Recalled! Kolcraft Play Yards and How to Keep Your Kids Safe

Kolcraft, a nationwide manufacturer of children's products, has recalled almost a half million play yards that were manufactured in China. The playpens have safety problems that could lead to suffocation or strangulation. Scared? You should be. If you own one of these playpens, which have brand names including Sesame Beginnings, Carters and Jeep, it's time to act fast and get your child out of harms way.

Recalled! Kolcraft Playpens
What's effected: Kolcraft has recalled 425,000 infant play yards that were sold between January 2001 through September 2007 for between $50 and $130.
Why: Straps on changing tables can present a choking hazard. A 10-month-old child died due to the risk.
Models: Sesame Beginnings, Kolcraft Travelin' Tot models, Carter's Lennon Travelin' Tot, Jeep Sahara models,, Contours 3-in-1
What to do: Stop using the play yard immediately and contact the company online www.kolcraft.com or at (888) 655-8484. You will be provided with replacement parts to fix the safety risks of the play yards.

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Recalls have become an almost daily occurrence over the past few months. Thomas & Friends trains, Sesame Street toys, Dora the Explorer, Barbie and gardening toys from Target have all been affected by recalls. Safety hazards have included choking hazards and lead paint. It seems that children's favorite toys and products are all at risk. Taking safety for granted is simply not an option.

What can you do? Inspect your children's cribs, toys, car seats, strollers - basically everything they use - for anything that could pose a potential risk. Since companies are doing an insuffient job of producing safe products, it is up to parents to double check their manufacturing. If you aren't sure if something is safe, err on the side of caution. Products can be replaced. Your children cannot.