Reebok Recalls Bracelet Linked to Child’s Lead Poisoning Death

Child Dies After Swallowing Jewelry
The government reported Thursday that Reebok is recalling over 300,000 children's charm bracelets after a four-year-old child swallowed a piece of the bracelett and died from lead poisoning.

The recall involves an 8-inch long metal bracelet with a heart-shaped charm. The name "Reebok" is engraved on the one side of the charm. The charm bracelet was provided as a free gift with the purchase of various styles of children’s footwear in stores across the country.

"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," Paul Harrington, president and CEO of Reebok International Ltd., said in a statement.

In addition, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced another recall of about 580,000 necklaces and ring sets sold by Dollar Tree, Dollar Bill$, Dollar Express, Greenbacks, Only $1 and Super Dollar Tree stores.

The jewelry was distributed nationwide from September 2003 through February 2006 for $1 and has been found to contain high levels of lead, posing a serious risk of lead poisoning and adverse health effects to young children.

The rings are silver in color, adjustable, and have one of a variety of designs with a toy “gem” in the center. The necklaces have a black string with silver colored clasps and a silver charm with a “gem” in the center.

The following are printed on the charms’ packaging: “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.” On the reverse of the packaging is “SKU#815485” and the name “Mannix.”

For more information, call CPSC at 800-638-2772, Reebok at 800-994-6260, or Dollar Tree at 800-876-8077.

See Also:
Consumer Product Safety Commission - Reebok Alert
Consumer Product Safety Commission - Dollar Tree Alert