Smart Fit™ and Teeny Toes™ Athletic Shoes

CPSC Recall #04-149 — June 1, 2004

Recall Summary

Recall Number04-149
Recall DateJune 1, 2004
Remedy TypeRefund, Replace
Units AffectedAbout 441,000
ManufacturerPayless ShoeSource Inc., of Topeka, Kan.
Manufactured InChina

Where It Was Sold

Payless ShoeSource stores and website nationwide from December 2003 through April 2004 for about $10.

Product

Smart Fit™ and Teeny Toes™ Athletic Shoes

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Payless ShoeSource Inc., of Topeka, Kan., is voluntarily recalling about 441,000 Smart Fit and Teeny Toes Athletic Shoes. The metal eyelet lace holder at the top of the shoes can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.Name of product: Smart Fit™ and Teeny Toes™ Athletic ShoesUnits: About 441,000Manufacturer: Payless ShoeSource Inc., of Topeka, Kan.Hazard: The metal eyelet lace holder at the top of the shoes can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.Incidents/Injuries: Payless ShoeSource has received one report of a child starting to choke on a detached eyelet from one of these shoes. No injuries have been reported.Description: These are children's athletic shoes in prewalk and toddler sizes. The shoes are white with different color trim and come in sizes 0 to 10. The brand name "Smart Fit" or "Teeny Toes" is written on the sole and insole of the shoes. The recalled shoes have one of the following five-digit numbers, found on a label on the bottom of the shoe tongue: 31056, 31057, 31219, 32264, 32265, 33060 and 33061. No other styles or models are included in this recall.Sold at: Payless ShoeSource stores and website nationwide from December 2003 through April 2004 for about $10.Manufactured in: ChinaRemedy: Consumers should take the recalled shoes away from young children immediately and should return the shoes to a Payless ShoeSource store for a cash refund or exchange.Consumer Contact: For more information, call Payless toll-free at 1-877-452-7500 between 7:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. CT Monday through Saturday, and between 9:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday, or visit their website at www.payless.com.

Hazard

The metal eyelet lace holder at the top of the shoes can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.

Incidents & Injuries

Payless ShoeSource has received one report of a child starting to choke on a detached eyelet from one of these shoes.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should take the recalled shoes away from young children immediately and should return the shoes to a Payless ShoeSource store for a cash refund or exchange.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Refund, Replace 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, Replace) 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.