Many Miami parents may own a Fisher Price Soothe and Glow Seahorse toy. This toy, one of Amazon’s best sellers, lights up and plays music in order to help infants and toddlers relax and go to sleep. However, many parents are noticing that the popular toy smokes and catches fire when changing the batteries.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission has received more than 10 complaints regarding the toy. Parents have complained that the battery compartment starts smoking and that the plastic around an internal spring starts melting. This has caused parents to become concerned about not only the risk of fire and burns, but the risk of poisonous fumes and exploding batteries.
It appears to be a design flaw that is causing the toy to catch fire. Fisher Price is allowing disgruntled customers to exchange their defective products for newer toys, but the company is refusing to issue a product recall. Why? It is believed that the company is already changing the toy’s structure without drawing attention to itself.
Older versions of the Soothe and Glow Seahorse require three batteries. However, newer versions need only two batteries. Other than this, the older and newer versions of the toy are identical.
It is good that the company is trying to remedy the situation for future consumers, but what about those who already own the product? How can they be assured that their toys won’t overheat and cause their homes to catch fire? This is a potentially dangerous product that can put the lives of children at risk. If Fisher Price refuses to recall the toy, it is hopeful that parents are aware of the situation and can dispose of the toy before it causes any type of damage.
Source: KSHB, “Despite fire safety concerns, no recall of Fisher Price Soothe and Glow Seahorse toddler toy” Keli Rabon, Sandra Barry, Feb. 24, 2014
