Product recalls this week include toy jewelry, toy guns, jackets, sweatshirts

Recalls this week: Toy jewelry, toy guns, jackets

High levels of lead are still turning up in some toys, despite stricter legislation that became law in 2008 to limit toxic lead in children’s products.

Among the recalls this week were toy jewelry sets sold at stores nationwide, and greeting cards with attached bracelets that were sold in card shops.

The jewelry sets include charms with connector pieces that contain lead above federal limits, and the paint coating on the greeting card bracelets contain excessive lead. Lead can be toxic to young children if ingested.

No injuries have been reported involving either product.

Here’s a list of some of the items recalled this week.

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TOY JEWELRY SETS

DETAILS: The recall involves charms sold with Tiny Tink and Friends Children’s Toy Jewelry Sets. The Chinese-made sets were sold for $6 to $8 at stores nationwide from November 2008 through November 2009, and imported by Playmates Toys, of Costa Mesa, Calif. The charm is attached to a cord using a metal ring and cylinder, and included with the sets as a separate accessory that children can attach to the toy necklace, bracelet or key chain. Charms that have plastic tabs instead of metal rings and cylinders are not included in this recall.

WHY: The sets contain a cylindrical metal connector on a charm that can contain total lead levels above the maximum 300 parts per million. Lead is toxic if ingested by young children. No injuries have been reported.

HOW MANY: About 252,000

FOR MORE: Call (888) 810-1133; visit www.playmatestoys.com or www.cpsc.gov.

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GREETING CARDS WITH BRACELETS

DETAILS: The Papyrus Brand greeting cards were sold with attached wooden bead bracelets. The cards have the saying “Happy Birthday to You” on the front and an attached bracelet. They were available at card shops and other stores between February 2004 and September 2009. They were manufactured in China and imported by Schurman Fine Papers of Fairfield, Calif.

WHY: The paint coating on the bracelets contains high levels of lead. No incidents have been reported.

HOW MANY: About 174,000

FOR MORE: Call 888-990-9095; visit www.cpsc.gov.

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TOY GUN SETS

DETAILS: The Special Forces Weapons and Accessories sets and SWAT Police Play Equipment sets include two toy guns and accessories. They Chinese-made sets were sold at Dollar General stores in 35 states from September through October last year for about $5 each.

WHY: The orange tips on the end of the toy guns’ barrels can easily be removed, posing a choking hazard to children. No injuries or incidents have been reported. The tips are designed to distinguish the toys from real guns.

HOW MANY: About 9,600

FOR MORE: Call 800-678-9258; visit www.dollargeneral.com or www.cpsc.gov.

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CHILDREN’S JACKETS

DETAILS: The jackets with drawstrings were manufactured in China and imported by GTM Sportswear Inc. of Manhattan, Kan. They were sold at screen print and embroidery stores nationwide, as well as online at www.gtmsportswear.com, www.kstategear.com, www.catscloset.com and www.justforkix.com and in the GTM Sportswear and Just for Kix catalogs. In Kansas, they were sold at GTM Sportswear, K-State Super Store, and Cats Closet. They were available between January 2003 and December 2009.

WHY: The drawstrings through the hood pose a strangulation hazard to children. No incidents have been reported.

HOW MANY: About 210,000

FOR MORE: Call 800-437-9560; visit www.gtmsportswear.com or www.cpsc.gov.

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CHILDREN’S HOODED SWEATSHIRTS

DETAILS: The 21 Pro USA Children’s Pullovers and Hoodies were made in China, and sold at various T-shirt outlets and swap meets on the West Coast from January 2006 through July 2006 for about $6. The brand name “21 Pro USA” Sportswear and RN 92952 are printed on a label sewn into the neck of the sweatshirts.

WHY: The drawstrings through the hood pose a strangulation hazard to children. No incidents have been reported.

HOW MANY: About 7,200

FOR MORE: Call 888-899-0888; visit www.21prousa.com or www.cpsc.gov.