Lead Poisoning and Kids’ Costume Jewelry

As a parents to four children — three of whom are very much the girly girl! — my husband and I often find ourselves cruising the aisles of a discount dollar store, especially before a major holiday or when our children feel their allowance money burning a hole in their little pocket(s).

And, more often than not, princess jewelry is at the top of my four-year-old daughter’s list.

Sadly, there’s been a tragic accident prompting a recall on kids’ jewelry reported by CNN.com:

“The Consumer Product Safety Commission said about 300,000 silver-colored, heart-shaped charm bracelets were recalled by Reebok International Ltd. after a 4-year-old child swallowed one of the bracelets and died of lead poisoning.”

“In a separate action Thursday, the CPSC said about 580,000 necklace and ring sets, imported by Dollar Tree Distribution Inc., are being recalled for a lead poisoning danger.”

Click here and please read the entire story as the article does list the sku# and names of the jewelry recalled, as well as a description on their packaging. 

Please, feel free to share the link and pass this along to friends, family and other parenting communties on the Internet.

This story hits a little too close to home — let’s hope we can stop it from coming into yours!

[Updated to add:  Click Here! -- to view the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recall of the Reebok bracelet issued on 3/23/06.  Click Here! -- to view the CPSC recall of the Dollar Tree kids jewelry issued on 3/23/06]

Comments

[ben]

We haven't made it to the costume jewelry stage - my daughter just likes painting herself with markers (time to restrict the National Geographic access, I think) - but thanks for the warning, I can pass it to some other parents, too.

[moe]

WHY OH WHY would they think any levels of lead would be acceptable in any products designed for kids? If it is not nescessary why give it to them? It just makes you wonder what else we're giving our kids to play with.

One suggestion. Try thrift stores for old 'real' costume jewlery. It's much nicer than what you find at the dollar store too.

[Pamalamadingdong]

GOOD LORD!
That's horrible!!!
Just when you think it's safe to into the dollar store.

[Jamie]

Thank you for posting the info! We frequent the Dollar Tree with the 3-year-old.

[Meg]

Yipes!! I take the kids to the Dollar Tree all the time to spend their allowance!