Learn-Around toy recalled by LeapFrog

Consumers who are also parents are well known for having high expectations – and trust – when it comes to child product safety. Unfortunately, parents must be vigilant about the toys and other products in their child’s environment. Some items are not safe. Sometimes we simply are not aware of the hazards that are right there in front of us.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission can help when products can and do reach out and hurt the ones we love most.

As we have reported, the commission is a very good source for the latest in product recalls for a wide variety of consumer goods. On Sept. 7, the commission issued a warning about a child’s toy, made in China, that could cause bruising or scratching of children’s arms that get stuck in a tube that is part of the item. It is reported that there are 186,000 of these items across America somewhere, and surely with these numbers Maine will be affected.

The Learn-Around Playground, produced by LeapFrog Enterprises Inc. of Emeryville, Calif., (www.leapfrog.com) is designed for children ages 6 months to 3 years. The commission Web site shows a photograph that seems innocuous. Who knew that this entertaining-looking gizmo could reach out and hurt our kids? There have been 145 reports made to the commission on this item with 54 reported injuries.

The toy itself is a multicolored, plastic activity center with a keyboard and costs around $60. LeapFrog has developed a “repair kit” for this toy that makes it safer for its intended use.

LeapFrog can be reached at (800) 701-5327, 5 a.m.-1 p.m. EDT for information. On its page for the Playground, the LeapFrog Web site has a link to the commission news release about the product, and it includes a color photograph with a black arrow pointing to the problem area of the toy. It also advises consumers to stop using the toy immediately. The company’s products are essentially education-based items for young children.

In the past, getting the word out on products that posed risks to consumers took much longer. There was printed word, telephone or telegraph, but the reality was that by the time everyone had “read the memo,” months had passed and there were more opportunities for injuries to occur. Today instant communication online means that news of the problem products can be spread to consumers and the product can be isolated much more quickly.

For information, visit www.cpsc.gov. Consumer Forum is a collaboration of the Bangor Daily News and Northeast CONTACT for Better Business Inc., Maine’s membership-funded, nonprofit organization. An individual annual membership is $25; business memberships start at $125. For consumer help and information write: Consumer Forum, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402-1329.