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Activity Block Sets

CPSC Recall #98-143 — July 15, 1998

Recall Summary

Recall Number98-143
Recall DateJuly 15, 1998
Remedy TypeRefund
Units AffectedAbout 4,000
Manufactured InChina

Where It Was Sold

Meijer
Ocean State Job Lot
Johnny's Toys and Cook Brothers stores in the East and Midwest sold the Activity Blocks from May 1997 to June 1998 for about $7 to $8.

Product

Activity Block Sets

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), T.S. Toys of Hong Kong is recalling about 4,000 Activity Block Sets. Rods on one of the blocks could break, releasing small hollow cylinders. Young children could choke on these cylinders. CPSC and T.S. Toys are not aware of any injuries involving these toys. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury. The Activity Blocks Set consists of four colorful plastic blocks and plastic shape sorters. One block has a beeper, one has a clicker dial, one has a mirror and one has rollers. The plastic block with the rollers is the one that can break. The rollers are hollow plastic cylinders on plastic rods. The Activity Block Sets are packaged in a multicolored window box. It is labeled in part, "QUALITY FunKids TOYS...Activity Blocks...ITEM NO. 38329...T.S. TOYS...MADE IN CHINA." Meijer, Ocean State Job Lot, Johnny's Toys and Cook Brothers stores in the East and Midwest sold the Activity Blocks from May 1997 to June 1998 for about $7 to $8. Consumers should take the recalled toys away from children immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a refund. For more information, consumers should call the store where purchased at the following numbers: Meijer at (800) 543-3704 (if unreachable from your state, call collect at (616) 791-3347), Ocean State Job Lot at (800) 257-4101 Ext. 159, Johnny's Toys collect at (606) 261-6962 and Cook Brothers at (800) 621-4245.

Hazard

Rods on one of the blocks could break, releasing small hollow cylinders. Young children could choke on these cylinders.

Incidents & Injuries

CPSC and T.S. Toys are not aware of any injuries involving these toys.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should take the recalled toys away from children immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a 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.

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.

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