And China Wins a Gold For Recalled Toy Record

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Here’s one more to add to a long list of imports from China gone haywire - exploding batteries.

From the U.S. gov’s recall alert:

Hobbico Inc. Recalls Batteries Used In Radio-Controlled Helicopters Due to Fire Hazard

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.

Name of Product: Batteries Used In Radio-Controlled Helicopter Kits

Units: About 11,000

Importer/Distributor: Hobbico Inc., of Champaign, Ill.

Hazard: The rechargeable battery can overheat and catch fire while charging, igniting nearby combustible materials. This poses a fire hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Hobbico has received 28 reports of batteries overheating and/or melting, including 27 reports of flames and minor property damage. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves the Electrifly lithium-polymer batteries (part #GPMP0401) sold individually or with the Heli-Max Axe CP-L radio-controlled helicopter kits. The kit includes a 23-inch long plastic helicopter, a battery, a radio transmitter, a balance charger, a car adapter, an AC wall adapter, decals that read “HMX”, “AXE” and “Heli-Max” and training gear. “Electrifly” and “GPMP0401″ are printed on the battery.

Sold at: Hobby Stores nationwide and online from November 2007 through March 2008 for about $35. The helicopter kits were sold for $200.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled batteries and contact Hobbico for instructions on returning their battery for a free replacement battery.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Hobbico toll-free at (866) 462-2426 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or visit the company’s recall Web sites at www.helimaxrc.com or www.electrifly.com to register for the recallTo see this recall on CPSC’s web site, including pictures of the recalled product, please go to: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08364.html

Want Your Kid to be a Passionate Reader?

Ok - I LOVE LOVE books. I love to read. I consider myself a writer, albeit not prolific. But for me, a writer is not what you do, it’s what you are.

So, naturally, I want my kids to love reading like I do. Thankfully, they do. But I have one tip for really making reading special. Tell your kids they can’t do it. Read more »

Reading Corner

Ok - disclaimer - I am NOT getting paid to do a review, BUT I did just read a book I liked so much I thought I’d share it with my cyber-friends.

‘Perfect on Paper’ by Maria Murnane is a fun, light-hearted chick lit book that is FUN FUN FUN to read. I think just about any woman out there can relate to it. And we’ve probably ALL dated a few of the duds in the book. I sat down to read it and honestly didn’t want to put it down. Reading the book felt like chatting with my best friend.

So, if you like to read and want to check it out, do a search on Amazon.com for Maria Murnane. It’s her first book and self published, so basically all press is word of mouth. Honestly, it could be the next Bridget Jone’s Diary or something. Totally funny and worth the $15 to buy it.

From the Mouth of Babes

So - we were sitting as a fam watching TV last night when a Pixos commercial played. My 7 year old turned to me and said, “Mom, can we get those now before we find out two months from now that they make you sick and I have to wait several months to get the safe version?”

What a sad commentary on the state of children’s toys when 7 year old boys recognize that most toys are recalled nowadays.

Want to get on a list that automatically emails you the next time the government discovers the paint on Johnny’s toy truck is lead-based?

Follow this link and sign up for all recalls: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx

Naked Pee Time

So, my 3 year old has been potty trained for a month now. Which is great. What isn’t that cool is he insists on doing it totally naked. I’ve tried reasoning with him, explaining to him how it goes much faster without taking all your clothes off, yada, yada - but, ah! The irrationability of a 3 year old.

So, at least 1o times a day, we trot to the toilet, take off his clothes, pee and put his clothes back on. This happens even when we use a public potty.

Can anyone else relate?

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