Miffy Wooden Shape Sorter toy
CPSC Recall #99-107a — May 4, 1999
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 99-107a |
| Recall Date | May 4, 1999 |
| Remedy Type | Refund |
| Units Affected | About 220 |
Where It Was Sold
| Zany Brainy stores nationwide sold the sorters from October 1998 through March 1999 for about $18. |
Product
Miffy Wooden Shape Sorter toy
Description
PRODUCT: Miffy Wooden Shape Sorter - Zany Brainy Inc., of Wynnewood, Pa., is recalling about 220 Miffy Wooden Shape Sorters. These children's toys look like small wooden houses with different shapes cut into their orange roofs. Various shaped and colored blocks can be inserted in the roofs of the sorters. The sorters measure about 7.25 inches long by 5.75 inches wide by 5.5 inches high. Animals, including rabbits, chickens and lambs, are painted on the sides of the toys. Zany Brainy stores nationwide sold the sorters from October 1998 through March 1999 for about $18. PROBLEM: Wooden pegs from the shape sorters can break off, presenting a small parts choking hazard to children. INCIDENTS/INJURIES: Zany Brainy is aware of one incident where a peg broke off one of these sorters. There have been no reports of injuries. WHAT TO DO: Consumers should immediately take the shape sorters away from children, and return them to any Zany Brainy store for a refund. For additional information, call Zany Brainy at (888) 969-5437 anytime, or go to their website at www.zanybrainy.com.
Hazard
Wooden pegs from the shape sorters can break off, presenting a small parts choking hazard to children.
Incidents & Injuries
Zany Brainy is aware of one incident where a peg broke off one of these sorters. There have been no reports of injuries.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should immediately take the shape sorters away from children, and return them to any Zany Brainy 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.
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.