Chicco-brand "Pram Mobiles"

CPSC Recall #88-048 — July 12, 1988

Recall Summary

Recall Number88-048
Recall DateJuly 12, 1988
Remedy TypeRefund
Units AffectedApproximately 136,000
ImporterArtsana of America, Inc., of New York, N.Y.
Manufactured InItaly

Where It Was Sold

The majority of the toys were sold in Toys R Us Stores.

Product

Chicco-brand "Pram Mobiles"

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Some 136,000 Chicco-brand "Pram Mobiles" imported in 1987 and 1988 from Italy by Artsana of America, Inc., New York, N.Y., are being voluntarily recalled because of a potential strangulation hazard to infants. The majority of the toys were sold in Toys R Us Stores. Artsana said the crib toy retailed for $5-6 and consists of four pastel-colored, hard plastic bird and flower figures separated by three small balls. Two white cords at opposite ends allow the toy to be tied on a crib, carriage, playpen or stroller. While no strangulations or injuries have been reported, Artsana is undertaking this voluntary recall because consumers who read the package instructions may leave the toy in the crib longer than is considered safe. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Chicco "Pram Mobile II does not warn consumers that the toy should be removed when the child begins to push up on hands and knees, or has attained the age of five months. CPSC said five-month-old infants can pull themselves up to a hanging crib toy and become entangled or fall forward over it, possibly strangling. The toy contains no warning about when to remove it from a crib; moreover, the package recommends its use from birth to 18 months of age. Artsana said the Chicco crib toy is identified as item number 62926 on the package. Once removed from the package, the toy can be identified with words "Made in Italy" stamped on each of the plastic balls. Consumers who have the Chicco "Pram Mobile" should return it to the retail store for a refund of the purchase price, or send the toy to Artsana of America, Inc. 200 Fifth Avenue, #910, New York, N.Y. 10010. The firm will refund the purchase price and postage.

Hazard

CPSC said five-month-old infants can pull themselves up to a hanging crib toy and become entangled or fall forward over it, possibly strangling. The toy contains no warning about when to remove it from a crib; moreover, the package recommends its use from birth to 18 months of age.

Incidents & Injuries

While no strangulations or injuries have been reported, Artsana is undertaking this voluntary recall because consumers who read the package instructions may leave the toy in the crib longer than is considered safe.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers who have the Chicco "Pram Mobile" should return it to the retail store for a refund of the purchase price, or send the toy to Artsana of America, Inc. 200 Fifth Avenue, #910, New York, N.Y. 10010. The firm will refund the purchase price and postage.

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.

Furniture tip-overs are a leading cause of pediatric injuries in the U.S., particularly dressers, bookcases, and television stands. CPSC data shows that a child dies approximately every two weeks from a furniture or TV tip-over. Unstable high chairs, baby swings, and bouncers are also frequent recall subjects due to fall risks. ASTM International standards now require that certain furniture must meet tip-over resistance standards, and CPSC has been actively pursuing mandatory requirements for dressers and chests. If you have furniture that was not recalled but feels unstable, wall-anchoring kits are widely available at hardware stores.

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.