mm-

Game puts older children at risk for chokingParents of toddlers are well-aware of choking hazards and are vigilant to keep small objects out of their

children's reach. But do they know older kids can be just as vulnerable by participating in a popular gameusing marshmallows?Sometimes called Chubby Bunny, the game has been blamed for the death of a Chicago-area sixth-grader.

The' object of the game is to stuff as many marshmallows in your mouth as possible and then try to say,Al chubby bunny." The child who can say the phrase with the most marshmallows in his or her mouth wins.The sixth-grade girl was participating in the game at her school's annual fun fair. She made a motion, could

not speak and made her way to a drinking fountain. She then collapsed. Paramedics were unable to resus-citate her, and the medical examiner determined the cause of death was choking.Chubby Bunny and several variations are included on Web sites that list games for children or party games.

Parents should warn their children not to participate in this or other games that involve stuffing large amountsof food in their mouths.

0 2000 American Academy of Pediatrics. This information may be freely copied and distributed with proper attribution.

ALER1:DTSc

* Halpern Import Co. Inc., of Atlanta, in cooperationwith the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission isrecalling 350,000 disposable cigarette lighters whoseflames may not extinguish.

@ r ir# ~ t~'l ,#-# * .rT One woman suffered:S>?00 _0_, Ssecond-degree burns on

|- i+.l_2A-= her chest when a lighter;fWH&tt_Ww failed to extinguish and

l _ _ ~~~~~Thedisposable light-g_ g _ > ~~ers, oval tube-shapedt i ~~~~with"TURBO 2000" on

_ ~~~~~the body, have a green,0 _ _ ! ~~~~red, blue, black or yellow

. ~~~~~~bodywith a metal top'

The UPC number, printed on the back ofthe lighters, is0 80692 05010 1.

Lighters were sold nationwide in tobacco and thriftstores from June 1999 through May 2000 for $1.Consumers should return these lighters to the store

where purchased for a refund. For more information,call Halpern at (800) 624-5280.

Klackeroo toysPlayskool, of Pawtucket, R.I., in cooperation with the

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, is recalling550,000 Klackeroo toys because detachable knobs canallow small pieces to loosen, posing a choking hazard toinfants and young children.

Playskool received 10 reports of detached knobs,

a . v~~~~~~~~~~ a W a S a 1,i';. . ;; ; 0 0 | cFMotors, of Irie,I ¢ ~~~~~~~~Callf.,in coopera-

l Gt< ~~~~~~tionwith the U.S.F: >>: ~~~~~Co n s u m e r

:- 0__ ~~~~Product Safety~~~~~~Commission, is~~~~~recalling 47,000

~~~~~~~~~all-terrain vehi-cles (ATVs) because the drive belts can break, causing.the ATVs to stop suddenly, resulting in injury or death.Kawasaki received 12 reports of injuries where the

operator either lost control of the ATV or was ejectedfrom the vehicle.The recall includes 1997 to 1999 Prairie models KVF

300-Al, KVF 400-A1, KVF 400-A2/L and KVF 400-C1."Kawasald Prairie" is on both sides oftheATVs, and "4X4"is on the rear ofthe seat. Though equipped with the newgeneration belt, the 2000-'01 model Prairie ATVs alsoare being recalled to provide owners with an addendumto the owner's manual and awarning label. These modelnumbers are KVF 300-A2, KV-F 300-A3, KVF 400-C2 andKVF 400-C3.Kawasaki dealers sold theATVs from S'eptember 1996

through August 2000 for $5,300 to $6,200.Kawasaki-dealers are contacting registered owners

about the recall and offering free belt inspection andreplacement. For more information, call Kawasaki at(866) 802-9381.

Cigarette lightersI- N X N li S * ~Vaid Enter-

11 1 | | 11_| ~prises, of Jersey| | | S ~~~~~City, N.J., in co-

IS I I _ ~~~operation withl |l ~~~the U.S. Con-

lL _ ~~~~sumer Product| ~~~~~~~Safety Commis-| ~~~~~~~sion (CPSC), is

l~~~~~~~~recalling 294,000disposable cigarette lighters because they lack the legallyrequired child-resistant mechanisms.There are no reports of injuries.The recalled lighters are oval tube-shaped "BIC" and

mini- "BIC" brand lighters. The recall involves only theBIC lighters that Vaid Enterprises illegally importedinto the United States and does not involve lighterssold in the United States by BIC.

The lighters have a

t _ ~~~~~green, red, blue, black or

| _ ~~~~yellow body and a metal;l l X ~~~~topwitha"BIC"and"made| _ X ~~~inFrance" imprint. The| _ | ~~~~UPCnumbers for the stan-11S 1X ~~dard- and mini-size

| _-; ; ~~lighters are 3 086120| _ tt X ~600020 and 3 086120Ill_ X 01 600051, respectively.

- ~~~~~~Lighters were sold on the_w_ ~~~~~~EastCoast ati ~~~~~~convenience,t1_ ~~~~~~~~gas, grocery and

_~~~ _ _ s f ff~~~thinftstoresfom| __ ~~~~~~anuarythrough

|_E1 ~~~~~~~~~April2000for$1.|| _ 1 _ - ~~~Consumers__l ~~~~~~~canreturn the_ _ _ _ ~~~~~~lighters to the

~~~~~~-~~~~storewhere pur-chasedw for aB

refund. Call CPSC at (800) 638-2772 or visit www.bic-worldusa.com for more information.

November2000 AAPNews 2311

H: E ALT H

All-terrain vehicles

Dietary supplements may do more ham than goodParents who give their children dietary supplements may - -

believe they are providing natural, healthy aldternatives to pre-scription drugs. But experts agree parents need to be cau-tious because dietary supplements are untested, unregulated __chemicals. There were 704 reports of harmful-effects with _<dietary supplements involving children ages 6 to 18 years in _1998, according to American Association of Poison Control =i_ESCenters. As the definition of supplements expands to encom-pass vitamins, minerals, botanical products, enzymes and ani-_mal extracts, the potential dangers increase. 01

Parents of children with chronic disorders such as atten- X_ ; Xtion-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHDJand adolescents _1l :wanting to lose weight or gain muscle are particularly morelikely to use supplements. The Washington Post reported cre-atine, a performance-enhancer, was banned at University ofTennessee after 14, football players had cramping episodes during one game. During a 33-month period, the Foodand Drug Administration linked 134 cases of serious illness, including death, to Ephedra, a suppslement used forweight loss and ADHD.Some 50% of parents who use alternative medicine do not inform their doctors, according to a report by Linda

Spigelblatt, M.D., associate professor of pediatrics, University. of Montreal, Quebec (Spigelblatt L, et al. Pediatrics.1994;94:811). To minimize risks, parents should read ingredient lists and confer with a physician about poten-tially dangerous substances. Parents also can call the American Dietetic Association's consumer hotline at (800)366-1655 or visit the Physicians' Desk Reference Web site at www.pdr.net for more information on a particulardietary supplement.

Before giving children supplements, the Federal Trade Commission recommends parents be aware of the following:* Since dietary supplements have not been tested for their safety or effectiveness, the long- and short-term effectsare not known.

* No federal standards for the quality or purity of supplements exist.* "Natural" supplements may not be safe.* The best adviser is the child's pediatrician. Consult a physician for beginning or continued use of a supplement.* Deceptive advertising tactics include impressive medical terms, money-back guarantees and words like "sci-entific breakthrough," "miraculous cure" or "ancient remedy."r

- ~~~~~Rashmi Rathor0 2000 American Academy of Pediatrics. This information may be freely copied and distributed with proper attribution.

HRtEALTHe ALERTS;:~~~~~~~~-

two labels on the bike. One label reads: "DynacraftIndustries" and "Made in China." Another label affixedto the frame near the crank identifies the model numberand the manufacture date. -The recalled-Vertical XL2mountain bikes, manufactured in July 1999, have modelnumber 8526-26. The Magna Electroshock mountainbikes, manufactured July 1999 through October 1999,have model numbers 8504-90, 8504-96, 8548-78 or8548-94.

Target Stores nationwide sold theVertical XIL2 moun-tain bikes fromAugust 1999 through February,2000 andthe Magna Electroshock from August 1999 throughAugust 2000. The bikes sold for $100 to $140.

Earlier this year, Dynacraft recalled 19,000 26-inchVertical XL2 mountain bikes.Consumers should stop riding these bikes immedi-

atelyand take them to the Target Storewhere purchasedfor a choice of a free replacement fork or free replace-ment bicycle ofequal value. Formore information, or toreceive a free replacement fork by mail, call DynacraftIndustries Inc. at (800) 551-0032.

Swing cha'insRainbow

PlaySystems

f-Brookings,S.D., in co-

_! i ~~~~wi th th e_i > ~~~~~~~U.S.Consu-~~~~~~~mer Pro-S ~~~~~~~~~duct Safety

X : ~~~~Commis-sion, is recalling 7,000 play sets because chains on theswings may break.Seven broken chains and four defective chains have

been reported. A 3-year-old boy suffered bruises and ascraped head after falling.

AllRainbow Play Systems swings, includingmore than50 different models and custom-designed sets, use thedefective chains. The sets are made with redwood, andthe seats are covered in yellow or green vinyl.Rainbow Play System stores sold the sets nationwide

from March through June 2000 for, $1,200 to $6,000.Consumers should contact Rainbow Play Systems at

(800) 724-6269 to determine if their chains are defec-tive. Ifso, return the chains to the storewhere purchasedfor free replacements.

For more information, visit the company'sWeb site atwww.rainbowplay.com/safetyrecal.htm-l.

Road bikes, handlebar stemsTrek Bicycle

= ; ~~~~~~Corp., ofWater-t = Ft ~~loo, Wis ., in

~~~~~~innis recall-ing 13,600 roadbikes and 4,700

T ~~~road bikeA - b ~~~~~~ha n d I e b a r\ - ~~~~stemsthatwere

sold separately

h a n d I e b a rstems can

break.ITWo riders have suffered a concussion and a bro-

ken collarbone due to the defect. There have beenthree reports of broken handlebar stems.

0 2000 American Academy of Pediatrics. This information may be freely copied and distributed with proper attribution.

including fourreportsofpiecesfound in themouths of in-fants and youngchildren. No in-juries have beenreported.

Klackeroo is abrightly coloredtoy with plasticorange rods andg e o m e t r i c

shapes thatmove through a center, purple ball. Solid-col-ored knobs with imprinted shapes are attached to bothends of each orange rod. When shaken, the rods movethrough the center ball, producing a "clacking" sound.

Playskool's Klackeroo was sold at toy and mass mer-chandise stores, including Toys "R" Us and Wal-Mart,from October 1997 through September 2000 for $8.The Klackeroo will be redesigned to have a center, red

ball and no sliding shapes. Call Playskool at (888) 671-9764 to receive a free, redesigned toy.

Toy bars on car seats_ s L ~~~~~TheMaya

__ ~~~~~~~GroupInc.,X ~~~~~ofGarden

0 __ ~~~~~~~~~~Grove,Calif.,'in coopera-

~~~~~~~tion with0 ~~~~~~~~~~the U.S. Con-

. ~~~~~~~sumerPro-.-~~~~~~~ duct Safety

. ~~~~~Commis -

sion, is re-a n g

20,000 toy bars that attach to car seats and strollersbecause a broken toy may pose a choking hazardto children.The MayaGroup Inc. is aware ofsixbroken toy cars on

the bars. There are no reports of injuries.The recall is for the Tiny Love Super Car-Bar made of

multicolored fabric. A "TINYLOVE" label is on three toycars and theVelcro fasteners that attach them to the bar.The car that can break slides on a yellow track.-The toy bar was sold between August 1999 and

January 2000. The manufacturing date follows a two-let-ter code and is on a white tag attached to aVelcro fas-tener. Catalogs and specialty stores nationwide sold thetoy bars from August 1999 to August 2000 for $30.For a free replacement toy, write to Customer

Affairs, The Maya Group Inc./Tiny Love, 12622Monarch St., Garden Grove, CA 92841, or call(888) 521-2202. Visit Maya Group's Web site atwww.tinylove.com for more information.

Mountain bikesDynacraft

Industries Inc.,of San Rafael,Calff., in coop-

_ | ~~~~~~~eration with_ ~~~~~~~~theU.S. Con-

__ ~~~~~~~sumerProduct_l_ ~~~~~~Safety Com-

imission, is re-- ~~~~~~calling 24,80004 X ~~~~~~~bikesbecause

welding may1 ~~~~~~~~~~cause the front

0 _ _A ~~~~suspension_ _ w s ~~~~~~~~forksto break.

_ ~~~~~~~Amongthe

injury are aconcussion, fractures, cuts, bruises, back strain, as wellas chipped and lost teeth.

T'he recall involves 26-inch Vertical X12, and 24- and26-inch Magna Electroshock mountain bikes. There are

Thif stores o*en sell items that fil sf gidelinesThe U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission truding hardware or rotating top rails that don't

(CPSC) recalls 250 to 300 products each year. Butmany properly lock into place.of those products are not removed from'-consumers' Car seat carriershomes, andafewofthemendup inthriftstores, garage .Make sure car seat handle locks'are secure.Or rummage sales and second-hand shops. Bnbd

In 1999, the CPSC found that 69% of thrift stores Bunkeuealsaebe twedsegadri nwere'selling at least one hazardous product. These *Mk uealsae ewe h urri nproducts included jackets with drawstrings, cribs, bed frame and all spaces in the bed headboardplaypens and car seats. and foot boards of the top bunk are less than 31/2To help consumers purchase safe products, the inches.

CPSC provides the following thrift store safety *Make sure there are guardrails on both sides ofchecklist: the top bunk.Cribs ToybasketbaB nets* Make sure cribs meet current national safety stan- * Make sure netting is securely attached to the bas-dards and are in good condition. ketball hoop.

* Look for a certification seal. * Make sure knots in netting do not slide.* Check that crib slats are no more than 23/ inches Accordion-style safety gatesapart. * Do notbuy older accordion-style child safety gates.

* Crib mattresses should fit snugly. * Make sure that newer style child safety gates are

Clothing drawstrings used to keep children away from potentially dan-* Be sure there are no drawstrings around the hood gerous areas, especially stairs.and neck of childrenfs upper outerwear clothing, Bean bag chairssuch as sweatshirts. *Do not buy bean bag chairs with zippers that can

* Other types of clothing fasteners, like snaps, zip- be opened.pers orVelcro, should be used.Fracmltlitnofealdpoutsvst* Drawstrings at the waist should not extend more

the CPS Webplete aitigowwwcalledovroducts,lvisitthan 3, inches. teCS e iea w.pcgv rcl 80Playpens and playyards63272* Check to make sure play yards doift have pro- Jessica Little

232 AAPNews November2000

-,I -, -z - "; 1. .-Ii

Icon, Havana and Bordeaux stemswere installed on various 1999 Trekand Klein bikes'.Trek and Klein dealers sold the han-

dlebar stems and the road bikes fromJune 1998 through May 1999. Stemsso'Id separately for approximately $70,and road bikes with the defectedstems sold for $1,000 to $4,000.Consumers should take their Trek or

Iaein bikes to a dealer fora free inspectionand free replacement stem. For moreinformation, callrfekat (800) 313-8735-orvisit itsWeb- site at www.trekbikes.com.

reports-of 11 trampoline-related deaths.Emergency room visits often. result

from jumpers colliding, falling on tram-poline springs or frames, falling offtram-polines or attempting stunts.These findings reinforce the

American Academy of Pediatrics' rec-ommendation that trampolines shouldnever be used in -home environments,routine physical education classes oroutdoor playgrounds.

Chalk found asbestos freeThe U.S. Consumer Product Safety

Conumission (CPSC) reports that there areno asbestos or transitional fibers in chil-drenfs chalk.The CPSC tested blackboard and

jumbo-sized chalk from Crayola, Prang,Pentech, Curiosity Kits and Sketch &Scribble, five manufacturers that repre-'sent the majority of the industry. Noasbestos or transitional fibers, whichmaybe confused for asbestos, were found.

Testing of pastels yielded the sameresult.

Testingwas done following reports thatchalk-and chfldrerfs crayons maycontainasbestos. In June, the CPSC found traceamounts ofasbestos and large amounts oftransitional fiber's in Crayola and Prangcrayons. Though the risk ofexposurewasminimal, manufacturers agreed to CPSC'srequest to reformulate their crayons in ayear.

-Rashmi Rathor

Playground sets

Playworld Systems, of Lewisburg, Pa.,in cooperation with the U.S. ConsumerProduct Safety Commission, is recalling370 playground sets because the swingconnectors, which attach the top bar tothe end supports, can crack. Chfldrenplaying on the swings can be injured ifthe top bar falls.There havebeentwo reports ofinjuries,

including a fractured toe and bruises.Playworld swing sets. are made of alu-

minum tubing and are available in vari-ous colors. The recalled swings areAluminum 2-Seat Arch Swing, modelnumber 0288, and the Add-A-Bay ArchSwing, model numb'er 0375. The swilngswere sold from February 1998. throughMay 2000 for $640 to $975.Consumers should call Playworld

Systems at (800) 233-8404 for a freerepair kit.

Trampoline injuries inseThe U.S. Consumer Product Safety

Commission (CPSC) reports emergencyroom-treated trampoline injuries havealmost tripled in the past decade, frman estimated 37,500 in 1991 to about100,000 in 1999.Nearly two-thirds ofthe victims were 6

to 14 years old. Approximately 15% ofinjuries involved childre'n younger thanage 6. Since 1990, CPSC has received

How to report unsafe p ductsTo report anminjurycausedbyaprod-

-uct, go to te U.S. Consunier ProductSafety Commission. Web site at0www.cpsc.gov and click on. ReDort0

P'to 1-

November2000 AAPNews 233

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