"Crib Pals Tiny Tinkers Rattle Copter" and "Crib Pals Tiny Tinkers" set

CPSC Recall #89-021 — March 13, 1989

Recall Summary

Recall Number89-021
Recall DateMarch 13, 1989
Remedy TypeRefund
Units AffectedApproximately 12,000
Manufactured InJapan

Where It Was Sold

The toy helicopter rattle was sold individually and as part of a three-piece rattle set. Toys R Us sold the rattles singly as "Crib Pals Tiny Tinkers Rattle Copter
" #SKN331139
for $4. The three-piece "Crib Pals Tiny Tinkers
" SKN331244
included two other rattles
a carry-along clock and a dial-and-spin rattle
which do not pose choking hazards to infants; the combination set retailed for $10.

Product

"Crib Pals Tiny Tinkers Rattle Copter" and "Crib Pals Tiny Tinkers" set

Description

WASHINGTON -- Toys R Us of Paramus, N.J., is voluntarily recalling some 12,000 helicopter baby rattles sold nationwide last year because the rattle could present a choking hazard to infants. Shaped like a toy helicopter, the rattle copter has a tail section which is long enough to reach the back of an infant's throat and possibly cause choking. In addition, a small yellow cap at the top of the copter may come off and could pose a choking hazard. The toy helicopter rattle was sold individually and as part of a three-piece rattle set. Toys R Us sold the rattles singly as "Crib Pals Tiny Tinkers Rattle Copter," #SKN331139, for $4. The three-piece "Crib Pals Tiny Tinkers," SKN331244, included two other rattles, a carry-along clock and a dial-and-spin rattle, which do not pose choking hazards to infants; the combination set retailed for $10. Standing three-and-a-half inches high, the rattle copter is made of white, red and blue hard plastic. Clear plastic spheres are incorporated into the copter's body and tail sections, each sphere containing a spinning butterfly and duck in a liquid solution. "Royal Co. Ltd. Japan 198711” is imprinted on the bottom of the rattle copter. Consumers who bought the rattle copter singly or as part of the three-piece rattle set should take the rattle away from infants immediately and return the product to the nearest Toys R Us store for a refund of the full purchase price. Consumers may also call Toys R Us toll-free at 1-800-548-0364 for information about the product recall.

Hazard

Shaped like a toy helicopter, the rattle copter has a tail section which is long enough to reach the back of an infant's throat and possibly cause choking. In addition, a small yellow cap at the top of the copter may come off and could pose a choking hazard.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers who bought the rattle copter singly or as part of the three-piece rattle set should take the rattle away from infants immediately and return the product to the nearest Toys R Us store for a refund of the full 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.