Do you recall . . .

Apparently, companies that sell product made in China do. If you don't follow the news, there have been numerous recalls of products this year that are traced back to poor quality control or deliberate malfeasance on the back of the Chinese manufacturer. The latest is a recall of tires missing a gum strip that helps prevent tread separation - the same problem that got Firestone into a lot of problems back in 2000.

Hitting closer to home for parents with young children are some two dozen toys being recalled. One of the latest announced was the June 13^th recall of Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway Toys because 'surface paints on the recalled products contain lead.' Lead paint? Good grief! I thought we got past this as a new problem 30 years ago, but it keeps coming back. Another is the recall of some butterfly necklaces whose clasp contains high amounts of lead.Other recalls include children's jackets whose zippers pose a choking hazard and earrings sold at Kmart which also contain high levels of lead. Some toy drums has also recalled, again for use of lead paint.

In non-lead related recalls, Fisher-Price Rainforest Infant Swings have been recalled. Infants can shift to one side of the swing and become caught between the frame and seat, posing an entrapment hazard. Fisher-Price has received 60 reports of the infants becoming entrapped, resulting in cuts, bumps, bruises and red marks.

Make that 61. Liler'E got caught in ours a couple of days ago, though he wasn't hurt since I was right there watching him. Only after this incident did we find out about the recall. Now we're working on returning the swing.

I must admit, I'm not the best at keeping up with product recalls. I should try to do better about that. If you want to know more about general product recalls, check out the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, which lists the latest recalls. I'm adding it on my Miscellanea links list, and plan to start checking it about once a week for anything relevant to me.

Tags: Safety, Product Recall, China, Lead Paint, Baby Swing, Toys