Summer has just begun and already we are experiencing sweltering temperatures. For many people this is simply the best time of year, especially for kids, but as the vacation seasons begins, it’s important to remember that children can be put at risk by being left behind or trapped in a hot car.

Parents just don’t realize that the family car, or SUV can actually serve as what experts call a hidden danger. The statistics are staggering; since 1998, more than 450 kids have died after being left behind in a car. And so far this year, we’ve lost 17 children, all because they were either playing, and somehow got locked in a car or because their parents simply forgot to take them out of the family vehicle.

Research from the National SAFE KIDS campaign shows that more than 20 kids die every year all because they were left in a hot car.

Over the years the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has also compiled frightening stories of children being left in cars. One involved a 6 month old whose parents inadvertently left the infant in a sweltering car for as many as 3 hours. Temperatures rose well above 100 degrees and the baby died.

The reasons children die in hot cars is because when temperatures reach above 90 degrees, heat exhaustion can occur, which can lead to heat stroke.

To keep your kids safe, parents and caregivers should remember certain tips no matter how busy they are:

• First and foremost, avoid leaving a child alone in a car.
• As a precaution, make sure you check that all children are out of the vehicle when your reach the end of your trip.
• Make sure your car is locked so curious or bored children can’t climb in, thinking it’s another place to play.
• Install a trunk release mechanism.

Some argue that more children are being left in hot cars, because of the installation of airbags. Because of this, parents can no longer place their children in the front seat. Whether or not this is the case, it is important to be mindful of who is traveling with you in your car.

Attorney Jeffrey Killino’s focus is on keeping kids safe and knows child injuries are very serious and can leave a parent feeling helpless. If your child was injured or died as a result of being left in a hot car, through no fault of your own, please contact child injury attorney Jeffrey Killino at 877-875-2927 today to discuss your legal rights.

Usually my blog entries center around specific products geared toward children, such as recalled cribs and toys, but today it’s about the food they putting in their mouths, specifically fruits and vegetables. An article in the June issue of Pediatrics includes some interesting research regarding pesticides and their possible connection to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children.

The new findings suggest that exposure to high levels of certain pesticides, commonly found on nutritional items such as berries, celery and other produce, and could raise the odds for this disorder.

The authors point out that right now, there is no specific evidence pesticide exposure can actually cause ADHD.

Here’s how the study breaks down: The authors looked at data on pesticide exposure and ADHD in more than 1,100 American children aged 8 to 15. The researchers found that kids with higher pesticide levels in their urine were more likely to have ADHD.

Exposure to the pesticides, known as organophosphates, has been linked to behavioral and cognitive problems in children in the past, but past research has focused on people closely related to fruits and vegetable such as farmer’s communities of farm workers and other high-risk populations. This study is different in that it is the first one to examine the effects of exposure in the population at large.

But how might pesticides harm brain development? According to the authors, high doses of organophosphates or pesticides may inhibit a certain nervous system enzyme. Lower doses of the pesticide may affect different growth factors and a part of the brain, known as neurotransmitters.

No one is saying you should stop feeding fruits and veggies to your kids, but extra precautions such as thoroughly washing them or perhaps buying organic, which contain fewer pesticides, may help.

Attorney Jeffrey Killino's focus is on keeping kids safe and knows problems associated with your children through no fault of their own is a very serious matter and can leave a parent feeling helpless.

If you believe your child was injured or has developed a serious illness as a result of either a faulty or recalled consumer product, please contact defective child product lawyer Jeffrey Killino at 877-875-2927 today.

Just a few days ago, I blogged about a huge recall involving cribs that posed a strangulation and a suffocation hazard. Now comes word of yet another crib recall. This time it involves C&T International/Sorelle cribs. On Thursday May 6, 2010 The U.S Consumer Product Safety 
Commission recalled as many as 170,000 Drop-Side Cribs.



The cribs are distributed under the name Golden Baby Inc.



The CPSC says the hazard centers on the cribs' drop-side hardware. Officials say it can disengage from the tracks, causing the drop side to detach from the crib. When the drop-side partially detaches, it creates space between the drop side and the crib mattress.

The bodies of infants and toddlers can become trapped in the space, which can lead to strangulation and/or suffocation. Complete detachment of the drop sides can lead to falls from the crib. In addition, slats can detach from the sides of the cribs. Infants and toddlers can then become entrapped, strangle or fall out of the crib.



So far, the CPSC and C&T/Sorelle have received reports of  more than 100 incidents of drop-side and slat detachments in C&T/Sorelle drop-side cribs.

Six infants received bruises and abrasions to the head, face, torso or leg from becoming entrapped or falling after the drop side collapsed. An 
additional five infants who were entrapped or fell were found by their parents and were not injured.



The full-size cribs were sold at various children's product stores around the country from January 2000 through March 2010 for between 
$300 and $600.

The cribs were manufactured in different countries including Italy, Latvia, Brazil, China and Vietnam.



The CPSC has some recommendations for parents and caregivers. They are urging them to immediately stop using the recalled cribs and find an alternative, safe sleeping environment for their baby.



Consumers should contact C&T/Sorelle to receive a free replacement kit. For four of the older models of the cribs - the Hampton, Jackie, Nina and Rita models -- the firm may be unable to supply a part to repair the crib and will, instead, provide consumers with a $100 voucher towards the purchase of another C&T product. 

The recalled  Models Include:



• Alessandra; Model Number 180

• Alex 3 in 1; Model Number 910
• 
Amelia; Model Number 185

• Chelsea; Model Number 100
• 
Federica; Model Number 170

• Glenda/Toscana; Model Number 350
• 
Hampton; Model Number 303
• 
Jackie; Model Number 440

• Jessica; Model Number 810
• 
Lana; Model Number 240
• 
Leonardo; Model Number 395
• 
Marisa; Model Number 680
• 
Martina; Model Number 135
• 
Mirabella; Model Number 930
• 
Nadia; Model Number 245

• Natasha; Model Number 900
• 
Nico; Model Number 630

• Nina Pine; Model Number 710
• 
Noelle; Model Number 999

• Pagodina; Model Number 195

• Rita; Model Number 490 - Manufactured between 2001 and October 2007

• Rosa; Model Number 870

• Rosemary; Model Number 925
• 
Silver; Model Number 485  

It should be noted that this is the fourth crib recall I’ve blogged about since just last Fall. Attorney Jeffrey Killino’s focus is on keeping kids safe and knows child injuries are very serious and can leave a parent feeling helpless. If you believe your child was injured as a result of a faulty or recalled consumer product please contact child injury attorney Jeffrey Killino at 877-875-2927 today.

There has been another recall of a children’s product and this time it poses a fall hazard.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a recall of Graco Harmony High Chairs. The recall is voluntary and in cooperation with the manufacturer. The CPSC advised consumers to stop using the product immediately unless otherwise instructed.

The problem centers around the screws which hold the front legs of the chair. Officials say they can loosen and fall out and/or the plastic bracket on the rear legs can crack causing the high chair to become unstable and tip over unexpectedly. This obviously poses a fall hazard to children.

The high chairs were manufactured by Graco Children’s Products of Atlanta, GA and more than one million units have been sold.

The company has received 464 reports of screws loosening, which again, can cause the high chair to tip over. These tip-over’s have meant as many as 24 reports of injuries. The injuries have run the gamut from bumps and bruises to the head to hairline  fractures to arms as well as general bruises and scratches to the body.

The recall involves all Harmony High Chairs, which were manufactured from November 2003 through December 2009 in the U.S. This particular chair is no longer in production. The model number can be found on the label that is located on the
underside of the foot rest.

The highchairs were sold at various retail outlets including AAFES, Burlington Coat Factory, Babies "R" Us, Toys "R" Us, Sears, Target, Target.com, Walmart, WalMart.com, Shopko, USA Baby, and others throughout the country from December 2003 through March 2010 and cost anywhere between $70 and $120.

Consumers should immediately stop using the Harmony High Chair and contact Graco to receive a free repair kit.

This recall by the CPSC is just the latest in a long list of recalls involving children’s products. In early January of 2010, the CPSC announced the recall of 20 models of Dorel Asia cribs. The list goes on an on and includes everything from high chairs and strollers to bracelet and jacket drawstrings.

My focus is on keeping kids safe and I know that child injuries are very serious and can leave a parent feeling helpless. If you believe your child was injured as a result of a faulty or recalled children’s consumer product please contact child injury attorney Jeffrey Killino at 877-875-2927 today.

Over the past few months I’ve been telling you about the risks associated with various kinds of products, specifically ones targeted toward kids. This blog is different in that it does not mention products; instead it focuses on the issue of school bus safety.

You may have heard about a recent school bus crash outside Philadelphia. The accident killed a 27 year old man and prosecutors say the driver was driving recklessly just before the crash.  This was a tragedy that clearly could have been prevented. Investigators say the driver, Frederick Poust III, blew through as many as 10 stop signs and it was all caught on tape, courtesy of on-board surveillance cameras. The crash not only killed the driver of a car that the bus driver hit, but it also injured five students on the bus.

Unfortunately, this is not the first time Poust has been in trouble with the law, regarding his time behind the wheel of a school bus. In 1999, Poust was cited for careless driving in a crash that killed a 2-year-old girl. In that case he admitted to running a stop sign while dialing a cell phone. In this latest crash, investigators say he was not holding a cell phone, but court papers indicate that he been talking on a wireless headset and been listening to music on a speaker system. Poust, of Schwenksville, PA has been charged with homicide by vehicle and 46 counts of recklessly endangering another person.

It is unbelievable that someone who had taken the life of a child in a previous accident could be so reckless. He obviously did not learn his lesson.

When parents send their kids off to school, they assume they will be protected and transported in a safe manner. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. In April of 2009, in Charlotte, NC, a school bus crash injured 36 students.

We all know, accidents happen, but in the case of Poust, it clearly could have been prevented. Putting the lives of children at risk is unacceptable.

Attorney Jeffrey Killino’s focus is on keeping kids safe and knows child injuries are very serious and can leave a parent feeling helpless. If your child was injured as a result of a school bus accident, please contact child injury attorney Jeffrey Killino at 877-875-2927 today.

We have another consumer alert to tell you about concerning a children’s product. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has just announced that Children's Bracelets are being recalled by Chandigarh Fashion Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard. This is a voluntary recall in cooperation with the CPSC. The name of the product is Children’s Bangles and as many as 1,200 units have been recalled.

The problem centers on the surface of the bracelets.  Apparently they contain high levels of lead, which violate the lead paint  standard.  The bracelets were sold in packets of 24. They are gold with stripes of various colors including red, maroon, black orange or green.

They were manufactured in India and imported by Chandigarh Fashion, Inc.

No incidents or injuries have been reported, but it is advised that the bracelets not be worn and be taken back to the store where purchased where a full refund can be given.

The products were sold at : Chandigarh Fashion stores in Flushing, N.Y. and Sonia Selections stores in Chicago, Ill. from May 2007 through August 2008 for about $2.

Parents, grandparents and anyone buying gifts for children must be diligent in choosing, safe toys for children. This can be accomplished by first doing some research on the toys you plan on buying to make sure they don’t pose a risk.

Attorney Jeffrey Killino’s focus is on keeping kids safe. He is no stranger to toxic toys. In 2007, he filed a class action lawsuit to compel Mattel to provide free testing of all children who played with lead toys.

Child injuries have the potential to be very serious and can leave a parent feeling helpless. If you believe your child has health problems associated with lead-based toys or other dangerous chemicals found in children’s products, please contact child injury attorney Jeffrey Killino at 877-875-2927 today.

We have another product warning for parents with small children to tell you about. Today, the Consumer Product Safety Commission and IKEA announced a voluntary recall of a certain type of highchair. The recall centers around LEOPARD Highchairs. The company says the snap locks used to secure the seat to the frame can break and allow the seat and child to drop through the frame, posing a fall hazard to young children. Another problem includes the detached snap locks which can pose a choking hazard to young children. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately.  

About 600 units were sold at IKEA stores nationwide from October 2009 through November 2009.

The LEOPARD Highchairs were manufactured in Italy and distributed out of Conshohocken, PA.
 
IKEA has received 11 reports worldwide of failing snap locks, including one report of a child falling through the frame and suffering bruised legs. In addition, the firm has one report of a child mouthing a detached snap lock. No incidents have been reported in the United States.

Consumers should immediately stop using the highchairs and return them to any IKEA store for a full refund.

Attorney Jeffrey Killino’s focus is on keeping kids safe and knows child injuries are very serious and can leave a parent feeling helpless. If you believe your child was injured as a result of a faulty or recalled consumer product please contact child injury attorney Jeffrey Killino at 877-875-2927 today.