Another “Made in China” Recall

The voluntary recall of over a million MacLaren Strollrs due to safety hazards, is just another example of the shoddy products that are exported from China.   A side hinge could possibly malfunction during opening or closing the stroller, which could chop off a child’s finger.  Repair kits are available from MacLaren that will provide a cover to prevent this from happening again.  It seems that the cover should have been a standard part on the strollers when they were first manufactured, instead of an add-on 10 years later after children have had amputations.

According to recalls listed on the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s website, www.cpsc.gov, in October, 2009, there were 14 products recalled that were manufactured in China.  Some of the reasons for the recalls were that the products could cause fires, choking, burning, lead poisoning (from paint used), and even injuries obtained from falling out of office chairs.  And that was in October alone. 

It’s hard to imagine that all of the companies that have experienced a recall of their products which were made in China, had design flaws.  During these hard economic times, when companies are trying to stay afloat,  a recall is certainly not a welcome event.  Recalls cost the companies large amounts of money, based on the severity of the problem, ie., whether a quick fix is available, or if the entire product has to be replaced or refunded.  As well, government fines can be assessed, and legal liabilities to injured parties can add to the cost of the recall.  The company’s image suffers a blow, which can effect their stock prices, and negatively effect their future sales.  It seems unlikely that a company would take this kind of risk to save, comparatively, a few dollars.

Information on the repercussions felt by the guilty Chinese manufacturing companies is sketchy, as best.  A number of manufacturers had their licenses revoked, and the companies were closed.  Unfortunately, many of the defective products go unnoticed for many years, as in the case of the MacLaren strollers.  A more horrifying example is that of the lead paint used in millions of children’s toys.  The true effect of the leaded paint is still not known, however cases of ADD, which incidentally share some of the same symptoms of lead poisoning, have increased significantly.

The United States is overwhelmed these days by such dire situations, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, health care reform, unemployment, just to name a few.  However, the situation with China needs to be addressed.  As of July, 2009, the U.S. is $800 billion in debt to China.  China keeps exporting defective products, not only to the United States, but all over the world, and are costing millions of dollars and lives.  The value of the dollar is deteriorating, the economy is at it worst since the great depression, and the government is spending money at an alarming rate.  All the while, China is making financial deals with as many countries as possible.  The Chinese financial rate is expected to grow 8% in 2009.  Perhaps paying off China should be one of the first priorities.  If not, China may well become the richest and mightiest nation in the world.