhaled. These foods are often thought to be kid friendly but that is far from the truth.
Below are some safety measures to reduce the risk of choking that parents and caregivers should follow:
- Always cut up round firm foods into very small pieces before giving them to children 4 years old or younger. Hotdogs should always be sliced lengthwise and grapes should be quartered.
- Avoid giving toddlers nuts, seeds, hard candy, and other high-risk foods. Do not let them run, play or lie down while eating.
- Keep small items like coins, buttons, and small batteries out of the reach of young children
- Check all toys for small parts that could come loose and read all warning labels. Many toy stores have a small part test device available.
All parents and caregivers should learn first aid for children who are choking and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in the event of a choking episode.
A Law Firm Committed to Child Safety
Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA is a personal injury firm dedicated to protecting children from harmful products. We believe that prevention is the best method of protection against choking. However, children still suffer brain injuries and even die from choking caused by dangerous toys and other products. If your child was hurt or lost their life due to a defective product, call Dolman Law today and speak with a product liability attorney. The number to call is 727-451-6900. There is no cost or obligation to speak with a qualified attorney.
Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA 800 North Belcher Road Clearwater, FL 33765 727-451-6900Source: Nationwide Children's Hospital, Science Daily, CPSC.com