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Toy Wooden Caterpillars

CPSC Recall #96-082 — March 18, 1996

Recall Summary

Recall Number96-082
Recall DateMarch 18, 1996
Remedy TypeRefund
Units Affected6,000

Where It Was Sold

Various retail stores and discount centers sold the toy caterpillars nationwide from July 1994 to February 1996 for approximately $5 to $10 each.

Product

Toy Wooden Caterpillars

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - CPSC, Division Sales Inc. of Itasca, Ill., is recalling 6,000 toy wooden caterpillars. The toy caterpillar's eyes can break off, presenting a choking hazard to young children. CPSC and Division Sales Inc. are not aware of any injuries involving these toy caterpillars. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury. The painted wooden caterpillars, measuring approximately 10 inches long, 4 inches tall, and 3 inches wide, have yellow bodies and green, red, and blue wheels. The toy has a 10-inch long pull string attached to the caterpillar's head. Although the toy itself is unlabeled, it comes packaged in a blue colored cardboard box labeled "WOOD CATERPILLAR ... ITEM NO. 801 MADE IN CHINA FOR JUSTEN PRODUCTS." Various retail stores and discount centers sold the toy caterpillars nationwide from July 1994 to February 1996 for approximately $5 to $10 each. Consumers should take the toy caterpillars away from young children immediately and return the toys to the store where purchased for a full refund. For more information, consumers should call Division Sales Inc. at (800) 621-8134. The potentially hazardous toys were identified by the State of Kentucky's Department of Health Services, Product Safety Programs at a retail store in Eddyville, Kentucky.

Hazard

The toy caterpillar's eyes can break off, presenting a choking hazard to young children.

Incidents & Injuries

CPSC and Division Sales Inc. are not aware of any injuries involving these toy caterpillars. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should take the toy caterpillars away from young children immediately and return the toys to the store where purchased 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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