Nine Companies Penalized for Knowingly Selling Children’s Products that Violated the Federal Lead Paint Ban
Hate to be such a nagging voice of reason and hate to say “I TOLD YOU SO!”. But I TOLD YOU SO! Apparently 9 companies are paying fines for knowingly selling previously recalled products that violated the federal lead paint ban in 2008 and 2009.
We say this here all the time – just because they sell it at Toys R Us or Michael’s, doesnt mean it’s safe for your child! Do your homework and supervise your children while they play.
Seemingly innocent educational products such as wooden blocks or toy cars can be lurking in your playroom mocking you and poisoning your child.
I dont mean to sound soooo paranoid!! I think I’ve been writing too many recall product blogs posts! 
You can read the article below or check it out for yourself here.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced today that nine children’s product manufacturers, importers and sellers have agreed to pay more than $500,000 in civil penalties for violating the federal lead paint ban.
The penalties settle allegations that the firms knowingly manufactured, imported, or sold toys and other children’s articles with paint or other surface coatings that contained lead levels in violation of federal law. The settlements have been provisionally accepted by the Commission.
These products were recalled in 2007 and 2008, and include items such as toys, children’s metal jewelry, children’s pens, metal water bottles, pencil pouches, sunglasses and children’s Halloween pails and baskets. Tests showed that paint or surface coatings on these children’s products contained lead in excess of 600 ppm, or 0.06 percent, by weight. One firm’s testing revealed that its products contained surface coatings with nearly 60 percent lead. In 1978, a federal ban was put in place which prohibited toys and other children’s articles from having more than 0.06 percent lead (by weight) in paints or surface coatings. Lead can be toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health consequences.
CPSC has ordered the following firms to pay civil penalties to the federal government:
- Cardinal Distributing Co. Inc., of Baltimore, Md., $100,000
- Recall: #07-157
- Settlment Agreement (pdf)
- Dollar General Corp., of Goodlettsville, Tenn., $100,000
- Recalls: 08-007, #08-068, #08-080
- Settlment Agreement (pdf)
- Family Dollar Stores Inc., of Matthews, N.C., $75,000
- Recall: #08-051
- Settlment Agreement (pdf)
- Hobby Lobby Stores Inc., of Oklahoma City, Okla., $50,000
- Recalls: #08-084, #08-229
- Settlment Agreement (pdf)
- First Learning Company Ltd., of Hong Kong, $50,000
- Recalls: #08-141, #08-174
- Settlment Agreement (pdf)
- Michaels Stores Inc., of Irving, Texas, $45,000
- Recall: #08-248
- Settlment Agreement (pdf)
- A&A Global Industries Inc., of Cockeysville, Md., $40,000
- Recall: #07-144
- Settlment Agreement (pdf)
- Raymond Geddes & Co, of Baltimore, Md., $40,000
- Recall: #08-096
- Settlment Agreement (pdf)
- Downeast Concepts Inc., of Yarmouth, Maine, $30,000
- Recall: #08-231
- Settlment Agreement (pdf)
In agreeing to settle the matters, the firms deny CPSC’s allegations that they knowingly violated the law.
Evenflo Recalls Telephone Toys Due to Choking Hazard
Evenflo is just getting a bad rep around THIS house! I am seriously thinking about checking every item in my daughter’s room to make sure it’s not made by them.
Here is another toy being recalled (You can read about the details here) due to a a mirror decal attached to the front of the toy that can peel away and create a potential choking hazard for an infant or toddler.
The recall involves Evenflo Switch-A-Roo telephone toys made between October 2008 and June 2009. The model number is 6391911.
We all know children love gadgets and phones and anything that makes noise and plays music.
Check your playrooms for this item and in general, always supervise your child during play.
Toy Maracas Recalled by Tupperware U.S. Due to Choking and Suffocation Hazards
We try to keep up with toy recalls here at Gigi’s Crib since many of our readers and editors have young children. Here is another baby toy recalled due to choking hazards that may be a child’s favorite. These particular ones by Tupperware U.S. can break and expose small parts, posing a choking hazard to young children. In addition, the handle poses a suffocation hazard to young children.
You can read about the recall here.
Always inspect your child’s toys before using them. We have a rule around our house – no matter whom it’s from, it has to pass the non-breaking, non-choking, non-suffocating test. Otherwise, it goes in the garbage.
Mommy Boards: Not for the Average (Mama) Bear
Okay granted it may be confusing that these people intimidate me like they do but come on, let’s face it this blog is about laughing at myself. And frankly, it is all about HILARIOUS. It is written almost as a diary, and some gossip between us girlfriends. Hell, add a little face time, a few martinis and some Forever 21 clothing and this blog is a night out. But in searching for some basic recall information on a plastic peice of crap I bought for my child, I came accross these Mommy Board things. Am I a horrible mother becuase I would rather go for a pap smear that take and post pictures of my kids missing teeth or a “to do list for my weekend” or a “Max Funny”? I mean there are post counts next to members names and some of these people have some SERIOUS time on their hands. I mean 25,703 posts about your kids potty training tips, clothing sizes, and little “funny stories”?? (Note to self: Find these women, capitalize on their time and energy, take over the world.) So of course, I realize there is nothing wrong with them (Um there are a lot more of THEM then there are of me, so I have to be the loser here right?) and I am seeing this as my own shortcomings. What does any Type A yuppie mother with something to prove to herself (and the Mommy gods) do? I joined. I came up with a clever little name, I even used the letters of my kids names to be all cute (MOM POINTS!!). I was going to be like these women who were ALL ABOUT THE KIDS, I was in it, I tried to post and….NOTHING. Seriously, nothing. (I know right!? Here I have so much to say what happened?) I couldn’t do it. I felt like posting on that board was the proverbial taking pictures out of your wallet in a store and going “SEE?! SEE HOW CUTE MY KIDS ARE/WHAT A GREAT MOM I AM?” So I am sad to say friends, Mama2AMCT will be reserving her visits for the next time she buys more toxic toys for her kids….(I do love that recall section!)
