R. Dakin & Co. plush mobile animal toys
CPSC Recall #82-048 - November 15, 1982
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 82-048 |
| Recall Date | November 15, 1982 |
| Remedy Type | Refund |
| Units Affected | Approximately 180,000 |
| Importer | R. Dakin & Co. of San Francisco, California |
Product
R. Dakin & Co. plush mobile animal toys
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- A survey by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission revealed that as many as 180,000 stuffed plush mobile animal toys that were originally voluntarily recalled by R. Dakin & Co. in 1979-80, may continue to pose a strangulation hazard to infants. For this reason the importer of the toys, R. Dakin & Co. of San Francisco, has redoubled its efforts to remove the hazard from consumer's hands. The 1982 CPSC survey analysis (the first of its kind conducted) indicated that a majority of Dakin consumers contacted were not aware of the recall. Some who still owned the toy were using it in a manner that placed their children at risk. An eleven-month-old baby girl and an eight-month-old baby boy strangled in the fall of 1979 where in separate incidents, each became entangled in the elastic strings suspending the toy from a crib bedpost. R. Dakin & Co. had undertaken a voluntary recall program in 1979-80 to notify toy owners of the potential hazard. Over 400,000 toys were then involved. Dakin's renewed efforts include paid ads in magazines aimed at parents of infants and toddlers. Dakin has also agreed to mail safety warning posters to thousands of pediatricians across the country for display in their waiting rooms. Involved in the recall are six different models of stuffed toys which are intended to be suspended by means of three elastic cords. The recalled Dakin toys are: Hummbug Bee Model 34-3645 Embo Elephant Model 34-1972 Jolly Polly Parrot Model 34-3462 Stanley Stork Model 34-3653 Lucky Ladybug Model 34-3662 Duckswoop Model 34-3666 Each toy is covered with plush fabric and contains a musical chime device. The R. Dakin & Co. name appears on a tag sewn on each animal. The stuffed toys were imported from South Korea and sold in the United States for approximately $7-10 in toy and other retail stores. For a full refund of the retail purchase price and reimbursement of postage costs, parents should return the animals to R. Dakin & Co., 499 Point San Bruno Blvd., South San Francisco, California 94080. Consumers who wish to keep the toys should: 1) cut off the three elastic cords, and 2) phone Dakin, toll-free, at 800-227-6598; in California, 800-632-2179.
Hazard
A survey by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission revealed that as many as 180,000 stuffed plush mobile animal toys that were originally voluntarily recalled by R. Dakin & Co. in 1979-80, may continue to pose a strangulation hazard to infants. For this reason the importer of the toys, R. Dakin & Co. of San Francisco, has redoubled its efforts to remove the hazard from consumer's hands.
Incidents & Injuries
An eleven-month-old baby girl and an eight-month-old baby boy strangled in the fall of 1979 where in separate incidents, each became entangled in the elastic strings suspending the toy from a crib bedpost.
Remedy Instructions
For a full refund of the retail purchase price and reimbursement of postage costs, parents should return the animals to R. Dakin & Co., 499 Point San Bruno Blvd., South San Francisco, California 94080. Consumers who wish to keep the toys should: 1) cut off the three elastic cords, and 2) phone Dakin, toll-free, at 800-227-6598; in California, 800-632-2179.
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.