"Jack in the Ball" toy

CPSC Recall #86-024 - April 13, 1986

Recall Summary

Recall Number86-024
Recall DateApril 13, 1986
Remedy TypeRefund
Units AffectedApproximately 20,000

Product

"Jack in the Ball" toy

Description

Washington, D.C. -- In cooperation with the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Firms of Davis-Grabowski, Inc., Miami, Florida; Small World Toys, Culver City, California; U.S. Toy Company Inc., Grandview, Missouri; Childcraft Education Corp., Edison, New Jersey; and Playspaces International, Sudbury, Massachusetts, today announced a voluntary recall of their "Jack in the Ball" toy. Under use and abuse testing, the button (belly button) which activates the jack could fall out, becoming a potential choking hazard for young children. CPSC safety standards specify that toys for children under three (3) years of age must not have such small parts, because they can be aspirated, choked on, or swallowed. Since January 1985, a total of approximately 20,000 Jack in the Ball toys have been distributed nationwide by the 5 distributors. The toy retails for approximately $10.00. The CPSC is not aware of any reports of injuries involving this toy. The plastic "Jack in the Ball" is a combination roly-poly toy and jack in the box. It is available in several different color combinations, and measures approximately 4 inches by 5 inches. The toy is packaged in a carton labeled "Ambi toys Jack in the Ball E153. The manufacturer is Europlastic, Amsterdam, Holland. Consumers should remove this toy from use immediately and return it to the retailer where purchased for a full refund. Retailers should remove this toy from sale immediately and consult the appropriate importer regarding their account.

Hazard

Under use and abuse testing, the button (belly button) which activates the jack could fall out, becoming a potential choking hazard for young children.

Incidents & Injuries

The CPSC is not aware of any reports of injuries involving this toy.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should remove this toy from use immediately and return it 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.