WASHINGTON, DC -- Kaleidoscope necklaces, sold in
children's clothing departments by Lawrence Jewelry Company of
Eden Prairie, MN and K & M Associates of Providence, RI are being
recalled by both firms in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer
Product Safety Commission (CPSC). A small tube which contains a
kaleidoscope and is attached to a cord necklace, can separate
into small parts. This may be a choking hazard to children who
place the kaleidoscope in their mouths.
The necklaces have orange, green, pink or yellow plastic
kaleidoscopes measuring three inches long, hanging from colored,
14-inch nylon cords. Attached to the necklaces at time of sale
were small tags with white hearts on a red background, or white
tags with the words "L.J. Kids & Co." The necklaces were sold as
accessory items in children's clothing departments of J. Byrons,
Caldor, Sears, Shopko, Walmart and other smaller stores selling
children's products. Approximately 15,000 were sold nationwide
from June to August 1991 for between $3.00 and $3.50 each.
Lawrence Jewelry reported to CPSC that it learned of one
choking incident which involved a young child who sucked the
kaleidoscope tube pieces into her mouth, but suffered no injury.
Lawrence Jewelry and K & M Associates asks consumers to
return the kaleidoscope necklaces immediately to the store where
purchased for a cash refund. If consumers have questions about
the recall, they may call Lawrence Jewelry at 1-800-328-3967 or
K & M Associates at 1-800-343-9340.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is announcing
this recall as part of its mission to protect the public from
unreasonable risks of injury and death associated with consumer
products. The Commission's objective is to reduce the estimated
28.5 million injuries and 21,600 deaths associated each year with
the 15,000 different types of consumer products under CPSC's
jurisdiction.