Toy Boxes

CPSC Recall #02-543 — May 30, 2002

Recall Summary

Recall Number02-543
Recall DateMay 30, 2002
Remedy TypeReplace
Units AffectedAbout 600
Manufactured InUnited States

Where It Was Sold

JC Penney sold the toy box through its catalogue from Feb 2002 until March 2002.

Product

Toy Boxes

Description

PRODUCT: Children's toy box -Southern Wood Products of Sparta, Tenn., is voluntarily recalling about 600 toy boxes that measure 24 inches by 16 inches by 35 inches. The toy boxes were sold in the following colors: oak, white, cherry, and natural. The recalled toy boxes have manufacture date codes of 8502-021502A and 8502-030702A on a sticker located on the back or bottom of unit. The sticker also has the company's name and address. JC Penney sold the toy box through its catalogue from Feb 2002 until March 2002. The toy box was manufactured in the USA.PROBLEM: The middle lid support hinge can collapse suddenly and cause an injury to a child's head, neck, fingers, or hands; or can become an entrapment hazard to young children.INCIDENTS/INJURIES: None reported.WHAT TO DO: Consumers who purchased the toy box should stop using the toy box immediately and contact Southern Wood Products to receive a free replacement hinge. For more information, call Southern Wood Products at (800) 624-4129, Monday through Friday CST 7:30 am to 4:00pm. Consumers can contact JC Penney customer service at (888) 333-6063 or www.jcpenney.com.Purchasers were sent direct mail notification of this recall.

Hazard

The middle lid support hinge can collapse suddenly and cause an injury to a child's head, neck, fingers, or hands; or can become an entrapment hazard to young children.

Incidents & Injuries

None reported.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers who purchased the toy box should stop using the toy box immediately and contact Southern Wood Products to receive a free replacement hinge.

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.

Yes. If you were injured by a defective consumer product — whether recalled or not — you may have grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer and potentially the retailer. A recall notice can serve as evidence that the manufacturer was aware of the defect. Injuries that may support a claim include burns, lacerations, fractures, electric shock, choking incidents, and chemical exposure. Most product liability attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless you win. Consult an attorney promptly, as statutes of limitation vary by state.

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.