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Flower rattles

CPSC Recall #98-134 — June 27, 1998

Recall Summary

Recall Number98-134
Recall DateJune 27, 1998
Remedy TypeDispose, No Remedy Available
Units AffectedAbout 2,000
Manufactured InHong Kong

Product

Flower rattles

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Michael Friedman Corp. of Brooklyn, N.Y. is recalling about 2,000 rattles. Small parts can break off of the rattles, presenting choking and aspiration hazards to infants. CPSC has received one report of a rattle separating and releasing small plastic balls from inside. No injury was reported. The recalled rattles are sold under the "Hobby Horse" brand name. The rattles, measuring 5.25 inches high, look like roses. A green stem-like handle extends from the bottom of the pink or purple "rose" and bends upon itself in a somewhat circular fashion to form a handle. The words "Hong Kong" are embossed on the lower portion of the "rose." The rattles were packaged in clear plastic shrink wrap attached to a purple polka dotted bluish cardboard header, labeled "Hobby Horse...Baby Rattle." Small children's clothing and discount stores nationwide sold the rattles from March 1997 to May 1998 for about $1 to $2. Consumers should take the rattles away from infants immediately and discard or destroy them, or if possible, return the rattles to the store where purchased for a refund. However, the firm, Michael Friedman Corp., is out of business and cannot be contacted.

Hazard

Small parts can break off of the rattles, presenting choking and aspiration hazards to infants.

Incidents & Injuries

CPSC has received one report of a rattle separating and releasing small plastic balls from inside. No injury was reported.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should take the rattles away from infants immediately and discard or destroy them, or if possible, return the rattles to the store where purchased for a refund. However, the firm, Michael Friedman Corp., is out of business and cannot be contacted.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Dispose, No Remedy Available 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 (Dispose, No Remedy Available) 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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