"Islander" children's sandals

CPSC Recall #93-031 — January 12, 1993

Recall Summary

Recall Number93-031
Recall DateJanuary 12, 1993
Remedy TypeRefund

Where It Was Sold

These shoes were sold throughout the United States in Kmart department stores and Pay Less Drugs stores between February and September of 1992. The sandals sold for $3.99 a pair.

Product

"Islander" children's sandals

Description

PRODUCT: "Islander" children's sandals by Melville Corporation. The sandals have balloons fastened to the vamp of the sandals. PROBLEM: The balloons may come off, presenting a choking hazard to children. WHAT TO DO: Consumers should return the sandals to the place of purchase for a full refund. WASHINGTON, DC -- CPSC, Melville Corporation of Rye, NY, announces the voluntary recall of its "Islander" children's sandals. The sandals can be easily identified by the balloons that are fastened to the vamp of the sandals. The balloons on the sandals may come off. Because the sandals are intended for use by young children, the balloons, if detached, present a choking hazard. To date, the CPSC and Melville are aware of two incidents involving the sandals. Neither involved an injury. These shoes were sold throughout the United States in Kmart department stores and Pay Less Drugs stores between February and September of 1992. The sandals sold for $3.99 a pair. Consumers who purchased the sandals are asked to return them to the place of purchase for a refund. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission 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 mission is to reduce the estimated 28.5 million injuries and 21,600 deaths associated each year with the 15,000 different types of consumer products under the CPSC's jurisdiction.

Hazard

The balloons on the sandals may come off. Because the sandals are intended for use by young children, the balloons, if detached, present a choking hazard.

Incidents & Injuries

To date, the CPSC and Melville are aware of two incidents involving the sandals. Neither involved an injury.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers who purchased the sandals are asked to return them to the place of purchase for a 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.

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.