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: BabyBjörn® Babysitter Balance and BabyBjörn® Babysitter Balance Air bouncer chairs

Units: About 6,500

Importer: BabySwede LLC, of Cleveland, OH.

Manufacturer: BabyBjörn AB, of Sweden

Hazard: Small, sharp metal objects found in the padded area of the bouncer chair can protrude, posing a laceration hazard to children.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Starting on February 10, 2009, certain children’s toys and child care articles can no longer be sold, offered for sale, manufactured or imported for sale in the United States if they contain more than 0.1% of specified phthalates. The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York ruled last week that this prohibition applies regardless of when the covered products were made.

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) staff has previously addressed a number of questions concerning applicability of phthalate limits. CPSC today is issuing more guidance in draft form (pdf) for public comment. The guidance is intended to help manufacturers, importers, retailers and consumers determine what products are covered by the phthalate limits.

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Wow, the first really cool baby bouncer I’ve seen in years: Baby Bjorn’s Baby Sitter Balance. Many bouncers have incorporated some of these features, but this is the only one that comes in mind that does it all, and so easily.

The safety strap restrains the baby without having to keep them from sliding out of the bouncer as the seat has a nice deep pocket. The reversible fabric is clever. Have an accident? Just reverse the cover until you an get the cover washed. When Baby Bjorn claims it reclines, it really does, and easily. The fold is as compact as any bouncer in recent memory. With the 29 pound maximum weight and its conversion to a toddler seat, you are assured that you will not have to put it away after a year or less. They even had an adult version at this year’s ABC Expo which I thouroughly enjoyed. I even had a photo taken of me in it. Unfortunately, I’ve decided to keep the photo private until which time it will have no blackmail value.

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