Mullins Square baby bibs, pants and panties
CPSC Recall #89-036 — May 8, 1989
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 89-036 |
| Recall Date | May 8, 1989 |
| Remedy Type | Refund, Replace |
| Units Affected | About 11,000 sets of baby pants and panties, and about 15,000 sets of bibs |
Product
Mullins Square baby bibs, pants and panties
Description
WASHINGTON - Mullins Square, Inc. of Austin, Texas is voluntarily recalling certain items from four lines of its baby wearing apparel because plastic eyes attached to its baby bibs, pants and panties could present choking or ingestion hazards to babies or infants. These products have either Santa Claus or animal faces on them. According to the company, some 11,000 sets of baby pants and panties were distributed nationwide since 1988. The pants sold for about $7 each and the panties sold for approximately $9.50. The attached label read in part "Mullins Square***Austin, Texas***." About 15,000 sets of sleeved and non-sleeved bibs were distributed nationwide before 1989. These bibs which sold for about $9.50 each, did not have a label attached. The recalled bibs, pants and panties have decorative plastic eyes which could be removed by infants and be ingested. While no known choking incidents have been reported to date, the company is recalling the apparel to prevent the possibility of such accidents from occurring. Baby bibs, pants and panties that have decorative FABRIC eyes are not being recalled. Consumers having the recalled infant wearing apparel should return the product to the retailer with the sales receipt for a refund of the purchase price. If no receipt, the retailer will return the product to Mullins Square who will replace the hazardous eyes and return the unit to the consumer at no cost. For more information consumers may contact the firm directly by calling Debbie Gideon at (512) 837-7099.
Hazard
The recalled bibs, pants and panties have decorative plastic eyes which could be removed by infants and be ingested.
Incidents & Injuries
While no known choking incidents have been reported to date, the company is recalling the apparel to prevent the possibility of such accidents from occurring.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers having the recalled infant wearing apparel should return the product to the retailer with the sales receipt for a refund of the purchase price. If no receipt, the retailer will return the product to Mullins Square who will replace the hazardous eyes and return the unit to the consumer at no cost.
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.