Crib Mates "Popeye" and "Olive Oyl" squeeze toys, and Baby World Company "Squeeze Me" animal sque...
CPSC Recall #82-054 - December 15, 1982
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 82-054 |
| Recall Date | December 15, 1982 |
| Remedy Type | Refund |
| Units Affected | Approximately 19,000 Crib Mates toys and approximately 64,800 Baby World toys |
Product
Crib Mates "Popeye" and "Olive Oyl" squeeze toys, and Baby World Company "Squeeze Me" animal squeeze toys
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- In cooperation with the Consumer Product Safety Commission, two firms announced voluntary recalls of squeeze toys because similar shaped squeeze toys manufactured by another company have been involved in choking deaths. While the squeeze toys described in these recalls have not been involved in any known choking incidents, the handles are small enough to lodge in an infant's throat and obstruct the airway. Consumers should remove these products from use immediately. Crib Mates Inc., of Hollis, New York is recalling approximately 19,000 of the following squeeze toys which have been distributed nationwide in the last two years: Popeye character head on red handle Olive Oyl character head on red handle The toys are made of soft, easily compressed plastic material, are in a package bearing the number P 7932 and are sold under the brand name: Popeye. Stamped on the back of the head is "King Features Syndicate, Inc. Crib Mates 1979". No other Popeye or Crib Mates squeeze toys are involved in this recall. Consumers should remove these products from use immediately and return them to the retailer where purchased for full refund. Retailers should remove the toys from sale immediately and return to Crib Mates for a refund. Baby World Company, Inc. of Great Neck, New York and Grafton, West Virginia is recalling approximately 64,800 "Squeeze Me" animal squeeze toys which were sold on a nationwide basis from 1980 until the company ceased distribution in 1981. The toys are: lion's head with bow tie on handle cat's head with bow tie on handle dog's head with bow tie on handle. The toys are made of soft, easily compressed plastic material and were sold under the brand name "Squeeze Me" in a plastic bag with a cardboard label. The label bears the style number "7576' and the name "Baby World Company, Inc., Great Neck, NY." The overall length of the toys is 4-3/4". The toys have ends measuring about 7/8" in diameter and handles that are approximately 2-1/4" in length. Consumers should remove these products from use immediately and return them to the retailer where purchased for full refund. If desired, consumers may return the squeeze toy to Baby World Company, Inc., Pike Street, Grafton, West Virginia 26354, telephone (304) 265-2120, for full refund. Retailers should remove the toys from sale immediately and return them to Baby World Company, Inc., Grafton, West Virginia. For further information, consumers may call CPSC's toll-free Hotline at 800-638-CPSC.
Hazard
In cooperation with the Consumer Product Safety Commission, two firms announced voluntary recalls of squeeze toys because similar shaped squeeze toys manufactured by another company have been involved in choking deaths. While the squeeze toys described in these recalls have not been involved in any known choking incidents, the handles are small enough to lodge in an infant's throat and obstruct the airway. Consumers should remove these products from use immediately.
Incidents & Injuries
Similar shaped squeeze toys manufactured by another company have been involved in choking deaths. While the squeeze toys described in these recalls have not been involved in any known choking incidents, the handles are small enough to lodge in an infant's throat and obstruct the airway.
Remedy Instructions
Crib Mates Inc.: Consumers should remove these products from use immediately and return them to the retailer where purchased for full refund. Retailers should remove the toys from sale immediately and return to Crib Mates for a refund. Baby World Company, Inc.: Consumers should remove these products from use immediately and return them to the retailer where purchased for full refund. If desired, consumers may return the squeeze toy to Baby World Company, Inc., Pike Street, Grafton, West Virginia 26354, telephone (304) 265-2120, for full refund. Retailers should remove the toys from sale immediately and return them to Baby World Company, Inc., Grafton, West Virginia.
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.