Office of Information and Public Affairs | Washington, DC 20207 |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 25, 2003 Release # 04-037 |
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Contact: Nychelle Fleming (301) 504-7063 or Kim Dulic (301) 504-7058 |
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Chairman Hal Stratton today warned holiday season gift buyers to be on the lookout for recently recalled toys and children's products that pose serious safety threats to youngsters. To provide consumers easier access to all recall announcements, Chairman Stratton also announced the launch of a new federal government inter-agency Web site -- www.Recalls.gov.
"Before purchasing or giving any gift, particularly one intended for a child, double-check to make sure it does not pose a hazard," Stratton said. "Visit CPSC's Web site to determine if it has been recalled. Another option is to go to the easy-to-remember Web address www.Recalls.gov. It's a 'one-stop shop' for the latest information on all federal government recalls."
The new www.Recalls.gov site provides links to all federal agencies with statutory authority to issue recalls, including CPSC, the Food and Drug Administration, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Visitors can easily find information about all federal government recalls -- regardless of the jurisdiction of the agency or the nature of the recall.
"We're confident visitors will find www.Recalls.gov to be a convenient portal to important safety information covering consumer goods, automobiles, boats, drugs, cosmetics and environmental products," Stratton said. "I want to thank our federal partners, including the General Services Administration, which manages www.usa.gov, for their cooperation. I also want to acknowledge many corporate and trade association partners for their efforts to make Americans aware of www.Recalls.gov (list of partners). By working together, we can save countless lives and prevent injuries," Stratton said.
While considering product safety when shopping for new gift items, Stratton also urged Americans to examine older toys and products in their possession that can pose hazards. He urged operators of daycare centers and thrift stores to be especially vigilant in removing previously recalled items such as older baby cribs, baby walkers, and high chairs from their premises.
Consumers can get the list of recalled toys and children's products by going to the CPSC Web site, www.cpsc.gov, or by calling toll-free (800) 638-2772.
The following safety tips will help consumers choose appropriate toys:
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Conumers can also view a video clip about these recalled children's items and recalls.gov
(standard version or a higher quality version - broadband connection recommended) (transcript) . This is in "streaming video" format.
CPSC News Release | Product and Firm | Problem | Remedy |
---|---|---|---|
03-098 |
Woody Dolls sold at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., Disney’s Vero Beach Resort, Magic of Disney and Flight Fantastic shops at Orlando International Airport, and Disney’s Worldport shop at Pointe Orlando. Imported from China. Distributed by: Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Sold from January 2000 through January 2003 for about $12 |
The doll’s clothing has buttons that can detach, posing a choking hazard for young children. 40,000 units One incident in which child removed a button from the doll; no injury. |
Contact Walt Disney Parks and Resorts for full refund. (866) 228-3664 www.waltdisneyworld.com |
03-111 |
Little People Animal Sounds Farm with model numbers 77973 or 77746 Imported from Mexico by Fisher-Price, East Aurora, N.Y. Sold nationwide from July 2002 through December 2002 for about $30 | Two small metal screws that hold the toy "stall doors" in place can come off, posing an aspiration or choking hazard to young children. 67,000 units; 33 reports of screws coming off the toy, including four reports of a screw found in child’s mouth and one report of a child who aspirated a screw into his lung, requiring surgery to remove the screw. | Contact Fisher-Price to get a free repair kit. (866) 259-7873 |
03-110 |
Drumsticks sold with toy drum sets
Distributed by:
Battat Incorporated Sold from November 2001 through March 2003 for about $25 |
The end piece of the drumstick handle can break off, posing a choking hazard. The screw at the end of the drumstick can loosen and detach, posing a choking hazard. 300,000 units; 240 reports of drumsticks breaking and children mouthing the small pieces, one report of a child beginning to choke. | Call Battat for a replacement set of drumsticks. (800) 247-6144 |
03-107 |
Magic Start Crawl ‘n Stand (encourages crawling babies to pull themselves up and stand)
Playskool Sold nationwide from November 2002 through April 2003 for about $14 | The toy can tip over during use and strike falling babies in the head, face, or neck, resulting in injuries. 300,000 units; 44 reports of tip over including 26 reports of injuries including a minor concussion, various bumps, bruises, black eyes and cut lips. | Contact Playskool to get information on how to return the product to receive a free replacement item of similar value. (800) 509-9554 |
03-148 | Cosco "Arriva" and "Turnabout" infant car seats/carriers
Dorel Juvenile Group, Inc. Sold from September 10, 1997 through December 2000 for between $30 and $60 | When the seat is used as a carrier, the plastic handle locks can unexpectedly break or release from the carrying position, causing the seat to unlatch or flip forward. An infant can fall to the ground and suffer injuries. 1.2 million units; 416 reports of handle locks breaking or unlatching, resulting in nine injuries. | Contact Dorel Juvenile Group to receive a free repair kit. (800) 880-9435 |
03-153 | "Spit Smatter" Spray Foam
Imported from China by: Sold from February 2002 through June 2003 for about $10 | The aerosol cans can forcefully break apart, posing a risk of serious injury. 1.3 million units; four reports of aerosol cans breaking apart, including one laceration and several incidents with property damage. | Contact JAKKS Pacific for instructions on disposal and how to get a full refund. (800) 554-5516
|
04-031 | Scooter (30,000) and Mini Bikes (55,000)
Fisher-Price Scooters sold from November 2001 through October 2003 for about $250 and Mini Bikes sold from May 2003 through September 2003 for about $200. | The motor control circuits can malfunction causing the scooters and mini bikes to continue to run after the power or throttle button is released, posing a risk of injury to children. 30,000 scooters/ 55,000 mini bikes; 56 reports of scooter incidents including one chipped tooth & one broken arm; 24 reports of mini bike incidents with one report of a leg laceration. | Contact Fisher-Price anytime to receive information on how to have the toys serviced for free at a certified Power Wheels Service Center. (800) 528-7153 |
03-189 | "Pack ‘n Play" portable play yards with raised changing tables
Imported from China by: Sold from October 2001 through September 2003 for between $99 and $119 | When children are placed in these portable play yards when the changing table is still in place, they can crawl under and lift the table up. If this occurs, a child’s head and neck can become trapped between the changing table and the play yard rail, causing a strangulation hazard. 538,000 units; a 13-month-old girl strangled when her neck became trapped between the rail and the raised changing table. | Never place a child in these portable play yards when the changing table is still in place. Contact Graco to receive a free warning label. (800) 233-1546 |
99-021
98-156
98-128
93-043 | Portable Cribs with rotating top rails
Brand: "Playskool" Travel-Lite
Kolcraft Enterprises, Inc. | Product may collapse and entrap child in folded top rails. 11,600 units¹ | $120 reward
Call firm |
97-146 | Portable Play Yards with rotating top rail hinges Brand: Evenflo "Happy Camper, Happy Cabana, and Kiddie Camper" Evenflo Company, Inc. Piqua, Ohio | If hinges are not fully rotated, product may collapse and entrap child in folded top rails. 1.2 million units¹ | Free hinge covers Call firm 800-447-9178 |
97-028 | Portable Crib/Playards with rotating top rail hinges Brand: All Our Kids, Models 742 and 762
Draco Corporation | The crib/playard may collapse and entrap child in folded top rails. 13,000 units¹ | Stop use and destroy. (Firm out of business.) |
97-026 | Playards with rotating top rail hinges Models 10-710 and 10-810
Century Products Co. | The playard may collapse and entrap child in folded top rails. 212,000 units¹ | Repair Call firm 800-541-0264 |
01-094
95-056 | Portable Cribs/Playpens made before 1995 Brands: Home and Roam, Baby Express
Baby Trend Inc. | Product may collapse and entrap child in folded top rails. 100,000 units¹ | Free new play yard
Call firm |
¹ CPSC knows of a total of 15 deaths from entrapment in collapsed play yards that had rotating top rail hinges. | |||
04-032 | Multicolored Sidewalk Chalk
Manufactured by:
Imported by: | The multicolored sidewalk chalk contains high levels of lead posing a risk of poisoning to young children. 26,000 packages | Consumers should return the multicolored sidewalk chalk to Target stores for a refund. (800) 440-0680 |
NOTE: Products listed above may have already been repaired or there may be similar products that do not have the identified problems. For assistance in identifying recalled products, call the manufacturer listed or the CPSC toll-free Hotline at 800-638-2772.