Children's board book sets
CPSC Recall #03-087 — February 26, 2003
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 03-087 |
| Recall Date | February 26, 2003 |
| Remedy Type | Replace |
| Units Affected | About 360,000 |
Where It Was Sold
| Book |
| discount department stores and online retailers sold the recalled books nationwide from August 2002 through January 2003 for about $10. |
Product
Children's board book sets
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Random House Inc., of New York, N.Y., is voluntarily recalling about 360,000 children's board book sets. The book sets were sold in cardboard boxes with plastic snaps. The plastic snaps can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.CPSC and Random House have not received any reports of injuries involving these book sets. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injuries.The boxed sets included in the recall have children's characters on the front of the box, a colored plastic handle and plastic snaps. The book set titles are "MONSTERS TO GO!," "DISNEY PRINCESS - DISNEY THE PRINCESS COLLECTION 2," "DISNEY'S WINNIE THE POOH - A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS," and "BARBIE - MY BARBIE FUN BOX." Each book set contains four board books inside. Only book sets with plastic snaps are included in the recall. Book sets with metal snaps are not part of the recall.Book, discount department stores and online retailers sold the recalled books nationwide from August 2002 through January 2003 for about $10.Consumers should immediately cut off the lid of the box with the plastic snaps and throw away the rest of the box. Send the lid with the plastic snaps to Tri-State, c/o Anthony Armetta, 325 Rabro Drive, Hauppauge, NY 11788 to receive a free replacement book set, and a refund for postage. For additional information contact Random House at (800) 805-8534 ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm's website at www.randomhouse.com (note - recall is no longer on firm's website).
Hazard
The book sets were sold in cardboard boxes with plastic snaps. The plastic snaps can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.
Incidents & Injuries
CPSC and Random House have not received any reports of injuries involving these book sets.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should immediately cut off the lid of the box with the plastic snaps and throw away the rest of the box. Send the lid with the plastic snaps to Tri-State, c/o Anthony Armetta, 325 Rabro Drive, Hauppauge, NY 11788 to receive a free replacement book set, and a refund for postage.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Replace 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 (Replace) 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.