800,000 bracelets recalled for lead danger

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From: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11974094/ 800,000 bracelets recalled for

lead danger 4-year-old child died after swallowing Reebok jewelry, government

says

NBC News

The Reebok bracelet was provided as a free gift with the purchase of various

styles of children’s footwear at major shoe stores nationwide from May 2004

through March 2006.

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Updated: 11:16 a.m. ET March 23, 2006

WASHINGTON - Reebok is recalling 300,000 children’s charm bracelets because a

4-year-old died from lead poisoning after swallowing a piece of the jewelry, the

government said Thursday.

The silver-colored bracelets, bearing heart-shaped charms engraved with the

“Reebok” name, were given away from May 2004 through this month with the

purchase of children’s shoes in major shoe stores across the country. The

bracelets contain high levels of lead, the Consumer Product Safety Commission

said.

CPSC officials said a child from Minneapolis died after reportedly swallowing

part of one of the bracelets. They did not release the child’s name.

“I want to assure all of our consumers and our retailers that I will do

everything in my power to ensure that no other family, no other child, suffers a

similar tragedy,” Harrington, president and CEO of Canton, Mass.-based

Reebok International Ltd., said in a statement.

Harrington said in a phone interview that the bracelets were manufactured in

China by a contractor. He said Reebok was investigating how the bracelets

reached the market despite the lead risk.

“I’m conducting a full review of our procedures,” he said.

Reebok learned of the child’s death on March 10 from Minnesota health

authorities, and Reebok sales employees began notifying retailers three days

later to stop distributing the bracelets, Harrington said.

The family of the child who died hasn’t contacted Reebok about any possible

litigation, he said.

NBC News

Adjustable rings from Dollar Tree Distribution.

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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.

The silver-colored, adjustable rings come in a variety of designs with a toy

“gem” in the center. The necklaces have a black string with silver-colored

clasps and a silver-colored charm with a “gem” in the center.

The packages are printed with “Mood Necklace,” Mood Ring,” “Glow in the Dark

Necklace,” “Glow in the Dark Ring,” “UV Necklace” or “UV Ring.” The “UV” jewelry

packaging reads, “The Sun’s Energy Will Change The Color.” Printed on the back

of the packaging is “SKU.815485” and the name “Mannix.”

The jewelry was sold at Dollar Tree, Dollar Bills, Dollar Express, Greenbacks,

Only $1 and Super Dollar Tree stores nationwide from September 2003 through

February 2006.

Consumers owning either the Reebok or Dollar Tree jewelry should take it from

children immediately, the CPSC said.

For more information, call CPSC at 800-638-2772, Reebok at 800-994-6260, or

Dollar Tree at 800-876-8077.

© 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be

published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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