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"Creative Years" Magnetic Building Blocks and Mini-Magnet Auto Transport Train

CPSC Recall #89-053 - June 12, 1989

Recall Summary

Recall Number89-053
Recall DateJune 12, 1989
Remedy TypeRefund
Units AffectedAbout 33,000

Product

"Creative Years" Magnetic Building Blocks and Mini-Magnet Auto Transport Train

Description

WASHINGTON -- "Creative Years" magnetic blocks and a magnetic toy train are being recalled voluntarily by the Associated Merchandising Corporation (AMC) of New York, N.Y., because small pieces may break off the toys, resulting in potential choking hazards to young children. Two sets of "Creative Years" Magnetic Building Blocks are being recalled, a 16-piece set identified as Model 9516, and a 21-piece set, Model 9521. The blocks are made of plastic, come in various sizes and shapes of red, yellow, blue and green plastic with magnets on one or two sides. Some magnets and pieces of plastic may break off and become a choking hazard to young children. Also recalled is "Creative Years" Mini-Magnet Auto Transport Train, Style 505 which is a wood locomotive containing five wooden flat cars, that carry automobiles on top of it. The smokestack of the locomotive may detach and may present a choking hazard to young children. The toys themselves are not labeled, but the cardboard packaging carries the identification "Copyrighted and Distributed by A.M.C., New.York, N.Y., 10018." About 33,000 were sold nationally in department stores in 1987 and 1988. Neither AMC nor the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is aware of any injuries associated with the toys. Consumers should immediately take the blocks or toy train away from children and return them to the store of purchase for a full refund of the purchase price. Consumers may also call AMC at 212-536-4338 for additional information about the recall.  

Hazard

Some magnets and pieces of plastic may break off and become a choking hazard to young children.

Incidents & Injuries

Neither AMC nor the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is aware of any injuries associated with the toys.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should immediately take the blocks or toy train away from children and return them to the store of purchase for a full 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.

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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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