Metallic Heart-Shaped Medallion Necklaces

CPSC Recall #97-120 — May 11, 1997

Recall Summary

Recall Number97-120
Recall DateMay 11, 1997
Remedy TypeRefund
Units AffectedAbout 4,800

Where It Was Sold

The clothing and necklace sets were sold nationwide through Fashion Bug stores from October 1996 through January 1997 for about $15 to $20.

Product

Metallic Heart-Shaped Medallion Necklaces

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Charming Shoppes Inc. of Bensalem, Penn., is voluntarily recalling about 4,800 metallic heart-shaped medallion necklaces that contain high levels of lead. CPSC regulations ban children's products containing high levels of lead due to the risk of lead poisoning resulting from contact with these products. Young children might get lead on their hands and then put their hands in their mouth or swallow lead directly from the necklace.Charming Shoppes Inc. has not received any reports of illness or injury. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury.The necklaces are included as an accessory with a blouse- and-pant set. The necklaces have a heart-shaped silver-colored medallion on a dark blue string. The medallion is embossed with daisies. The necklace, including the medallion, is 14 1/2 inches in length. The pant-and-blouse set is a pink heart print available in sizes 4 through 6X.The clothing and necklace sets were sold nationwide through Fashion Bug stores from October 1996 through January 1997 for about $15 to $20.Consumers should take these necklaces away from young children immediately and return the necklaces to any Fashion Bug store for a replacement lead-free necklace. For more information about this recall, consumers should call Charming Shoppes Inc. at (800) 478-2918.

Hazard

Charming Shoppes Inc. of Bensalem, Penn., is voluntarily recalling about 4,800 metallic heart-shaped medallion necklaces that contain high levels of lead. CPSC regulations ban children's products containing high levels of lead due to the risk of lead poisoning resulting from contact with these products. Young children might get lead on their hands and then put their hands in their mouth or swallow lead directly from the necklace.

Incidents & Injuries

Charming Shoppes Inc. has not received any reports of illness or injury. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should take these necklaces away from young children immediately and return the necklaces to any Fashion Bug store for a replacement lead-free necklace.

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.

Yes. If you were injured by a defective consumer product — whether recalled or not — you may have grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer and potentially the retailer. A recall notice can serve as evidence that the manufacturer was aware of the defect. Injuries that may support a claim include burns, lacerations, fractures, electric shock, choking incidents, and chemical exposure. Most product liability attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless you win. Consult an attorney promptly, as statutes of limitation vary by state.

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.