Wal-Mart Recalls Hip Chain
It looks great, a hip charm key chain that teens can attach to their belt buckles and keep their keys in order. Attached to a shiny silver chain you’ll find a variety of charms in subtle, earthy hues. There’s a silver leaf with delicately etched detail, a mother of pearl oblong charm, a perfectly crafted silver sand dollar, some teardrop jeweled charms, silver hearts, and dainty buttons. There’s also a high amount of lead, causing the Hip Charm to be one of the latest casualties in a number of American recalls.
About 12,000 of the trendy key chains were sold via Wal-Mart department stores throughout April 2005 until they were officially recalled in April 2008. If you have purchased one of these hip chains you need to contact Wal-Mart for further information.
Lead Poisoning and its Symptoms
The Consumer Product Safety Commission released the recall on April 16, 2008 after they were notified that a nine-month-old Illinois child was reported to have unusually high amounts of lead after blood tests were conducted. It was also observed that the nine month old had frequently mouthed the key chain, thereby absorbing the lead. Lead is very dangerous to the human body and high amounts in the blood can cause serious health consequences. It’s important to regularly be tested for lead as low levels of lead poisoning may present symptoms that may otherwise go undetected. Symptoms such as suffering from frequent colds, colic, anxiety, nervousness, and generally feeling a sense of malaise may all be attributed to low level lead poisoning. In other instances, where there have been high levels of lead poisoning, the effects are more obvious and severe. Brain damage, paralysis, mental retardation, anemia, and possible death may result. The only way to ensure that the body has not been exposed to high levels of lead poisoning is through blood testing.
Wal-Mart Hip Charm UPC Code
If you believe that you have purchased the hip charm you can check the UPC code. You will find the numbers 31568 11017 stamped on the packaging. If you no longer have the packaging, but believe that you have the hip chain, then bring it to your nearest Wal-Mart center and they will refund your money. The key chain was fashioned in China. It is important that this hip chain isn’t frequently handled, and imperative that young children avoid contact with the key chain in particular.
Contact Information
For further information, you may contact Wal-Mart directly Monday thru Friday at 1-800-925- 6278 between the hours of 7:00 A.M and 9:00 P.M Central Time. You may also contact Wal-Mart via their website at http://www.walmartstores.com
 |
