Harco Rescue Truck
CPSC Recall #91-077 — May 27, 1991
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 91-077 |
| Recall Date | May 27, 1991 |
| Remedy Type | Refund |
| Units Affected | Approximately 1,100 |
Where It Was Sold
| The trucks were sold in Alabama |
| Florida |
| and Mississippi at Harco Drug Stores from September 1990 to April 1991 for approximately $4.99 each. |
Product
Harco Rescue Truck
Description
WASHINGTON, DC -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Harco, Inc., Tuscaloosa, AL is voluntarily recalling approximately 1,100 units of the "Rescue Truck" friction toys, model number 8115. When CPSC tested the trucks in accordance with regulations under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, the truck wheels and rims separated and are small parts that pose a potential choking hazard for young children. The trucks are sold in three styles: a red fire truck, a blue police truck, and a white ambulance. Each vehicle is made of hard plastic and has a bear as the driver whose head nods back and forth when in motion. The trucks have yellow wheels with white rims and the friction on the rear wheels gives the trucks power to move. The license plate on the front bumpers bears the number 8115. The trucks measure four and one-half inches long, three inches wide, and three and one-half inches high. A label on the box reads "1987 Action Toys Co. Ltd. . . . Made in China." The statement "Action Toys, Made in China," is embossed in the bottom of the trucks. The trucks were sold in Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi at Harco Drug Stores from September 1990 to April 1991 for approximately $4.99 each. Neither the CPSC nor the company is aware of any injuries involving this product. This voluntary recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury. Consumers are urged to take these toys away from young children immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a full refund of the purchase price. For more information about this recall, consumers may call the firm at 1-800-477-9138. The CPSC's mission is to protect the public from unreasonable risks of injury and death associated with consumer products. The CPSC is the Federal agency responsible for consumer product safety. Some 15,000 different types of consumer products fall within the Commission's jurisdiction and each year these products are involved in an estimated 29 million injuries and 22,000 deaths.
Hazard
The truck wheels and rims can separate; these are small parts that pose a potential choking hazard for young children.
Incidents & Injuries
Neither the CPSC nor the company is aware of any injuries involving this product. This voluntary recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers are urged to take these toys away from young children immediately and return them to the store where purchased 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.
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.