Major Fisher-Price Recalls

In October 2010, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) initiated a recall of several Fisher-Price children’s products due to the risk of serious injury or death. Fisher-Price, owned by Mattel, Inc., manufactures infant and children’s toys and has been the focus of recalls in past years as well.

For example, on August 2, 2007, Fisher-Price recalled almost a million toy units, including Dora the Explorer and Sesame Street branded toys, because of potential hazards posed by lead-based paint.
Most recently, Fisher-Price recalled Healthy Care, Easy Clean, and Close to Me High Chairs due to laceration hazards. Almost 1 million of these high chairs are being recalled in the United States alone. The chairs pose a threat to children because of exposed pegs sticking out of the legs that are used for high chair tray storage. Children can fall or lean against the pegs and seriously injure themselves, including the potential for lacerations. The CPSC has advised that consumers should stop using these high chairs immediately.
Fisher-Price also recalled infant toys with inflatable balls due to choking hazards. The specific recalled products are Baby Playzone™ Crawl & Cruise Playground™, Baby Playzone™ Crawl & Slide Arcade™, Baby Gymtastics™ Play Wall, Ocean Wonders™ Kick & Crawl™ Aquarium (C3068 and H8094), 1-2-3 Tetherball™, Bat & Score Goal™. There have been almost 3 million units recalled in the United States. The inflatable balls that are attached to these products can become dislodged, presenting a potential choking hazard to young children. The CPSC recommends that consumers immediately remove the inflatable ball from the product and keep it away from children.
The CPSC and Fisher-Price also recalled approximately 100,000 Little People Wheelies Stand ‘n Play Rampway due to a potential choking hazard. The wheels on the purple and green cars can detach and are small enough to be ingested.
Finally, Fisher-Price recalled about 7 million of its Children’s Trikes due to the risk of serious injury. The protruding plastic ignition key has the potential to cause genital injuries to children riding the bikes as intended.
Consumers have an expectation that Fisher-Price toys, as well as children’s products marketed and sold by other well-known manufacturers,  are safe for use by children within the recommended ages. However, this false sense of security can lead to severe injuries when a defective product makes its way into the streams of commerce. Consumers must use caution when selecting toys, and cannot assume that the products being sold have been properly tested and designed. If you or a loved one has suffered serious injuries as the result of a dangerous toy or children’s product,  please contact the personal injury lawyers at Swartz & Swartz, P.C. for a free consultation.
By James A. Swartz of Swartz & Swartz P.C. – Permalink