A minefield of danger: Children's product recalls in 2002

Our children eat, sleep and play in a minefield of dangerous children’s products. In 2001, an estimated 69,500 children under age five were treated in hospital emergency rooms for injuries associated with nursery products. Sixty-five children die annually in such incidents. Recalled products are but one source of product injury to children, yet the volume of recalls underscores the dangers faced by our children everyday. Compelled by these dangers, Kids In Danger undertook this report to educate the public about the great risk to children posed by recalled juvenile products. Of 210 consumer products recalled by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in 2002, 90 of these were items intended for use by or care of children (43%). This accounts for over 11 million individual recalled units. Other findings of the report include: -Fifty-six percent of all children’s product recalls in 2002 were toys. Sporting products followed at 23%, nursery products at 3% and clothing at 8%. -The recall of 4 million plush Snuggle bears was the largest children’s product recall by unit in 2002. The eyes and noses of the bears can come off, posing a choking hazard to children. -The highest number of injuries reported was for mountain bicycles recalled by Brunswick Corp. Prior to the recall, the company received 31 reports of injuries to children and teenagers including serious head injuries, bodily abrasions, bruises and chipped teeth when the bike suspension forks broke apart, causing the rider to lose control of the bike. -With 29 recalls (32%), choking was the top hazard of children’s product recalls in 2002. Falls followed at 23% and bodily injury at 14%. -Several products were recalled in 2002 for failure to meet existing federal safety regulations. Five products violated the Federal Hazardous Substance Act and one product violated the Federal Flammable Fabrics Act. -Many nursery products with a track record of product failure and injury continue to be recalled for the same product faults that were identified in earlier recalls. Based on this analysis, Kids In Danger recommends that: -The public learn more about the lopsided children’s product safety system in America. -The CPSC work with the industry to develop strict, mandatory standards for durable children’s products and enforce compliance. -Policymakers and product manufacturers work together to develop a strategy that addresses the need for pre-market testing of durable children’s products. -Juvenile product manufacturers proactively inform consumers in the event of a children’s product recall and eliminate dangerous products from children’s environments. Kids In Danger is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting children by improving children’s product safety. This report is based on public information about recalls released by the CPSC.