By Rita Colorito on October 26, 2012 in
Banana Boat topped this week's recall list in volume and bizarre-factor. Seems some Banana Boat sun care products can actually ignite on your skin if you come into contact with an open flame. Five consumers have been burned already, according to USA Today. And, it was dangerous to be a baby this week, with four recalls from three baby product manufacturers, for faulty booster seats, bassinets, swings, and high chairs that pose either a fall or a strangulation hazard.
For the more information on these and other recalls, read on.
Summer may be over, but you should check your linen closet for Banana Boat sun care products. Nearly two dozen continuous spray sunscreens were recalled, including Banana Boat Ultra Mist Sport and Banana Boat Ultra Mist Kids, after reports of the sun screen igniting on the skin after the user came into contact with an open flame. Energizer Holdings, the manufacturer, believes the problems lies with the product delivery system, specifically the size of the spray valve opening on the affected products, which dispenses more product than is typical for continuous sun care sprays, thus taking the product longer to dry on the skin. The sunscreens were distributed nationwide to wholesalers and retailers from January of 2010 through September 30, 2012. Consumers with questions or complaints may contact Energizer by calling Consumer Affairs at 800-SAFESUN or via email to SUNCARE@customerfollowup.info.
In baby products
Dorel Juvenile Group recalled 97,000 Eddie Bauer Rocking Wood Bassinets because they pose a suffocation hazard to infants. The bottom locking mechanism, missing a spring, can fail to lock properly, allowing the bassinet to tip sideways and causing infants to roll to the side of the bassinet. Dorel has received 17 reports of incidents involving infants primarily younger than three months old, including two reports where infants had breathing difficulties after they rolled into the side of their bassinets. The recalled bassinets were sold at Target, Toys R Us, and Sears stores nationwide and online at Ebay and other websites from December 2007 through January 2011. Consumers may contact Dorel at (877) 416-0165, or by clicking the Safety Notices tab on its website, for a free repair kit. Need another place for baby to sleep, consult our report on the best cribs.
Dream On Me issued two recalls this week because both items pose a strangulation hazard to infants, though no incidents have been reported.
- The first recall involved 560 Happy Swing II infant swings. If the child isn't wearing the safety belt, the child can slide through the opening between the tray or grab bar and seat and become entrapped at the neck. The recalled swings were sold at juvenile products stores and CSN stores nationwide and online at Wayfair and Amazon.com from October 2010 through September 2012. Consumers may contact Dream On Me at (877) 201-4317 for a replacement product, with a choice between a free replacement swing or a Melody Musical baby walker. Need a replacement baby swing? These are our top picks.
- Dream On Me also recalled 90 Bistro high chairs because of similar issues with gaps that can entrap a child at the neck. The recalled high chairs were sold at Americas Kids, Kid Pro USA, and independent juvenile specialty stores and online at Toysrus.com between November 2011 and September 2012. Consumers may contact Dream on Me at (877) 201-4317 for instructions on receiving a free replacement high chair. If you would feel safer with an entitrely new high chair, our editors named these picks the best.
For additional information on both these recalls, visit the firm's website.
ValcoBaby recalled 975 Joey booster toddler seats for strollers because the spring button mechanism that secures the seat to the baby stroller can disengage, posing a fall hazard to children carried inside. The company has received two such reports of a child falling out, though no injuries were reported. The recalled seats were sold at various juvenile product stores, websites, and the firm's website, nationwide from June 2011 through June 2012. Consumers may contact ValcoBaby at (800) 610-7850 or via email recall@valcobaby.com to arrange for a free replacement attachment mechanism. For additional information, visit the firm's website. Check out these Best Reviewed booster seats for a replacement model.
Trend Lab recalled 16,850 upholstered club-style and mod-style toddler chairs because staples in the binding on the back of the chair may come loose, posing a laceration hazard, or a choking hazard if swallowed, though no incidents have been reported. The recalled chairs were sold at trend-lab.com, Amazon.com, BabiesRUs.com, Target.com, Walmart.com, and Seussland.com, as well as in Buy Buy Baby and other specialty stores from November 2007 to August 2012. Consumers may request a repair kit from Trend Lab at (866) 814-7978, or via email at Recall@trend-lab.com, or through the Recall Information link on its website.
In auto recalls
Nissan recalled 13,919 2012-2013 Altima vehicles manufactured from May 10, 2012, through July 26, 2012 because of suspension issues. The transverse link bolts and power steering rack bolts may become loose and fall out, leading to a loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash. Nissan will notify owners beginning on or about October 29, 2012, and dealers will tighten the bolts to the proper torque specifications. Owners may contact Nissan Customer Service at (800) 647-7261.
In food recalls
Check your pantry and fridge for these recalled items:
- Gilster-Mary Lee, one lot of Better Valu Fruit Whirls Ready to Eat Cereal, packaged in 28-oz. plastic bags which has a Best By date of JUL 17 13 J8 (UPC 79801-24630), undeclared almond butter; and
- Wegmans Food Markets, all code dates (from 30Oct2013 to 18Mar2013) of Wegmans Gluten Free Double Chocolate Brownie Mix, 17.2 oz. (UPC 77890 28336), undeclared pecan and milk allergens.
