On January 30, 2014, the Consumer Products Safety Commission recalled about 200,000 (in the United States and Canada Fred & Friends Chill Baby Artiste, Volume and Panic pacifiers.
These pacifiers reportedly failed to comply with federal safety standards. Specifically, the beard on the Artiste and the knob on the Volume pacifiers can detach, posing a choking hazard to infants. Furthermore, the ventilation holes on the Volume and Panic pacifier guards are too small.
This recall involves three styles of Fred & Friends Chill Baby pacifiers, including the Artiste with a black plastic beard and mustache, Volume with a black volume control knob and Panic with a red panic button. The pacifier’s name and UPC are printed on the packaging. These products were sold at department stores, gift, drug, toy, baby product, grocery and home decorating stores, and hospital, museum gift shops nationwide and various websites in 2013.
Small-parts hazards are of particular concern regarding products that are intended for use by babies, with the expectation babies will put the items in their mouths. Such reported defects are a stark reminder that toys and children’s products reaching retail shelves are not necessarily safe. Parents and caregivers should carefully inspect any such products before giving them to children.
If you have questions or concerns about pacifiers, or other toys or children’s products, please contact us. We will answer any questions you might have, and can advise regarding your legal rights.