Little Tree Mini Learning Cube
CPSC Recall #06-052 - December 13, 2005
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 06-052 |
| Recall Date | December 13, 2005 |
| Remedy Type | Refund |
| Units Affected | About 12,000 |
| Manufacturer | Maxim Enterprise Inc. of Lakeville, Mass. |
| Importer | Target of Minneapolis, Minn. |
| Manufactured In | China |
Where It Was Sold
| Target stores nationwide from June 2005 through November 2005 for about $15. |
Product
Little Tree Mini Learning Cube
Description
The recalled learning cube is an 8-inch square wooden box with a different activity on each side, including an abacus, blocks with apples and bananas, shapes that can be moved in a zigzag cutout, and a blackboard. The wooden cover has spiral bead maze with wooden beads that slide up, down and around.
Hazard
Small wooden pegs in the top corners of the toy can come loose posing a choking hazard to young children.
Incidents & Injuries
Target has received three reports of incidents including two reports of children mouthing pieces of the learning cube. In one incident, an 18-month-old girl swallowed a piece of the recalled learning cube after one side came loose. The piece became stuck and she had to have it removed in a hospital emergency room. In a second incident, a child started choking when she put two of the toy's wooden pegs in her mouth. In the third incident, a consumer reported the wooden pegs popped out of the learning cube. No injuries were reported in the third incident
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should immediately take the recalled learning cube toy away from young children and return it to Target for a $15 gift card plus applicable state tax.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Refund at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly, either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Refund) at no cost to you.
Federal law prohibits the sale of toys with small parts for children under age 3. CPSC uses a standardized small parts cylinder to test whether pieces from a toy can fit entirely inside, if they can, they are considered a choking hazard. Products marketed for children under 3 must not contain any small parts. Beyond the legal requirements, the CPSC and pediatricians recommend keeping all small objects away from children under 4, as the risk of choking extends beyond the formal legal age threshold.
In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.
If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney, parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.