Date: April 23rd, 2004 6:03:01 p.m.

Baby Bargains E-News: Maclaren Techno problems, Neurosmith closes, Canada bans walkers, Lands End, SAFETY RECALLS. (Need to unsubscribe? Want to have a friend get this newsletter? Need to change your email address? Click here: http://www.windsorpeak.com/babybargains/newsletter.html ) =================================================== BABY & TODDLER BARGAINS NEWS UPDATE: April 23, 2004 The free eNewsletter for the readers of BABY BARGAINS and TODDLER BARGAINS http://www.BabyBargainsBook.com April 23, 2004 =================================================== In this email: 1. Maclaren admits 2003 Techno has defective wheels 2. News: Neurosmith closes. 3. Canada bans walkers. 4. Is Lands End discontinuing crib sheets? 5. New edition of TODDLER BARGAINS now available. 6. Recalls: TV carts, toys, kid’s books, bunk beds/ =================== 1. Maclaren admits 2003 Techno has defective wheels Imagine our surprise to find this recent article (in the New York Post), comparing the Mac Techno stroller to a Ford Pinto: http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/22575.htm What was up with that? We searched our records and found only one reader complaint about wheels breaking on a Mac Techno. Yet, after a discussion of this issue was posted to our stroller board, other readers came forward with the same allegation: the wheels (or brakes) of the 2003 Mac Techno (and in one case, brakes on a Vogue). So, let’s break this story down into two parts: what’s wrong and the controversy over how Maclaren handled it. What’s wrong: Maclaren says they discovered about 1000 Techno’s (2003 models) with defective wheel housings in January 2004. Apparently, in cold weather, these wheels housings could crack. Nearly all these strollers were sold in the New York City area. The good news: there have been no reported injuries with this problem. And the CPSC has investigated the matter and (so far) is not planning a safety recall. You can read Maclaren’s official statement on this matter here” http://www.maclarenbaby.com/US/pages/news.html The controversy: Alert readers may have noticed that this problem was first identified by Maclaren back in January 2004. Uh, it’s late April now. Why the wait in making it public? Here’s what happened: when Maclaren first noticed the problem, they contacted retailers to let them know what was up—and to repair their existing stock of 2003 Techno’s. Maclaren had the parts air-freighted from China to fix the defective strollers and began those repairs in mid February. The CPSC also heard of the problem and began their investigation. Unfortunately, Maclaren made the decision NOT to inform their customers (that is, parents) of the potential problem. Instead, they expected parents to contact them if the wheels on their stroller cracked or broke. In retrospect, a senior executive at Maclaren admitted to us, that was a mistake. No kidding—the New York Post decided to tell the world about the problem. In the process, Maclaren looked like it was trying to hide something. Our take: Maclaren isn’t the first baby products maker to “quietly” work to fix a defective product without telling its customers. If it isn’t a safety issue (although that can often be debated), some companies think they can fix the problem by working with their dealers to fix back stock and customers on a case by case basis. While that strategy may have worked in the pre-internet days, it doesn’t fly today. With message boards and 24/7 instant communication, parents with a defective baby product can easily find out if it is a fluke—or one of many. Bottom line: we challenge Maclaren to improve their customer service and communication. When you sell $300 strollers, parents expect white glove service. Yet, for every email we get saying Maclaren has taken care of their problem, other parents complain of slow response and stonewalling. Maclaren needs to offer Nordstrom service; right now it is more like K-Mart. We urge all baby product makers to come clean when they discover a defect (no matter how small) with their products. You must post notices on your web page and notify registered owners via email and regular mail. And you need to tell the CPSC and consumer advocates like us so we can inform as many parents as possible. Folks appreciate honesty. If you've had any recent experiences with Maclaren, shoot us an email. We want to hear the good, bad and the ugly. =================== 2. News: NeuroSmith closes. Toy maker NeuroSmith has apparently gone out of business. The company’s web site is down and they have not returned numerous calls asking for comment. This has been a rough year for toy makers. The recent bankruptcy of FAO Inc (parent of Right Start, Zany Brainy and FAO Schwarz) and KB Toys has taken its toll on so-called educational toy makers. All that is too bad for NeuroSmith, which made some innovative toys. We will miss them. =================== 3. Canada bans walkers. Canada has become the first country in the world to ban the sale of baby walkers. Canada actually had a voluntary ban on walkers in effect since 1989, but recently found many smaller stores were still importing and selling them. Canada’s health ministry found 1935 reports of infants injured by walkers from 1990 to 2002. A separate survey of Canadian pediatricians in 2002 found that 7% had treated at least one walker-related injury in the past year. =================== 4. Is Lands End discontinuing crib bedding? A reader emailed us to report that Lands End may be discontinuing crib bedding shortly: “After reading your book (and finding some very exciting bargains & informative help) I went to the Lands End site to purchase their crib sheets only to find they are now only available in Navy Blue, Pink & Red. I contacted Lands End customer service & was told they are discontinuing the line?!! So I voiced my discontent about it to them via phone & e-mail, asking them to reconsider!” =================== 5. New edition of TODDLER BARGAINS available. Yes, the brand new 2nd edition of TODDLER BARGAINS is now in bookstores nationwide. We’ve updated and revised our reviews of booster car seats, double strollers, toddler clothing deals and more! Read about it here: http://www.ToddlerBargians.com Special deals: Save $6 when you buy the new Toddler Bargains with either or BABY BARGAINS or BABY 411 book and get FREE standard shipping. Or save $9 when you order all three of our parenting books from our web site. Click here to order: https://windsorpeak.com/orderform14.html =================== 6. Recalls: TV carts, toys, kid’s books, bunk beds ################## For Immediate Release Firm's Recall Hotline: (888) 800-4590 April 5, 2004 CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772 Release # 04-115 CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908 CPSC, Sauder Woodworking Co. Announce Recall of TV/VCR Carts that Can Tip Over Easily, after Baby's Death WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Sauder Woodworking Co., of Archbold, Ohio, is voluntarily recalling about 592,000 TV/VCR carts. The carts can tip over and injure or kill children and adults when the cart and the television fall. Sauder Woodworking has received 13 reports of these carts tipping over. The firm received a report of the death of a 19-month-old girl in North Wales, Pa., who suffered a fractured skull when the cart and television fell on her. There were four reports of additional injuries involving children and adults. One report involved a skull fracture to a child who recovered and three reports involved bumps and bruises. These TV/VCR carts were sold in a kit to be assembled by consumers. They are identical in design and construction, but not color. One model is a light-colored oak finish and the other model is a dark- colored cherry finish. The TV/VCR carts are about 29.5-inches wide, 18- inches deep and 27-inches high. The carts are equipped with a top shelf intended to support up to a 27-inch television, a middle shelf intended to hold a VCR and a lower storage area intended to hold VCR tapes and equipment. The products were provided with shelves for holding VHS tapes that were to be installed on the inside of the two hinged doors enclosing the lower storage area. The recalled carts have four removable casters attached to each bottom corner of the cart. The TV/VCR carts included in the recall are models 2655 and 2755. The model number is not on the cart, but it is on the instruction booklet that came with the cart. Department, discount and home electronic stores nationwide sold these TV/VCR carts from January 1993 through December 1999 for about $100. Consumers should stop using the TV/VCR carts immediately and do the following: * Remove the television and all the contents from these carts. * Turn the cart over and remove the four casters from the bottom of the cart. This will improve the stability of the carts. * Contact Sauder Woodworking Co. to receive a free repair kit that will further reduce the potential for the cart and television to tip. Do not use the cart until the repair kit has been installed. * This cart is intended to hold a TV that weighs 95 pounds or less. This includes most 24-inch and smaller TVs, and may include some 27-inch TVs. For more information and to order the free repair kit, consumers should contact Sauder Woodworking Co. toll-free at (888) 800-4590 anytime, or visit the firm's Web site at www.sauder.com To view this press release online, use the following link: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml04/04115.html ################## This email contains the following information: 1. CPSC, Nikko America Announce Recall of Radio-Control Toy Trucks 2. CPSC, Mattel, Inc. Announce Recall of BATMAN(tm) BATMOBILE(tm) Toy Vehicle 3. CPSC, Tek Nek Toys Announce Recall of Ride-On Toys 4. CPSC, National Safety Organizations Announce "Resale Round-Up 2004" ############################################# FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 13, 2004 Release # 04-117 Firm's Recall Hotline: (866) 232-6013 CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contacts: Kim Dulic, (301) 504-7058 or Eric Criss, (301) 504-7908 CPSC, Nikko America Announce Recall of Radio-Control Toy Trucks WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Nikko America Inc., of Plano, Texas, is voluntarily recalling about 287,000 radio-control toy trucks. A problem with the circuit board causes the toy truck to overheat, posing a fire and burn hazard. Nikko America has received five reports of the toy trucks overheating, resulting in minor property damage caused by fire and smoke. No injuries have been reported. The recalled toy trucks were manufactured from April 2003 through January 2004. The trucks are 1/10 scale models (approximately 18 inches in length) of the Chevy Avalanche (model 100021A), the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon (model 100022A and 100022B), the Hummer Wagon (model 100023A and 100023B) and the Ford F150 (model 100024A and 100024B). Model numbers can be found on the body of the truck, along with the vehicle make and model names. Major toy and discount department stores nationwide sold the toy trucks from July 2003 through February 2004 for about $60. Consumers should stop using the toy trucks and contact Nikko America for instructions on returning the product for a free circuit board replacement. Contact Nikko America toll-free at (866) 232-6013 between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.nikkoamerica.com/recall This recall includes only the model names and numbers listed above http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml04/04117.html ############################################# FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 14, 2004 Release # 04-118 Mattel's Recall Hotline: (888) 271-9891 CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908 CPSC, Mattel, Inc. Announce Recall of BATMAN(tm) BATMOBILE(tm) Toy Vehicle WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the manufacturer named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. Name of product: "BATMAN(tm) BATMOBILE(tm)" Units: 314,000 Manufacturer/Importer: Mattel Inc., of El Segundo, Calif. Hazard: The rear tail wings of the Batmobile are made of rigid plastic and come to a point, which pose a potential puncture or laceration hazard to young children. Incidents/Injuries: Mattel has received 14 reports of injuries consisting of scrapes, scratches, lacerations and punctures. Four of the injuries required medical treatment. Description: The recalled "BATMAN(tm) BATMOBILE(tm)" toy car is a 20-inch blue and gray plastic vehicle with a detachable motorcycle. Model number B4944 is written on the bottom of the toy vehicle. Sold at: Mass merchants and toy stores nationwide from June 2003 through February 2004 for about $27. Manufactured in: China Remedy: Parents should take these toys away from children immediately and contact the firm for information on receiving free replacement wings. Mattel is providing free repair kits containing two replacement wings without pointed ends that snap onto the toy vehicle. The repair can be done quickly and easily at home; instructions will be provided. Consumer Contact: Consumers can call Mattel at (888) 271-9891 anytime or visit www.service.mattel.com to determine if their toy is among the recalled models and to order the free replacement wings if needed. http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml04/04118.html ############################################# FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 14, 2004 Release # 04-119 Firm's Recall Hotline: (888) 661-0222 CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908 CPSC, Tek Nek Toys Announce Recall of Ride-On Toys WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Tek Nek Toys International, L.P., of Grapevine, Texas, is voluntarily recalling about 70,000 ride-on toy trucks for repair. The screw and nut assembly attaching the steering wheel can come loose, posing a choking and aspiration hazard to young children. Tek Nek Toys has received six reports of the screw and nut coming loose, including the death of an 18-month-old boy who aspirated a screw. The ride-on toys were sold under five model names including Butterfly Girl, Fire Rescue, Mermaid, Police Car and Tonka Construction Crew. The toys can be used as a ride-on or push walker toy, with a handle on the back of the seat rest. These toys were sold for children age 1 to 3 years old. On the dash of the ride-on toys are buttons which produce sounds when activated. The recalled Ride-on vehicles have a date code from 20021127 to 20030319. The date code is located in the battery compartment located on the top panel next to the steering wheel. Wal-Mart, Toys R Us, Kmart, Meijer and Shopko sold the ride-on toys nationwide from December 2002 through March 2004 for about $30. Consumers should take these recalled ride-on toy vehicles away from young children immediately and contact Tek Nek Toys for free replacement parts. For more information, contact Tek Nek toys at (888) 661-0222 anytime or visit Tek Nek's website at www.teknektoys.com http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml04/04119.html ############################################# FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 14, 2004 Release # 04-120 CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contacts: Kim Dulic, (301) 504-7058 or Eric Criss, (301) 504-7908 CPSC, National Safety Organizations Announce "Resale Round-Up 2004" - Partnership to Stop the Resale of Dangerous Products CPSC also announces several new product recalls WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) today announced several new recalls and an initiative to get recalled products off the shelves of resale stores. *Tek Nek Toys announced the recall of 70,000 ride-on toys because a screw and nut assembly attaching the steering wheel can come loose, posing a choking and aspiration hazard; Tek Nek received six reports of the screw and nut coming loose, including the reported death of an 18-month-old boy who aspirated a screw. *Mattel announced the recall of 314,000 Batman Batmobile toys because the rigid plastic wings come to a point, posing a puncture and laceration hazard; 14 injuries have been reported. *Nikko America announced the recall of 267,000 radio-control toy trucks because of a problem with the circuit board overheating; there have been five reports of overheating resulting in minor property damage caused by fire and smoke. To keep products like these permanently out of consumer's hands, CPSC is joining forces with the National Safe Kids Campaign (Safe Kids), The Danny Foundation, and the National Association of Resale & Thrift Shops (NARTS) to launch a massive Resale Round-Up. "Unfortunately, many products like the ones we are recalling today can remain in consumers' homes for long periods of time," said CPSC Chairman Hal Stratton. "Families who are planning a trip to the local second-hand store or hosting a yard sale should take steps to avoid purchasing or selling a dangerous product." To prevent injuries or deaths from products such as old cribs that could strangle or entrap a baby or decades-old cedar chests that could suffocate children, CPSC, Safe Kids, The Danny Foundation, and NARTS will assist resale, consignment, and thrift stores in identifying and pulling previously recalled or banned products from their shelves. CPSC will work with these partners to educate store owners and employees on which consumer products to keep out of their stores. Consumers can do their part by checking out the web site www.recalls.gov before bringing any products into a resale store or hosting a yard sale. This web site provides easy access to recall and safety information from CPSC and other federal agencies involved in product recalls. By searching this site, consumers will know if the hand-me-downs should be disposed of or can be repaired. "Hand-me-downs and old children's products may have sentimental value but may no longer be safe to use," said Chairman Stratton. "We remain steadfast in our commitment to prevent children and consumers from being hurt by these dangerous products." "We understand the practicality of using second-hand products for children. However, we want parents to make informed decisions when they do," said Alan Korn, public policy director, the National SAFE KIDS Campaign. "Educating parents and caregivers about their dangers and helping keep them off the shelves is an important first step." "NARTS has always been diligent in providing product safety education to its members. Now we are reaching out to the entire industry with our new program, 'Involve, Inform, Inspire!' Our membership will inform and inspire other resalers to ensure that the merchandise they offer for sale is hazard-free," said NARTS Executive Director Adele Meyer. "Consumers deserve to have confidence that the goods they buy are safe, no matter where they buy them." Throughout the year, CPSC staff will work with officials from NARTS and SAFE KIDS to host seminars to educate resale and thrift store staff on the dangers of recalled products. A CPSC study in 1999 revealed that nearly 70 percent of resale stores sold at least one hazardous product. The top three products found at that time were children's jackets and sweatshirts with drawstrings presenting a strangulation hazard, hairdryers that did not include a safety device to protect against electrocution, and cribs that did not meet federal safety standards. CPSC has prepared information about these and other products frequently sold at resale stores and yard sales. For more information about thrift store safety, consumers should contact CPSC at (800) 638-2772 or visit www.cpsc.gov or www.recalls.gov. Consumers and resale store owners and employees can download (pdf) or order free of charge a new publication called, "Dangerous and Recalled Products Reference Guide." In the first three months of 2004, CPSC also announced the recall of 1 million children's rings that contain lead, nearly 300,000 NERF Big Play footballs that pose a risk of facial cuts, and nearly 400,000 attachments to high chairs and mobile entertainers that pose a choking hazard to young children. "Despite recall notices and public warnings, CPSC believes that many products with the potential to seriously injure or kill are still being used by children," said Chairman Stratton. "Thousands of homes may have these hazardous products, which should be thrown out, repaired or replaced." http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml04/04120.html +++++++++ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 20, 2004 Release # 04-123 Kids II Recall Hotline: (877) 325-7056 CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908 CPSC, Kids II Inc. Announce Recall of Children's Mirror Books WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the manufacturer named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. Name of product: Vinyl Mirror Books Units: 225,000 Distributor: Kids II Inc., of Alpharetta, Ga. Hazard: The mirror in the books can crack or break, posing a laceration hazard to young children. Incidents/Injuries: Kids II has received 26 reports of the mirror cracking or breaking, including four reports of cuts and one report of a pinched finger. Description: The recalled picture books are brightly colored, made of flexible vinyl, and contain a plastic mirror on one of the inside pages. The recalled books come in four models: "Baby's Fun Book," "Baby's Photo Album," "Picture This Vinyl Book," and "Carter's Imagination Picture Book." The name "Kids II" is printed on the back cover of each book, except for the "Imagination Picture Book" which has "Carter's" printed on the front and back covers. Sold at: Mass merchandise and juvenile specialty stores nationwide from December 2001 through March 2004 for between $4 and $8. Manufactured in: China. Remedy: Parents should take the product away from small children immediately and detach and mail the mirror page of the product to Kids II at 1015 Windward Ridge Parkway, Alpharetta, GA 30005 for a refund. Consumer Contact: Call Kids II toll-free at (877) 325-7056 between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday. To view this press release online, use the following link: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml04/04123.html ++++++++++++++ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 22, 2004 Release # 04-125 Ashley's Hotline: (800) 999-2936 CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908 CPSC, Ashley Furniture Industries Inc. Announce Recall to Repair Bunk Beds WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announces the following recall in voluntary cooperation with the firm below. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. Name of product: Ashley "Trails End," "Cottage Retreat," and "Stages" bunk beds Units: 22,476 Manufacturer: Ashley Furniture Industries, Inc., of Arcadia, Wisc. Hazard: There are gaps between parts of the bunk bed that violate federal safety standards and can be entrapment or strangulation hazards to children. For model B383, the gap between the end rails on the upper bunk is too large. For models B213 and B233, the gap between the guardrails of the upper bunk can be widened with pressure, presenting an entrapment hazard. Federal standards for bunk beds are designed to protect children against entrapment and strangulation. Incidents/Injuries: None reported. Description: These bunk bed models are recalled for repairs: B383-58T, B383-57T, B213-58, and B233-58. The B383 models are sold under the group name "Trails End." The B213 is sold under the group name "Cottage Retreat." The B233 is sold under the group name "Stages." The model numbers are on product stickers on each bunk bed. On the B383 model, the product sticker is on the inside of the lower rail on the top bunk end panel. On the B213 and B233 models, the product sticker is on the inside of the lower panel on the bottom bunk. Sold at: The bunk beds being recalled for repair were sold at furniture stores nationwide. Model B383 was sold beginning in December 2000. Model B213 was sold beginning in May 2003. Model B233 was sold beginning in June 2003. All sales of the recalled bunk beds ended in February 2004. Model B383-57T sold for around $299, model B383-58T sold for around $699, and Models B213 and B233 sold for around $599. Manufactured in: USA and Brazil. Remedy: Stop using the recalled bunk beds and get a free repair kit from the retailer to cover and close up the entrapment gaps. Consumers can install the repair kit easily at home. Consumer Contact: To get a free repair kit, contact the dealer who sold the bunk bed. Although repair kits are not available on-line, consumers can call Ashley Furniture Industries at (800) 999-2936 between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. (CT) Monday through Friday and 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (CT) on Saturday. Additional information is available on Ashley's web site at www.ashleyfurniture.com To view this press release online, use the following link: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml04/04125.html That’s the new from here! -- Alan & Denise Fields, authors BABY BARGAINS * BABY 411 * TODDLER BARGAINS * BRIDAL BARGAINS * CYBERBRIDE * YOUR NEW HOUSE Web: www.windsorpeak.com. Email: authors@windsorpeak.com Phone: 303-442-8792 Address: Windsor Peak Press, 436 Pine Street, Boulder, CO 80302 -- The readers speak! Check out our new message boards for our books at: http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/dcboard.php -- We have a brand new book for parents! It's called Baby 411---think of it as the ultimate FAQ for new moms and dads! Check it out here: http://www.Baby411.com

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