Pooh Poppin' Piano toys

CPSC Recall #99-153 — August 4, 1999

Recall Summary

Recall Number99-153
Recall DateAugust 4, 1999
Remedy TypeReplace
Units AffectedApproximately 202,000

Product

Pooh Poppin' Piano toys

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Tiger Electronics, Ltd., of Vernon Hills, Ill., is voluntarily recalling to replace approximately 202,000 Pooh Poppin' Piano toys. The green "leafy" top section of the carrot-shaped microphone attached to the piano toy can break off, posing a choking hazard to young children. Tiger has received three reports of the leafy top of the microphone breaking off. There are no reports of injuries. Only pianos with serial numbers starting with "WT" or "CO15D" are part of this program. The serial number is printed in two places: on a small label located inside the battery compartment, and on the bottom of the retail package. The piano toy is mostly lime green with eight characters from the "Winnie the Pooh" series that move up and down in response to pressing down corresponding piano keys. The orange and green microphone attaches to the piano with a short cord that amplifies sound. The toy announces eight color names, and plays piano sounds and eight pre-programmed children's songs. Toy and discount department sold these toys nationwide from August 1997 through August 1999 for about $20. Parents and caregivers should take these toys away from children immediately, and contact Tiger for instructions on returning it for a free replacement Pooh Poppin' Piano toy. For more information, call Tiger toll-free at (800) 844-3733 anytime, or go to their web site at www.game.com/tigertoys/recall.htm. Consumers can also view a video clip about this recall (Transcript). It is about 13 megabytes long and the download time depends upon the speed of your Internet connection.

Hazard

The green "leafy" top section of the carrot-shaped microphone attached to the piano toy can break off, posing a choking hazard to young children.

Incidents & Injuries

Tiger has received three reports of the leafy top of the microphone breaking off. There are no reports of injuries.

Remedy Instructions

Parents and caregivers should take these toys away from children immediately, and contact Tiger for instructions on returning it for a free replacement Pooh Poppin' Piano toy.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a 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 (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.