"Crib Activity Play Doggie" and "Play Mirror" crib toys; "Sweet Heart Babies" dolls
CPSC Recall #89-020 — March 13, 1989
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 89-020 |
| Recall Date | March 13, 1989 |
| Remedy Type | Refund |
| Units Affected | Approximately 21,000 "Crib Activity Play Doggie" toys, 37,000 "Play Mirror" toys, and 190,000 "Sweet Heart Babies" dolls |
Product
"Crib Activity Play Doggie" and "Play Mirror" crib toys; "Sweet Heart Babies" dolls
Description
WASHINGTON -- Two crib toys and small dolls sold nationwide in toy stores last year under the "Blue Box" label are being voluntarily recalled by Norman J. Lewis Associates, New York, N.Y., because small parts of the toys may present choking hazards to young children. Recalled by the company: - "Crib Activity Play Doggie," a plastic crib toy which attaches to a crib or playpen railing with fabric straps. Molded in the shape of a dog dressed in coat and tie, the 12-inch flat toy has dials and knobs for the infant to push and pull as well as a detachable horn and telephone receiver. Small pieces of the horn and phone receiver may break apart and could present choking hazards for young children. "BLUE BOX MADE IN SINGAPORE" is imprinted on the back of the crib toy. Approximately 21,000 were sold last year. - "Play Mirror" is another plastic crib toy which attaches to a crib or playpen with fabric straps. The 11-inch mirror is framed in yellow plastic; dials, rings and a cylinder are located on the bottom of the frame. Pieces of plastic may break off the toy and could present choking hazards for young children. "BLUE BOX" is imprinted on the upper left corner of the frame. Approximately 37,000 play mirrors were sold last year. - "Sweet Heart Babies" are four-inch, plastic female dolls with rooted hair, painted eyes and jointed arms and legs. The dolls are wearing one piece of clothing. The doll's arms and legs can be pulled off and could be a choking hazard to young children. "CHINA" is imprinted on the doll's back. Approximately 190,000 were sold in sets of six dolls in clear plastic packaging. While no injuries have been reported to the company or to the U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), parents should immediately take the toys away from young children and return them to the store where purchased for a refund of the full purchase price. U.S. Customs Service identified the toys during the "Operation Toyland" surveillance program conducted with CPSC last year, at the Ports of Charlotte, Philadelphia, and Seattle.
Hazard
Small parts of the toys may present choking hazards to young children.
Incidents & Injuries
No injuries have been reported.
Remedy Instructions
Parents should immediately take the toys away from young children and return them to the store where purchased for a refund of the full 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.