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Chinese jump ropes sold with children's activity books

CPSC Recall #97-143 — June 18, 1997

Recall Summary

Recall Number97-143
Recall DateJune 18, 1997
Remedy TypeNew Instructions, Replace
Units AffectedAbout 66,000

Where It Was Sold

Klutz sold the jump ropes with the activity books directly through its catalog and through major retail book stores as well as many independent gift
toy and book stores nationwide beginning in March 1997 for $10.95.

Product

Chinese jump ropes sold with children's activity books

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Klutz Inc. of Palo Alto, Calif., is offering to replace the Chinese jump ropes sold with about 66,000 children's activity books by Anne Akers Johnson entitled "Chinese Jump Rope," distributed by Klutz. The ends of the elasticized ropes are joined together by metal crimps that may fail in use. Children using the ropes or standing nearby can be hit by an end of the rope as it snaps back.Klutz has received 17 reports of the ropes breaking apart and one report in which a child was struck and scratched near the eye, but did not require medical attention.Klutz is offering to replace all metal crimped ropes with knotted ropes."Chinese Jump Rope" is a colorfully illustrated children's book that describes how to play variations of the popular jump rope game, including "Doubles," "American Ropes," "Crazy Rope," and "Toothpicks." Each book comes with two elastic ropes, one short and the other long.Klutz sold the jump ropes with the activity books directly through its catalog and through major retail book stores as well as many independent gift, toy and book stores nationwide beginning in March 1997 for $10.95.Consumers should take the recalled jump ropes away from children immediately and call Klutz Inc. collect at 415-857-0888 for the free replacement ropes or write to Klutz Inc., 2121 Staunton Court, Palo Alto, CA 94306. Alternatively, consumers can make their own repair by cutting the ends of the ropes, removing the metal crimps, and tying the ends of the rope together with a square knot.

Hazard

The ends of the elasticized ropes are joined together by metal crimps that may fail in use. Children using the ropes or standing nearby can be hit by an end of the rope as it snaps back.

Incidents & Injuries

Klutz has received 17 reports of the ropes breaking apart and one report in which a child was struck and scratched near the eye, but did not require medical attention.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should take the recalled jump ropes away from children immediately and call Klutz Inc. collect. Alternatively, consumers can make their own repair by cutting the ends of the ropes, removing the metal crimps, and tying the ends of the rope together with a square knot.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a New Instructions, 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 (New Instructions, Replace) 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.

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