This colorful toy truck with its plastic heart and circle beads attached, has been recalled by its manufacturer and the US Consumer Safety Commission. Parents are encouraged to return this product and toy stores are urged to stop selling this.

More details below:

BRAND:
Infantino

SOLD AT:
Babies R Us, Toys R Us, Meijer, TJ Maxx, Marshalls and other toy stores nationwide from September 2009 through February 2011 for about $15.

PROBLEM:
The plastic beads on the activity truck’s bead runs can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.

PRODUCT NUMBERS RECALLED:
About 40,500 in the United States and 1,900 in Canada

IF YOU OWN THIS PRODUCT:
Consumers should immediately take the recalled toy away from children and contact Infantino to receive a free replacement toy.

CONSUMER CONTACT:
For additional information, contact Infantino toll-free at (888) 808-3111 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s website at http://service.infantino.com

INCIDENTS/INJURIES:
Infantino has received 28 reports of the plastic beads detaching from the bead runs on the activity trucks, including two reports of young children gagging on the plastic beads.

MANUFACTURED IN:
China

By now most people have heard of the tragic death of 4-year-old Exodus Tyson, daughter of boxer Mike Tyson.  If you haven’t, you can read about it here.

Exodus was playing on or near a treadmill and got caught up in a cord, which strangled her, cutting off her air supply.  She was on life support, then died Tuesday.

What happenend to Exodus is tragic, but extremely common.  Airway obstruction injuries, which include any injury that keeps a child from breathing properly, are the leading cause of accidental death for children 4 and under.  These injuries can include suffocation, choking, or strangulation.  Most of these deaths occur in the home.

Here are some things to be aware of to keep your child from being a victim of one of these accidents:

Choking

• Most choking incidents are related to food.  Risky foods include hot dogs, grapes, nuts, carrots, and popcorn.
• Babies and toddlers are at high risk for choking on non-food items, because they put everything in their mouths.  Toy parts, coins, and balloons are frequently the cause.

Suffocating

• Most of these accidents have to do with a child’s sleeping arrangements.  Make sure crib sheets are pulled tight, and don’t give small children a pillow.  In fact, it’s usually better to dress them warmly for sleep and not give them heavy blankets at all.
• I don’t want to get into family bed arguments, but many children suffocate when sleeping in their parents’ bed.  They can fall down the side and get pressed between the mattress and wall, or get tangled up in quilts, blankets, or comforters. Adults have even been known to roll over onto a baby, completely unaware.

Strangulation

• So many common things can strangle a small child.  In Exodus’ case, it was the cord to a treadmill.  Sometimes it’s the cord to a window blind, a drapery tie, or a sparkly necklace that gets caught on something. 
• Sometimes it’s the crib itself that strangles a child.  If the bars aren’t spaced right, they can get their heads caught and end up with bars pressing against their throat, cutting off their breathing.  Other furniture hazards include high chairs and bunk beds. 

We’ve got to keep an eye out for these everyday dangers.  Another thing you should seriously consider is taking a Red Cross class in infant/child CPR.  You never know when you’ll need it.

There has been some research done about kids and accidents, including what gender and age groups have them the most, and what kinds of accidents they have.  Here, in no particular order, are 10 interesting pieces of information about kids and accidents.  These facts only apply to accidents that happen to kids.

1. 74.5% of all accidents that befall kids happen to kids under the age of 5.
2. Boys are more accident prone than girls (they’ve obviously never met my kids!).
3. The most accidents for both sexes happen to 2 and 3 year olds.
4. Cuts are the most common type of accident, followed by falls and poisoning.
5. Other common accidents include burns, object in the nostril, bloody noses, head injuries, choking, bruises, stings, broken bones, and strained muscles.
6. 1 in 3 children using a walker suffers an injury because of it.  Most of them fall down steps in their walkers.
7. Lacerations are the most common playground injury.
8. 25% of gunshot wounds that are not fatal result in permanent brain damage.
9. Swings and slides cause the most playground injuries.
10. The #1 cause of death in all children up to age 14 is car crashes.  70% of kids aren’t properly restrained in cars.

So, heads up, parents.  We can’t wrap them in bubble wrap (they get all sweaty), but we can minimize the risks as much as possible.