13,000 monkey toys were recalled because the battery compartment could reach 230 degrees Fahrenheit, posing a burn hazard to children
The week of February 1-7 is National Burn Awareness Week and we want to share common types of children’s products that have been recalled recently because of burn hazards. They include pajamas, toys, and even accessories that you would never guess could cause a burn hazard to your children – but they can and do. See below for an overview and how you can keep kids safe.
Pajamas
There were over 240,000 units of children’s pajamas recalled in 2015 because they violated the federal flammability standard. Children’s pajamas between the ages of 9 months and 14 years of age are required to be flame resistant or tight fitting. If it fails the flammability tests then it cannot be sold to the public- but some products do slip by. These are the products that are often recalled later. While out shopping, visit KidsInDanger.org from your smartphone to see if the item you intend to purchase has been recalled.
A product in the news lately for fire hazard is the hoverboard. There have been numerous reports about it catching fire and it is responsible for at least 40 fires across 19 states. The CPSC is currently investigating this product. KID is calling for recalls of brands that involved fires. Read more at our recent blog.
Toys
Children’s toys can also present burn hazards. In 2014, an animated Sing-Along Monkey toy (pictured) was recalled because the batteries in the toy could reach up to 230 degrees Fahrenheit- temperature that could certainly burn a child. That same year, a mechanical baby doll was recalled because of the circuit board inside overheating, causing 12 incidents that included burns and blisters to young children. To see if your toy has been recalled for burn and/ or fire hazards, visit CPSC.gov.
Accessories
Accessories such as flashlights and watches can also cause burns. In 2014, Halloween flashlights sold at Meijer store were recalled because they were overheating and burning children’s hands. Another accessory to look out for is children’s watches. Last year, almost 2 million MZB Children’s Light Up watches were recalled because the watch caused skin irritations and chemical burns. If you have a product that might be a bur, fire, or other type of safety hazards, report it to Saferproducts.gov.
Here are a few more tips from KID to help prevent burns:
- Check out our most recent report on burn hazards from products
- Sign up for our monthly email alerts and newsletter
- Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest updates. Use the #BeBurnAware hashtag to spread the word
- Check out this short information guide for Burn and Scald Prevention Tips from SafeKids.
