Thomas Trains Recalled
Wow, sometimes seemingly benign things can be quite dangerous. Two different urbanMamas have notified us about a Thomas train recall for the trains being painted with lead paint. There's a lot of description referring to the packaging, but our packaging is LONG GONE! So, I guess we'll dig out all the trains and compare them to the pictures on the page. Some more basic information about the recall:
Sold at: Toy stores and various retailers nationwide from January 2005 through June 2007 for between $10 and $70.
Manufactured in: China
Remedy: Consumers should take the recalled toys away from young children immediately and contact RC2 Corp. for a replacement toy.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact RC2 Corp. toll-free at (866) 725-4407 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Thursday and between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. CT Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at recalls.rc2.com
oh my! we don't have very many wooden trains, but we have that Skarloey... guess I'd better go sift through the loot!
Posted by: sarah gilbert | June 15, 2007 at 07:56 AM
Our son had a few, so we took him in for a lead test yesterday.
Posted by: Karli | June 15, 2007 at 08:02 AM
Thankfully, despite the ridiculous number of trains we have here, it looks like the only one of those we have is the yellow Sodor cargo that came with Cranky the Crane.
Of course, now I'll be wondering about all the other trains we have that aren't Thomas, but are cheapo Target or other no-name brand ones.
While I'm at it, I'll put in a plug for anyone looking for great quality, made in the USA, definitely lead-free trains for their kids - http://www.woodentrains.com
We've ordered a few cars from them in the past and couldn't be happier with them. Once Milo put tape on his Chessie caboose and when he took it off, the paint came off too. Oops! I emailed the company, and they were aghast and said that definitely shouldn't have happened and replaced it immediately.
Any future train purchases we make will surely be from them. Not as easy as running to the Learning Palace or Finnigans, but worth it for the peace of mind.
Posted by: jj | June 15, 2007 at 08:35 AM
Could you share where you had the lead test done? We have a large collection of Thomas Trains...some chewed on from a few years ago. Still trying to filter through them. Thanks.
Posted by: alice | June 15, 2007 at 04:47 PM
We saw Dr. Pritchard today for the boys checkups, and she said they've had a TON of calls about this from worried parents. She said that they'll do lead tests on anyone who's worried.
Posted by: jj | June 15, 2007 at 05:59 PM
There is also free blood lead testing at the Good in the Neighborhood event next Saturday, June 23rd, 12pm - 9pm, 4815 NE 7th Ave. The group that is doing it, the Josiah Hill Clinic, uses an instant blood lead analyzer, so you get the results right there.
Posted by: andrea | June 15, 2007 at 06:39 PM
Hi, We had the lead test done in the lab @ South Waterfront as my son's pediatrician is at OHSU S Waterfront campus. Our pediatrician recommended the lead test with this recall, and our son has chewed on his a lot as well. Because so much of the paint was missing on the recalled cars & accessories, I felt a lead test was the right thing to do.
Karli
Posted by: Karli | June 15, 2007 at 10:16 PM
Three things that might be helpful: 1) You can buy a lead test "pen" at hardware stores and swipe it on anything in your home (plates, trains, etc...), so that could be an easy way to expand testing of items your kids come into contact with. 2) The US Consumer Product Safety Commission's job is to ensre that this kind of thing doesn't happen. If you wish to contact them and complain, you can! Here's the contact page: http://www.cpsc.gov/about/contact.html. Remember the lunchboxes a few years back that were painted with lead paint? Seems like with lead paint banned about 30 years ago, this shouldn't be happening! 3) The CPSC has a search page where you can search by product type, year, etc.. for recalls (and an e-mail notification system, as well): http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prerel.html.
Posted by: Lisa | June 19, 2007 at 11:49 AM
We're posting this info in a few places, including the urbanMamas calendar. Thanks Andrea for passing this on:
"Wanted to let all the concerned mamas out there know that they can get their toys (whether on the recent recall lists or not) tested for lead-based paint for free on Friday from 1-3 pm at the Community Energy Project (422 NE Alberta). There will also be free blood lead testing available with the results available immediately."
For more info: http://www.communityenergyproject.org/lead/
Posted by: urbanMamas | August 09, 2007 at 09:22 AM
And yet another recall...it's absolutely ridiculous. According to the site, "The toys subject to recall are:
- All Black Cargo Car included in the Brendam Fishing Dock Set only
- "Toad" vehicle with brake lever
- Olive Green Sodor Cargo Box included in the Deluxe Cranky the Crane
- All Green Maple Tree Top included in the Conductor's Figure 8 Set
- Green Signal Base included in the Conductor's Figure 8 Set"
Here is the link: http://recalls.rc2.com/recalls_Wood_0907_determination.html (and thanks to Rebecca for altering us to it)!
Posted by: urbanMamas | October 16, 2007 at 10:13 PM
The danger of lead in toys and at home should be taken very seriously. Even low levels of lead can cause permanent IQ loss, behavioral problems and learning disabilities.
If you are worried about lead exposure for your kids, there is an upcoming FREE event called Lead Safe Portland at the Dishman Community Center.
You can bring any questionable toys and get them tested for lead paint. You can also trade in potentially hazardous toys for wood toys made in the US. In addition, there will be free blood tests for lead paint, info on grants for abatement of lead in your home, snacks, crafts, and more!
Lead Safe Portland is Sunday, October 28 from 12 noon – 2 p.m. at the Matt Dishman Community Center, 77 NE Knott Street.
If you want more info on the event or if you can't make it and want more info lead poisoning prevention, ring Portland's Lead Line at (503) 988-4000.
Posted by: Milagros | October 17, 2007 at 09:49 AM