Where babies are concerned, it is not necessary for toys to be complex. Toys used by the very young are often very basic with an action resulting in either a visual or auditory result. A good example of this is a rattle. Because when it is shaken the rattle makes a noise, they are some of the first toys purchased for Pittsburgh area babies who are able to hold onto objects.

Recently, one type of rattle was recently recalled. Marketed as the “Buff Baby” rattle, the product is designed to look like a dumbbell used by adults, to build their muscles. Approximately 47,500 of the novelty rattles were sold by Fred & Friends in the country. The box in which they were packaged indicated that they were meant for use by babies who are at least three months old.

The issue with the baby rattle is that it is possible that the pellets made of plastic that are used to make the noise, could fallout of the rattle when the caps come off. Presumably young babies could choke on the pellets should they place them in their mouths. Thus far the issue of the cap separating has been reported to the manufacturer, twice. Fortunately, it does not appear that anyone has been injured as a result of the product defect.

Most parents of young children, as well as their caregivers, would do whatever it takes to keep their children safe from harm. Accordingly, they would never purchase a toy or other product for use with children that could potentially inflict any harm. For this reason it is particularly upsetting when such a product is recalled.

Source: KAKE News, “Recall Alert: Baby Rattles,” July 2, 2013