Updated for Christmas 2002

Family holiday gatherings can be a source of danger to children according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The danger, says CPSC comes when adults break out the inevitable "traditional toy collection" built up over the generations to delight and mainly divert scores of visiting children and grandchildren.

While the multi-generational toy collection may be fun, some of the toys may not meet modern safety requirements, and as older children share their toys with younger relatives, a holiday tradition can result in tragedy. "Despite recall notices and public warnings, CPSC has found that many products with the potential to seriously injure or kill are still being used by consumers," states the consumer safety agency in a recent press release.

To help prevent tradition from becoming tragedy, the CPCS issued the following list of dangerous children's products that might still be found in homes. These are some of the CPSC's largest recalls or consumer alerts involving children's products over the last year. Families should check whether old products have been recalled and place them out of the reach of children. Manufacturers will usually offer a free repair kit or replacement product. Here is the list as issued by the CPSC:

Recalled Children's Products that May Still be in Consumers' Homes

• Air Powered Rockets (140,000) distributed by Estes Industries. The rockets' foam tips can break off exposing sharp edges that can cause face lacerations or eye injuries. The rocket system also has a weak pump handle that can break during use, posing a risk of hand lacerations. Estes and CPSC have received 16 reports of rocket tips breaking off. Six children were struck in the face by the rockets, including two who suffered detached retinas and four who suffered cuts requiring stitches. There were 68 reports of broken pump handles, including 6 hand lacerations. Call Estes Industries toll-free at (800) 576-5811 to get a replacement rocket, or visit www.estesrockets.com [Press Release and Photos]

• Firestormer and Skyblazer toy air-powered planes (137,000) distributed by Spin Master Toys. The plastic air intake chamber of the air-powered toy planes can burst, throwing plastic pieces, posing a laceration, bruise and abrasion hazard to consumers. Spin Master Toys received seven reports of Firestormer planes bursting, including four reports of injuries (chest abrasion, cut leg, bruised shoulder, and ringing in the ears) to children. There have been no reports involving the Skyblazer planes. Call Spin Master Toys at (800) 622-8339 to get a free replacement plane or visit www.spinmaster.com. [Press Release and Photos] 

• Animal Toy Sponges (280,000) distributed by Dollar Tree Stores. The eyes on the toys can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children. CPSC and Dollar Tree Stores received one report of an eye coming off. Return the toy sponge animals to the store where purchased for a full refund. Call Dollar Tree Stores at (800) 876-8077 or visit www.dollartree.com [Press Release and Photos]

• Stuffed Polyester Pool Animals (310,000) distributed by Dollar Tree Stores. The seams can separate exposing the polyester stuffing and foam beads. The foam beads pose a choking hazard to young children. CPSC and Dollar Tree Stores have received one report of the seam ripping, exposing the polyester stuffing and a plastic bag containing foam beads. Return the stuffed animals to the store where purchased for a full refund. Call Dollar Tree Stores at (800) 876-8077 or visit www.dollartree.com [Press Release and Photos]

• Cotton Candy Machine (188,000) distributed by Rose Art Industries. The electric motor on the cotton candy machine can jam and overheat, posing a fire hazard. The heating unit can be activated without the spinner in place, presenting a risk of burn to consumers. CPSC and Rose Art have received 225 reports of the machines overheating. There have been three reports of fire, one resulting in an estimated $2,000 in property damage. CPSC received a report of two unconfirmed minor injuries. Call Rose Art at (888) 262-4474 for a free replacement motor unit. Visit www.roseart.com [Press Release and Photos]

• Baby Walkers that can fall down stairs (2 brands totaling 53,500 units). Oriental International Trading Company distributed 3500 such walkers, and Bikepro distributed 50,000. The walkers will fit through a standard doorway and are not designed to stop at the edge of a step. Babies using these walkers can be seriously injured or killed if they fall down stairs. Return the baby walkers to the store where purchased for a full refund. Call Oriental International Trading Company at (866) 666-9868 or visit www.bike-stroller.com. For Bikepro walkers call Bikepro at (800) 261-2559. [Press Release and Photos] [More Dangerous Walkers]

• Toy Tracks on Activity Center (152,000) distributed by Graco Children's Products. The toy track can break, presenting a cut or pinch hazard and exposed small parts pose a choking hazard to young children. Graco received 11 reports of the toy tracks breaking. Four children received minor scratches and one child's finger was pinched. Call Graco to receive a free replacement track at (800) 673-0392 or visit www.gracobaby.com [Press Release and Photos]

Other Dangerous Products

• Playpens that can collapse (5 brands totaling more than 1,500,000 units) and entrap a child in the V-shape folded top rails. The top rails must be turned to set up the playpen. CPSC is aware of 15 deaths to children when the top rails of playpens collapsed. A new industry standard requires that the top rails of these playpens automatically lock into place when the playpen is fully set up. CPSC obtained voluntary recalls of the following playpens with top rails that people had to turn into place when setting up the playpen: Evenflo "Happy Camper," "Happy Cabana," and "Kiddie Camper;" Century "Fold-N-Go" Models 10-710 and 10-810; Baby Trend "Home and Roam" and "Baby Express;" and Kolcraft "Playskool Travel-Lite Model." CPSC also issued a safety warning about "All Our Kids" Models 742 and 762 playpens imported by a firm that is out of business.

• Lane Cedar Chests (12 million) distributed by Lane Co. The cedar chest lids automatically latch shut when closed, posing a suffocation hazard to children. Twelve children suffocated inside the chests. New locks, used since 1987, will prevent entrapments because they do not automatically latch shut. No Lane cedar chests manufactured since 1987 pose this safety hazard. Contact Lane to get new free locks (easy to install at home) to prevent entrapments, (888) 856-8758 or www.newlock.net [Press Release and Photos]

• Old Chest Freezers (made between 1945 and 1970) have heavy lids that latch. Children can suffocate in old chest freezers (and in other products with heavy lids that latch). CPSC knows of 27 deaths between 1980 and 1999 in old chest freezers. Destroy the old freezer, take the door off, or remove the latch. Call (202) 872-5955 or http://aham.org/freezer_safety/freezer_safety.cfm [Press Release and Photos]


The following tips will help consumers choose appropriate toys: (CPSC)

• Do the Toilet Paper Roll Test: Any toy small enough to fit completely inside a toilet paper roll is small enough to pose a threat of choking.
• Select toys to suit the age, abilities, skills, and interest level of the intended child. Toys too advanced may pose safety hazards to younger children.
• For infants, toddlers, and all children who still mouth objects, avoid toys with small parts which could pose a fatal choking hazard.
• Look for sturdy construction, such as tightly secured eyes, noses, and other potential small parts.
• For all children under age 8, avoid toys that have sharp edges and points.
• Do not purchase electric toys with heating elements for children under age 8.
• Be a label reader. Look for labels that give age recommendations and use that information as a guide.
• Check instructions for clarity. They should be clear to you, and when appropriate, to the child.
• Immediately discard plastic wrappings on toys, which can cause suffocation, before they become deadly playthings.