Soft rattles
CPSC Recall #02-030 — October 30, 2001
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 02-030 |
| Recall Date | October 30, 2001 |
| Remedy Type | Replace |
| Units Affected | About 455,000 |
| Manufactured In | China |
Where It Was Sold
| Toy and mass merchandise stores nationwide sold these rattles from August 1999 through mid-October 2001 for about $5. |
Product
Soft rattles
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C.- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Sassy Inc., of Northbrook, Ill., is voluntarily recalling to replace about 455,000 soft rattles. The sewn-on, spherical shaped fabric eyes on the rattles can detach, posing a choking hazard to small children.Sassy has received 129 reports of eyes detaching from the rattles, including some incidents in which eyes were found in children's mouths. One of these children started to choke on a detached eye and a parent used the Heimlich maneuver to remove the eye.The rattles involved in the recall include:"Lily Pad Rattle" - A green frog with four plastic legs and a multi-colored belly."Bitty Kitty Rattle" - A clear, plastic tube filled with beads connects a purple, cat-like face to a purple ball. Three plastic pieces encircle the plastic tube and make a rattle sound when shaken."This Little Piggy Rattle" - A pink pig-like face is connected to a green ball by a yellow and pink arm and a blue arm. Beads inside the green ball make a rattle sound when shaken."Goo Goo Goldfish" - A multi-colored fish with pink lips, an orange fin, and a clear, plastic tube that connects the head to the tail. Beads inside the tube make a rattle sound when shaken."Smoochie Poochie Rattle" - A blue, puppy-like face with green spotted ears is connected to a blue and green spotted body. Five plastic pieces encircle the body and make a rattle sound when shaken."Crinkly Crown Dragon Rattle" - A green dragon with a scaled, curved tail. Three blue ridges protrude from the dragon's back.A caretag attached to the head of each rattle reads in part, "Sassy" and "1999 Made in China." Rattles with the same appearance but embroidered eyes are not involved in this recall.Toy and mass merchandise stores nationwide sold these rattles from August 1999 through mid-October 2001 for about $5.Consumers should immediately take these toys away from young children and return them to Sassy to receive a free replacement toy. Consumers should call Sassy at (800) 323-6336 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday for information on how to receive the replacement toy.
Hazard
The sewn-on, spherical shaped fabric eyes on the rattles can detach, posing a choking hazard to small children.
Incidents & Injuries
Sassy has received 129 reports of eyes detaching from the rattles, including some incidents in which eyes were found in children's mouths. One of these children started to choke on a detached eye and a parent used the Heimlich maneuver to remove the eye.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should immediately take these toys away from young children and return them to Sassy to receive a free replacement toy. Consumers should call Sassy at (800) 323-6336 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday for information on how to receive the replacement 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.