A government agency says consumers should "stop using and dispose of" a product that's been sold over the past two-plus years.
Baby Product Sold On Amazon Has Been Recalled for Multiple Safety Hazards
Infants are as vulnerable as they are precious, which is why we expect that the products we use to care for them are held to especially high standards. Last week, one baby product fell frighteningly short of those protective measures when it was discovered to pose an entrapment and suffocation hazard, and to contain dangerous levels of lead and phthalates.
In an alert dated September 26, 2024, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has announced that LEHOM playpens, distributed by RYZ International Trading Limited of Hong Kong, were sold on Amazon between May 2022 and July 2023, retailing for between $103 and $140. The CPSC’s notice does not specify how many units of the product are being recalled.
“The LEHOM playpens violate federal safety regulations for play yards because the included basketball hoop accessory presents a head entrapment hazard and in addition, children can become entrapped beneath the mattress, posing a suffocation hazard,” the recall notice explains. “Also, the zippers contain levels of lead that exceed the federal lead content ban and the PVC suction cups contain levels of phthalates that exceed the federal phthalate prohibition.”
The notice warns that lead and phthalates are toxic if ingested by young children. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are “no safe levels of lead in the blood.” Any amount can cause “developmental delays, difficulty learning, and behavioral issues.” They add that these effects can be “permanent and disabling.”
The hazardous playpens are marked with the model number “BPP-DG,” which you can find on a printed label affixed to the top rail. Eighty inches long and 60 inches wide, the baby play units are made with gray fabric and white mesh sides, and come with a basketball hoop that attaches to the top rail with multi-colored balls. An image of the product can be seen by visiting the CPSC link above.
The CPSC notes that RYZ International Trading Limited has not agreed to any kind of remediation, but urges those in possession of the dangerous playpens to immediately stop using them, destroy, and discard them. “To destroy the product, first disassemble the fabric cover from the frame. Cut up the play yard cover, mattress pad, and basketball hoop and then dispose of the pieces in the trash or recycling,” the recall notice advises. Do not donate them.
The recall advisory does not say whether any injuries or deaths have been reported at the time of the recall. If you believe you or your child have experienced any adverse effects as a result of this recall, the CPSC says you can report your concerns at www.SaferProducts.gov.
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