Fisher-Price
The balls are being taken off the market because valves on the balls can loosen and become a choking hazard. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, there have been “14 reports of the valve found in a child’s mouth and three reports of a child beginning to choke.” In addition, the wheels can detach from the purple and green cars that come with the Fisher-Price Little People Wheelies Stand ‘n Play Rampway. The wheels are also considered to be choking hazards if detached.
The models included in this recall are: J72633 Hot Wheels Trike, 72639 Barbie Free Spirit Trike, 72642 Lil’ Kawasaki Trike, 72643 Boys Tough Trike, 72644 Girls Tough Trike, 72792 Kawasaki Trike, B8775 Kawasaki Tough Trike, B8776 Barbie Tough Trike, K6672 Dora the Explorer Tough Trike, K6673 Diego Tough Trike, M5727 Barbie Tough Trike Princess Ride-On, N6021 Kawasaki Tough Trike, T6209 Thomas Tough Trike and V4270 Diego Tough Trike. At least six 2- to 3-year-old girls have experienced genital bleeding as a result of sitting or falling against the protruding plastic ignition keys on the tricycles. Concerned parents can find the model number in the storage compartment located under or behind the seat.
More disturbing is that the recall also includes 950,000 Healthy Care, Easy Clean and Close to Me High Chairs. It has been reported that seven children required stitches after being cut by pegs on the high chairs.
Fisher-Price has issued several recalls over the past decade, but this is the largest to date, impacting 10.9 million items. Parents who need additional information should contact Fisher-Price at (800) 432-5437 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. EST Monday through Friday.
–torrance stephens, ph.d.
