UltimateMama wants you to know that Charlotte, N.C.-based Family Dollar Stores Inc. announced a voluntary recall of 1.8 million toy dart gun sets because of an aspiration hazard after two children died.
Plainfield, N.J.-based Henry Gordy International Inc., which imports the toy dart gun sets, refused to recall the toy sets.
For more information check out the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission website.
Ironically, after Barron's touted Johnson & Johnson Inc. on its cover this weekend, the company has egg in its face with a massive recall of children's medicines. Affected products include varieties of Tylenol, Tylenol Plus, Motrin, Zyrtec and Benadryl.
UltimateMama wants you to know that McNeil Consumer Healthcare, a division of Johnson & Johnson Inc (NSYE: JNJ), announced a voluntary recall of "all lots that have not yet expired of certain over-the-counter (OTC) Children’s and Infants’ liquid products manufactured in the United States and distributed in the United States, Canada, Dominican Republic, Dubai (UAE), Fiji, Guam, Guatemala, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Panama, Trinidad & Tobago, and Kuwait," according to its website. This recall was after consultation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
In yesterday's press release 4/30/10, the company stated that "some of these products may not meet required quality standards. This recall is not being undertaken on the basis of adverse medical events. However, as a precautionary measure, parents and caregivers should not administer these products to their children. Some of the products included in the recall may contain a higher concentration of active ingredient than is specified; others may contain inactive ingredients that may not meet internal testing requirements; and others may contain tiny particles. While the potential for serious medical events is remote, the company advises consumers who have purchased these recalled products to discontinue use".
For more information please contact the company at 1-888-222-6036 and also at www.mcneilproductrecall.com.
UltimateMama will admit to all of you that she had a few of these "recalled products" in her bathroom. So, get off your tushie, look in your medicine cabinent, and get rid of all the recalled products now!!
For a list of recalled products, click here:
http://www.mcneilproductrecall.com/page.jhtml?id=/include/new_recall.inc
UltimateMama read yet another disturbing news report of a parent who was charged with shaking their baby.
Never, never, never, never shake your baby or anyone else's baby. Pass that message along to your caregivers, family members, and friends. Shaking a baby for any reason is CHILD ABUSE. Shaken baby syndrome is 100% preventable.
If your baby is crying and you are frustrated please take the following steps:
- Place the baby in a safe place such as a crib or pak n play and take a "parental time out" for 5, 10, 15, or however many minutes it takes you to calm down, drink a glass of water, and think clearly.
- Call your partner, a friend, a neighbor, your doctor, or a close family member and talk about your emotions.
- Call a friend or caregiver to come over and help you with your baby.
Dealing with a crying baby is not always easy, especially when you are sleep deprived. But, do not lose your cool. When you calm down enough to go back to your baby (and NEVER LEAVE A BABY UNATTENDED or ALONE) and hold them try these solutions:
- Take care of their basic needs: burp the baby, change their diaper, feed the baby, etc.
- Take the baby on a stroller ride: fresh air will do both of you good.
- Put some music on or background noise for the baby. Whether it is Justin Timberlake, Janet Jackson, Usher, Moby, Steve Miller, Abba, or whoever, calm down to the music.
- Offer the baby a toy or book to play with.
For more information on Shaken Baby Syndrome read the following website from the American Academy of Pediatrics: http://www.aap.org/publiced/br_shakenbaby.htm
Recently, your UltimateMama spent a week in Florida. It is part of the NYC triangle - Manhattan, Hamptons, Florida - that most folks find themselves in during the year. Anyhow, sunscreen was a big part of UltimateMama's family vacation, even on cloudy days. Every morning, after a wonderful Chef UltimateMama made breakfast of fruit, pancakes, turkey bacon, and eggs, the while family would spend fifteen minutes lathering up SPF 30 (or above) sunscreen. Then, after swimming it would be reapplied. It was a ritual for UltimateMama's family.
UltimateMama is always SHOCKED, STUNNED, MORTIFIED, and ANGERED when she comes across parents or caregivers who regularly fail to put sunscreen on their children. They argue that the kids complain about the sunscreen applications or get it in their eyes. UltimateMama believes that once it is part of a "routine" your child will stop complaining. It is like zipping up a jacket or brushing teeth. You, as the parent, can get your child to accept it if you are consistent. Consistency is key.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology babies under 6 months of age should be kept out of direct sun and covered with protective clothes.
If you are worried about your child having an allergic reaction to sunscreen then start by applying a small amount or "patch" on their arm and observing their reaction for the next 24 hours.
Keeping your child's skin healthy now will benefit them in the long run!
UltimateMama wants all of you to read the recently released Nursery Product Recall study by Kids In Danger, a Chicago-based nonprofit focused on children's safety.
You will find a buffet of information on 2009 children's product recalls.
Do it for your child!
UltimateMama hates germs. Whenever her children get a new toy, book, puzzle, or stuffed animal she tries her best to disinfect the item. After playdates, she has been known to wipe down all of the toys that the kids played with to rid them of germs. Trust UltimateMama, wiping down toys is a lot more fun than wiping down a sick child's nose!
Try to keep your child's toys clean.
UltimateMama offers up few tips on safe ways to disinfect toys (remember, read all labels first!):
- Stuffed animals: Read the labels first but many can be washed in the washing machine. Skip the dryer though and just air dry the object.
- Teething rings: Many teething rings can be washed in the dishwasher on the top rack. Make sure you read the labels first.
- Board books, wooden puzzles, blocks: Ultimatemama either uses soap and hot water or disinfecting wipes to wash board books, wooden puzzles, blocks, and other plastic toys that of course do not have batteries.
*** Note: Some parents swear by disinfecting with bleach. Once, UltimateMama tried to bleach a denim skirt and ended up destroying the skirt's material and her bathroom rug. Alas, UltimateMama has never used bleach again and probably never will! But, if it works for you then go for it!
A loyal follower recently sent UltimateMama the following question (summarized below):
"Going through the attic, I discovered an old crib. It was way in the back, wrapped very nicely and still in good shape, as it was a very expensive one in its day. It is such a nice piece of furniture, I hate to throw it away. What should I do with it?"
UltimateMama QUICKLY told the loyal follower to THROW it AWAY - DO NOT DONATE IT OR PASS IT DOWN. Antique cribs and other used cribs are dangerous! There is no market for used cribs because they present hazards. Many infant deaths each year are caused by unsafe cribs, many of which are used cribs.
UltimateMama is all for recycling and reusing "hand me down" clothing, books, and such but when it comes to used cribs UltimateMama says NO WAY. See the press release from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission that warns about the dangers and deaths associated with used cribs.
http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PREREL/PRHTML95/95161.html
UltimateMama does not care if your best friend, your favorite relative, or a celebrity gave you their old crib - DO NOT USE IT! No exceptions!
If you have a baby budget, allocate a chunk of money for buying a NEW CRIB. Do this for your child's safety! If you want to "cheap out" or save a few bucks go to flea markets, thrift stores, and garage sales for books and selected, safe attire -- DO NOT EVEN LOOK AT USED CRIBS!!
UltimateMama wants all of you to know that according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Graco has recalled strollers because of fingertip amputation and laceration issues. Remember, this is on the heels of the November Maclaren USA stroller recall.
Do yourself and your family a favor and put safety first! Pay attention to recalls as well as safety notifications.
Many of my loyal readers thanked me for encouraging them to visit the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's website on a frequent basis and for alerting them to the November 2009 Maclaren USA stroller recall following fingertip amputation and laceration hazard to the child.
Do not mess around when it comes to your child's safety!
UltimateMama wants you all to know that the FDA recently provided an update on the issue of BPA (Bisphenol A). Remember, this chemical is found in hard plastic bottles and metal food and beverage cans. It seems as though the National Toxicology Program at the National Institutes of Health and FDA are concerned about the potential effects of BPA on the brain, behavior, and prostate gland in fetuses, infants, and young children.
UltimateMama encourages you to reduce your family's exposure to BPA. Do it for your CHILDREN!
For an overview and the full update please go to http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/PublicHealthFocus/ucm064437.htm
Published writer on family, parenting, & lifestyle topics; strategic & financial analyst
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