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Wooden Toys

CPSC Recall #97-042 - December 16, 1996

Recall Summary

Recall Number97-042
Recall DateDecember 16, 1996
Remedy TypeRefund
Units Affected44,400

Where It Was Sold

These two toys were sold from September 1994 to November 1996 through the firm's catalogs for under $4 and through retail stores.

Product

Wooden Toys

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Oriental Trading Company of Omaha, Neb., is voluntarily recalling approximately 44,400 wooden toys because some of the paint on the toys contains high levels of lead. CPSC standards ban toys containing high levels of lead. Young children might swallow lead if they chewed on these toys. Although no reports of illness or injury have been received, this recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of lead poisoning. Two types of wooden toys are involved in this recall. One toy is a set of 32 wooden beads with a cord for stringing the beads, packaged in a clear plastic bag labeled (in part): "OTC Item No. M-027/653 QTY: 1PC MADE IN CHINA." The other toy is a set of six spinning tops, packaged in a clear plastic bag labeled (in part): "OTC ITEM NO: M-027/294 QTY: 1 SET MADE IN CHINA." These two toys were sold from September 1994 to November 1996 through the firm's catalogs for under $4 and through retail stores. Consumers who purchased these wooden toys from toy stores should return them for a full refund or full credit. Consumers who purchased the toys through Oriental Trading's catalog should call the company at (800) 228-0045 to obtain refund instructions.

Hazard

Some of the paint on the toys contains high levels of lead. CPSC standards ban toys containing high levels of lead. Young children might swallow lead if they chewed on these toys.

Incidents & Injuries

Although no reports of illness or injury have been received, this recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of lead poisoning.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers who purchased these wooden toys from toy stores should return them for a full refund or full credit. Consumers who purchased the toys through Oriental Trading's catalog should call the company at (800) 228-0045 to obtain refund instructions.

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.

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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 (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.

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