FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 21, 2000
Release # 00-147
Caterpillar Toy Recall Hotline: (877) 586-1006 CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: Kim Dulic, (301) 504-7058
CPSC, Child GuidanceTM Announce Recall to Replace Caterpillar Toys
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission (CPSC), Child GuidanceTM, of New York, N.Y., a division of
JAKKS Pacific Inc., is voluntarily recalling almost 1 million Wiggle
Waggle CaterpillarTM toys. Young children can choke on the small balls
attached to these toys.
CPSC has received one report of a 5-month-old girl in El Paso,
Texas, choking to death after one of the small balls attached to these
toys lodged in her throat. CPSC also received reports of two children
starting to choke on a ball from this toy.
The Wiggle Waggle CaterpillarTM is a pull toy that plays four
songs and various sounds. It has five ball shapes raised from its body
on the end of tightly wound coil wire springs. The two smaller ball
shapes on the caterpillar's head resemble antennas. The toy is about 10
inches long, and is green with yellow oval wheels that cause it to
wobble when it moves. The segments of the caterpillar's body have lights
that flash to the music and sounds. "Child GuidanceTM" and "MADE IN
CHINA" are imprinted on the bottom of the toy. "Ages 12 months & up" is
written on the packaging.
Toy and discount department stores nationwide sold the caterpillar
toys from May 1998 through June 2000 for about $13.
Parents and caregivers should take these toys away from young
children immediately. Consumers should send the toy back to the firm to
receive another toy of similar value. The firm will pay postage costs.
For more information, call Child GuidanceTM at (877) 586-1006 between
9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday or visit their web site at www.jakkspacific.com/recall.html.