WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is
conducting a holiday toy safety round-up to get hazardous toys out of
people's homes before the holidays. Despite recall notices and public
warnings, CPSC has found that many products with the potential to
seriously injure or kill are still being used by consumers.
CPSC has some of the most stringent toy safety standards in the
world, and toys on store shelves are safer because of the day-to-day
enforcement work by CPSC. "We can get recalled toys off store shelves,"
said CPSC Chairman Ann Brown, "but the more difficult task is to get
recalled toys out of people's homes."
Today, CPSC will launch the holiday toy safety round-up by issuing a list of recalled toys. This list identifies recalled toys that are off store shelves but may still be in people's homes. Some of the toys recalled this year include:
"Toy Basketball Nets" (11 million) can strangle children on loops or
openings in nets that come unhooked from the rim or have knots that
slide. CPSC is aware of more than 20 reports of children under 5 years
old whose head or neck caught in the net of a toy basketball set, and an
18-month-old child died after becoming entangled in a partly unhooked
net. People should remove and throw away nets that can unhook or have
knots that slide. Call the manufacturer to get new nets that securely
attach to the rim and do not have sliding knots.
"Swimming Pool Dive Sticks" (19 million) can cause rectal or vaginal
impalement if children fall or land on the dive stick. CPSC knows of
nine impalement injuries and three non-impalement injuries to children 5
to 11 years old. People should stop using the hard plastic dive sticks
and throw them out. Depending on the dive sticks owned, consumers can
receive a refund, replacement or repair.
"Flammable Spray String" (1 million) can cause burn injuries if
sprayed around flame sources such as birthday candles. CPSC is aware of
three reports of burns resulting from the use of flammable spray
string. Flammable products intended for use by children are banned by
federal law. Return the flammable spray string to the retailer for a
refund.
"Star Wars Lightsabers" (618,000) without a battery protector could
have a dislodged spring in the battery compartment, causing the
batteries to overheat or rupture. CPSC and the company know of 38 reports of
Lightsaber batteries overheating, including 6 reports of batteries
rupturing, 3 reports of minor burns to consumers, and 1 report of eye
irritation. Call Hasbro toll-free on (888) 690-6141 to get a free
repair kit. Lightsabers currently being sold with the sticker "Now with
battery protector" are not part of this recall.
"Pooh Poppin' Piano" (202,000) has a carrot-shaped microphone with a
green leafy top that could break off, posing a choking hazard to young
children. CPSC knows of three broken parts from this toy piano. Call
Tiger Electronics toll-free at (888) 748-2860 to get a replacement.
Only pianos with serial numbers starting with "WT" or "CO15D" are part
of this recall.
"Blue's Clues Toy Notebooks" (3.8 million) that are recalled have red
plastic coils with flexible plastic end caps covering sharply bent coil
ends. The bent coil ends can break off, presenting a small parts choking
hazard to children. CPSC is aware of four incidents where the end piece
of the coil broke off. People should call Colorbok toll-free at (877)
677-4725 to obtain a free replacement coil. Blue's Clues Toy Notebooks
currently being sold with "Version 2" on the back cover or lower edge of
the packaging are not part of this recall.
"Precious Moments Tender Tails Stuffed Toys" (472,000) have pompoms
that can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children. CPSC is
aware of three reports of pompoms detaching. People should cut off the
pompoms and return them to Enesco to receive a different, free Tender
Tails toy.
"We urge people to get CPSC's list, and get recalled toys out of
your home before the new ones arrive for the holidays," said Brown.
CPSC's toll-free telephone hotline and web site provide
information about recalled products and information on what to look for
when buying products. Consumers can reach the hotline at (800) 638-2772
or visit the web site at www.cpsc.gov.
The list is available here, or send a postcard to "Toy Safety Round-Up List," CPSC,
Washington, D.C. 20207.