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Toy Water Batons

CPSC Recall #97-054 — January 5, 1997

Recall Summary

Recall Number97-054
Recall DateJanuary 5, 1997
Remedy TypeNew Instructions
Units Affected150,000

Where It Was Sold

The toy batons were distributed with kids meals at Dairy Queen stores nationwide from June through October 1996.

Product

Toy Water Batons

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), International Dairy Queen Inc. (IDQ) of Minneapolis, Minn., is voluntarily recalling 150,000 toy water batons distributed with kids meals. When a child sucks or chews on the baton's end-cap, the cap can come off releasing small, plastic balls from inside the baton. The end-cap and the balls present a choking hazard to young children.IDQ has received eight reports of the baton's end-cap coming off. No injuries have been reported.The toy water baton is a clear plastic rod, measuring 9 inches long, with glitter and blue, purple, and green balls floating in water inside of the baton. There are purple caps on each end of the baton, and "Dairy Queen" is printed on the rod.The toy batons were distributed with kids meals at Dairy Queen stores nationwide from June through October 1996.Consumers should immediately take these toy batons away from young children, and return them to their local Dairy Queen store. Dairy Queen stores are offering consumers a free kids meal or ice cream sundae for each baton returned. For more information, consumers may call IDQ at 1-800-956-9565.

Hazard

The end-cap and the balls present a choking hazard to young children.

Incidents & Injuries

IDQ has received eight reports of the baton's end-cap coming off. No injuries have been reported.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should immediately take these toy batons away from young children, and return them to their local Dairy Queen store. Dairy Queen stores are offering consumers a free kids meal or ice cream sundae for each baton returned.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a New Instructions at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.

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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 (New Instructions) 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.

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