Parents™ magazine-brand Soft Landing Beanbag cushions
CPSC Recall #01-171 — June 12, 2001
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 01-171 |
| Recall Date | June 12, 2001 |
| Remedy Type | Refund |
| Units Affected | About 1,500 |
| Manufactured In | Thailand |
Where It Was Sold
| Target stores nationwide sold the cushions from September 2000 through May 2001 for about $24. |
Product
Parents™ magazine-brand Soft Landing Beanbag cushions
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Battat Incorporated, of Plattsburgh, N.Y., is recalling about 1,500 Parents™ magazine-brand Soft Landing Beanbag cushions. This product is an infant cushion manufactured by Battat for Parents™ magazine. Infant pillows and cushions have been banned under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act since 1992 because they pose a suffocation hazard to infants. In addition, two 8- to 9-inch cords, which attach toys to the cushions, pose strangulation hazards. Battat has received one report of the cord attached to the rattle on one of these cushions becoming wrapped around the neck of a 7-month-old baby boy, causing red marks.The airplane-shaped cushions, measuring approximately 27 inches long by 21 inches wide, are covered in various solid-colored cloth panels, and are filled with plastic foam pellets. They have a "smiley face" on the front with a propeller that spins and makes clicking sounds, and a plush nose. The back of the cushion has a circular target design. Side pockets on the wings have a "My First Passport" book with circle teether and a heart-shaped rattle attached. The cushions' hang tag reads in part, "Parent's PLAY + LEARN ...Fun and safe for all ages...Battat Inc... Made in Thailand." Writing on the packaging states that the product can be used for infants 6 months and up to nap, and that the cushions are "not considered a safe sleeping area for babies."Target stores nationwide sold the cushions from September 2000 through May 2001 for about $24.Consumers should take the cushions away from children immediately and return the cushions to a Target store for a refund. Consumers also can send their cushions to Battat Incorporated, Attention: Valinda Cayetano, Quality Assurance, 44 Martina Circle, Plattsburgh, NY 12901 for a refund plus mailing costs. For more information, consumers should call Battat Incorporated at (800) 247-6144 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the Battat web site at www.battat-toys.com or the Target web site at www.target.com.
Hazard
This product is an infant cushion manufactured by Battat for Parents™ magazine. Infant pillows and cushions have been banned under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act since 1992 because they pose a suffocation hazard to infants. In addition, two 8- to 9-inch cords, which attach toys to the cushions, pose strangulation hazards.
Incidents & Injuries
Battat has received one report of the cord attached to the rattle on one of these cushions becoming wrapped around the neck of a 7-month-old baby boy, causing red marks.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should take the cushions away from children immediately and return the cushions to a Target store for a refund.
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.
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.