"Cats Pajamas" and "Slugger Bear" stuffed animals
CPSC Recall #92-042 — January 9, 1992
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 92-042 |
| Recall Date | January 9, 1992 |
| Remedy Type | Refund |
Product
"Cats Pajamas" and "Slugger Bear" stuffed animals
Description
WASHINGTON, DC -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the North American Bear Company of Chicago, IL, is voluntarily recalling their "Cats Pajamas" and "Slugger Bear" stuffed animals. When tested by the CPSC, the cat's pajama buttons and the bear's jacket snaps separated during tension testing producing small parts that could be a fatal choking hazard to young children. The "Cats Pajamas" consist of a stuffed cat covered with gray fur, a pink nose, plastic eyes, and dressed in a pink and white striped two-piece pajama set. The cat's pajama top has a small pocket and two round white plastic buttons in the front. A tag is attached on the back of the cat that reads in part "Cat Pajamas #1162, North American Bear Co., Inc." The "Slugger Bear" comes with a wooden bat attached to the sleeve of a purple jacket with red trim. "F.A.O. Schwarz" is printed in red on the bat and on a tag attached to the bear. The brown furred bear has a red and blue cap attached to his head with a yellow rocking horse printed on the front flap. The bear is wearing a red and yellow striped body suit that cannot be removed. The cat was distributed nationwide at a retail price of approximately $24.00 and was last sold by North American Bear in March of 1991. The bear was distributed nationwide through November of 1991 and sold for approximately $40.00. Neither the CPSC nor the company is aware of any injuries involving this product. This voluntary recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury. These products were called to the Commission's attention by two consumer groups. Consumers are urged to take the cat and bear away from young children immediately. Consumers who have the cat should contact the North American Bear Company at (312) 329-0020 for instructions on returning them. The slugger bear was sold exclusively by F.A.O. Schwarz stores and should be returned to the store where purchased for a refund of the purchase price. 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 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 tested by the CPSC, the cat's pajama buttons and the bear's jacket snaps separated during tension testing producing small parts that could be a fatal choking hazard to young children.
Incidents & Injuries
Neither the CPSC nor the company is aware of any injuries involving this product. This voluntary recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers are urged to take the cat and bear away from young children immediately. Consumers who have the cat should contact the North American Bear Company at (312) 329-0020 for instructions on returning them. The slugger bear was sold exclusively by F.A.O. Schwarz stores and should be returned to the store where purchased for a 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.