Britax Recalls B-Nimble Strollers Due to Risk of Brake Failure June 24th, 2011

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

For more information click here.

Save the Date for First Candle’s 2011 Charity Gala! June 16th, 2011

On Thursday Oct. 27, 2011, First Candle will be hosting our annual Charity Gala at the Lighthouse at Pier Sixty in New York City.

This year’s Honorees are Justine Simmons and The Lancet Medical Journal. Mrs. Simmons is the wife of Joseph Simmons (also known as Rev. Run from the legendary group Run DMC). The Simmons’ lost their precious infant daughter Victoria Anne five years ago. The tragic incident was captured on the then reality show Run’s House on MTV.   Mrs. Simmons is the quintessential mother and entrepreneur. Her book, “God, Can Your Hear Me?” was released in 2007 and has graced thousands of readers with its powerful message. She and her husband, Joseph Simmons, co-authored the New York Times best seller, “Take Back Your Family” in 2008. The Lancet is a weekly peer-reviewed medical journal.  It is one of the world’s best known, oldest, and most respected general medical journals.  In April 2011, The Lancet released the first global series on stillbirths.  The series is the most comprehensive assessment to date of the global numbers and causes of stillbirths.  The series showcased the work of 69 authors from 18 countries.  This year’s co-chairs are Broderick Johnson and Michele Norris.  Johnson of the Collins Johnson Group was most recently a partner at Bryan Cave, an international law firm, where he headed the public policy and governmental affairs group, and served on the firm’s executive committee. He previously served as the primary liaison to the House of Representatives in the Clinton White House.  Ms. Norris is an author and current host of the National Public Radio evening news program All Things Considered.

For more information please contact Ashawnda Fleming, Director of Development at ashawnda@firstcandle.org.

Advocacy Alert June 8th, 2011

Dear First Candle Supporters,

It is with much excitement that we announce the passing of new Bill in New York State. This morning, the Assembly Health Committee reported that the State Senate would unanimously, without debate; pass a new Bill granting parents a Certificate of Stillbirth on their agenda early next week. This bill is now in the Assembly Ways & Means Committee.

If you’re in New York State, or know someone currently residing there, we urge you to forward this information along. We encourage everyone – parents, friends, family, neighbors, etc. – in New York to send the below email and include your name, address, and phone number. Session ends on June 20th – 13 days, and the Ways & Means Committee must receive your email before then.

Your continued support is greatly appreciated,
First Candle

Please Copy & Paste the message below and send to the members of the Assembly Ways & Means Committee:

AubryJ@assembly.state.ny.us, BarclaW@assembly.state.ny.us, BoyleP@assembly.state.ny.us, burlind@assembly.state.ny.us, CahillK@assembly.state.ny.us, CalhouN@assembly.state.ny.us, ColtonW@assembly.state.ny.us, CookV@assembly.state.ny.us, CrouchC@assembly.state.ny.us, CusickM@assembly.state.ny.us, FarrelH@assembly.state.ny.us, FitzpatrickM@assembly.state.ny.us, GanttD@assembly.state.ny.us, GlickD@assembly.state.ny.us, HawleyS@assembly.state.ny.us, HayesJ@assembly.state.ny.us, HoytS@assembly.state.ny.us, JacobsR@assembly.state.ny.us, JordanJ@assembly.state.ny.us, LentolJ@assembly.state.ny.us, McEnenJ@assembly.state.ny.us, MolinaroM@assembly.state.ny.us, morellej@assembly.state.ny.us, NolanC@assembly.state.ny.us, OrtizF@assembly.state.ny.us, PerryN@assembly.state.ny.us, PretloJ@assembly.state.ny.us, ScarboW@assembly.state.ny.us, SchimmR@assembly.state.ny.us, SpanoM@assembly.state.ny.us, ThieleF@assembly.state.ny.us, TobaccoL@assembly.state.ny.us, WrightK@assembly.state.ny.us, weinsteinh@assembly.state.ny.us, speaker@assembly.state.ny.us

SUBJECT: A.8178 SUPPORT
MESSAGE:
Dear Honorable Assembly members,
Understanding the busy nature of your schedule, I will be brief. Bill # A8178 will provide Certificates of Still Birth to help families who have experienced this tragedy. Stillbirth is a public health crisis. Every year over 1,700 stillbirths occur in New York State and 25,000 nationwide. The number of reported deaths from stillbirth nearly equals that of all infant deaths combined.

This legislation was first introduced in 2003. The bill pertains only to unintentional fetal demise after 20 weeks gestation and the certificate will be printed with the words “this is not proof of live birth”. Just recently, the bill was redrafted again to reflect a change of title. With that we successfully gained the support of Family Planning Advocates, a group that was previously strongly opposed to this legislation.

As New York State already recognizes a fetal death as both a birth and a death, this bill does not seek changes to any current legislation.

By passing this legislation, you have the opportunity to increase awareness of this issue and the opportunity to have a positive effect on New York families.
Please vote in support of A.8178 – Certificate of Still Birth.

NAME
ADDRESS
PHONE

MCH Alert: Focus on Infant Mortality June 3rd, 2011

MCH Alert: Focus on Infant Mortality is developed by the Maternal and Child Health Library in collaboration with the National Sudden and Unexpected Infant/Child Death and Pregnancy Loss Resource Center at Georgetown University. This and past issues of the MCH Alert are available at http://www.mchlibrary.info/alert/archives.html and http://www.sidscenter.org/alert/archives.html

Lan Enterprises Recalls Zooper Strollers Due to Strangulation Hazard June 3rd, 2011

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Please CLICK HERE for more information.

Bill creating certificate in stillbirth passes in Pennsylvania Senate May 31st, 2011

HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) - The state Senate has unanimously passed legislation that allows parents to request a “Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth” from the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

Please click here to read the story.

CPSC Product Recall: Dream on Me Drop-Side Cribs May 25th, 2011

Dream on Me Recalls Drop-Side Cribs Due to Entrapment, Suffocation, Laceration, and Fall Hazards

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Full-Size and Portable Drop-Side Cribs
Units: About 22,000
Importer: Dream on Me, Inc. of Piscataway, N.J.

Hazard:
* Full-Size Cribs: The drop-side rail hardware can break or fail, allowing the drop side to detach from the crib. When the drop-side rail partially detaches, it creates a space between the drop side and the crib mattress. An infant or toddler’s body can become entrapped in the space, which can lead to strangulation and/or suffocation. A child can also fall out of the crib.

* Portable Cribs: The drop-side rail hardware can break or fail, allowing the drop side to detach from the crib or fall unexpectedly. In addition, the portable crib mattress support hardware and the drop-side release latch can
break easily, and the slats can loosen or break and detach from the crib. Children can also cut themselves on exposed hardware inside the cribs.

Incidents/Injuries: CPSC and the firm know of 69 reports of incidents involving these cribs. A 1-year-old boy sustained a scratch to the nose when he became trapped between the mattress support and side rail of his portable
crib. An 8-month-old girl sustained a minor injury on her head from exposed plastic hardware inside the portable crib.

Description: The cribs are drop-side wooden cribs, painted or stained in black, cherry, dark brown, natural, white, and pink.

* Full-Size Cribs: Models 613, 615, 616, 617, 619, 628, and 639 are included in this recall. The model number and “Dream on Me Inc.” are printed on a label located on the inside of one of the end panels. The label lists a
manufacture date between January 2006 and December 2009.

* Portable Cribs: The cribs are smaller than full-size cribs and the ends fold in to facilitate portability. Model numbers 621, 625 and 627 are included in this recall. The model number and “Dream on Me Inc.” are printed
on a label located on the mattress board. The label lists a manufacture date between August 2007 and February 2009.

Sold at: Toys R Us, Walmart and Target stores nationwide and online at Amazon.com. The full-size cribs were sold from January 2006 to December 2009 for about $200. The portable cribs were sold from September 2007 to
December 2009 for about $150.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using these cribs and contact the company.
* Full-Size Cribs: Consumers will be given a free kit that will immobilize the drop side. Kits will be available beginning June 30, 2011.
* Portable Cribs: Consumers can receive a free replacement portable crib with fixed sides. Replacement cribs will be available in mid-July 2011.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact the firm toll-free at (877) 201-4317 between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s website at www.dreamonme.com.

Important Message from CPSC: CPSC reminds parents not to use any crib with missing, broken or loose parts. Make sure to tighten hardware from time to time to keep the crib sturdy. When using a drop-side crib, parents should check to make sure the drop side or any other moving part operates smoothly. Always check all sides and corners of the crib for parts separating that can create a gap and entrap a child. In addition, do not try to repair any side of the crib. Babies have died in cribs where repairs were attempted by caregivers. Crib age is a factor in safety. At a minimum, CPSC staff recommends that you do not use a crib that is older than 10 years old. New,
mandatory federal crib rules take effect on June 28, 2011. All cribs manufactured and sold after that date must meet new and improved safety requirements. Older cribs do not meet the new standard and can have a
variety of safety problems. Check if your crib has been recalled at www.cpsc.gov.

To see this recall on CPSC’s web site, including pictures of the recalled products, please go to:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml11/11224.html

Back to Sleep: Safe Sleep Saves Lives! May 24th, 2011

Webinar Registration

Join us and learn what it means for babies to get their best and safest sleep while reducing the risk of SIDS. We will also briefly discuss ways to support families when SIDS does happen in and out of the child care setting. Many parents are concerned about how to get their babies asleep and stay asleep.  Learn about  helping a baby sleep and creating an environment that will give baby the best chance of waking up.

We will also hear from Shelley Blecha about her experience when her 3-month-old son, Nathan, died in an unlicensed child care setting as a result of being placed on his stomach to sleep. Ms. Blecha is now active in children’s advocacy efforts at both the state and federal level. She is a member of NACCRRA’s Parent Advisory Council, the Child Care Aware® of Missouri parent network, and she is active in the SIDS awareness community.

Presented by: Hanan Kallash, RN, MS, Health Education Specialist at First Candle/ SIDS Alliance Hanan Kallash has a diverse public health background with more than 15 years national and international public health education and training experience. Ms. Kallash holds a master’s degree in Emergency Health Services and was a distinguished Shriver Peaceworker Fellow at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. She is also a full-time critical care registered nurse.

To register click here!

Recall of Strollers by Maclaren USA May 13th, 2011

Additional Fingertip Amputations and Lacerations Prompt Reannouncement of November 2009 Recall of Strollers by Maclaren USA

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today reannounced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers who have not yet obtained the repair should do so immediately. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

For detail information regarding this recall please visit http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml11/11222.html

CPSC Alert: Consumers Urged To Stop Using phil&teds USA Clip-on Chairs Due To Serious Dangers Posed To Children May 9th, 2011

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) warns consumers that some “metoo” clip-on table top chairs, imported by phil&teds USA Inc., of Fort Collins, Colo. put young children at risk of serious injury due to multiple safety hazards. CPSC is urging consumers to stop using some metoo clip-on chairs immediately.

To see this safety alert on CPSC’s web site, including pictures of the
products involved, please go to:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml11/11218.html