A second recall of Hasbro?s Easy Bake Oven prompts serious concerns
July 27, 2007 by Crystal
Filed under News & Celebrity
You may remember a recall about five months ago on Hasbro’s Easy Bake Oven. If your child happens to have one, you may have gotten the retrofit kit and thought nothing more of it. You may have even been like me, a procrastinator who didn’t even get the retrofit kit yet (though you?ve been?meaning to).
I wasn’t in a panic or a hurry because my five year old daughter only plays with her oven under my close and constant supervision. I make sure her little hands never come close to making contact with the oven?s opening ? we use that big long stick for what it?s meant for, shoving goodies inside! And the pan grabber also has ample length so that there is no need to actually touch the hot oven.
However, after reading a couple of articles about injuries reported even after the original article, I?m now much more wary.
There have been more than 200 reports of children getting stuck since February. More than 70 burn reports, approximately 20% of which resulted in 2nd and 3rd degree burns. One five year old girl?s burns were so severe that a partial amputation of her finger was required.
If your child has an Easy Bake Oven, here?s what you can do ? check the oven to see if model number 65805 stamped onto the back. Ovens bought before May 2006 are?not included. Call Easy Bake for instructions on how to return the oven for credit toward other Hasbro products. The number to call is 800-601-8418. Alternatively, visit?the Easy Bake site?for a recall form.
Now that the seriousness of this recall is apparent (not that all recalls aren’t serious, they are) my question to myself is not, Do I take the toy from my child?? Of course, I will have to. I obviously won’t risk her being seriously burned. No, my question now is, ?How can I do it in such a way that she isn’t devastated and doesn’t lose faith in Santa??
See, the Easy Bake Oven was the one thing she wanted most last Christmas; the one thing she asked Santa for, above all else. How can I explain to her that Santa brought her something dangerous? Do I blame it on the elves? craftsmanship? My duty as a parent is to keep her safe but also to promote healthy mental well-being, and I feel I must treat the situation delicately. Comments, thoughts and suggestions are welcome!
Contributed By:
Amanda Holbrook is an aspiring novelist, office manager, wife, mother and Tastefully Simple Consultant. Visit her site at www.tastefullysimple.com/web/aholbrook
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