Fisher-Price model 2306 "Pop-Up Playhouse" toy
CPSC Recall #88-058 - July 26, 1988
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 88-058 |
| Recall Date | July 26, 1988 |
| Remedy Type | New Instructions, Repair |
| Units Affected | More than 380,000 |
Product
Fisher-Price model 2306 "Pop-Up Playhouse" toy
Description
WASHINGTON, DC - Fisher-Price of East Aurora, N.Y., in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, today announced that it is voluntarily offering a free modification kit for more than 380,000 of its model 2306 "Pop-Up Playhouse" toy. The action is being taken because Fisher-Price and the Commission are concerned that the playhouse could unexpectedly come apart and cause serious eye or other injury to children or adults. Fisher-Price has received approximately 100 reports from consumers about parts of the children's playhouse suddenly coming apart, and parts being hurled across a room with enough force to break glass, stick in drywall or cause other property damage. Although several consumers have reported being struck in the eye or face, none of the injuries required hospitalization, and most of the incidents did not involve injury. The "Pop-Up Playhouse" is made of colorful fabric, supported by red or blue plastic tubes at all four corners. At the top of the playhouse, six yellow fiberglass rods form arches connected by metal sleeves. When assembled, the support structure is held together under tension. If any of the tubes break, or for some other reason the tension is released, the playhouse parts can come apart and be forcefully and rapidly thrown or ejected from the toy. Consumers with the playhouse should immediately remove the toy from children, then fold it according to instructions that came with the product. Consumers should not disassemble the playhouse until they receive the free modification kit and instructions. Consumers should call Fisher-Price toll-free at 1-800-233-4004 for the kit. Following consumer complaints about the toy breaking apart Fisher-Price redesigned the playhouse and revised its assembly instructions. The metal connectors are now permanently attached to the yellow rods, and the plastic tubes are made of stronger material and are held firmly in place. When consumers complete the modification of older "Pop-Up Playhouses," the products will be the same as the redesigned toy now being marketed by Fisher-Price. To order your free modification kit, call Fisher-Price toll free at 1-800-233-4004 between 8 a.m. or 5 p.m. or write: Fisher-Price Consumer Affairs 636 Girard Avenue East Aurora, NY 14052
Hazard
When assembled, the support structure is held together under tension. If any of the tubes break, or for some other reason the tension is released, the playhouse parts can come apart and be forcefully and rapidly thrown or ejected from the toy.
Incidents & Injuries
Fisher-Price has received approximately 100 reports from consumers about parts of the children's playhouse suddenly coming apart, and parts being hurled across a room with enough force to break glass, stick in drywall or cause other property damage. Although several consumers have reported being struck in the eye or face, none of the injuries required hospitalization, and most of the incidents did not involve injury.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers with the playhouse should immediately remove the toy from children, then fold it according to instructions that came with the product. Consumers should not disassemble the playhouse until they receive the free modification kit and instructions. Consumers should call Fisher-Price toll-free at 1-800-233-4004 for the kit.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a New Instructions, Repair 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 (New Instructions, Repair) 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.