Keds "Flexibles" shoes for infants and young children
CPSC Recall #93-044 — February 16, 1993
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 93-044 |
| Recall Date | February 16, 1993 |
| Remedy Type | Refund, Replace |
| Units Affected | Approximately 20,000 |
Product
Keds "Flexibles" shoes for infants and young children
Description
PRODUCT: Keds Flexibles infant's and young children's shoes with model numbers TH 2120, 2121, 2122, 2130, 2131, 2140 and 2141 followed by the designations TW-206 or CH-206, in sizes 2, 3, and 4 through 10. No other Flexibles shoes are affected by this recall. PROBLEM: The blue Keds label at the heel of the shoe may separate and could pose a choking hazard to young children. WHAT TO DO: Look at the upper right corner of the underside of the shoe tongue to see if the shoe is an affected model and has one of the designation numbers indicated. Return recalled shoes to the store where purchased for a replacement or full refund. Call 1-800-334-7447 toll-free with questions about this recall. WASHINGTON, D.C. -- CPSC, Keds Corporation of Cambridge, MA is voluntarily recalling certain Keds "Flexibles" shoes for infants and young children. The affected shoes, sizes 2, 3, and 4 through 10, include only models TH 2120, 2121, 2122, 2130, 2131, 2140, and 2141 followed by the designation TW-206 or CH-206. The Keds blue label, located at the heel of the shoe, can separate and be swallowed by an infant, possibly causing serious injury or death. There are no reports of injuries. The Keds Corporation urges all parents to return the shoes to the retailer where purchased for a replacement pair or a full refund. If the blue label can be easily removed from the heel, parents are urged to do so before the shoes are returned to the store. If the label cannot be removed easily, keep the shoes away from young children until the shoes can be returned. In addition to a refund, Keds will donate one dollar to K.I.D.S (Kids in Distressed Situations, Inc.) for each pair returned by consumers. The shoes come in three styles: JUMP (high lace), HOP (mid lace), and SKIP (mid velcro). The sole design features jumbled triangles, squares, and circles and comes in six different colors. Consumers can determine if they have purchased shoes affected by the recall by examining the upper right corner of the underside of the shoe tongue for the model number and designation. If an affected model number is followed by the designation TW-206 or CH-206, the shoes should be returned to the store. Shoes with a US-336 code are not affected by the recall. All other Keds Flexibles are manufactured with a different adhesion process and therefore pose no safety concern. Approximately 20,000 pairs of these shoes were sold nationally beginning in February 1992. The affected shoes have been removed from retail shelves. Customers may call 1-800-334-7447 toll free from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern Time if they have additional questions. The CPSC is announcing this recall as part of its mission to protect the public from unreasonable risks of injury and death associated with consumer products. The Commission's objective is to reduce the estimated 28.5 million injuries and 21,600 deaths associated each year with the 15,000 different types of products under CPSC's jurisdiction.
Hazard
The Keds blue label, located at the heel of the shoe, can separate and be swallowed by an infant, possibly causing serious injury or death.
Incidents & Injuries
There are no reports of injuries.
Remedy Instructions
The Keds Corporation urges all parents to return the shoes to the retailer where purchased for a replacement pair or a full refund. If the blue label can be easily removed from the heel, parents are urged to do so before the shoes are returned to the store. If the label cannot be removed easily, keep the shoes away from young children until the shoes can be returned.
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.
Yes. If you were injured by a defective consumer product — whether recalled or not — you may have grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer and potentially the retailer. A recall notice can serve as evidence that the manufacturer was aware of the defect. Injuries that may support a claim include burns, lacerations, fractures, electric shock, choking incidents, and chemical exposure. Most product liability attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless you win. Consult an attorney promptly, as statutes of limitation vary by state.
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.