Product Liability Law Blog

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced several recalls in the past week geared toward preventing serious injuries to children. The most recent one comes today with the recall of approximately 1,160,000 Roman shades and 115,000 roller shades made by Smith + Noble. The shades pose a strangulation hazard that can occur in the event that the child’s neck either gets ensnared in the shade cord or stuck between the Roman shade and the exposed inner cord. So far, there has been just one report of a child, a 5-year-old Washington boy, getting entangled in a roller shade’s unsecured continuous loop bead cord. Fortunately, he did not require medical attention. Shade owners should request a free repair kit.

Just two days before, the CPSC recalled about 44,900 Kariño Baby Pacifiers distributed by Antonio Flores. The pacifier do not meet federal safety standard and poses an aspiration risk and choking hazard to young kids. The pacifier’s mouth guard isn’t large enough and lacks ventilation holes. Also, its handle is too long and the nipple is easy to separate from the base. It is important to take the pacifier away from your child right away and contact Antonio Flores to request your refund.

Last Thursday, the CPSC and Health Canada recalled approximately 20,000 Cozy Indoor Outdoor Portable Playard Tents Plus Cabana Kits. The playard can pose an entrapment and strangulation hazard if the clips attaching the tent to the playard break or come off. At that point, a child in the playard is at risk of becoming entrapped between the tent’s metal base rod and the playard frame. One boy, age 2, died from injuries he sustained in the playard during a Maine entrapment accident. Consumers are being urged to stop using the playard tents and contact Tots in Mind Inc. to request a free replacement kit.

Our child injury lawyers are pleased to hear about the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s increased efforts to clear the marketplace of products that can cause serious injuries to children. That said, there are still a lot of products with defects that continue to place kids’ lives at risk, including poorly designed and manufactured clothing, shades, nursery products, furniture, child safety seats, toys, jewelry, playground rides, chests, and household décor.

Smith+Noble window shades recalled, UPI.com, July 22, 2010

Karino pacifiers recalled due to choking hazard, Bloomberg, BusinessWeek, July 20, 2010

Safety regulators have new urgency over baby products, USA Today, July 21, 2010

Play yard tents recalled after child's death, AP, July 15, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Consumer Product Safety Commission

Child Safety, Consumer Reports

Continue reading "CPSC Attempts to Prevent Injuries to Children with Recalls of Smith + Noble Roman and Roller Shades, Kariño Baby Pacifiers, and Tots in Mind Playards " »

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Posted In: Cribs and Infant Sleepers , Furniture and Accessories , Infant Products , Injuries to Children & Minors , Nursery Products , Suffocation Accidents

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In the wake of the 2007 death of 10-day-old baby from a handmade baby sling, the Consumer Product Safety Commission is recalling approximately 40 Sprout Stuff infant ring slings because they pose a child suffocation hazard. Sprout Stuff is located in Texas.

The baby slings were sold to consumers between October 2006 and May 2007. The recalled slings are made with cloth that threads through a ring and “Sprout Stuff” is printed on the tail hem’s backside.

It was just last March that the CPSC put out a warning that parents and caregivers should be extra careful when using the infant slings with babies under 4-months of age. At least 14 infant deaths over the last 2 decades are linked to the infant sling carriers. Products liability lawsuits claiming wrongful death have been filed in some of these cases.

The suffocation risk can occur if the sling’s fabric blocks a baby’s breathing by pressing against his/her nose and mouth. An infant can also suffocate if his/her airways get obstructed while in the sleeper in a curled position involving the chin pressed into the chest.

Although the CPSC has placed infant slings on the list of infant products that need a mandatory standard, there still isn’t one at this time.

Child Suffocation
Suffocation is the number one cause of accidental child deaths. According to More4Kids.Info, common causes of child suffocation include:

• Positional asphyxia
• Overlay: A person sleeping with a child rolls over and smothers the child
• Choking accidents
• Entrapment: The child gets trapped in a confined area that is airtight, such as a toy chest
• The child's face or chest gets covered, which obstructs breathing
• Strangulation

As you can see, many of these causes of child suffocation are ones that our child injury lawyers have written about on our products liability blog site in relation to products that have caused serious injuries to children. Defective cribs, poorly designed window shades and drapes, toy chests with lids that don’t have a proper security lock, and toys that are so small that they are easy to swallow, are just some products that have caused suffocation deaths and injuries to kids and babies.

Newborn death prompts recall of baby slings, Associated Press, June 2, 2010

Infant Deaths Prompt CPSC Warning About Sling Carriers for Babies, CPSC, March 12, 2010

Child Suffocation: More than a Nightmare, More4Kids

Related Web Resources:
Recalls.gov

CPSC and Infant Sling Safety, BabyWearing International

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Posted In: Furniture and Accessories , Infant Products , Injuries to Children & Minors , Suffocation Accidents

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The Consumer Product Safety Commission and Target are recalling about 350,000 woven storage trunks after a toddler sustained a traumatic brain injury when the trunk lid fell on the back of her neck, pinning her throat against the trunk rim. The 18-month old’s parents have filed a products liability lawsuit against Target.

Eric and Laura Surman say that when the wicker trunk’s lid landed on their daughter’s neck, it cut off her oxygen supply. According to couple’s products liability lawyers, the little girl cannot eat without assistance, requires the use of a feeding tube, cannot see properly, cannot speak, and is unable to move her legs or arms.

The couple’s injuries to a child lawsuit claims that Target marketed the trunk as appropriate for storing toys even though the units do not meet industry standards or CPSC recommendations for toy boxes, which require a hinge or support that prevents toy box lids from accidentally shutting. Their products liability complaint contends that the trunk should have come with a failure to warn that the boxes lacked the appropriate safety mechanism, as required by a chest used for storing toys.

Consumers are urged to stop using the storage trunks and bring them back to a Target store for a replacement or a refund. 14 different models of trunks made of abaca, woven rattan, or banana life are involved in the recall. There have been two other reports of kids who were injured when their trunks lids also closed on them.

Target’s woven storage trunks are considered a strangulation hazard.

Dangers involving containers with lids used to store toys:

• According to the CPSC, at least 45 children have died because the lids of containers used to store toys fell on their necks or heads
• At least three incidents resulted in permanent TBI’s
• Child injuries and deaths have also resulted from storage boxes used to hold blankets, shoes, decorate cubes, and other items

Children risk injury when they use the chest to pull themselves up. Without the proper safety mechanism in place, this can cause the lid to fall on a child, striking the head or trapping the neck against the edge of the chest or box. If the lid falls while the child is inside the chest, he/she she may become trapped while risking suffocation.

Injured Cranberry Girl's Parents Sue Target Over Toy Box, ThePittsburghChannel, March 8, 2010

Target Recalls Storage Trunks Due to Strangulation Hazard, CPSC, May 20, 2010

Related Web Resources:
CPSC Warns Consumers of Dangers With Toy Chest Lids, CPSC.gov

Toy Safety, National Network for Child Care

Continue reading "Target Recalls 350,000 Woven Storage Trunks After Toddler Sustains Traumatic Brain Injury During Strangulation Accident " »

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Posted In: Catastrophic Injuries , Furniture and Accessories , Injuries to Children & Minors , Traumatic Brain Injuries

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Graco Children’s Products Inc. and the US Consumer Product Safety Commission are recalling 1.2 million Graco Harmony™ High Chairs because they pose a fall hazard to kids. The children’s products manufacturer has received 464 reports of screws and/or brackets loosening and/or coming out of the chairs' rear legs. This product defect has resulted in at least 24 injuries, including head bruises, bruises, scratches, bumps, and cuts, as well as a hairline fracture to the arm. The loose bracket or screw can cause the high chair to become unstable and tip over.

All Harmony™ High Chairs are included in the recall. The chairs were made between November 2003 and December 2009. They are no longer being manufactured.

Consumers should stop using the Harmony™ High Chair right away. You can get a free repair kit from Graco. The recalled product, which includes over 65 models, was sold at retailers throughout the US, including Toys “R” Us, Babies “R” us, Target, Walmart, Sears, Burlington Coat Factory, and USA Baby.

This is not the first time Graco has had to recall defective high chairs. In 2007, the manufacturer recalled 100,000 high chairs because they were at risk if collapsing if they weren't correctly opened and locked into place.

Graco is not the only major manufacturer that has recalled high chairs over defects. Last year, Fisher-Price recalled its “3-in-1” High Chair because the seat back was at risk of detaching, posing a possible fall hazard. Also last year, the CPSC recalled 90,000 Majestic ™ High Chairs (after already recalling 90,000 high chairs in 2008) and 643,000 Evenflo Envision™ High Chairs because they posed fall and choking hazards to kids.

It can be devastating to find out that your child was hurt or died because a trusted manufacturer designed a furniture, toy, or other kids’ product that was defective. You take such good care of your child that you can’t help but expect the makers of kids' products to do the same.

Graco recalls 1.2 million high chairs after babies injured, Triangle Business Journal, March 18, 2010

Graco Recalls Harmony™ High Chairs Due to Fall Hazard, CPSC.gov, March 18, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Graco Baby
US Consumer Product Safety Commission

Continue reading "Injuries to Children: 1.2 Million Graco Harmony High Chairs Recalled Because of Fall Hazard" »

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Posted In: Furniture and Accessories , Injuries to Children & Minors , Nursery Products

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With cold weather continuing to affect many parts of the US, people have been using their gas fireplaces to keep everyone indoors warm. Yet are the doors of some of these gas fireplaces poorly designed so that they pose a burn danger to kids?

According to the Children’s Hospital Burn Center, in the last five years, the number of hand burns caused by fireplace glass doors has gone up by 50% with an average of 2-3 burn victims coming in each week for treatment. One reason for this is that there are a lot of gas fireplace doors that lack protective screens.

It takes just six minutes for a fireplace door’s temperature to hit 200 degrees. The glass door may keep kids away from the fire, but they may still subject to second- and third- degree burns from coming into physical contact with the heat emanating from an extremely hot door.

Over the holiday season, one young boy sustained white blisters on his hands when he placed them on the glass doors of a fireplace. Following the Colorado burn accident, the boy was rushed to the hospital for treatment. Luckily, his injuries did not require skin grafting.

Burn Injuries
Burn injuries can be very painful and traumatic. Second-degree burns can affect both the dermis and the epidermis. Symptoms of a second-degree burn include swelling, redness, peeling skin, blisters, pain, charred skin, peeling skin, and shock. Immediate treatment is imperative, or a second-degree burn can become a third-degree burn. Third-degree burns affect both the external and internal skin layers. They can lead to scar injuries.

Manufacturers must make sure that any products they design are not dangerous for use and if there is an inherent hazard, then they must providing a warning label cautioning against how to prevent injury or death. Otherwise, the victim and his/her family can file a products liability lawsuit suing for personal injury damages. Young children are especially prone to injuries caused by hazardous or dangerous products.

If your child sustained a burn injury from coming into contact with a fireplace glass door, we invite you to contact our products liability law firm and ask to speak with one of our child injury lawyers immediately.

If you are using a gas fireplace with a glass door, the Children’s Hospital recommends that you:

• Place a screen or gate around the fireplace to block kids from touching the door.
• Watch your kids when they are near the fireplace.
• Remember that it takes a gas fireplace about 45 minutes to cool down completely after it has been shut off.

Cozy gas fireplace? Don't let it be a burn hazard, Denver Post, February 13, 2010

Gas Fireplace Glass Door Burn Prevention, Children'sHospital.org

Related Web Resources:
Burns, Medline Plus

Burns, KidsHealth.org

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Posted In: Burn , Burn Injuries , Colorado , Furniture and Accessories , Household Appliances , Injuries to Children & Minors , States

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The Consumer Product Safety Commission announced today that it is recalling approximately 213,000 play yards with bassinets because of concern that the infant product posses a suffocation risk. The recall includes Eddie Bauer Complete Care Play Yards and Safety 1st Disney Care Center™ Play Yard.

There are no reports of any related injuries to date. Hover, the metal bars that support the sleeper’s floorboard can come out through the fabric sleeves. If this happens, the sleeping surface of the bassinet may become uneven. This can cause an infant to suffer from positional asphyxiation or suffocate.

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Dorel Juvenile Group will provide consumers with a free repair kit. Consumers should stop using the bassinet portion that attaches to the play yard until the fix can be made.

Just last week, the CPSC and IKEA Home Furnishings recalled approximately 600 LEOPARD Highchairs because they pose a potential fall hazard or suffocation danger. If the snap locks that secure the seat breaks, the child and the seat can fall through the highchair’s frame. There is also concern that a young child might choke on detached snap locks. To date, there is one report of a baby sustaining leg bruises after falling. Another child reportedly was able to chew off one of the locks.

In the wake of ongoing recalls involving child and infant products, federal regulators have approved a new rule mandating that manufacturers keep a list of customers so that it is easier to let parents know if a product is considered dangerous or defective.

The companies that make high chairs, cribs, strollers, gates, toddler beds, bath seats, booster chairs, play yards, hook-on chairs, infant carriers, children’s folding tables, bed rails, activity centers, walkers, bassinets, changing tables, cradles, bathtubs, slings, and bouncers will have to include a registration card with each product so that they can put together their consumer lists.

While quick notification will hopefully prevent more child injuries caused by defective infant products from happening, there are still children and babies who may be hurt before (and even after) a recall is issued.

Dorel Juvenile Group Voluntarily Recalls Bassinets on Select Play Yards, Offering Parents Free Bassinet Repair Kit, PR Newswire, December 30, 2009

CPSC approves final rule on registration card program for infant, toddler products, Kids Today, December 29, 2009

Recall: IKEA highchair, Chicago Tribune, December 22, 2009

Related Web Resources:
US Consumer Product Safety Commission

Nursery Product-Related Injuries and Deaths, CPSC, November 2009 (PDF)

Continue reading "213,000 Dorel Juvenile Play Yards and 600 IKEA LEOPARD Highchairs are Among Latest Children’s Furniture Product Recalls by CPSC" »

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Posted In: Cribs and Infant Sleepers , Furniture and Accessories , Infant Products , Injuries to Children & Minors , Nursery Products , Strollers

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The Consumer Product Safety Commission is once again warning parents and guardians about the dangers associated with Simplicity drop-side cribs. The CPSC began recalling these child sleepers, made by SFCA Inc. and Simplicity Inc., in December 2005. Over 2 million Simplicity drop-side cribs have been recalled because of the hazard they pose to children. CPSC’s other Simplicity recalls were announced on June and September 2007, September 2008, and July 2009. The agency says that at this point, all Simplicity drop-side cribs are recalled.

Defects with the crib’s plastic material can lead to deformity or breakage, which can cause the drop side of the crib to become detached. This can create a gap between the mattress and the drop side that babies can fall into, and they may suffocate while entrapped.

Last week, the CPSC announced that 11 babies have now died because of this crib defect. The latest child death was in September when a 7-month-old died from a Kentucky entrapment accident. The victim of another recent Simplicity crib death was an 8-month old baby in Texas. The CPSC says it also knows of about 25 other incidents involving Simplicity drop sides detaching.

Suffocation accidents involving defectively designed cribs continue to be a problem that doesn’t seem to be going away. Tragically, it is the babies and their families that suffer.

Earlier this month, our child injury lawyers posted a blog entry about the recall of 24,000 Amboy Baby Motion Beds and Hammocks. The CPSC announced the recall after two child suffocation deaths. Last month, the dangers involving drop-side cribs made the headlines once again when the CPSC recalled 2.1 million Stork Craft Drop-Side cribs following a series of entrapment, suffocation, and fall accidents, and at least four child deaths.

Crib manufacturers have no excuse for making sleepers that can cause suffocation, entrapment, or falls. They can be held liable for products liability if a child injury or infant fatality results.

CPSC sounds the alarm after another Simplicity crib death, Consumer Reports, December 18, 2009

CPSC Launches New Effort to Find Recalled Simplicity Cribs (PDF)

Related Web Resources:
Simplicity for Children

CPSC

Continue reading "7-Month-Old Baby is 11th Child Fatality Involving Simplicity Drop-Side Cribs" »

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Posted In: Cribs and Infant Sleepers , Furniture and Accessories , Infant Products , Injuries to Children & Minors , Nursery Products

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To prevent infant and toddler strangulation injuries and death, the Consumer Product Safety Commission is recalling all Roman and roll-up blinds. More than 50 million blinds (27 million roll-up blinds and 25 million Roman shades) are affected by the recall, which is one of the largest in the agency’s history. The Window Covering Safety Council is joining the CPSC’s efforts to get repair kits to consumers.

16 near strangulations and five fatalities involving Roman shades have been reported since 2006. A child can get hurt by either wrapping the shade’s cord around the neck or putting her/his neck between the back of the blind and the exposed inner cord.

The roll-up blinds have been cited as a cause of three deaths in the past eight years. Strangulation can occur if a child inserts her/his neck between the roll-up material and the lifting loop or if the neck gets caught on the free standing loop.

These latest fatalities and injuries occurred after the CPSC recalled 85 million window blinds in 2000. Most of the blinds were vertical and Venetian blinds and that is when more roll-up and Roman window coverings became more popular. Roll-up and window blinds are also cheaper and considered more attractive.

The CPSC says that vertical and Venetian blind makers improved their standards following the 2000 recall, but manufacturers did not act quickly enough to create better standards for roll-up blinds and Roman shades.

Strangulation injuries and deaths by window blinds and shades are not new occurrences and over the years the CPSC has recalled batches of these products. Why then are manufacturers not doing more to make sure these tragic accidents don’t happen? Our furniture products liability lawyers and our child injury attorneys represent families whose children were injured or killed because of defective or dangerous furniture.

Window Covering Safety Council is offering a number of safety guidelines for protecting kids from the hazards presented by window blinds and shades:

• Use cordless window coverings.
• Replace draperies, shades with cords, and blinds made before 2001.
• Keep window cords away from children’s reach.
• Ensure that cords within their reach are properly secured and cannot be easily freed.
• Keep beds, cribs, sofas, tables, and toys away from windows that have blinds or shades that come with cords.

Window Covering Safety Council Recalls to Repair All Roman and Roll-Up Blinds Due to Risk of Strangulation, CPSC, December 15, 2009

Window Covering Safety Council

Related Web Resources:
Children continue dying as window coverings causing strangulation stay up, KATU.com, August 26, 2009

Strangulation & Suffocation, Parents.com

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Posted In: Furniture and Accessories

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At least two baby deaths have been linked to the Amby Baby Motion Beds and Hammocks, which is why Amby Baby USA and the Consumer Product Safety Commission are recalling about 24,000 of these child sleepers. One of the victims was a 4-month old Georgia baby who died in an Amby baby hammock in June. Another infant, a 5-month-old Oregon boy, died from suffocation last August.

If the baby gets wedged against or rolled into the fabric or stuck in the gap next to the mattress pad as the hammock tilts or shifts side-to-side, the child might suffocate to death. Consumers are asked to stop using this product immediately until they receive their free repair kit.

This latest child sleeper recall is the second one announced in December. Last week, the CPSC and LaJobi Inc. recalled about 400 “Betsy” and “Molly” cribs because of concerns that a child’s head might get caught in the crib’s end panel cut-outs, which are a potential strangulation hazard. One 1-year-old girl died this way in 2003.

Of course, there was the CPSC's largest recall in US history last month when it singled out 2.1 million drop-side cribs by Stork Craft following reports of infant suffocation, entrapment, and fall accidents. Our furniture product liability law firm reported on this recall in an earlier blog post.

Crib Injuries and Deaths
One of the few times that babies and toddlers are left unsupervised is when they are sleeping. This means that in the event of strangulation, suffocation, or entrapment, a parent, guardian, caregiver, or another adult may not be immediately available to rescue the child or call for help.

Crib makers and infant sleeper manufacturers are aware of this. Yet, every year there are toddlers and babies who sustain crib injuries and are hospitalized because of crib defects. Some of these children are not lucky enough to survive.

Infant Suffocation Deaths Prompt Recall of Amby Baby Motion Beds/Hammocks, CPSC, December 8, 2009

CPSC, LaJobi Reannounce 2001 Recall of Cribs Due to Entrapment and Strangulation Hazards, CPSC, December 2, 2009

Related Web Resources:
KidsHealth.org

KidsinDanger.org

Continue reading "24,000 Amboy Baby Motion Beds and Hammocks Recalled Following Two Infant Suffocation Deaths" »

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Posted In: Furniture and Accessories , Infant Products , Injuries to Children & Minors , Nursery Products

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A number of strangulation injuries and deaths involving young children has compelled the Consumer Product Safety Commission and six companies to recall about 5.5 million roll-up window blinds and shades. The companies involved in the recall are Vertical Land Inc., Lutron Shading Solutions, Lewis Hyman Inc., IKEA, Victoria Classics, and Pottery Barn Kids/Williams-Sonoma, Inc.

The largest recall comes from Lewis Hyman. The company is recalling 4.2 million oval roll-up blinds and 600,000 Woolrich Roman shades following two child strangulation deaths. Last year, a 13-month-old boy died after his head got caught between the cloth on the back of one of the shades and the exposed inner cord. The year before, a 1-year-old boy died when he was strangled by one of the blinds’ lifting loops, which had dropped into his crib.

After one mother found a 2-year-old hanging from a Melina Roman blinds’ looped bead chain, IKEA is recalling 120,000 of the blinds that were sold between 2006 and 2008. Fortunately, the mother was able to free the child before he was strangled to death.

Potter Barn Kids/Williams-Sonoma is recalling 85,000 Roman shades following 6 reports of kids getting wrapped in the shades' exposed inner cords. The strangulation-related accidents occurred between 2006 and 2008. The cords had wrapped around the children’s necks. Fortunately, there were no permanent injuries.

Vertical Land is recalling approximately 15,400 Horizontal Blinds, 800 Cellular Shades, and 16,400 Vertical Blinds. The Horizontal Blinds are missing the inner cord stop device that keep children from being able to pull the cords down. In 2006, a 4-year-old girl was strangled. The vertical blind cord’s loop was not attached to the floor or wall.

Victoria Classics is recalling 163,000 matchstick bamboo shades and thermal sailcloth Roman shades because kids might get hurt or strangled because of the way the shades are designed. Lutron Shading Solutions is recalling 245,000 roller shades because the looped beaded chain poses a strangulation risk. There are, so far, no reports of injuries.

One would think that window blinds and shades are harmless products designed to prevent strangers from looking into a room or to keep a room cool when the heat outside gets too hot. Unfortunately, certain window shades and blinds can pose a child safety hazard if they are not designed with specific safety measures in mind to prevent such deadly accidents from happening.

According to the CPSC, about 300 kids have been involved strangulation accidents involving window cords since 1981—that’s about 1 fatality a month. The Oregon Health Sciences University says that only 1 in 2 deaths are reported. In 50% of the reported cases, children (8 months – age 4) were discovered hanging in the cords’ loops. Other strangulation incidents involved the pull cords wrapping around the kids’ necks.

Poorly designed products that come with hidden hazards can be fatal to consumers—especially young children. While recalling the products is a good step toward fixing the problem, it won’t remedy the loss for the families whose children have died because of a defective window shade or another faulty consumer product.

Please contact our products liability law firm today about your injuries to children case.

Children continue dying as window coverings causing strangulation stay up, KATU, August 28, 2009

Six companies recall window blinds and shades after deaths and near-strangulations, Los Angeles Times, August 26, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Recalls, CPSC

Parents for Window Blind Safety

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Posted In: Furniture and Accessories , Injuries to Children & Minors

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According to international cancer experts, tanning beds can cause cancer. Analysis of some 20 studies have found that people who start using tanning beds before they turn 30 see a 75% increase in their chances of getting skin cancer. The new findings by the World Health Organization can be found in Lancet Oncology, a medical journal.

Whereas before scientists had spoken about tanning beds as “probable carcinogens" and that only one kind of ultraviolet radiation was considered lethal (tanning bed supporters have long maintained that the beds use a different kind of ultraviolet light than the light that comes from the sun), experts are now saying that all kinds of ultraviolet radiation are carcinogenic. This confirms that ultraviolet radiation and tanning beds definitely can cause cancer.

Most tanning beds’ lights emit ultra violet radiation that can lead to eye cancer and skin cancer. Tanning beds increase the risk of a person developing melanoma by 20% and also can cause benign skin cancers. Melanoma is the most serious kind of skin cancer and can prove fatal if not treated as quickly as possible.

Doctors are now confirming that as more people under 30 use tanning beds, more young adults are being diagnosed with cancer.

This new information is disturbing, considering that in the US alone over 28 million Americans a year go to about 25,000 tanning salons and other businesses where they can get their tans while indoors. The motivation has been that using a tanning bed is safer than getting a tan while baking under the sun.

If you are suffering from cancer because you used a tanning bed, you may have grounds for filing a products liability lawsuit against the manufacturer of the tanning bed. Tanning beds can also cause other injuries, including corneal burns, retinal damage, and sunburns, as well as lead to wrinkles and premature aging.

It is the responsibility of the tanning bed manufacturer to make sure that their products do not cause personal injuries.

Beware the risks of tanning beds, Miami Herald, August 5, 2009

Study: Tanning beds definitely cause cancer, AP, July 29, 2009

Related Web Resources:
World Health Organization

The Dangers of Tanning Beds: Five Fast Facts, My Skincare Connection

Melanoma, The Skin Cancer Foundation

Lancet Oncology

Continue reading "Do Tanning Beds Cause Cancer? " »

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Posted In: Burn , Electrical Product Defects , Furniture and Accessories

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A tragic treadmill accident this week claimed the life of former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson’s 4-year-old daughter Exodus On Monday, her 7-year-old brother found her with the cord that hangs from a treadmill console wrapped around her neck. Following the strangulation accident, Exodus's mother tried to revive her with CPR while waiting for the paramedics to arrive at their home. The girl was then taken to a local hospital where she was placed on life support. Exodus died on Tuesday morning.

Treadmill Accidents
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that every year, at least 2,600 kids are hurt in treadmill accidents end up in US emergency rooms. In Philadelphia alone, 12 children were injured in treadmill accidents in 2001—six of those injuries involved kids getting their hands stuck in the exercise machine’s belt. Their injuries were serious enough to require plastic surgery so they could open up their hands.

There also have been reports that hard edges, moving parts, and the programmed speeds of a treadmill can cause unexpected injuries to people. Researchers say that modifying treadmill designs, such as making the exercise machine harder to start and easier to stop, could prevent some of these accidents from happening.

The CPSC says that the treadmill is not the only kind of exercise equipment that has been known to cause injury to kids. Also:

• About 25,000 children under the age of 14 are injured on exercise equipment every year.
• Some 8,700 of these accidents involve kids younger than 5.
• Stationary bikes and stair climbers are two other kinds of exercise equipment that have been known to cause injuries to children.
• Amputations and fractures make up 20% of injuries to minors caused by exercise equipment.

While there are safety precautions that parents can take to protect their kids from getting hurt on a treadmill or another kind of exercise equipment, it is still up to the equipment manufacturer to make sure that their products do not have any design defects or manufacturing flaws that could cause cause injury or death if the equipment malfunctions. Warning of any potential hazards that may arise must be included with the product when it is delivered to the consumer.

Tyson's Tragedy Shows Treadmill Danger, ABC News, May 27, 2009

Kids and treadmills: a bad combination, TampaBay.com, May 28, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Exercise (And Children On Exercise Machines), UAB Health Systems

CPSC

Continue reading "Treadmill Accident: Mike Tyson’s Daughter Dies After Her Neck Gets Caught in Exercise Machine Cord " »

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Posted In: Furniture and Accessories , Household Appliances , Injuries to Children & Minors

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In the last four days, the Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced the recalls of four products due to concerns that they could pose an electrical or fire hazard to users. Products that are part of the recalls include:

Approximately 13,000 Ritchie immersion heaters: The reason for the recall is that there is a possibility the heater could crack, exposing the heating element in the heater to water. If this happens, someone who comes in contact with the heater could experience electric shock. To date, there have been 44 reports of heater covers cracking. Fortunately, no one has been injured so far. With the cold weather expected to last in many parts of the United States for at least several more weeks, however, now is a good time to return these heaters and get them replaced.

Holiday Ultra-Brite Lights distributed by Universal Distribution Center: Some 52,000 products are part of this recall. A defect involving undersized wires could cause the light sockets to become exposed if the wires separate from the plugs. The CPSC is concerned that this product may pose a fire or electric shock hazard to users.

All-Clad 4-Square Belgian Waffle Makers, distributed by All-Clad Metalcrafters LLC: The waffle maker’s wiring is easily damaged and could pose a shock or fire hazard if someone were to come in contact with the waffle maker’s metal parts. Already there have been 20 reports of the waffle makers giving out sparks. No injuries have been reported so far. These waffles are sold only through Williams-Sonoma.

Approximately 430 Tealight Candleholders, which are sold at Seventh Avenue and distributed by Berkeley Designs: The CPSC says the resin accents on the candleholder’s sides could ignite and cause a fire. While no injuries have been reported, there is one report of a candleholder catching fire.

Defective Household Products
While household products and furniture items may seem like useful and generally harmless items to have in your home and around your children, there are those products that are defectively made or end up malfunctioning that could pose a serious physical threat or health risk to you and your family. Dangerous electrical appliances, such as defective microwaves, washing machines, stereos, coffee makers, dishwashers, heaters, refrigerators, and other products that require the use of electricity can turn into dangerous products that leave you vulnerable to electrocution injuries, electrical burns, burn injuries, or death. A small fire caused by a defective electrical appliance or another item requiring the use of flames could rapidly turn into a devastating blaze that could destroy not just your home but the lives of those you love.

The manufacturers of household products and other consumer goods must be held accountable if a defective or malfunctioning product causes an injury or death. Filing a products liability lawsuit is one way to hold the negligent party liable.

Ritchie Immersion Heaters Recalled By Springfield Wire Due to Shock Hazard, CPSC, March 4, 2009

Holiday Lights Recalled by Universal Distribution Center Due to Shock and Fire Hazard, CPSC, March 4, 2009

All-Clad Recalls 4-Square Belgian Waffle Makers Due to Shock Hazard; Sold Exclusively at Williams-Sonoma, CPSC, March 4, 2009

Seventh Avenue Recalls Tealight Candleholders Due to Fire Hazard, CPSC, March 3, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Protect yourself and your home from electrical hazards

Electrical Safety, CDC

Burn Survivor Resource Center

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The death of a 1-year-old girl has prompted a voluntary recall by IKEA Home Furnishings of some 670,000 IRIS and ALVINE Roman blinds in the United States. The recall also includes 4.8 million blinds that were sold outside the country.

According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, the toddler died after her neck became entangled in the blind’s inner cord. Her playpen had been placed underneath an IKEA Roman Blind that had been fully lowered. She was discovered partially suspended by the cord.

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The IKEA blinds affected by the recall involve all IRIS and ALVINE Roman Blinds in the color white. Consumers are being warned to stop using the blinds immediately and return them to an IKEA store for a complete refund.

Furniture Hazards
Infants and toddlers can easily get their heads caught in furniture and other items around the house—especially if the household item is a dangerous or defective product. Common furniture items that can pose a strangulation hazard to kids include:

• Cribs
• Playpens
• Recliner chairs
• Bunk beds
• Drapery cords
• Window blind cords

Children younger than age 5 are especially at risk of getting hurt in a strangulation accident involving the cords for the drapes or window blinds.

According to Parents for Window Blind Safety, hundreds of children have died because of corded window treatments since 1973. Many injuries that occur every year go unreported. Reported injuries have included paralysis, brain damage, strangulation injuries, kidney failure, blindness, and death.

The CPSC says that there were 160 strangulations involving window blind cords between 1991 to 2000. On the same day the CPSC announced IKEA's voluntary recall, Green Mountain Vista Inc. announced a separate recall of 7,300 Insulated Roman Shades and Blackout Roller Shades. In May, a 2-year-old girl was nearly strangled when she put the blind's loose bead cord loop around her neck and fell from the radiator she was standing on. Green Mountain Vista will provide a tension repair kit if the tension device is missing from the blinds.

Death prompts IKEA blind recall, Chicago Tribune, November 21, 2008

Strangulation Death of a Child Prompts Recall of Roman Blinds; Sold Exclusively at IKEA, CPSC.gov, November 20, 2008

Children Can Strangle in Window Covering Cords, CPSC.gov

Near Strangulation of Child Prompts Recall to Repair Window Blinds by Green Mountain Vista, CPSC.gov, November 20, 2008

Related Web Resources:

Parents for Window Blind Safety

IKEA

Green Mountain Vista

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Researchers at the University of Chicago Medical Center say that microwave manufacturers could be doing more to protect children from burn injuries. In their study, published in this month’s Journal of Pediatrics, doctors reported that added safety protections, including accelerated warning campaigns and locking options, could reduce the number of injuries that occur when kids take food out of the microwave.

While many of the latest microwave oven models come with an option to lock the oven before operation, a child can easily open the oven once it has stopped heating an item. Researchers say that this is when the majority of burn injuries happen.

The study concentrates on 104 patients under age 5 that were admitted to the burn unit at University of Chicago Medical Center for accidental injuries. According to researchers, 90% of the children sustained burn injuries caused by hot liquids or foods.

Burn injuries seemed to occur most often when children ages 18 months to 4 years opened the microwave doors to take out hot food or liquid or when older children, ages 7 to 14, accidentally spilled the hot items on younger children. Children, between 10 and 21 months, were the ones most likely to sustain burn injuries.

45 of the children involved in the study had burns on over 10% of their bodies. In some cases, children experienced infections and underwent intubation and tracheostomy. 7 of the 104 patients underwent inpatient rehabilitation. The researchers also found that not enough is being done to warn parents about the dangers that hot foods and liquids heated in microwaves can pose to children.

Scald Burns
A scald burn can occur when moist or dry heat or hot vapor burns the skin. A scald burn is considered a second-degree burn. The healing process can be very slow and scars are like to develop. At home, scald burns can occur when the skin comes into contact with hot water, soup, coffee, tea, or other hot liquids.

Burn injuries can be serious and traumatic injuries that can be very painful and costly. A burn victim may have to undergo skin grafts, plastic surgery, and other painful procedures to recover. If your child suffered injuries from a household appliance and the product manufacturer could have done more to prevent the injuries from happening, your family may be entitled to personal injury recovery.

Microwave Ovens Need Added Safety Controls, Researchers Advise, ScienceDaily, October 7, 2008

Burns and Scalds Safety, SafeKids.org (PDF)

Related Web Resources:

The Journal of Pediatrics

Facts About Burn Injury, Stlouischildrens.org

University of Chicago Medical Center

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The Consumer Product Safety Commission is telling parents to stop letting their babies sleep in the “close-sleeper/bedside sleeper” bassinets that are made by Simplicity, Inc. The warning comes following two deaths linked to the sleepers and the refusal of SFCA Inc., the company that purchased Simplicity Inc.’s assets, to issue a recall. SFCA says it is not responsible for the products that Simplicity made in the past.

The CPSC says that the 3-in-1 and 4-in-1 convertible bassinets have metal bars that are spaced too far apart and do not meet federal standards. The bars have a fabric flap covering that is attached using velcro. If the flap is not properly secured, a baby could become trapped between the bars and get seriously hurt or die. SFCA Inc., however, says it is not responsible for products that Simplicity made prior to the acquisition.

Last week, a 5-month-old baby was strangled to death after she got caught between the metal bars of a Simplicity bassinet. Another baby died in a similar accident in a Simplicity bassinet last September.

The CPSC has compiled data related to infant bassinet-related deaths between 1990 and 2004, including:

• There were 53 infant deaths in bassinets.
• 85% of the deaths happened because the infant was not getting enough oxygen.
• Asphyxiation and suffocation are two common bassinet-related injuries that can lead to death.
• Many personal injuries and wrongful deaths that occur in bassinets and cribs are preventable.

Popular bassinet linked to at least 2 babies' deaths, ChicagoTribune.com, August 28, 2008

Infants Strangled to Death in Simplicity Bassinets: CPSC Urges Consumers To Stop Using Simplicity 3-in-1 and 4-in-1 Convertible “Close-Sleeper” Models, CPSC, August 27, 2008

Ensuring Babies' Safety in Bassinets, KidsHealth.org

CPSC Issues Warning Against Dangerous Simplicity Bassinets, ConsumerAffairs.com, August 28, 2008

Related Web Resources:

Simplicity Inc

SFCA, Inc. Acquires Assets of Simplicity, Inc., Reuters.com, May 20, 2008

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Three companies that manufacture decorative candles have issued voluntary recalls due to fears that their candles pose a fire hazard to users.

Just this week, Nordstrom recalled 2,500 Taper and Votive Candles due to concerns that the exterior coating on the candle could easily ignite. Flames or smoke coming from the candle itself was reported in four incidents. The recall affects Nordstrom’s “At Home” votive candles and 10-inch taper candles.

On January 17, Wick and Petal & Co. recalled all of its 1300 jar candles following several reported incidents involving candles burning with a higher-than-average flame. One incident caused minor property damage. The candle company says that an inconsistency in the raw materials provided by a manufacturer may have been the cause of the flames rising too high.

On the same day, Pottery Barn announced a recall of 185,000 Round and Egg-Shaped Decorative Candles for the same reason. All styles in this candle line were recalled: 9444811, 9444928, 9444936, 9444944, 9444944, 9445214, 9445222, 9445222, and 9445313.

Candles, in general, can be a fire hazard if not used properly. The National Candle Association says that the improper use of candles is the cause of about 18,000 residential fires each year. Many fires are started because someone left a candle unattended, placed one too close to a curtain or blanket, or allowed a child to play next to a candle. Soot from candles can cause damage to the walls, ceilings, and floors of the building.

This is why it is so important for candles to be properly designed and manufactured to begin with. Making a candle with the wrong type of wick, the wrong fragrance, or a case that is too big or too small can create a fire hazard that can cause serious burn injuries, death, or property damage.

Burn injuries are extremely painful and can require extensive and expensive medical care. The personal property that can be destroyed in a fire—and the memories that go up in smoke along with them—can be irreplaceable. Having one's home destroyed in a fire is never an easy experience to recover from financially or emotionally.

Manufacturers and distributors of consumer products must make sure that their products are free from any defects that can cause serious injury or harm to users or those around them. If a person gets hurt or dies because of a defective product, he or she may have grounds to file a products liability claim or lawsuit.

Our products liability law firm has helped many consumers throughout the United States obtain injury compensation for their injuries, pain and suffering, other losses, or the deaths of loved ones.

Recent Recalls

Related Web Resources:

Fire Safety & Candles, National Fire Association

Candles and Fire Safety, State Farm Insurance

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