Teddy Bear Christmas Stockings

CPSC Recall #89-040 — May 15, 1989

Recall Summary

Recall Number89-040
Recall DateMay 15, 1989
Remedy TypeRefund
Units AffectedAbout 4,400

Product

Teddy Bear Christmas Stockings

Description

WASHINGTON D.C. -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Jerry Elsner Company, Bronx, New York is recalling a Christmas stocking decorated with a teddy bear. Two small bells on the front of the stocking can easily come off and may be a choking hazard to young children. The stocking is 12 inches in length and made of red and white furry material. A brown stuffed teddy bear head wearing a red and white Santa hat is attached to the top of the stocking. On the front of the stocking thread to a green bow ribbon two metal bells are sewn with thread to a green bow ribbon. About 4,400 of the teddy bear Christmas stockings were sold during the last Christmas season at retail stores nationwide for approximately $12.00. Neither the Jerry Elsner Company nor the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is aware of any injuries associated with the product. Consumers should immediately take the stocking away from infants and return the product to the retailer where purchased for a full refund. Consumers may also contact Jerry Elsner Co. Inc., at 1-800-223-4119 for additional information. The U.S. Customs Service identified the hazardous Christmas stockings at the Port of Newark, New Jersey during "Operation Toyland," a joint surveillance program with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Hazard

Two small bells on the front of the stocking can easily come off and may be a choking hazard to young children.

Incidents & Injuries

Neither the Jerry Elsner Company nor the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is aware of any injuries associated with the product.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should immediately take the stocking away from infants and return the product to the retailer where purchased for a full 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.