The first North America Product Safety Summit was held September 26-27 at the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) Maryland headquarters. The three main parties, CPSC, Health Canada, and the Consumer Protection Federal Agency of the United Mexican States, released a statement on last month’s event.

The organizations noted the importance of the gathering, explaining the increasing volume of world trade. Other issues that were discussed included the need for trilateral cooperation for product safety, continuous improvement in training and quality assurance systems, enhanced cooperation to solve product safety issues, the promotion of an aligned product safety requirement, and timely and effective communication of product safety information.

The statement ended with a summary of the Summit’s “Cooperative Engagement Framework,” a six-point course of action designed to address issues over the next two years. Attendees vowed to work on cross-border cooperation for regulations and voluntary standards, risk assessment, import and market surveillance, training and outreach, consumer awareness campaigns, and joint recalls or other corrective actions.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), in cooperation with MGA’s Little Tikes, has expanded the voluntary recall it issued in August 2009 of Little Tikes Workshop and Tool Sets. Approximately 1.6 million of the sets were recalled in 2009, and the recall has now been extended to 1.7 million.

The recalled workshop and tool sets have oversized, plastic toy nails that can pose a choking hazard to young children. Little Tikes reported two additional incidents, occurring prior to the August 2009 recall, of children who choked when the toy nail became lodged in their throat. Both children were treated in a hospital and made a full recovery. The recalled products were sold nationwide from 1990 to 2004 for $25 to $100.

For model numbers, which may be found on some of the products, click here. Owners of the products should take the toy nails away from young children immediately and contact Little Tikes. For more information, visit at www.littletikes.com

Fisher-Price, in cooperation with The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Health Canada, has issued a voluntary recall of the Little People Builders’ Load ‘n Go Wagon due to a laceration hazard.

The wagon’s handle has a molded-in reinforcement, which adds stiffness and if a child falls on it, it can cause lacerations. CPSC advises consumers to take the recalled toy away from children and contact Fisher-Price for information on how to get a free repair kit.

The recalled wagons have the model number P8977 that can be found on the bottom of the product. The wagons are red with a yellow handle, and include multi-colored plastic blocks and a dog figure. Approximately 208,000 of the wagons were sold in the U.S. and in Canada between June 2009 and July 2011 for around $25.

CPSC and Fisher-Price are aware of seven reports of injuries, including five reports of children requiring surgical glue or stitches. Consumers with incident or injuries reports are asked to contact the CPSC by visiting SaferProducts.gov.

Commission head Inez Tenenbaum told reporters Monday the office also aims to make it easier for the U.S. to raise concerns with the Chinese government about product safety problems, including toxic metals in toys. Tenenbaum said choosing China as the commissions first overseas location made sense because 45 percent of the consumer products and 90 percent of all toys sold in the United States come from China and Hong Kong.

The CPSC office, to be located within the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, will have two employees to start, an attache and a safety specialist, who will work with their Chinese counterparts and help educate Chinese manufacturers about American product standards, Tenenbaum said.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has approved plans to publish consumer complaints about product safety hazards at www.saferproducts.gov. Beginning in March, the website will collect and post complaints that are sent in by consumers, government agencies, health care professionals, interest groups, and attorneys. Previously, before the passage of CPSIA, federal law required the manufacturer’s consent before information on product-related injuries was released to the public.

Each database entry is expected to include a description of the harm or risk of harm, a description of the product, the manufacturer’s name, the poster’s contact information (which can be kept private), and an affirmation that the complaint is truthful. After the complaint is approved and published, the manufacturer will be forwarded the complaint and will have 10 days to respond to it. If the complaint is proven to be inaccurate, the commission could edit or remove it from the website.

Because public postings can impact a company’s reputation and brand, the Toy Industry Association (TIA) requested that the CPSC take steps to verify that the information is accurate before posting. TIA is also asking that the CPSC beta test the database’s full posting and verification process. The plan was passed with a 3-2 vote.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Health Canada, in cooperation with Fisher-Price, have issued a voluntary recall of approximately 96,000 Fisher-Price Little People Play ‘n Go Campsite toys. The toys were sold at major retailers in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico, and by online retailers, from October 2009 through August 2010.

Although no injuries have been reported, the plastic Sonya Lee figure in the playset can break at the waist, exposing small parts that pose a choking hazard to young children. The CPSC has received eight reports of the Sonya Lee figure breaking.

Consumers are advised to stop using the recalled products immediately, and to take the Campsite’s Sonya Lee figure away from children. Consumers can contact Fisher-Price at 1-800-432-5437 to arrange for the figure’s return in exchange for a free replacement. For more information, click here.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Health Canada, in cooperation with The Step2 Company, has announced a voluntary recall of approximately 21,000 of Step2’s Basic Rhythms Drums.

The toy drums pose a potential choking hazard to young children, because the plastic clips used to attach the drumsticks to the drum can break. The drums were set at Toys “R” Us, Burlington Coat Factory, and other retail stores nationwide from August 2009 through this March for between $10 and $15.

The CPSC advises consumers to immediately take the recalled toy from children and contact Step2 to request a replacement toy.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is advising parents and caregivers to be cautious when using infant slings for babies younger than four months, especially parents of preemies, twins, babies in fragile health, and those with low weight.

CPSC recommends that caregivers make sure the infant’s face is not covered and is visible at all times to the sling’s wearer. If nursing the baby in a sling, the CPSC says to change the baby’s position after feeding so the baby’s head is facing up and is clear of the sling and the mother’s body.

Slings can pose two different types of suffocation hazards to babies. The sling’s fabric can press against an infant’s nose and mouth, blocking the baby’s breathing and suffocating a baby within a minute or two. Additionally, a sling that keeps the infant in a curled position, bending the chin toward the chest, can restrict airways, limiting the oxygen supply.

The CPSC has identified and is investigating at least 14 deaths (within the past 20 years) associated with sling-style infant carriers (three in 2009). Twelve of the deaths involved babies younger than four months of age, and many were a low birth weight twin, were born prematurely, or had breathing issues, such as a cold.

Until a mandatory standard is developed, CPSC is working with ASTM International to develop an effective voluntary standard for infant sling carriers.

Chairman Inez Tenenbaum gave her ICPHSO Keynote Address on February 17, reviewing 2009 and outlining plans for keeping kids and families safe in 2010. Toward the end of her speech, Tenenbaum warned, “…And we have a new, expanded Commission. Not always unanimous in our votes, but all committed to keeping children safe. A new Commission that has new powers—and we are not afraid to use them. If you resist our efforts to recall children’s products, be forewarned, this Commission stands ready to be creative in the use of our enforcement authorities.

As the Toyota experience has shown in recent weeks, this government will not allow for delay in recalling dangerous products.

Consumers expect CPSC to be proactive, put their interests first, use their tax dollars wisely, and be nonpartisan in our pursuit of protecting children.

Under my leadership this is what we will strive to do at the CPSC, as we are committed to making this the Year of the Consumer.

And with your support, I will continue the transformation of CPSC from what some have described as a ‘teething tiger’ into the world’s leading lion of consumer protection.”

To read her full address, click here.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, in cooperation with Playmates Toys, have announced a voluntary recall of Tiny Tink and Friends Children’s Toy Jewelry Sets. This recall involves charms sold with the sets. The charm is attached to a cord using a metal ring and cylinder and included with the sets as a separate accessory that children can attach to the toy necklace, bracelet, or key chain. The cylindrical metal connector on the charm can contain levels of total lead in excess of 300 ppm, which is prohibited under federal law. No injuries have been reported.

Consumers should immediately take the charm and cord away from children, discard the items, and contact Playmates Toys for a replacement charm accessory. For additional information, contact Playmates toys at (888) 810-1133 or visit the company’s website at www.playmatestoys.com.