CANADIAN TOY TESTING COUNCIL

LINKS FOR PRODUCT SAFETY AND RECALL INFORMATION

The following sites provide consumer information regarding product safety and product recalls:

Canadian Government Sites:

HealthyCanadians.gc.ca -
Advisories: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/cps-spc/advisories-avis/aw-am/index-eng.php

Recent recall list: http://cpsr-rspc.hc-sc.gc.ca/PR-RP/results-resultats-eng.jsp?searchstring=&searchyear=&searchcategory=10&x=20&y=14

Stork Craft Baby Cribs: http://cpsr-rspc.hc-sc.gc.ca/PR-RP/recall-retrait-eng.jsp?re_id=617

U.S. Government Sites: Recent Recalls: www.recalls.gov/recent.html

Consumer Reports on Safety - Toys: http://blogs.consumerreports.org/safety/toys/index.html

Discard Older Fisher-Price "Little People" Figures Manufactured Before 1991

Health Canada is reminding parents, grandparents and caregivers to immediately discard all older Fisher-Price "Little People" figures manufactured before 1991, due to the risk of serious injury or death posed by these older, but popular, toys. The size and shape of the older Fisher-Price "Little People" figures are such that the toys can become lodged in a child's throat, causing a complete block of airflow which can result in serious injury or death.

The older "Little People" figures, which were manufactured before 1991, have a circular base approximately 2 cm (3/4 inch) in diameter. The figures include a variety of characters, such as a little girl, a train conductor, a dog and a father (see photo).

The newer "Little People" figures, which have been manufactured since 1991, have a larger circular base, approximately 3 cm (1 ¼ inches) in diameter. These figures are taller, in chunkier shapes and are of sizes that cannot be taken into the throat of a young child (see photo). These newer figures are not the subject of this advisory. FULL ADVISORY

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR GARAGE SALE / RECYCLE VENDORS AND CLIENTS

Health Canada's Consumer Product Safety Directorate advises patrons of Freecycle and other free recycling groups, distributors of second-hand products as well as shoppers of such items that Canadian consumer product safety requirements must be followed.

SELLERS
Sellers have a responsibility under the Hazardous Products Act (HPA) and the Food and Drugs Act (Cosmetics Regulations) with respect to the safety of consumer products. The HPA and the Food and Drugs Act (Cosmetics Regulations) are federal statutes administered by the Product Safety Program of Health Canada.

The HPA and its regulations do not distinguish between new and used products.Any person who sells, distributes, or GIVES AWAY products not complying with the current legislation is breaking the law in Canada. By selling or GIVING AWAY an item that poses a hazard, a person could also be liable in a civil court of law. Do not sell or GIVE AWAY products if they are banned, damaged, or missing labeling or instructions.

Information for dealers of second-hand products:
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/cps-spc/pubs/indust/secondhand-produits_usages/index-eng.php

Facts for garage sale vendors:
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/cps-spc/pubs/cons/garage-eng.php

BUYERS
Buyers should be aware of the potential risks of obtaining items online, at second-hand stores, flea markets, or when borrowing from friends or family.

In Canada, even though it is the seller's responsibility to ensure their products are safe, meet current safety guidelines, and have not be been recalled, an informed consumer is better equipped to make safer purchases. Before buying any product, check with the manufacturer or Health Canada to see if it has been recalled.

If you find that a product you bought has been recalled and the problem has not been corrected, destroy the product so it cannot be used by someone else, and throw it away. Additionally, do not purchase products if they are banned, damaged, or missing labels or instructions.

Information for shoppers of second-hand products:
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/cps-spc/pubs/cons/info_secondhand-produits-eng.php

RECALLS
Consumer products that have been recalled should not be sold, distributed or given away. To view recalls published by Health Canada, visit:

Health Canada Product Recalls: www.healthcanada.gc.ca/cps-recalls

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