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What do I need to know about children’s
products and recalls?
The first step—make
sure what you have is safe:
Check every children’s product you own, and be sure it hasn’t
been recalled. Do not assume that if you have filled out the registration card you will be contacted if there is a safety problem or recall. Contacting consumers in case of a dangerous product is only required of car seat manufacturers, and recalls are usually not well publicized. [1] This leaves it up to you, the consumer, to seek out recall information.
Be cautious with used products and hand-me-downs:
Use caution when buying products at garage
sales, thrift stores or resale shops. Some products for sale
could be broken, recalled, or otherwise unsafe. A CPSC study in
1999 revealed that nearly
70 percent of resale stores sold at least one hazardous product.
One of the top three products found at that time was cribs that
did not meet federal safety standards [2].
Know how to check and stay current on product recalls:
You can check with the Consumer
Product Safety Commission (CPSC:
1-800-638-CPSC) to find out about kids’ products recalls.
Remember that a product can be recalled at any time, even years
after it came out, so it’s a good idea to check regularly,
and get on the CPSC’s mailing list.
What
are some potential hazards of common children’s products and toys?
- Walkers: Walkers
are very dangerous for babies. The American Academy of
Pediatrics recommends a ban on their manufacture and sale [3].
Contrary to
popular belief, they do not keep babies safe. In fact, according
to the Consumer Products Safety Commission, each year thousands
of babies under 15 months are treated in the ER for baby walker
injuries. Most injuries are caused by falling
down the stairs.
You should also know that research shows that walkers actually
have no positive benefit for your baby, and may even delay
motor development somewhat
[4].
- Cribs: Slats should be no more than 2 3/8 inches (6 centimeters) apart, and no slats should be missing or cracked. The mattress should fit snugly, with less than two fingers' width between mattress edge and crib side. There should be no cutouts in the headboard or footboard. Cribs should not be placed near draperies or blinds where a child could become entangled and strangle on cords. Most crib-related deaths are due to crib defects or broken parts in older cribs.
- Infant bathtub seats and rings: These are meant to help hold a baby up while bathing. Bathtub seats are not safety devices. Babies can slip down, or suction cups can detach, causing the baby to tip over and be trapped under water. Children should be supervised by an adult at all times while in the tub. Unfortunately, many parents are comfortable leaving a baby in a bath seat unattended in the tub for a short time [5], and it only takes a moment for a baby to drown.
- Highchairs: Highchairs
should have a wide base so they don’t tip over. When using
a highchair, make sure the child is buckled in, and the chair
is positioned well away from anything that could be dangerous
to your child.
- Strollers: Be
sure your stroller has a wide base so it won’t tip over, and
don’t hang diaper or shopping bags on it because that could
make it unstable. Don’t leave your children alone in a stroller,
or allow them to play with it. Small children can slide into
the leg opening, become trapped, and die.
- Playpens: Playpens
with wooden bars like cribs, should have bars less than 2 3/8
inches (6 centimeters) apart. Do not tie things on the sides
of the pen because babies can strangle themselves. Many portable playpens have been recalled. Be sure to check whether yours is safe.
- Thrift store baby equipment: Use extra caution if purchasing
used baby equipment. Always check for recalls and inspect for
safety. Use this thrift
store safety checklist as a starting
point.
- Toys: The most important thing to remember is to always supervise your kids when they are playing. Some potential
dangers
are: broken toys, toys with small, loose, or broken parts,
loose strings, ribbons or ties, toy weapons with shooting
parts, water toys that are not approved as flotation devices,
and electrical plug-in toys. Keep in mind also, that toy
chests can smash fingers or trap a child’s head if the
heavy lid closes suddenly. The American Academy of Pediatrics toy
safety page
has more detail, including tips for buying toys, and lists
of the most appropriate and safest toys for each age group.
Find out how to choose
safe toys from the AAP.
- Balloons: Believe
it or not, balloons cause
more childhood deaths than any other toy. Any substance that
can take the shape of a child’s windpipe or airway (like balloons
or disposable diaper stuffing) is a more dangerous choking
hazard. Most people don’t realized it, but Children
ages 3-6 are still at risk
for choking on balloons [6]. Choose
mylar balloons instead of latex rubber, and make sure you are
current
on CPR.
How can I
find out about dangerous equipment and product recalls?
The only way
to be sure you are not using a recalled product is to check yourself. Use
caution when buying products at garage sales, thrift stores or
resale shops. Some products for sale there could be broken,
recalled, or otherwise unsafe. You can check with the Consumer
Product Safety Commission (CPSC: 1-800-638-CPSC)
to find out about kids’ products recalls. Remember that a product
can be recalled at any time, even years after it came out, so
it’s a good idea to check often, and get on the CPSC’s mailing
list. If you want to find out about car seat recalls, see the Your
Child: car
seats.
How do I childproof my house?
Go
through your house with this these childproofing checklists from
the American Academy of Pediatrics to see what you need to do.
Installing
and using basic
safety devices: basic
safety devices can be reasonably priced and save your
family members’ lives. You need at least one smoke
detector on each floor of your house, and
fire extinguishers are not expensive and good to have. Ground-fault
circuit interrupters (GFCIs) are for electrical outlets
and help prevent deaths and injuries from electricity. Different
kinds are available, and for different prices—ask at your
hardware store. Hair dryers with shock protection are
also available and can prevent electrocution. Use the
childproof lids that come on medicine containers, and install
safety latches on cupboards to prevent accidental poisoning.
Childproofing
and safety products are available in hardware
stores, baby and child stores, some discount and department
stores, and in catalogs. These products can be very useful
in solving safety problems around your home, and may give
you more ideas on how to childproof. On-line child safety
catalogs include: Perfectly
Safe,
Safe Beginnings, and Safe ‘n’ Sound Kids. (These
are listed for your convenience and do not constitute an
endorsement of these catalogs.)
What else do I need to
know about dangers at home and childproofing?
- How
can I prevent strangulation in window covering cords? Window
covering cords,
like those on blinds, shades or drapes can strangle babies
and children. The above link explains how to childproof
your cords. Even the inner cord that goes through the slats
of mini-blinds to raise and lower them can be pulled out
by children to form a loop, and has strangled babies as
old as 17 months. Keep cribs and playpens well away from
window covering cords. You can order cord safety kits and
tiedowns for free from the Window
Covering Safety Council. Check out the Spanish
language information video.
- What
do I need to know about plastic bags? Plastic
bags are
most dangerous to children under one year old. Accidents
most often occur with dry cleaning bags, garbage bags,
bags being used for storage, and bags used to protect beds
or furniture. Do not leave plastic bags around, even if
filled. Never put plastic bags on a bed with a sleeping
child. Children are safest
sleeping in an empty crib, anyway.
- What
about large appliances, refrigerators and coolers? Children
have crawled into freezers, clothes dryers, picnic coolers,
and refrigerators and suffocated. Read these recommendations for
information on how to prevent these accidents. If a child
is missing, these appliances and picnic coolers should
be the first place you check.
- Is
my old baby gate dangerous? Accordion-style
baby gates made
before 1985 can trap a child’s head and kill or injure
the child. These gates should not be used around children.
- Is
my home exercise equipment dangerous? Exercise
equipment causes
a startling number of injuries in children. Keep children
away from your equipment.
- Is
my recliner chair dangerous? Recliner
chairs have
caused death and brain injury in children playing on them. A
child can become trapped when their head enters the space
above the footrest and the weight of their body forces
the footrest down.
- Is
it dangerous for my baby to wear a necklace, or have a
pacifier tied around their neck? Strings,
cords and necklaces around
a baby’s neck can strangle them. Never tie
anything around a baby’s neck.
- What
are the safety concerns at toddler birthday parties? Read
some tips on toddler birthday
party safety.
How can I keep my child’s
eyes safe and healthy?
Here
are some eye
safety tips:
- Do not
allow children to throw things at each other
- Do not
allow children to run while carrying sharp, pointy or long
objects
- Keep cleaning
products up and out of reach
- Keep clothes
hangers in the closet
- Set a
good example by wearing protective eyewear when appropriate
- Get regular
eye exams
How do I childproof my yard
and garage?
Be sure your
playground
equipment, swings, and climbing equipment are sturdy
and safe. Garden hoses should not be stored in the sun, because
the water sitting in them can become so hot it can scald and
burn a child. Make sure the yard is climb proof, except for safe
climbing toys or equipment. In the garage, power tools, sharp
objects, paints, solvents, pesticides and other chemicals should
be stored out of reach, preferably in a locked cabinet.
Never
mow your lawn with a power mower if your young child is in the
yard. If your child mows the lawn, be sure you
and they are
familiar with these lawn
mower safety guidelines from the American
Academy of Pediatrics. Children should never ride on rider mowers.
If you have
an automatic
garage door opener, make sure it reverses, is well
balanced, and operates smoothly. Children have been killed and
injured by automatic garage doors. If yours is not safe, you
should have it serviced, or disconnect it and operate it by hand
(be careful around moving parts to prevent pinching or crushing
your hands). Make sure the switch and door opener are out of
your child’s reach.
How can I prevent my child
from drowning?
First
of all, always watch children near water—ALWAYS. Don’t
let yourself get distracted.
Water safety
at home is a matter of taking these three steps:
- Finding
potential dangers
- Assessing
the risk to your child
- Making
changes to improve safety.
Pretty much
anything in your home or yard that contains water could drown
a child. Babies and young children are at highest risk for drowning
in small amounts of water because their heads are heavy, and
they fall in easily. To find potential dangers, walk your home
and yard looking for the following:
- Pools,
hot tubs, spas
- Standing
water on pool covers
- Wading
pools
- Any outdoor
container that may collect rainwater
- Bathtubs
- Buckets
of water
- Coolers
with melted ice in them
- Toilets
- Outdoor
ponds or ditches
- Post holes
- Wells
- Fountains
Watch
young children at all times when they are in the bathtub. Don't
leave them alone—not even for a second—not even
with another child. You can't count on baby
bath seats or rings to keep you baby safe in the tub.
Set your water heater thermostat so that the hottest temperature
at the faucet is 120 degrees Fahrenheit to avoid burns.
Find out more
on YourChild: Water
and Pool Safety.
How can I find out more about children and safety at home?
Visit these related topics on YourChild:
Still have questions about this topic? Go to
our survey to ask your questions, and we’ll try
to answer them on an upcoming
YourChild podcast.
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References
Written and compiled by Kyla Boyse, R.N. Reviewed
by faculty and staff at the University of Michigan
Updated December 2006
U-M Health System Related Sites:
U-M Pediatrics
Our editorial policy
The information and links we provide are reviewed by University of Michigan developmental and behavioral pediatricians and child psychologists who are experts in child behavioral health. In choosing the links we provide, we use strict criteria to ensure that the information is accurate, and the source is reputable. As much as possible, we focus on information that is based on research. In areas where there is inadequate research, we include information compatible with prevailing expert opinion.
This website is updated regularly, but because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, we cannot be responsible for misinformation that may be accessed through the links provided. As always, this website is not a tool for self-diagnosis, and is not a substitute for professional care.
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