Children's Coasters brand shoes

CPSC Recall #98-129 — June 22, 1998

Recall Summary

Recall Number98-129
Recall DateJune 22, 1998
Remedy TypeRefund
Units AffectedAbout 80,000

Where It Was Sold

Payless ShoeSource stores nationwide sold these sneakers from March 1998 through June 1998 for about $10.

Product

Children's Coasters brand shoes

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Payless ShoeSource Inc., Topeka Kan., is recalling about 80,000 children's sneakers sold at its shoe stores. The teddy bear or heart metal clasps on the zippers of these shoes can come off, posing a choking hazard to young children. Payless knows of two children ingesting the teddy bear metal clasps, and one of these children reportedly started to choke. There are two types of sneakers involved in this recall. Both are COASTERS brand, and both have white rubber soles, canvas uppers, and middle zippers. The "Royal Zipper Low" is royal blue with a metal teddy bear clasp attached to the zipper. The "White Zipper Low" is white and has a metal heart clasp attached to the zipper. The sneakers were available in sizes toddlers 5 through 10. "COASTERS " is written both inside and on the bottom of the shoes. Payless ShoeSource stores nationwide sold these sneakers from March 1998 through June 1998 for about $10. Consumers should immediately take these sneakers away from children and return them to their local Payless ShoeSource store for a refund. Consumers also can mail the shoes to Payless ShoeSource Sneaker Recall, 3231 E Sixth St., Topeka, KS, 66601 with their return address enclosed for a full refund and postage reimbursement. For more information, consumers should call Payless ShoeSource at (800) 444-7463 between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. CDT Monday through Saturday.

Hazard

The teddy bear or heart metal clasps on the zippers of these shoes can come off, posing a choking hazard to young children.

Incidents & Injuries

Payless knows of two children ingesting the teddy bear metal clasps, and one of these children reportedly started to choke.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should immediately take these sneakers away from children and return them to their local Payless ShoeSource 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.