"Curiosity Snail" crib toys

CPSC Recall #89-013 — February 12, 1989

Recall Summary

Recall Number89-013
Recall DateFebruary 12, 1989
Remedy TypeRefund
Units AffectedApproximately 800
Manufactured InChina

Where It Was Sold

"Curiosity Snail" was sold nationally for about $14 in Toys R Us stores this year.

Product

"Curiosity Snail" crib toys

Description

WASHINGTON -- Toys R Us of Paramus, N.J., is voluntarily recalling approximately 800 "Curiosity Snail" crib toys. These toys have a looped cord with a teether attached to its body long enough to fit over an infant's head and present a potential risk of strangulation. When rolled up, the soft, yellow fabric toy is shaped like a snail and may be used as a stuffed animal toy. When unrolled and attached to a crib rail, "Curiosity Snail" becomes an activity toy with plastic rings, a mirror, a peek-a-boo feature, and the teether. A label attached to the toy reads "Softee Learners. Made in China." Care instructions are found on the reverse side of the label. "Curiosity Snail" was sold nationally for about $14 in Toys R Us stores this year. While no strangulations or injuries have been reported, the company is recalling the toy in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission because of the possibility of injury to young children. Consumers should take the toy away from children and return it to the nearest Toys R Us store for a refund of the purchase price.

Hazard

These toys have a looped cord with a teether attached to its body long enough to fit over an infant's head and present a potential risk of strangulation.

Incidents & Injuries

No strangulations or injuries have been reported.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should take the toy away from children and return it to the nearest Toys R Us store 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.

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.