"Basic Skills Puzzle Set," model QB448, and "Wooden Pegged Puzzle Set," model QP340
CPSC Recall #94-081 — May 23, 1994
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 94-081 |
| Recall Date | May 23, 1994 |
| Remedy Type | Refund, Replace |
| Units Affected | 8,219 |
| Manufactured In | Taiwan |
Where It Was Sold
| The puzzles were sold nationwide through Troll Associates' mail order catalog "Learn & Play" from January 1992 through December 1993. The Basic Skills Puzzle Set sold for $14.95 |
| and the Wooden Pegged Puzzle Set sold for $29.95. |
Product
"Basic Skills Puzzle Set," model QB448, and "Wooden Pegged Puzzle Set," model QP340
Description
PRODUCT: 8,219 Troll Associates, Incorporated's "Basic Skills Puzzle Sets," and "Wooden Pegged Puzzle Sets." Each set consists of 4 puzzles. The puzzles are labeled: "Hatch-A- Chick," Pretty Posies," "Wacky Creatures," "Animals Friends Train," "Learning World," "On-the-Go," "My Home," and "Animal Friends." The puzzles were sold nationwide through the Learn & Play" mail order catalog from January 1992 through December 1993. PROBLEM: During routine CPSC testing, red plastic pegs attached to each puzzle piece separated, presenting a potential choking hazard to young children. WHAT TO DO: Consumers should immediately take the puzzles away from young children and return the puzzles to Troll Associates, 4600 Pleasant Hill Road, Memphis, TN 38118 for a refund or free replacement puzzles and reimbursement of all shipping and handling costs. Consumers with questions about this recall may call (800) 942-0781. WASHINGTON, DC -- CPSC, Troll Associates, Inc., Mahwah, NJ is voluntarily recalling 8,219 "Basic Skills Puzzle Set," model QB448, and "Wooden Pegged Puzzle Set," model QP340. During routine CPSC testing, red plastic pegs attached to each puzzle piece separated, presenting a potential choking hazard to young children. The Basic Skills Puzzle Set consists of four wooden puzzles packaged in a cardboard box. The puzzles measure 11 inches by three inches and are labeled as "Hatch-A-Chick," "Pretty Posies," "Wacky Creatures," and "Animals Friends Train." Each puzzle consists of four or five pieces with a red plastic peg attached to each piece. The pegs are used to lift-out puzzle pieces. The labels on the box and puzzles in part read: " 1993 Troll Associates . . . Made in Taiwan." The Wooden Pegged Puzzle Set also consists of four wooden puzzles packaged in a cardboard box. The puzzles measure 11- inches by 8-? inches and are labeled as "Learning World," "On- the-Go," "My Home," and "Animal Friends." Each puzzle consists of eight or nine pieces with a red plastic peg attached to each piece. The pegs are used to lift-out puzzle pieces. The labels on the box and puzzles in part read: " 1992 Troll Associates . . . Made in Taiwan." The puzzles were sold nationwide through Troll Associates' mail order catalog "Learn & Play" from January 1992 through December 1993. The Basic Skills Puzzle Set sold for $14.95, and the Wooden Pegged Puzzle Set sold for $29.95. Consumers should immediately take the puzzles away from young children and return the puzzles to Troll Associates, 4600 Pleasant Hill Road, Memphis, Tennessee 38118 for a refund or free replacement puzzles and reimbursement of all shipping and handling costs. Consumers who have questions about this recall may contact the Customer Service Department of the Learn & Play catalog toll-free at: (800) 942-0781. Neither CPSC nor Troll is aware of any injuries involving the puzzles. This voluntary recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury. The potentially hazardous toys were identified by CPSC during a routine inspection of the firm. CPSC is the Federal agency responsible for consumer product safety. Some 15,000 different types of consumer products fall within CPSC's jurisdiction.
Hazard
During routine CPSC testing, red plastic pegs attached to each puzzle piece separated, presenting a potential choking hazard to young children.
Incidents & Injuries
Neither CPSC nor Troll is aware of any injuries involving the puzzles.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should immediately take the puzzles away from young children and return the puzzles to Troll Associates, 4600 Pleasant Hill Road, Memphis, TN 38118 for a refund or free replacement puzzles and reimbursement of all shipping and handling costs.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Refund, Replace 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 (Refund, Replace) 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.