Recalls remained high in 2008, says Kids in Danger

The year 2007 was dubbed the year of the recall but 2008 could be called the year of the crib recall, according to a new report released today by Kids in Danger. The report, "Toxic Toys and Faulty Cribs," said that children’s product recalls by the Consumer Product Safety Commission remained high in 2008 with 190 recalls accounting for more than 18 million items, including 12 recalls of cribs responsible for five deaths.

The findings agree with "Still Not Safe," a special report issued by Consumers Union last December that provided an analysis of all CPSC recalls from Oct. 1, 2007 to Sept. 30, 2008.

“These products together caused at least 210 injuries and seven deaths,” said Nancy Cowles, executive director of Kids In Danger. “And those incidents include only those already reported at the time of the recall. More needs to be done to protect children from these hazards."

Highlights from the report include:

• Toys were the largest category of recalled children’s products comprising 41 percent.
• Despite the scrutiny on lead in 2007, 36 percent of the recalls were for lead paint hazards.
• There were five recalls of over one million products with over 18 million units recalled in total.
• Two-thirds of the recalled products were made in China, four percent were made in the U.S.
• Evenflo had the most injuries prior to a recall—94 in its Majestic High Chair.
• Twelve cribs, a record number, were recalled, involving eight injuries and five deaths.
• While CPSC requires monthly updates on Corrective Action Plans, research showed that many companies simply don’t file the report or don’t fill in the requested information. For those that do, the numbers show that most recalled products remain in the hands of consumers.

Kids in Danger, along with with Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) and Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, is advocating for stronger measures in announcing and carrying out recalls including a public database with product and injury data. “We have learned that it is not enough just to post a recall on a Web site and distribute a press release," said Madigan. "The CPSC and product manufacturers must implement more proactive and aggressive measures to ensure that consumers with dangerous products in their homes become aware of the recall and understand how to respond appropriately.”

Read the full report or the summary.