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Infant toys known as "crib exercisers" or "baby chains"

CPSC Recall #80-018 - May 13, 1980

Recall Summary

Recall Number80-018
Recall DateMay 13, 1980
Remedy TypeRefund
Units AffectedApproximately 600
ImporterPlay Spaces International, of Waltham, Massachusetts
Manufactured InGermany

Product

Infant toys known as "crib exercisers" or "baby chains"

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 14) -- Approximately 600 infant toys known as "crib exercisers" or "baby chains" are being recalled because they may pose a strangulation hazard to infants. The recall is being conducted voluntarily by the toy's importer, Play Spaces International, of Waltham, Massachusetts, in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The toy consists of an elastic cord strung with 11 colored wooden rings and balls and is intended to be suspended over the infant after being strung across from one crib railing to the other. CPSC staff believes, however, that parents mistakenly might position the toy close enough to enable the infant to become entangled in the elastic and thereby strangle. Parents also might place the toy in the crib with their child, according to CPSC staff. No injuries or deaths involving this toy have been reported to the firm or to CPSC. The exercisers have been sold in retail stores nationwide for approximately $7.50 each. The toys are sold in plastic packages which are labeled "Schowanek" and "Made in West Germany." The package may be stamped with model number 10890. Consumers should return the toys to the place of purchase for a full cash refund.

Hazard

Approximately 600 infant toys known as "crib exercisers" or "baby chains" are being recalled because they may pose a strangulation hazard to infants.

Incidents & Injuries

No injuries or deaths involving this toy have been reported to the firm or to CPSC.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should return the toys to the place of purchase for a full cash 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.

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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.

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