Beanbags sold with Barney Hopscotch Game Towels
CPSC Recall #99-121 — June 6, 1999
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 99-121 |
| Recall Date | June 6, 1999 |
| Remedy Type | Refund |
| Units Affected | About 4,800 |
| Manufacturer | Franco Manufacturing Co. Inc., of Metuchen, N.J. |
| Manufactured In | China |
Where It Was Sold
| Ames |
| Meijers and Walmart stores sold the game towels nationwide from March 1999 through May 1999 for about $15. |
Product
Beanbags sold with Barney Hopscotch Game Towels
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Franco Manufacturing Co. Inc., of Metuchen, N.J., is recalling beanbags sold with about 4,800 Barney Hopscotch Game Towels. The seams on these beanbags can separate and allow plastic pellets to be released, presenting an aspiration hazard to young children. CPSC and Franco Manufacturing are not aware of any injuries involving these beanbags. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury. The Barney Hopscotch Game Towel is a terry beach towel with a printed hopscotch board in red, yellow, blue and green. The two beanbags sold with the towels also are made with a terry fabric, one solid green and one solid purple. The beanbags are 2 inches square in size. The towel is 29 inches by 58 inches, and has the Barney, Baby Bop and BJ characters printed on it. The sewn-in label on the towel reads, in part, "Franco Beach Co," and "Made in China." The game towel was sold in a clear plastic bag with white plastic handles. Ames, Meijers and Walmart stores sold the game towels nationwide from March 1999 through May 1999 for about $15. Consumers should take these beanbags away from children immediately, and send them to Franco Manufacturing for a refund, including the cost of postage. Only the beanbags should be sent to Franco Manufacturing Co. Inc., ATTN: Consumer Relations, 555 Prospect St., Metuchen, NJ 08840. For more information, consumers should call Franco Manufacturing at (800) 631-4663 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. EDT Monday through Friday.
Hazard
The seams on these beanbags can separate and allow plastic pellets to be released, presenting an aspiration hazard to young children.
Incidents & Injuries
CPSC and Franco Manufacturing are not aware of any injuries involving these beanbags.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should take these beanbags away from children immediately, and send them to Franco Manufacturing for a refund, including the cost of postage. Only the beanbags should be sent to Franco Manufacturing Co. Inc., ATTN: Consumer Relations, 555 Prospect St., Metuchen, NJ 08840.
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.