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"Happy-Mates'' squeeze toys

CPSC Recall #82-047 - November 9, 1982

Recall Summary

Recall Number82-047
Recall DateNovember 9, 1982
Remedy TypeRefund
Units AffectedBetween 8,000-9,000
Manufactured InTaiwan

Product

"Happy-Mates'' squeeze toys

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- In cooperation with the Consumer Product Safety Commission, Electra-Plastics, Inc. of Port Newark, New Jersey, today announced a voluntary recall of four "Happy-Mates'' squeeze toys because they are small enough to lodge in the throat of a child and obstruct the airway thus causing choking and/or suffocation. Although these particular toys have not been involved in any choking incident known to CPSC, similar shaped toys have been involved in choking deaths. Between 8 and 9 thousand of these toys have been distributed primarily in the northeastern states during the last 2 years. All four squeeze toys have bulbous or flared ends measuring 3/4" to 1 1/4" in diameter and handles that are 2 3/4" long. Overall length of the toys is .5". The toys are: orange lion's head with bow tie on orange handle yellow cat's head with bow tie on yellow handle green frog's head with bow tie on white handle pink pig's head with bow tie 'on pink handle The toys are made of soft, easily compressed plastic material and are packaged and sold under the brand name "Happy Mates." They are stamped "Taiwan" on the squeaky portion. The packaging bears the number H702. Consumers should remove these products from use immediately and return to the retailer where purchased for full refund. Or consumers may return the toys to Electra-Plastics, Inc., Bldg. 305, Navy and Neptune Streets, Port Newark, N.J. 07114 for a full refund. The telephone number is 201-589-2525. Retailers should remove the toys from sale immediately and return to Electra-Plastics, Inc. for a full refund.

Hazard

The recalled "Happy-Mates'' squeeze toys are small enough to lodge in the throat of a child and obstruct the airway thus causing choking and/or suffocation.

Incidents & Injuries

Although these particular toys have not been involved in any choking incident known to CPSC, similar shaped toys have been involved in choking deaths.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should remove these products from use immediately and return to the retailer where purchased for full refund. Or consumers may return the toys to Electra-Plastics, Inc., Bldg. 305, Navy and Neptune Streets, Port Newark, N.J. 07114 for a full refund. The telephone number is 201-589-2525. Retailers should remove the toys from sale immediately and return to Electra-Plastics, Inc. for a full refund.

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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