Earlyears Bobbie Bear Stacking Rings
CPSC Recall #03-165 — July 30, 2003
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 03-165 |
| Recall Date | July 30, 2003 |
| Remedy Type | Replace |
| Units Affected | About 5,000 |
| Manufacturer | International Playthings Inc., of Parsippany, N.J. |
| Manufactured In | China |
Where It Was Sold
| Specialty toy stores nationwide sold these toys from April 2002 through March 2003 for about $10. |
Product
Earlyears Bobbie Bear Stacking Rings
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), International Playthings Inc., of Parsippany, N.J., is voluntarily recalling Earlyears Bobbie Bear Stacking Rings. Plastic knobs on the rings can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.Name of product: Earlyears Bobbie Bear Stacking RingsUnits: About 5,000Manufacturer: International Playthings Inc., of Parsippany, N.J.Hazard: Plastic knobs on the rings can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received three reports of small parts detaching from the rings, though no injuries have been reported.Description: The recalled Bobbie Bear Stacking Rings have a blue and orange rounded bottom, two multicolored stacking rings, and an orange plastic bear head topper. The toy can be spun like a top and makes a rattling sound when shaken. The toy is designed for children ages 6-24 months and has a model number of E00421, which can be found on the packaging.Sold at: Specialty toy stores nationwide sold these toys from April 2002 through March 2003 for about $10.Manufactured in: ChinaRemedy: Consumers should contact the company for instructions on how to return the toy to receive a free replacement item of similar value.Consumer Contact: Call International Playthings at (800) 445-8347 anytime or log on to the company's website at www.intplay.com/recall.htm.Media Contact: Sue Tice at (973) 316-2500, Ext. 232 or [email protected].
Hazard
Plastic knobs on the rings can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.
Incidents & Injuries
The firm has received three reports of small parts detaching from the rings, though no injuries have been reported.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should contact the company for instructions on how to return the toy to receive a free replacement item of similar value.
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.
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.