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Earn a free BOULEVARD 70 convertible car seat with purchase or receipt of five approved BRITAX or BOB items

CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 2, 2012 — New and expectant parents may earn an extra registry gift from BRITAX Child Safety, Inc. — a BRITAX BOULEVARD 70 Convertible Car Seat (MSRP: $319.99).

Starting April 2, parents can receive a free car seat when they buy one designated BRITAX or BOB item from each of five baby gear categories on the BRITAX New Parent Checklist.  Proof of purchase is required. Categories include: strollers, car seats, baby carriers, large accessories and small accessories.  The full checklist is available online and in the BRITAX Registry Rewards brochure at participating retailers.

“New parents have many decisions to make,” said Jackie Gyoerkoe, Vice President of Marketing.  “By using our New Parent Checklist, caregivers can easily register for, or purchase a variety of, our products that keep their children safe.  The reward is a premium convertible car seat that grows with their baby all the way to 70 pounds.”

To participate, consumers must mail in the 5 UPC barcodes, found on each new product purchase, and a completed redemption form.  The redemption form can be found in-store or online at http://www.britaxusa.com/registryrewards.

The BRITAX BOULEVARD® 70 achieves revolutionary head safety through the use of BRITAX SafeCell Technology™, integrated steel bars and energy-absorbing Versa-Tether®.  These safety features work together to minimize the forward movement of a child’s head during a crash. It also features BRITAX proprietary HUGS™ and True Side Impact Protection®. The BOULEVARD 70 offers a five-point, no-rethread harness, a quick-adjust head restraint and harness and multiple buckle and recline adjustments. The BOULEVARD 70 accommodates children between 5 and 40 pounds rear facing, and up to 70 pounds forward facing.

The BOULEVARD 70 is available in a variety of fashions with a suggested retail price of $319.99. To learn more about the program and set up a participant profile, parents should visit BRITAXRegistryRewards.com. For more information about BRITAX, visit www.britaxusa.com, or find BRITAX on Twitter, Facebook or YouTube.

For more information on where to register go to www.babynews.com and select a store nearest you to look for the Registry Rewards Tab.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 22, 2012
Release #12-136
Firm’s Recall Hotline: (866) 762-3212
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Safety 1st Cabinet Locks Recalled Due to Lock Failure; Children Can Gain Unintended Access to Dangerous Items

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of product: Push ‘N Snap Cabinet Locks

Units: About 900,000

Importer: Dorel Juvenile Group (DJG) Inc., of Columbus, Ind.

Hazard: Young children can disengage the cabinet locks, allowing access to cabinet contents and posing the risk of injury, due to dangerous or unsafe items.

Incidents/Injuries: DJG has received 200 reports of locks that did not adequately secure the cabinet, including reports of damaged locks. Of the reported incidents, the firm is aware of 140 children between the ages of 9 months and 5 years who were able to disengage the locks and gain access to the cabinet’s contents. In three of the reported incidents, the children who gained access swallowed or handled dishwashing detergent, window cleaner or oven cleaner, and were treated, observed and released from emergency treatment centers.

Description: This recall involves Safety 1st Push ‘N Snap cabinet locks with model numbers 48391 and 48442. The model numbers are printed on the back of the product and on packaging. The locks are used to secure cabinets with two straps that wrap around the knobs or handles on a cabinet door. When the product is in the “lock” position, a green triangle is shown through a window on the device. The Safety 1st logo is embossed on the front of the lock. Locks manufactured between January 2004 and November 2010 are included in the recall. The date of manufacture is embossed on the back. The arrow on the date wheel points to the month and the numbers of either side of arrow represent the year of manufacture.

Sold at: Bed Bath & Beyond, and other retail stores nationwide and online at Amazon.com from January 2004 through February 2012 for between $2 and $4.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately remove the recalled locks from cabinets and contact DJG for a free replacement Push ‘N Snap lock with model numbers HS158 or HS159. When removing the recalled locks, consumers are urged to immediately store dangerous items out of reach of children.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact DJG toll-free at (866) 762-3212 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s website at www.djgusa.com

Picture of recalled Cabinet Lock package Picture of recalled Cabinet Lock date wheel

If the prospect of buying and installing a car seat has you feeling more than a bit overwhelmed, you’re in good company. Choosing a car seat is much more about safety than aesthetics like colors and cup holders.

We have developed a quick reference guide about car seat safety with the help of Mari Hodges, a Certified Child Safety Specialist at Baby’s & Kid’s 1st Furniture, a Baby Product Experts certified store in Houston, Texas, to help get you started.

Infant in car seat

Topics include:

  • Types and stages of child restraints
  • Which car seat is best or safest
  • When a child should move to the next stage
  • Best practices
  • Selecting a car seat
  • Getting professional assistance
  • Why this is so important
  • Links to other references
For a purchase this important, seek out the in-person assistance of a certified expert. The best place to find one is at your local independent retailer.
If you don’t know of a store near you, use the searchable Find-a-Store database at BabyProductExperts.com to locate one.

If your local store doesn’t have a certified expert, check to see if your community has a Safe Kids Coalition. If not, go to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website, click on “Child Passenger Safety,” then “Seat Inspection Stations” to find a technician or an inspection station near you.

Posted by jacque sternquist from Baby Product Experts  © 2012 www.BabyProductExperts.com  on Wed, Mar 21, 2012 @ 04:04 PM

Planning to travel for the holidays? Here’s a quick list of 8 things to consider. View the full article here.

Plan ahead.
Use lists and calendars to help you stay organized.
Start packing a week or two ahead of time.
Pack a carry-on bag for baby.
If flying, book early and try to get direct flights whenever possible.
Consider your baby’s schedule when flying.
Know the rules, especially for airline carry-ons.
Give yourself plenty of time.

Even under the best of circumstances, air travel can be stressful. Packing, arriving at the airport on time, getting through security, and dealing with flight delays can wear on you. Add a baby to the scenario, and it’s even more of a struggle. But proper preparation can ease the process for both you and your baby.
ADVANCE PREPARATION
The best approach for parents flying with infants is to start preparing early. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has strict rules for air travelers, especially those with babies and children, and many airlines tack on a few of their own.
Check with your carrier. It will make your trip much easier if you understand and follow the rules.
Choosing Your Flight
• Whether you are traveling alone or with children, you should prebook your flight as far in advance as possible. In addition to the cost savings, having seat assignments made and boarding passes printed off from your home computer before you leave will save lots of time and hassle when you reach the airport.
• It’s not easy getting through to airlines by phone these days, but it is a good idea to call the airline you plan to use and ask questions. The best airfares tend to be online, so do your research before you call. They may match the price for you, but be aware that some airlines charge a premium for booking by phone.
• Let the airline know you are traveling with an infant. They might offer a discount if you are purchasing an extra seat
for the baby. You will need to reserve a window seat and bring your own FAA-approved car seat for the baby.
(See “Packing” below.)
• Traveling with the baby on your lap? For safety reasons, we don’t recommend this option but, if you must, consider bringing along a comfortable baby sling for added comfort and security. Be sure to check with your airline carrier first, since some restrict using these in flight.
• Although it’s not all that common unless you are traveling internationally, you may still need a ticket for a baby you hold on your lap.
• Check to see if the airline will offer an infant luggage allowance. You’ll need it, especially if you are bringing along a stroller. Some airlines charge a pretty hefty fee for extra checked luggage.
• Consider your baby’s routine, and try to avoid connecting flights. If you are traveling internationally across time zones, you might also want to try to start adjusting your baby’s schedule slowly several days before you fly.
• You might want to check the on-time records of the airlines and flights you are considering through an online tool like FlightStats.com, which also offers great information about real-time airport and flight status.
• Don’t panic if you aren’t able to book your seats—or at least not the seats you want. Just plan to check in with the ticketing or gate agent at the airport when you get there.

Packing
• Start jotting down your packing list well in advance and count on making adjustments. Last minute packing leads to lots of stress and forgotten necessities.
• For items such as clothing, food and diapers, consider whether you will have access to laundry facilities and stores at your destination, as well as the length of your stay.
• If possible, leave those bulky items at home. Check into whether you can rent strollers at your destination, and ask about getting a playard or crib when you make your hotel reservation. One exception is the car seat. Because you can’t be assured of the quality and you can’t always tell whether a used or rental car seat may have been damaged or in an accident, you could be putting your baby’s safety at risk.
• Pack a small carry-on bag of essentials that will fit in front of your seat for easy access. Include diapers, wipes, a blanket, a change of clothes, food, and a plastic bag for trash and dirty diapers. Add some extras (especially diapers) in case of delays or cancellations, as well as a few first aid items.
• You will need to check your stroller, so bring a sturdy bag to protect it from the rest of the cargo. You can usually keep your stroller while in the airport if you want, but you may not have time to put it in its protective cover if you gate-check it. Consider checking it upon arrival at the airport and switching to a baby sling instead.
• If you are planning to use a car seat on the plane, it must be clearly labeled as FAA approved for air travel. Car seats can be cumbersome and difficult to install, and flight attendants are not allowed for liability reasons to help you. Be sure to carefully review your manufacturer’s instructions before the trip.
• If you haven’t purchased an extra ticket and the flight isn’t full, you may be allowed to take your FAA-approved car seat onboard and use it in a spare seat.
• Plan for yourself, too! Wear shoes that you can easily slip off and on at security and loose fitting, comfortable clothes. Bring a change of clothes in case the baby makes a mess, and pack some snacks like protein bars or fruit for a healthy pick-me-up.
AT THE AIRPORT
On average, it is recommended that you arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before check-in. Depending on the airport, weather, time of day, and other variables, the time it takes you to go through security can be much shorter—or longer.
Since you will be traveling with extra “gear,” do yourself a favor and give yourself the extra time. It will be much easier on you and the little one to wait awhile longer at the gate than get bogged down at security and risk missing your flight.
Checking In
Even if you printed your boarding passes at home, you will still need to check your bags. There are three ways to do this:
• Check them with a skycap, usually your quickest option. Many airports now charge a fee for this service or recommend a tip of $2 per checked item.
• See an agent at the ticket counter. Factor in time for potential lines. This is separate from the security check-in. This is a good option if you have last minute questions, and want to get or change your seat assignment. (You can also do this at the gate if you use the skycap or self-serve.)
• Self-serve kiosks. Although these are quick and convenient when traveling light, they can be the least attractive option for traveling with a baby, because you will still be responsible for taking your own check-in luggage to the x-ray area.
(continued on next page)
Essential Paperwork
• Make sure the baby is covered under your travel insurance.
• If you are traveling without the other parent, get written permission to do so. It’s also a good idea to carry a copy of the baby’s birth certificate or some other form of identification with you that proves you are the parent or
legal guardian.
• When traveling outside of the U.S., you will likely need a passport for the baby. This can be a time-consuming process, so apply several weeks in advance of your trip. Visit the
U.S. Department of State web site or check with your local post office on how to apply

If the link between parent and child is strong enough that kids can “catch” their parents’ stress, it may stand to reason that babies crave the physical connection that comes with a cuddle. It’s something that plenty of parents are more than happy to provide during the day but, when it comes to bedtime, the modern emphasis has been on teaching good sleep habits — and giving mom and dad a break.

Most sleep-deprived parents get to the point where they’re willing to try almost anything in order to get a good night’s rest. While some decry it as cruel, others have had success with the “cry it out” method — teaching babies to “self-soothe” by letting their nighttime crying go unanswered.

But is “crying it out” about establishing independence? Or is it just a way of making those early years easier for parents?

In an article published this week in Psychology Today, one researcher says that crying it out could be dangerous for children, leading to a lifetime of harm.

“A crying baby in our ancestral environment would have signaled predators to tasty morsels,” writes Darcia Narvaez, an Associate Professor of Psychology and Director of the Collaborative for Ethical Education at the University of Notre Dame. “So our evolved parenting practices alleviated baby distress and precluded crying except in emergencies.”

When babies are stressed, their bodies release the hormone cortisol, which can damage or even destroy neurons in their still-developing brains, researchers at Yale University and Harvard Medical School have found. That can lead to a higher incidence of ADHD, poor academic performance, and anti-social tendencies.

Human babies are hardwired for near-constant holding, breastfeeding, and having their other needs met quickly — the hallmarks of Attachment Parenting, Narvaez points out — in order for their brains to develop properly. Even Dr. Richard Ferber, whose sleep-training method is commonly called the Cry It Out Method, says that he never intended parents to completely ignore their babies nighttime tears.

“I’ve always believed that there are many solutions to sleep problems, and that every family and every child is unique,” he said in an interview with BabyTalk. “People want one easy solution, but there’s no such thing. I never encouraged parents to let their babies cry it out, but one of the many treatment styles I described in my book is gradual extinction, where you delay your response time to your baby’s wakings. I went to great pains in the second edition to clarify that that treatment is not appropriate for every sleep issue, of which there are many.”

What he does encourage is teaching children to soothe themselves during normal nighttime wakings. But many parents extend his advice to include all bedtime-related crying. That’s the type of crying it out sets kids up for stress-related problems, trust issues, anxiety disorders, reduced brain function, and a lack of independence, Narvaez writes. And since the problems are on a genetic level, they can’t necessarily be fixed later in life.

“In studies of rats with high or low nurturing mothers, there is a critical period for turning on genes that control anxiety for the rest of life,” Narvaez writes. “If in the first 10 days of life you have low nurturing rat mother (the equivalent of the first 6 months of life in a human), the gene never gets turned on and the rat is anxious towards new situations for the rest of its life, unless drugs are administered to alleviate the anxiety.”

Could a lack of nurturing explain our “Prozac Nation?” Narvaez points out that she’s witnessed the long-term physical effects of it firsthand.

“I was raised in a middle-class family with a depressed mother, harsh father and overall emotionally unsupportive environment — not unlike others raised in the USA,” she writes. “I have only recently realized from extensive reading about the effects of early parenting on body and brain development that I show the signs of undercare — poor memory (cortisol released during distress harms hippocampus development), irritable bowel and other poor vagal tone issues, and high social anxiety.”

The lack of nurturing, and the prevalence of parents who put their own needs in front of their kids’, may be to blame for the mental and physical health problems that are plaguing the United States now.

“If we want a strong country and people,” she writes, “we’ve got to pay attention to what children need for optimal development.”

By Lylah M. Alphonse, Senior Editor, Yahoo! Shine

Is Crying It Out Dabgerous for Kids

While instances of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) have dropped dramatically in the past 20 years, experts say that popular crib bumpers don’t contribute to that statistic.

Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2011 (MedPage Today) — Breastfeeding and immunization protect babies against sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) but bumper pads don’t, according to updated guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

The recommendations — last revised in 2005 — go beyond SIDS and focus on providing a safe sleeping environment for infants to reduce the risk of all sleep-related deaths, such as suffocation.

Supine sleeping position, first recommended by the AAP in 1992, remains the cornerstone of SIDS prevention, along with a firm sleeping surface, and no bed sharing.

“Overall, we are making good progress in understanding SIDS and the importance of the infant’s environment in preventing suffocation deaths,” Rachel Moon, MD, who chaired the guideline writing committee, said during an AAP press briefing. “However, we still see evidence of unsafe sleeping practices, and we hoped to address those in these new guidelines.”

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October 4, 2011 | 5:35 pm

Children in cars will be required to ride in a booster seat until they are 8 years old under a new law signed Tuesday by Gov. Jerry Brown.

Current law requires booster seats for children until they reach the age of 6 or weigh at least 60 pounds.

Sen. Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa) said that does not go far enough, and Brown agreed. Exceptions will be made for any child 7 years old or younger who is at least 4 feet 9.

Similar legislation was vetoed twice by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. The new law will go into effect on Jan. 1.

–Anthony York in Sacramento

Jessica Yadegaran, Contra Costa Times

Not a single blue decoration was in sight. No one exchanged baby advice, or played games that involved sniffing melted chocolate in diapers.

Instead, the baby shower for Esteban Guzman of San Leandro involved a lot of beer, barbecued meat and a highly anticipated game between the Oakland Raiders and the San Francisco 49ers.

“It was just a bunch of guys who have no idea about babies but wanted to help their buddy out,” says Guzman, 34, recalling the “kegs for diapers” party he had last October, when his girlfriend, Noemi, was pregnant with their now 8-month-old son, Dante. “And if they did have advice, I probably wouldn’t have taken it since they’re a bunch of knuckleheads.”

Modern fathers are more

Tips for a successful diaper party

  • Keep the grub simple. Grill some burgers or offer finger foods, such as chips and salsa, chicken wings, pizza and pretzels.
  • What to play. Football will be on the tube or you’ll be playing poker. Those are the only games you need.
  • Skip the favors. Unless your buddies love cigars or some such gift, there is no need to indulge.
  • Don’t forget the diapers. Make sure to bring a variety of sizes. Babies have a tendency to grow.

— Athena Serapio, San Bruno event planner

involved than ever in prenatal care and their babies’ first years, but they like to celebrate the milestone their way.

Good grub. Alcohol. Bad jokes. Most daddy showers, or diaper parties as they are called because guests bring diapers in lieu of gifts, lack the frills of traditional baby showers. But experts say the purpose is the same: to support the parent-to-be as he transitions into this new life passage.

Luckily for Guzman, it’s football season, so he sent out an email to his buddies. Come over Sunday afternoon, it said. I’m buying a keg and firing up the grill.

Ed, Esteban’s older brother, a father of two, arrived with six boxes of diapers. He knew from coed baby showers he’d attended with his wife that this affair would not involve dreaded games or favors. There would be no wrapping paper to throw away. No gift registry to follow.

“Guys don’t do those kinds of things,” says Ed, 40. “It was more of a handshake and congratulations and, ‘OK, where’s the food?’ ”

Also missing were the war stories, Ed says. “No one talked about how difficult it is to breast-feed or how you don’t get any sleep when you have a baby. It was more of a celebration.”

Another guest, Joe Fernandez, a bachelor who made his first trip to Babies R Us for the occasion, says the diaper party was a way to help Esteban close one chapter in his life and begin another.

“Time becomes much more precious when somebody becomes a father and you don’t see them as often, so you want to send them off properly,” says Fernandez, 35, of Walnut Creek.

Men are much more involved in the baby world than they were even a generation ago, so cultivating networks with like-minded guys is just as crucial as it is for Mom, says Judy Levit, an Oakland marriage and family therapist.

“They don’t talk about their feelings, but they know why they’re there,” Levit says of diaper parties. “If they’re going to be up all night with the baby and changing diapers, they need guys they can talk to. If they’re going to be supporting their wives, they need support.”

As much as the diaper party is dad’s last hurrah with the boys, it’s important to keep it casual, says Athena Serapio, a San Bruno event planner.

“I think men in the Bay Area wouldn’t want too much fuss and fluff,” says Serapio. “No favors, no decor and possibly no baby games at all.”

You can play around with themes such as poker or football, but remember, no gifts. Just diapers.

Guzman’s friends were so generous, he and Noemi didn’t have to purchase a single diaper until just last month.

“It was very touching for me to see them come together like that,” he says. “They even brought different sizes. That was what I was most shocked by.”

CHARLOTTE, N.C., September 08, 2011 — BRITAX, with its Head Safety Technology, remains at the forefront of car seat safety innovation.  Building on its commitment to child passenger safety (CPS), BRITAX is partnering with Safe Kids USA, actress/CPS technician Ali Landry and Spokesmoms.com to spread awareness of child passenger safety.

BRITAX, Safe Kids, Landry and Spokesmoms plan to educate parents about both the importance of child safety seats and the best practices for car seat use leading up to Child Passenger Safety Week, September 18 – 24, 2011.  The public service effort includes press interviews with CPS Technician Ali Landry and the celebrity Red CARpet event, presented by Spokesmoms.com, in which celebrity parents drive national awareness for child passenger safety.  Through their combined initiatives, parents will be reminded that head injuries are not only the most frequent injuries that occur during front and side impact crashes, but also the leading cause of vehicle crash-related deaths for children up to 12 years old (source: Child Injury Led Design and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia 2010).  At the Red CARpet event, Landry and other celebrities will be signing select Next Generation convertible car seats that will be given to lucky winners of our sweepstakes on September 30th.

To further support our commitment to safety, BRITAX will make a contribution to Safe Kids USA for every birthday wish made to our Next Generation car seats by our BRITAX Facebook fans September 18th – 24th.  Visit facebook.com/britax to learn more.  Finally, BRITAX will also kick off a monthly convertible car seat sweepstakes from September through December, 2011; visit www.BritaxUSA.com/HeadSafety/Gallery for complete details.

BRITAX is well-known for its revolutionary head safety technologies that reduce head excursion on impact and offer the most advanced protection to children. These include:
•    A re-engineered lower center of gravity that allows the child to sit lower and creates stability in the event of a crash.
•    Integrated steel bars that strengthen the connection to the vehicle and reduce forward flexing of the child seat during a crash.
•    BRITAX SafeCell Technology™ with SafeCells that are designed to compress in a crash. This significantly lowers the center of gravity and counteracts the forward rotation of the child seat, which normally propels the child toward the front seat.
•    Energy-Absorbing Versa-Tether® with a two-point attachment and staged-release tether webbing to anchor the top of the car seat. This minimizes forward-rotation and reduces crash forces reaching the child.

For more information about BRITAX Head Safety Technologies, visit www.BritaxUSA.com, or connect with BRITAX on Twitter or Facebook.

About BRITAX Child Safety Inc.
BRITAX manufactures and markets lines of premium car seats, strollers, baby carriers and accessories.  Since its founding in Britain in 1939, the company has become one of the world’s most trusted juvenile products brands, known for its commitment to thoughtful engineering and top-quality, intuitive design.

Among the world’s largest manufacturers of car seats, the company offers more than 8 car seat models in the U.S. and Canada — forward-facing, rear-facing and convertible.  The seats are designed to keep a child rear facing and in a five-point harness longer, and can accommodate a child from “birth to belt” (i.e., 4 pounds to 120 pounds).  The company’s car seats consistently lead the industry in energy-management technologies that go well beyond the safety requirements of government agencies, offering superior 360-degree protection. The company’s innovations include BRITAX SafeCell Technology™, True Side Impact Protection® and Side Impact Cushion™ Technology.

The BRITAX stroller line is constantly evolving to meet the modern family’s lifestyle needs. The line offers versatility; a lifespan beyond one child; lightweight solutions for easy travel; and smooth maneuverability.  With thoughtfully designed details inspired by a mom’s daily interactions with her child, parents can rest assured that their children are safe and comfortable in BRITAX strollers.

Built for comfortable extended wear, the BRITAX BABY CARRIER line is made for baby and designed for parent.   The carrier introduces the CarryLong™ System, which reduces the risk of back and shoulder strain during extended wear by distributing weight across the shoulders, back and hips.  BRITAX also addresses the limited weight capacity ranges associated with leading soft-structured baby carriers by accommodating infants through toddlers from 8 pounds up to 32 pounds).

BRITAX USA is located in Charlotte, N.C., and employs more than 200 people.  For more information, visit www.BritaxUSA.com.

About Safe Kids USA
Safe Kids USA is part of Safe Kids Worldwide, a global network of organizations whose mission is to prevent unintentional childhood injury, the leading cause of death and disability to children ages 1 to 14. More than 600 coalitions and chapters across the U.S. and 19 member countries across the globe bring together health and safety experts, educators, corporations, foundations, governments and volunteers to educate and protect families.  For more information visit www.safekids.org.

About Spokesmoms.com
Spokesmoms, Inc. is an intuitive product review platform whose aim is to promote and aggregate the fragmented voices of mom opinions and reviews for juvenile products. Spokesmoms rewards moms for posted reviews, rating reviews, links moms with like-minded reviews, simplifies their quest for the best products and makes recommendations based on their personality and needs.

In addition, Spokesmoms facilitates the communication between juvenile product Manufacturers and their clients – the moms! Spokesmoms offers Manufacturers ways to syndicate current social media content, promote brand viability to target audiences, request surveys of new products and ideas and showcase mom reviews on multiple websites.

Founded by Ali Landry and her passionate partners, Spokesmoms will continue to strive to connect brands, causes and moms together.  The power of one voice is incredible when united with many.  For more information visit www.spokesmoms.com.

Table-Top Clip-on Chair Recalled by phil&teds USA Due to Fall and Amputation Hazards

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: “metoo” Clip-on Chair

Units: 54,000 (these were the subject of a product safety alert issued May 6, 2011)

Importer: phil&teds USA Inc, of Fort Collins, Co.

Hazard: Missing or worn clamp pads allow the chairs to detach from a variety of different table surfaces, posing a fall hazard. In addition, when the chair detaches, children’s fingers can be caught between the bar and clamping mechanism, posing an amputation hazard. Also, user instructions for the chairs are inadequate, increasing the likelihood of consumer misuse.

Incidents/Injuries: phil&teds and CPSC have received 19 reports of the chairs falling from different table surfaces, including five reports with injuries. Two reports of injuries involved children’s fingers being severely pinched, lacerated, crushed or amputated. The three other reports of injury involved bruising after a chair detached suddenly and a child struck the table or floor.

Description: The product is an infant/toddler chair with a nylon fabric seat and a metal frame that clamps onto tables using two metal vise clamps. The upper part of each clamp rests on the table top and has either a rubber pad on its underside or a rubber boot covering the clamp. The chair is sold in three fabric colors – red, black and navy. Chairs subject to this recall do not have black plastic spacers between the cross bar and the clamps.

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