"Toddler Tote™" toddler activity sets and "Familiar Things" toddler puzzles
CPSC Recall #02-212 — July 24, 2002
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 02-212 |
| Recall Date | July 24, 2002 |
| Remedy Type | Replace |
| Units Affected | About 110,000 "Toddler Tote™" toddler activity sets, and about 11,000 "Familiar Things" toddler puzzles |
Where It Was Sold
| Specialty toy stores |
| web retailers and school supply catalogs sold the recalled puzzle and activity sets from January 1999 to July 2002. Toddler Totes were sold for about $15 and Familiar Things were sold for about $20. |
Product
"Toddler Tote™" toddler activity sets and "Familiar Things" toddler puzzles
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Lauri® Inc. of Phillips-Avon, Maine, is voluntarily recalling about 110,000 "Toddler Tote™" toddler activity sets and about 11,000 "Familiar Things" toddler puzzles. The dog puzzle included with both of these products and the rubber handle on the box of the activity set can tear apart into small pieces and pose a choking hazard to small children.CPSC and Lauri Inc. have not received any reports of incidents or injuries with these puzzles or handles. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury.The "Toddler Tote" travel activity sets have three animal puzzles, seven stacker pegs of various colors, a geometric shapes puzzle and four basic shape mini-puzzles. All the contents are packaged in a blue box with a rubber handle that acts as a carrying tote. The 9-inch square box has "Lauri" and "LR-2116" written on it.The puzzle set is called "Familiar Things." It is a boxed set of 12 two-piece puzzles. The puzzles include cut-outs of fish, planes, boats and cars. The purple box has "First Puzzles for Little Ones" and "LR-2113" written on it.Specialty toy stores, web retailers and school supply catalogs sold the recalled puzzle and activity sets from January 1999 to July 2002. Toddler Totes were sold for about $15 and Familiar Things were sold for about $20.Consumers should take these toys away from children immediately and call Lauri for free replacement pieces. For more information, contact Lauri toll-free at (800) 451-0520 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.
Hazard
The dog puzzle included with both of these products and the rubber handle on the box of the activity set can tear apart into small pieces and pose a choking hazard to small children.
Incidents & Injuries
CPSC and Lauri Inc. have not received any reports of incidents or injuries with these puzzles or handles.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should take these toys away from children immediately and call Lauri for free replacement pieces.
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.