My Pet Bear ride-on toys
CPSC Recall #96-151 — June 25, 1996
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 96-151 |
| Recall Date | June 25, 1996 |
| Remedy Type | No Remedy Available |
| Units Affected | Approximately 9,400 |
Where It Was Sold
| Retail stores sold the My Pet Bear ride-on toy nationwide from January 1995 through May 1996 for about $45. |
Product
My Pet Bear ride-on toys
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Hedstrom Corporation of Bedford, Pa., warned owners of approximately 9,400 Hedstrom My Pet Bear ride-on toys to remove the foam covering from the two horizontal, metal support tubes in order to eliminate any risk of children choking on the foam. Hedstrom has received four reports of children biting off pieces of the protective foam. No injuries have been reported. My Pet Bear, model number 2-551, is a bouncing/rocking toy recommended for children ages nine months to 36 months. The ride, measuring 21 inches high, 36 inches long, and 22 inches wide, resembles a bear with a seat attached to its back. Four heavy springs attach the bear to a metal frame with two horizontal bars covered with light tan foam padding. Retail stores sold the My Pet Bear ride-on toy nationwide from January 1995 through May 1996 for about $45. The firm is out of business and can no longer be contacted.
Hazard
The foam covering from the two horizontal, metal support tubes pose a choking hazard on the foam.
Incidents & Injuries
Hedstrom has received four reports of children biting off pieces of the protective foam. No injuries have been reported.
Remedy Instructions
The firm is out of business and can no longer be contacted.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a No Remedy Available 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 (No Remedy Available) 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.