'IMMEDIATELY STOP USING': Major recalls at Canadian Tire, Walmart, Costco, Winners, HomeSense, Marshalls, Babies R Us and Amazon on blankets, mirrors and kids' products trigger multiple Health Canada warnings

Metroland file photo

Health Canada has issued a number of recall alerts to shoppers across Canada as thousands of items are being pulled from popular stores.

One of the recalls involves the Sunbeam Queen Size Heated Blanket with the model number 32810027, sold at Canadian Tire.

They were sold with detachable controllers and in the following colours: ivory, beige, light green, light blue, dark blue, burgundy, dark gray, light gray and gray violet. The Sunbeam logo and model number 32810027 are printed on the wash label affixed to the blanket.

Star Elite has learned that blankets can potentially overheat, posing possible burn or fire hazards, Health Canada said in its recall warning.

As of March 8, 2023, the company has received seven reports of incidents and no reports of injuries in Canada.

In the United States, the company has received 13 reports of incidents and no reports of injuries.

The company reported that 18,221 units of the affected product were sold in Canada and approximately 43,000 units were sold in the United States from September 2022 to January 2023.

"Consumers should immediately stop using and unplug the recalled blankets and contact Star Elite for a full refund," the warning states.

Consumers will be asked to complete the online recall registration form available at www.sunbeamhome.com/en/support/product-recall and to destroy the blanket by cutting the power cord at the plug, marking an "X" with permanent marker on the wash label and sending the recalling firm a photo of the destroyed blanket.

For more information, consumers can contact Star Elite at 877-383-6399 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or online at www.sunbeamhome.com.

Another recall involves change tables for various Harmony Play & Go Playards. Playards sold without these accessories are not included in this recall:

• Change Table: Harmony Play & Go All-in-One Playard, model 0801006NTL, black

• Change Table: Harmony Play & Go Complete LT Playard, model 08LT013BGY, Black

• Change Table: Harmony Play & Go Complete Playard, model 0801012BGY, black

• Change Table: Harmony Play & Go Complete Playard, 0801014GGY, grey

Health Canada's sampling and evaluation program has determined that these accessories do not meet Canada's Playpens Regulations, Health Canada said in its recall warning.

"Specifically, if a child is left unattended in the bassinet or playard portin of the playard while the change table accessory is installed, contrary to the manufacturer instructions, a child could attempt to lift the change table accessory posing a potential risk of injury or death due to entrapment," the warniong states.

As of March 22, 2023, the company has received no reports of incidents or injuries related to the affected products in Canada.

The company reported that approximately 4,775 units of the affected product were sold in Canada between approximately July 2022 and March 2023.

For more information on playards, please visit the Government of Canada's webpage on Playpen safety.

"Consumers should immediately detach and discard the change table straps and stop using the instructions for the change table," the warning states. "Consumers should contact Harmony to obtain updated change table instructions."

A third recall involves a vanity mirror sold at Costco (Costco Item #1616995).

It involves the lithium-ion battery supplied with the Sunter Rechargeable LED Vanity Mirror manufactured in March and April of 2022. The affected battery can be identified by the date sticker 03/2022 or 04/2022 located on the underside of the base of the mirror and product packaging.

"The lithium-ion battery supplied with the Sunter Rechargeable LED Vanity Mirror manufactured in March and April of 2022 may overheat, posing a fire hazard," according to Health Canada's recall warning.

As of March 20, 2023, the company has received six reports of battery overheating in Canada. Of those reports, five involved property damage.

The company reported that 60,080 units of the affected product were sold in Canada from May 2022 to February 2023.

"Consumers should immediately remove the lithium-ion battery from the affected product. Once the battery is removed, consumers may continue to use the mirror with the AC power adaptor and charging cable supplied at the time of purchase and contact Blackstone International Ltd. to obtain a free replacement battery," the warning advises.

For more information, consumers can contact Blackstone International Ltd. by telephone toll-free at 1-800-485-4286, Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (EST), by email or visit the company's website for instructions on how to remove the lithium ion battery safely and a form to request a new battery.

Another recall involves Hot Focus Petite Boutique Tie-Dye Butterfly, Rainbow and Glow in the Dark children's jewellery sets sold at Winners, HomeSense and Marshalls. The children's jewellery and accessories are contained in a carrying case (Petite Boutique Glow in the Dark mini jewellery carry case bracelet, style number 800 GD, Petite Boutique Rainbow mini jewellery carry case bracelet, style number 800 RB, Petite Boutique Tie-Dye Butterfly mini jewellery carry case bracelet, style number 800 TB).

Health Canada's sampling and evaluation program has determined that the recalled jewellery contains cadmium in excess of allowable limits, the recall warning states.

"Lead and cadmium are highly toxic, especially to children. A range of serious health effects have been associated with exposure to lead and cadmium, including anemia, vomiting, diarrhea, serious brain injury, convulsions, coma, as well as effects related to the liver, kidneys, heart and immune system," Health Canada warns. "In extreme cases, there have been deaths."

The company reported that 4,744 units of the affected product were sold in Canada from June 2022 to March 2023.

"Consumers should immediately take the recalled jewellery away from children and return is to Winners, HomeSense or Marshalls for a refund," the warning states.

For more information, consumers may contact TJX Canada by telephone toll-free at 1-800-646-9466, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST Monday through Friday, or visit the Winners, HomeSense, or Marshalls websites.

Another recall involves certain infant car seats sold at Babies R Us, CYBEX and Columbus Trading-Partners U.S., Inc, the U.S. distributor for CYBEX (collectively "CYBEX") have decided that certain Aton 2 infant car seats fail to conform to Motor Vehicle Restraint Systems and Booster Seats Safety Regulations, Section 310(b) - Webbing, Toys R Us said in its recall warning.

"The front harness adjustment strap used to snugly adjust the shoulder harness straps onto the infant may fray or wear, which can reduce the strength of the front harness adjustment strap," the warning states. "A front harness adjustment strap with insufficient strength may not properly restrain the occupant, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.

"The Aton 2 car seat by Cybex has been recalled by the vendor as a remedy kit is required for it to operate to ministry regulations," Toys R Us said in a statement. "All affected models which were sold at Babies "R" Us have been pulled from shelf and are not being sold in store or online."

Consumers who own an affected infant car seat that is not registered should register for a free remedy kit by calling, 1-877-242-5676 from 8 AM – 5 PM ET, Monday through Friday or by visiting https://www.cybex-online.com/en/ca/safety-notices-recalls-infant-car-seat-webbing.html.

Lastly, Health Canada is warning shoppers that YANRU Baby Walkers, sold on Amazon.ca by WQDDS, may pose a risk of injury.

"Baby walkers are prohibited in Canada," the warning states. "Children in baby walkers are exposed to hazards that would not normally be accessible if the child were not supported by the walker, posing a variety of risks of injury to the child. Children in baby walkers can also fall down the stairs, which could result in injury or death."

Consumers who have these baby walkers should "immediately stop using them" and safely dispose of the baby walkers in such a way that they cannot be used again, the warning adds.

"Removing wheels from a baby walker does not make it a stationary activity centre. Baby walkers should be destroyed and thrown away."

Advance voting for Toronto's 2023 mayoral byelection begins Thursday, June 8, and will run until Tuesday, June 13.