Bear Ringing Phone #821 Clown Ringing Phone #824 Panda Ringing Phone #825

CPSC Recall #91079 — May 29, 1991

Recall Summary

Recall Number91079
Recall DateMay 29, 1991
Remedy TypeRefund
Units AffectedApproximately 2,454

Product

Bear Ringing Phone #821 Clown Ringing Phone #824 Panda Ringing Phone #825

Description

WASHINGTON, DC -- TDT Toy Company of Los Angeles, CA is voluntarily recalling its toy Bear Ringing Phone #821, Clown Ringing Phone #824, and Panda Ringing Phone #825 because these toys may pose a fatal choking hazard for young children due to small parts. The plastic toy telephones, sold nationwide prior to August 1990, failed use and abuse testing conducted by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Approximately 2,454 affected Bear, Clown, and Panda telephones were sold. This recall is being conducted in cooperation with the CPSC. The battery operated toy phones consist of a colorful bear, clown, or panda shaped plastic figure in which a square telephone-like push button pad is mounted. Each figure has its right hand and arm extended to hold a bright red handset which is connected by a plastic cord to the base of the toy. The head of the figure moves up and down and the eyes light up when the buttons are pushed and a ringing sound is generated. Each of the figures has a bow tie as part of the head/neck design. Tpk-L;orted from Taiwan and distributed by TDT. The phones sold for under $7.00 each. Neither the CPSC nor the company is aware of any injuries involving these toy phones. This voluntary recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury. Consumers are urged to take these toys away from young children and return them to the store where purchased for a refund of the purchase price. Consumers with questions about this recall may contact the TDT Toy Company at (213) 687-3547 or write TDT Toy Company, 310 Boyd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013. The potentially hazardous toys were identified during an inspection of the firm conducted as a result of previous violations. The CPSC's mission is to protect the public from unreasonable risks of injury and death associated with consumer products. The CPSC is the Federal agency responsible for consumer product safety. Some 15,000 different types of products fall within the Commission's jurisdiction and each year these products are involved in an estimated 29 million injuries and 22,000 deaths.

Hazard

These toys may pose a fatal choking hazard for young children due to small parts. The plastic toy telephones, sold nationwide prior to August 1990, failed use and abuse testing conducted by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

Incidents & Injuries

Neither the CPSC nor the company is aware of any injuries involving these toy phones. This voluntary recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers are urged to take these toys away from young children and return them to the store where purchased for a refund of the purchase price.

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.