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Colorbök Blue's Clues toy notebooks

CPSC Recall #99-086 — March 24, 1999

Recall Summary

Recall Number99-086
Recall DateMarch 24, 1999
Remedy TypeReplace
Units AffectedAbout 3.8
ManufacturerColorbök, of Dexter, Mich.

Where It Was Sold

Chain and toy stores nationwide sold the notebooks from June 1998 through January 1999. The notebooks sold separately for about $5 and as part of an activity set that cost about $10.

Product

Colorbök Blue's Clues toy notebooks

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Colorbök, of Dexter, Mich., is voluntarily recalling about 3.8 million Blue's Clues toy notebooks to replace their coils. The ends of the notebooks' coils can break off, presenting a small parts choking hazard to children. CPSC is aware of four incidents where the end piece of the coil broke off. In three of these incidents, the end piece was removed from the mouth of a child by a parent. There have been no reports of injuries. The "Handy Dandy Notebook" includes a crayon and 14 wipe-off pages. Consumers can identify the recalled notebooks by looking for the words "1998 Colorbök Paper Products Inc." on the notebook's back cover. The notebook measures about 4 inches wide and 4 inches long. The coils are red plastic, the front and back covers are green with a black border and the inside pages are yellow. A red chair is on the front cover, and "This is _____'s Handy Dandy Notebook" is on the back of the front cover. Several versions of this notebook are made by a number of companies. Only the Colorbök notebook is being recalled. Chain and toy stores nationwide sold the notebooks from June 1998 through January 1999. The notebooks sold separately for about $5 and as part of an activity set that cost about $10. Consumers immediately should take the notebooks away from children and call Colorbök anytime toll free at (800) 366-4660 to obtain a free replacement coil. Consumers should not return the notebooks to stores. Information about the recall also is available at www.nickjr.com/bluesclues/products/home.html. Colorbök notebooks with "Version 2" on the back cover or lower edge of the packaging are not involved in this recall. Although Blue's Clues is a trademark of Viacom, Colorbök is responsible for the production of these notebooks. Colorbök reported this hazard to CPSC after first learning of the problem.

Hazard

The ends of the notebooks' coils can break off, presenting a small parts choking hazard to children.

Incidents & Injuries

CPSC is aware of four incidents where the end piece of the coil broke off. In three of these incidents, the end piece was removed from the mouth of a child by a parent. There have been no reports of injuries.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers immediately should take the notebooks away from children and call Colorbök anytime toll free at (800) 366-4660 to obtain a free replacement coil. Consumers should not return the notebooks to stores.

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.

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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.

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