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Toy "Engineering Trucks"

CPSC Recall #96-179 — July 31, 1996

Recall Summary

Recall Number96-179
Recall DateJuly 31, 1996
Remedy TypeRefund
Units AffectedAbout 12,000

Where It Was Sold

Christmas Tree Shops in New England sold the "Engineering Truck" toys from April 1994 through March 1996 for $1 each.

Product

Toy "Engineering Trucks"

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - CPSC, Christmas Tree Shops Inc. of South Yarmouth, Mass., is voluntarily recalling about 12,000 toy "Engineering Trucks." The toys contain small parts, such as the "driver" figure in the truck's front cab, which may break off during use presenting a potential choking hazard to young children. CPSC is not aware of any injuries involving this toy. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury. The State of Connecticut identified the small parts hazard. The wooden "Engineering Truck" toys (Item 00011-34416) measure approximately 6 inches long and 2 inches wide. Each truck has a front cab section with a small, peg-shaped "driver" figure which measures approximately 1.5 inches high. The truck's flat bed body features a hauler, a cement mixer, an asphalt roller, a crane, or an extension ladder. The truck has no labeling. The trucks were packaged in small blue and white cardboard boxes featuring photographs of the toys. Labeling on the box reads in part, "ENGINEERING TRUCK EDUCATIONAL TOY... MADE IN CHINA." The box also includes the SKU number "000011 34416 2." Christmas Tree Shops in New England sold the "Engineering Truck" toys from April 1994 through March 1996 for $1 each. Consumers should take the truck away from young children immediately and return the toy either to the store where purchased or the nearest Christmas Tree Shop. For more information about this recall consumers should call Christmas Tree Shop at (800) 876-9677.

Hazard

The toys contain small parts, such as the "driver" figure in the truck's front cab, which may break off during use presenting a potential choking hazard to young children.

Incidents & Injuries

CPSC is not aware of any injuries involving this toy. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury. The State of Connecticut identified the small parts hazard.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should take the truck away from young children immediately and return the toy either to the store where purchased or the nearest Christmas Tree Shop.

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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