Jingle Bell Cat plush toys
CPSC Recall #92-044 — January 15, 1992
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 92-044 |
| Recall Date | January 15, 1992 |
| Remedy Type | Refund |
| Units Affected | 700 |
Where It Was Sold
| The Jingle Bell Cat |
| imported by Hyman Products |
| Inc. was sold nationwide to seven retail toy and gift stores from October 11 |
| 1991 through November 1 |
| 1991. The Jingle Bell Dog |
| also imported by Hyman Products |
| Inc. |
| was sold nationwide to nine retail toy and gift stores from November 7 |
| 1991 |
| through November 15 |
| 1991. Each toy sold for a retail price of $29.99 each. |
Product
Jingle Bell Cat plush toys
Description
WASHINGTON, DC -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Hyman Products, Inc., of Maryland Heights, MO is voluntarily recalling 700 Jingle Bell Cat plush toys, item A0534, and 50 Jingle Bell Dog plush toys, item A0533. When CPSC tested the toys in accordance with regulations under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, the zipper clasp separated posing a potential choking or aspiration hazard for young children. The cat is white and the dog is tan and white in color. Both toys are 12 inches high and are wearing Santa Claus hats decorated with sprigs of holly. The cat has a green, red and gold plaid bow around its neck. The dog has a green bow around its neck. Both stuffed toys have soft plush bodies. Zippers on the backs of both toys open into small cloth-lined compartments that house voiceboxes which, when activated, play Jingle Bells with meowing for the cat and barking for the dog. The voiceboxes are battery-powered and are activated by pressing on the animals' bodies. Imprinted on the voicebox is "MADE IN TAIWAN." The Jingle Bell Cat, imported by Hyman Products, Inc. was sold nationwide to seven retail toy and gift stores from October 11, 1991 through November 1, 1991. The Jingle Bell Dog, also imported by Hyman Products, Inc., was sold nationwide to nine retail toy and gift stores from November 7, 1991, through November 15, 1991. Each toy sold for a retail price of $29.99 each. Consumers are urged to take the toys away from young children immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a full refund of the purchase price. For more information about this recall, consumers may contact Hyman Products, Inc. at 1-800-800-3344 or (314) 739-1990. Neither the CPSC nor the company is aware of any injuries involving these products. This voluntary recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury. The potentially hazardous toys were identified at the Port of Chicago, IL, during a joint CPSC/U.S. Customs surveillance program. 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 consumer products under CPSC's jurisdiction.
Hazard
When CPSC tested the toys in accordance with regulations under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, the zipper clasp separated posing a potential choking or aspiration hazard for young children.
Incidents & Injuries
Neither the CPSC nor the company is aware of any injuries involving these products. This voluntary recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers are urged to take the toys away from young children immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a full refund of the purchase price.
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.