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One Million China Made Cribs being Recalled after Infant Deaths
September 24, 2007

It's been a worrisome summer for California parents, with a seemingly never-ending slew of toy and candy recalls. First Mattel went into overdrive pulling millions of lead coated toys off store shelves. Then there was the recall of Mexican tamarind fruit candy that was also suspected to have abnormal amounts of lead. On September 22 Simplicity and Greco, makers of children's cribs, announced it was pulling close to a million cribs off the market after allegations of improper design that caused the deaths of 2 infants, one of them in California.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the recalled cribs manufactured in China feature a drop side railing that has been found to be responsible for the suffocation of infants. The fault is in the design of the crib which allows the railing to be dropped down upside down, creating a gap where the child could suffocate.

At least two infant deaths have already been reported. One infant, a one-year-old boy, died in Citrus Heights, California in April 2005. The child's parents sued Simplicity and in June settled for an undisclosed amount. The family's personal injury lawyer now reveals he informed the Consumer Product Safety Commission of the faulty design of the crib two years ago.

Apart from these two deaths, another one year old has died in another crib model, which is not part of the recall but is being investigated by the Commission. The recalled cribs have already been cited in at least 7 infant entrapments.

The Commission has asked all parents to take no chances and immediately stop using these cribs.

It's bad enough when you can't watch your children at play wondering if the toys they are handling will be part of some new recall tomorrow, and it's frustrating when stores are allowed to stock candy that may contain lead or other dangerous substances that cause them harm. At the very least, the crib should be a place where you can be sure they are safe and secure.

If your child has been injured as a result of the faulty design of these recalled products, call the personal injury attorneys at The Reeves Law Group for a consultation today.

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First Toxic Toys, Now It's Lead Laced Lollipops
September 10, 2007

For California parents who've recently spent many anxious days rummaging through their children's toy chests to check if they have been playing with lead coated cars and dolls, there's more alarming news on the way. Turns out the lollipops their children suck aren't safe either. California health officials have issued a warning to consumers to avoid certain Mexican candies that have been found to have high levels of lead.

According to the Orange County Register, the warning is specifically directed against Jovy Shaiky pop tamarind hard candy lollipops and Indy Cerillos Spicy and Sour watermelon flavored lollipops. What's astounding here is not just that increased levels of lead have been found in these branded candies. As a nation we've only recently been though a crash course in the effects of lead posoining thanks to the Mattel toy recalls. The incredible truth is that the Orange County Register in a series of investigations had exposed the fact that California state and federal regulating authorities had long been aware that at least 112 brands of candies, most of them made in Mexico, included these high levels of lead, but chose to keep that information away from the public and health authorities.

This recent announcement is by no means the first. In recent days, California health officials have also issued warnings for Barrilito, Miguelito, and De La Rosa Pulparindo candies.

Lead poisoning is harmful to all but has especially adverse effects on babies, young children and pregnant women. Doctors have advised pregnant women who might have consumed the candy to get tested for lead poisoning.

If you or your children have consumed these lead laced candies, please get in touch with your physician immediately and get tested for lead poisoning. If you believe you or your children have been seriously injured due to lead ingestion from a product you purchased, consult the personal injury attorneys at The Reeves Law Group.

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