"Sort & See" sorting box toys
CPSC Recall #02-213 — July 24, 2002
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 02-213 |
| Recall Date | July 24, 2002 |
| Remedy Type | Refund |
| Units Affected | About 880 |
Where It Was Sold
| Toy stores sold the sorters nationwide from May 2002 through June 2002 for about $20. |
Product
"Sort & See" sorting box toys
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Small World Toys of Culver City, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 880 sorter toys. The plastic windows on the "see-inside" sorting blocks can break, causing the beads inside to be released. This presents a choking hazard to children.Small World has received one report of a sorter block breaking. No injuries have been reported.The recalled "Sort & See" sorting box is made of hardwood and comes with eight shaped blocks of various colors. Each block is filled with beads that are visible through plastic windows. The wooden box has a clear plastic top and cutouts on two sides that correspond with the shapes of the blocks. The words "Ryan's Room" is printed on one side of the sorter box.Toy stores sold the sorters nationwide from May 2002 through June 2002 for about $20.Consumers should take the recalled shape sorters away from children immediately and return the toys to the store where purchased for a refund. For more information, consumers can contact Small World Toys toll-free at (800) 421-4153 between 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. PT Monday through Friday or visit the firm's website at www.smallworldtoys.com.
Hazard
The plastic windows on the "see-inside" sorting blocks can break, causing the beads inside to be released. This presents a choking hazard to children.
Incidents & Injuries
Small World has received one report of a sorter block breaking.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should take the recalled shape sorters away from children immediately and return the toys to the store where purchased for a refund.
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.