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Dora the Explorer Children's Board Book

CPSC Recall #03-186 — September 16, 2003

Recall Summary

Recall Number03-186
Recall DateSeptember 16, 2003
Remedy TypeReplace
Units Affected26,000
ManufacturerSimon & Schuster Inc., of New York, N.Y.
Manufactured InChina

Where It Was Sold

Discount department stores and bookstores nationwide during August 2003 for about $10.

Product

Dora the Explorer Children's Board Book

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. -  In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Apothecary Products Inc., of Burnsville, Minn., is voluntarily recalling 26,000 Dora the Explorer Children's Board Book. A plastic replica of a balloon attached to the book can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.Name of product: Dora the Explorer Children's Board BookUnits: 26,000Manufacturer: Simon & Schuster Inc., of New York, N.Y.Hazard: A plastic replica of a balloon attached to the book can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.Incidents/Injuries: None.Description: The heavy-cardboard book has "Whose Birthday Is It?" printed on the cover in yellow letters. Dora the Explorer cartoon characters are pictured on each page. A cutout in the top left corner of book has a small plastic replica of a balloon attached. The yellow and orange balloon is used as a slide to reveal answers to questions in the book.Sold at: Discount department stores and bookstores nationwide during August 2003 for about $10.Manufactured in: ChinaRemedy: Consumers should take these books away from young children immediately and contact Simon & Schuster at the Consumer Contact number indicated below to receive a replacement book.Consumer Contact: Call Simon & Schuster toll-free at (800) 223-2336 between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm's website at www.simonsayskids.com.Media Contact: Adam Rothberg at (212) 698-1132.

Hazard

A plastic replica of a balloon attached to the book can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.

Incidents & Injuries

None reported.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should take these books away from young children immediately and contact Simon & Schuster at the Consumer Contact number indicated below to receive a replacement book.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Replace at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.

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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 (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.

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