CPSC and Importers Announce Recall of Toys and Rattle
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer
Product Safety Commission (CPSC), four toy importers are
recalling over 133,000 toys and rattles. The toys and the
rattle contain small components that can break off
presenting a choking hazard to young children.
The importers participating in this recall are Laiko
International Company Inc. of City of Industry, Calif.;
Lexin Inc. of Los Angeles, Calif.; Shalom International
Corp. of Carteret, N.J.; and The Right Start Inc. of
Westlake Village, Calif. CPSC and the importers are not
aware of any injuries involving these toys or the rattle.
The recalls are being conducted to prevent the possibility
of injury.
Laiko International Recall
Laiko International is recalling more than 50,000 Free
Wheel Racer toy cars. The plastic Free Wheel Racer toy cars
have orange or pink bodies, black wheels, a silver rear
mounted engine, and a driver's head in the cockpit.
The cars were packaged in clear plastic with a
cardboard header labeled in part, "FREE WHEEL RACER CHAMPION
- FOR AGE 5 & UP - MADE IN HONG KONG - Non-Toxic." The
package includes the UPC code number "084036 102204".
The toys were sold through Dollar and discount stores
nationwide from November 1993 through December 1996 for
about $1.
For more information, consumers can call Laiko
International Inc. at (800) 735-2456 between 8 a.m. and 5
p.m. PST or write to Laiko International Inc., 16710 Johnson
Dr., City of Industry, Calif. 91745.
Lexin Inc. Recall
Lexin Inc. is recalling about 340 Little Performer and
240 Flying Boat toys. The Little Performer toy (Item MS 085)
is a wind-up figurine of a girl with a vinyl head, hands,
and legs wearing a red and white fabric dress. The girl is
seated at a xylophone, which she plays when wound. The Flying Boat toy (Item MF 742) is a pressed
sheet metal model of a wheeled speed boat. The 13 inch long
by 4.25 inch wide boat is red, white, blue, and gray
with black tires with a vinyl driver's head in the cockpit.
The Little Performer toys were packaged in paperboard
boxes. Labeling on the box includes a picture of the toy and
reads in part, "WIND-UP SPRING - LITTLE PERFORMER WITH SOUND
EFFECT - FOR CHILDREN AGES 3-UP - MADE IN CHINA - MS 085."
The Flying Boat toys were packaged in paperboard boxes.
Labeling on the box includes a picture of the toy and reads
in part, "FLYING BOAT - FRICTION - MF 742 - MADE IN
CHINA."
The toys were sold through specialty gift and
collectable stores in the West and Southwest from August through November 1996 for about $15 to
$25.
For more information, consumers can call Lexin Inc. at
(310) 329-7568 or write to Lexin Inc., 148 W. 32nd St., #D,
Los Angeles, Calif. 90061.
CPSC learned of this problem during joint surveillance
of imported toys with the U.S. Customs Service.
Shalom International Corp. Recall
Shalom International Corp. is recalling is recalling
about 75,000 Colormates toy jewelry sets. The plastic
necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and barrettes come in a
variety of pastel and bright colors and styles. The
necklaces and bracelets have a variety of plastic
beads/shapes strung on elastic thread. The sets come in the
following styles:
#60074KS necklace/bracelet/earring set with multi-colored
rings.
#60328NB necklace/bracelet set with ducks, cats, or bunnies.
#60331NB necklace/bracelet set with bows, hearts, or
flowers.
#60332NB necklace/bracelet set with mice, cats, or bunnies.
#60339KS necklace/fabric-covered barrette set with hearts,
bears, or bows.
#60340KS necklace/fabric-covered barrette set with hearts or
bows.
#60334NB necklace/bracelet set with flowers.
The sets were packaged on cardboard hang tags. The tag
pictures a girl, lists the model number, and reads in part,
" COLORMATES - NOT RECOMMENDED FOR CHILDREN UNDER 3 YEARS
OLD - Shalom International Corp. - Made in China."
These sets were sold through Dollar and discount stores
nationwide from January 1995 through December 1996 for about
$1.
For more information, consumers can call Shalom
International Corp. at (800) 524-1428 or write to Shalom
International Corp., 700 Milk St., Carteret, N.J. 07008.
The Right Start Inc. Recall
The Right Start Inc. is recalling about 8,000 Baby's
Play Sets because the blue and white ball attached to the
yellow rabbit rattle may separate. The Baby's Play Set
includes up to nine red, yellow, and blue plastic toddler
toys such as rattles shaped like rabbits, hammers,
key rings, horns, and phones. The yellow rabbit rattle,
measuring approximately five inches long, is shaped like a
figure-8. One loop of the "8" holds a blue and white ball,
printed with two eyes and a smile, containing small balls.
Red plastic rabbit ears protrude from this end of the
rattle. The other loop of the "8," which is embossed with
two paws, serves as a handle.
The Right Start Inc. packaged the play set in a
brown cardboard carton labeled, "Item BB1816BU ... Baby's
Playset ... Made in China." The Right Start mail order
catalog and The Right Start retail stores sold the play sets
from September 1994 through August 1995 for $14.95.
Consumers should take the yellow rabbit rattles away
from young children immediately. Consumers should return the
yellow rabbit rattle or the complete Baby's Play Set
to the nearest The Right Start store or call the company at
(800) 710-7816. The Right Start Inc. will refund consumers
either $1.50 for each rattle, or $14.95 for each complete
play set.
Consumers should take all of these recalled items
away from young children immediately, and return the items
to the store where purchased for a full refund. If
consumers have questions about these recalls, they should
call the importer or CPSC's Hotline at (800) 638-2772.