"Pop Up Answer Phone" toy, model #1808-0

CPSC Recall #88-099 - November 16, 1988

Recall Summary

Recall Number88-099
Recall DateNovember 16, 1988
Remedy TypeRefund
Units Affected20,000
ManufacturerLarami Corporation, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Product

"Pop Up Answer Phone" toy, model #1808-0

Description

WASHINGTON, DC - "Pop Up Answer Phone" model #1808-0, a Larami preschool toy, is being recalled by the manufacturer because an antenna piece may separate from the toy telephone receiver and cause a potential choking hazard for young children. Larami Corporation, of Philadelphia, PA is recalling 20,000 of the toy telephones sold nationwide in 1987 for about $10. The plastic "Pop Up Answer Phone" consists of a six-by-eight-inch red and white base and a blue receiver. Adhesive labels on both the base and receiver identify the toy as "Pop Up Answer Phone." The model number 1808-0 appears on the package but not on the toy itself. An inch-and-a-half long plastic antenna projects from the top of the telephone receivers. Twelve red push buttons are located on the base of the toy; when the buttons are pushed, small cards pop up through slots on the base. A roller directory is found at the top of the base. The same toy phone manufactured by Larami but identified with an adhesive red dot on the telephone receiver and on the front of the package is not affected by this recall. Parents having model #1808-0 "Pop Up Answer Phone" not marked with a red dot should immediately take the toy away from young children and return it to the store where purchased for a refund of the full purchase price, or mail the toy to Larami Corporation, 340 North 12th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107. OSPIRG, the Oregon State Public Interest Research Group, brought this toy to the attention of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

Hazard

An antenna piece may separate from the toy telephone receiver and cause a potential choking hazard for young children.

Remedy Instructions

Parents having model #1808-0 "Pop Up Answer Phone" not marked with a red dot should immediately take the toy away from young children and return it to the store where purchased for a refund of the full purchase price, or mail the toy to Larami Corporation, 340 North 12th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107.

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.