Training Marbles Blog

The FDA has recalled infant and children’s liquid Tylenol, Motrin, Benadryl, and Zyrtec due to a manufacturing deficiencies which may affect quality, purity or potency.  Some of the products included in the recall may contain a higher concentration of active ingredient than specified (overdose risk); others contain inactive ingredients that may not meet internal testing requirements; and others may contain tiny particles.

If you need medication for a sick child the FDA recommends using a generic version of the medication that is not made by McNeil Consumer Health. You can also, talk to your pharmacist or pediatrician.

recall link:  http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm210441.htm

I received a massive recall list for common over-the-counter medications yesterday that every consumer should check, immediately. My quest to keep all drugs safe includes consumer products which may pose a threat to health and safety.  This morning I was surprised to find 3 out of 8 products in our home medicine cabinet are on the expanded recall list by McNeil Consumer Healthcare.  If you have Tylenol (Childrens, PM, Arthritis, Extra or Regular Strength), Motrin IB (Caplets, Tablets or Children’s), Rolaids, Benadryl, Simply Sleep or St. Joseph Aspirin please check your medicine cabinets immediately.

The original recall was to Tylenol Arthritis due to consumer reports of an unusual moldy, musty, or mildew-like odor that was associated with nausea, stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhea. The recall list can be found at the following link:  http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Safety/Recalls/UCM197813.pdf

As many kids dress up and fill the streets for Trick or Treat, parents should use caution to keep them safe. In the last year various drugs made to look like candy have put many kids in harms way. Some examples includes Crystal Meth flavored and packaged to resemble Pop Rocks; Also, on the list includes flavored Cocaine which is colored and placed in clamped straws to look like Pixie Sticks; Strawberry Quick is Crystal Meth which is flavored, and  mixed with various drinks; Ecstasy has a long history of resembling various candies like Smarties, Sweet Tarts, and custom stamped with high school logo’s.

The various candy makers have done a brilliant job in ensuring that their products are safe for consumers.  Most adults can easily identify that the drugs made to look like candy are close but, not the quality or standard that candy manufactures produce.  So here are a couple of things to help keep our kids safe:

1) It is critical that all candy be carefully inspected – if the packaging or candy itself looks suspicious destroy it immediately.  Many local hospitals will x-ray candy for metal objects such as razor blades, needles…

2) Only Trick or Treat at houses where you are familar with the people who live there.

3) Flashlights should be used to ensure a good view of your surrounding. Keep a very close eye on the kids to help reduce the number of lost, missing and abducted children.

4) Smaller children should be accompanied to every door. Parents should limit the number of streets to equal the child’s age (2 year old 2 streets) this will help reduce exhaustion for everyone.

 5) If your son or daughter seems scared, shy or suddenly withdrawn bypass the house.  Kids should be allowed to go with their gut.

6) One additional safeguard if you have a cell phone it should be charged and taken with you. All suspicious behavior should be immediately reported to local law enforcement.