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Kid's Phone Beeper Combo

CPSC Recall #97-021 - November 12, 1996

Recall Summary

Recall Number97-021
Recall DateNovember 12, 1996
Remedy TypeRefund
Units Affected73,300

Where It Was Sold

Dolgencorp distributed the toys in Dollar General stores in the central part of the country from mid-August to mid-September 1996 for $5 retail.

Product

Kid's Phone Beeper Combo

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the Dolgencorp Inc. of Scottsville, Ky., is recalling 73,300 "Kid's Phone Beeper Combo" toys. The toy's telephone antenna and pieces of plastic from around the base of the antenna can break off, presenting a choking hazard to children under age 3. CPSC and Dolgencorp Inc. are not aware of any injuries involving these toy telephones. The recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury. The toy (item number 63305/7-S) consists of a plastic cellular telephone and a beeper packaged together. The telephone, measuring 6 inches high by 2.5 inches wide, is made of yellow and white plastic with a red colored plastic flip-down bottom and blue trim. The beeper, made of white plastic with yellow, red, and blue trim, measures 3.5 inches by 2.5 inches. Push buttons on both cause flashing lights, making either telephone or beeper sounds. The toy telephone and beeper are packaged together in a cardboard box labeled in part, "KID'S PHONE BEEPER COMBO...ITEM NO. 63305/7-S." Dolgencorp distributed the toys in Dollar General stores in the central part of the country from mid-August to mid-September 1996 for $5 retail. Consumers should take the toy telephones away from young children immediately and discard or destroy them, or if possible, return them to their nearest Dollar General store for a full refund. However, the firm, Dolgencorp Inc., is out of business and cannot be contacted. CPSC learned of this problem during joint surveillance with the U.S. Customs Service.

Hazard

The toy's telephone antenna and pieces of plastic from around the base of the antenna can break off, presenting a choking hazard to children under age 3.

Incidents & Injuries

CPSC and Dolgencorp Inc. are not aware of any injuries involving these toy telephones. The recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should take the toy telephones away from young children immediately and discard or destroy them, or if possible, return them to their nearest Dollar General store for a full 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.

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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.

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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