Happyvillagers Toy Sets
CPSC Recall #03-550 — August 3, 2003
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 03-550 |
| Recall Date | August 3, 2003 |
| Remedy Type | Refund |
| Units Affected | 3,250 sets (12 villagers per set) |
| Manufacturer | HearthSong, of Madison, Va. |
| Manufactured In | China |
Where It Was Sold
| HearthSong sold the Happyvillagers Toy Sets through their catalog and website from Sept. 30 |
| 2002 through March 11 |
| 2003 for about $15. |
Product
Happyvillagers Toy Sets
Description
In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), HearthSong, of Madison, Va., is voluntarily recalling 3,250 "Happyvillagers" toy sets (12 villagers per set). The head can detach from the body of the villagers, posing a choking hazard to young children. Name of Product: Happyvillagers Toy SetsUnits: 3,250 sets (12 villagers per set)Manufacturer: HearthSong, of Madison, Va.Hazard: The head can detach from the body of the villagers, posing a choking hazard to young children.Incidents/Injuries: No injuries have been reported.Description: The Happyvillagers are made with birchwood and painted with various villager images. The sets were sold separately with 12 villagers per set and as a part of the Happyville Special set that included a set of 35 Happyville Blocks. Only the Happyvillagers are included in the recall.Sold At: HearthSong sold the Happyvillagers Toy Sets through their catalog and website from Sept. 30, 2002 through March 11, 2003 for about $15.Manufactured In: ChinaRemedy: Consumers should take the Happyvillagers away from young children immediately and return to HearthSong for a full refund including the cost of postage. Send the Happyvillagers to HearthSong, Attn: Returns, 3700 Wyse Road, Dayton, OH 45414-2541.Consumer Contact: Call toll-free at (888) 623-6557 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.Media Contact: Ms. Linda DeRose-Droubay at (540) 948-7353
Hazard
The head can detach from the body of the villagers, posing a choking hazard to young children.
Incidents & Injuries
None reported.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should take the Happyvillagers away from young children immediately and return to HearthSong for a full refund including the cost of postage. Send the Happyvillagers to HearthSong, Attn: Returns, 3700 Wyse Road, Dayton, OH 45414-2541.
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.