Plush toys
CPSC Recall #17-155 — May 17, 2017
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 17-155 |
| Recall Date | May 17, 2017 |
| Remedy Type | Refund, Replace |
| Units Affected | About 25,000 |
| Manufacturer | Douglas Company Inc., of Keene, N.H. |
| Importer | Douglas Company Inc., of Keene, N.H. |
| Manufactured In | China |
Where It Was Sold
| Specialty toy and gift stores nationwide from July 2014 to April 2017 for about $20. Also distributed by UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation (UHCCF) to various individuals and organizations. |
Product
Plush toys
Description
This recall involves the Oliver™ the Bear, Chewie™ the English Bulldog, and Charlotte™ the Fox model plush toys. Oliver the Bear is a brown and tan stuffed bear, with a blue t-shirt that reads “Oliver the Bear” and a red, removable cape. Chewie is a stuffed, brown and white English Bulldog with a blue patch sewn on the chest that reads “Chewie.” Charlotte is a stuffed, brown, black and white Fox with removable blue cape. Each of these toys has a sewn-in label with the words “DOUGLAS® the cuddle toy.”
Hazard
The plastic eyes on the plush toys can detach, posing a choking hazard.
Incidents & Injuries
Douglas has received two reports of the plastic eyes detaching or loosening. No injuries have been reported.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should immediately take the recalled plush toys away from young children and contact the firm to receive a free replacement product or a full refund.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Refund, Replace 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, Replace) 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.