Toys and Rattle
CPSC Recall #97041 - December 16, 1996
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 97041 |
| Recall Date | December 16, 1996 |
| Remedy Type | Refund |
| Units Affected | Over 133,000 |
Where It Was Sold
| The toys were sold through Dollar and discount stores nationwide from November 1993 through December 1996 for about $1. |
Product
Toys and Rattle
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), four toy importers are recalling over 133,000 toys and rattles. The toys and the rattle contain small components that can break off presenting a choking hazard to young children. The importers participating in this recall are Laiko International Company Inc. of City of Industry, Calif.; Lexin Inc. of Los Angeles, Calif.; Shalom International Corp. of Carteret, N.J.; and The Right Start Inc. of Westlake Village, Calif. CPSC and the importers are not aware of any injuries involving these toys or the rattle. The recalls are being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury. Laiko International Recall Laiko International is recalling more than 50,000 Free Wheel Racer toy cars. The plastic Free Wheel Racer toy cars have orange or pink bodies, black wheels, a silver rear mounted engine, and a driver's head in the cockpit. The cars were packaged in clear plastic with a cardboard header labeled in part, "FREE WHEEL RACER CHAMPION - FOR AGE 5 & UP - MADE IN HONG KONG - Non-Toxic." The package includes the UPC code number "084036 102204". The toys were sold through Dollar and discount stores nationwide from November 1993 through December 1996 for about $1. For more information, consumers can call Laiko International Inc. at (800) 735-2456 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. PST or write to Laiko International Inc., 16710 Johnson Dr., City of Industry, Calif. 91745. Lexin Inc. Recall Lexin Inc. is recalling about 340 Little Performer and 240 Flying Boat toys. The Little Performer toy (Item MS 085) is a wind-up figurine of a girl with a vinyl head, hands, and legs wearing a red and white fabric dress. The girl is seated at a xylophone, which she plays when wound. The Flying Boat toy (Item MF 742) is a pressed sheet metal model of a wheeled speed boat. The 13 inch long by 4.25 inch wide boat is red, white, blue, and gray with black tires with a vinyl driver's head in the cockpit. The Little Performer toys were packaged in paperboard boxes. Labeling on the box includes a picture of the toy and reads in part, "WIND-UP SPRING - LITTLE PERFORMER WITH SOUND EFFECT - FOR CHILDREN AGES 3-UP - MADE IN CHINA - MS 085." The Flying Boat toys were packaged in paperboard boxes. Labeling on the box includes a picture of the toy and reads in part, "FLYING BOAT - FRICTION - MF 742 - MADE IN CHINA." The toys were sold through specialty gift and collectable stores in the West and Southwest from August through November 1996 for about $15 to $25. For more information, consumers can call Lexin Inc. at (310) 329-7568 or write to Lexin Inc., 148 W. 32nd St., #D, Los Angeles, Calif. 90061. CPSC learned of this problem during joint surveillance of imported toys with the U.S. Customs Service. Shalom International Corp. Recall Shalom International Corp. is recalling is recalling about 75,000 Colormates toy jewelry sets. The plastic necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and barrettes come in a variety of pastel and bright colors and styles. The necklaces and bracelets have a variety of plastic beads/shapes strung on elastic thread. The sets come in the following styles: #60074KS necklace/bracelet/earring set with multi-colored rings. #60328NB necklace/bracelet set with ducks, cats, or bunnies. #60331NB necklace/bracelet set with bows, hearts, or flowers. #60332NB necklace/bracelet set with mice, cats, or bunnies. #60339KS necklace/fabric-covered barrette set with hearts, bears, or bows. #60340KS necklace/fabric-covered barrette set with hearts or bows. #60334NB necklace/bracelet set with flowers. The sets were packaged on cardboard hang tags. The tag pictures a girl, lists the model number, and reads in part, " COLORMATES - NOT RECOMMENDED FOR CHILDREN UNDER 3 YEARS OLD - Shalom International Corp. - Made in China." These sets were sold through Dollar and discount stores nationwide from January 1995 through December 1996 for about $1. For more information, consumers can call Shalom International Corp. at (800) 524-1428 or write to Shalom International Corp., 700 Milk St., Carteret, N.J. 07008. The Right Start Inc. Recall The Right Start Inc. is recalling about 8,000 Baby's Play Sets because the blue and white ball attached to the yellow rabbit rattle may separate. The Baby's Play Set includes up to nine red, yellow, and blue plastic toddler toys such as rattles shaped like rabbits, hammers, key rings, horns, and phones. The yellow rabbit rattle, measuring approximately five inches long, is shaped like a figure-8. One loop of the "8" holds a blue and white ball, printed with two eyes and a smile, containing small balls. Red plastic rabbit ears protrude from this end of the rattle. The other loop of the "8," which is embossed with two paws, serves as a handle. The Right Start Inc. packaged the play set in a brown cardboard carton labeled, "Item BB1816BU ... Baby's Playset ... Made in China." The Right Start mail order catalog and The Right Start retail stores sold the play sets from September 1994 through August 1995 for $14.95. Consumers should take the yellow rabbit rattles away from young children immediately. Consumers should return the yellow rabbit rattle or the complete Baby's Play Set to the nearest The Right Start store or call the company at (800) 710-7816. The Right Start Inc. will refund consumers either $1.50 for each rattle, or $14.95 for each complete play set. Consumers should take all of these recalled items away from young children immediately, and return the items to the store where purchased for a full refund. If consumers have questions about these recalls, they should call the importer or CPSC's Hotline at (800) 638-2772.
Hazard
The toys and the rattle contain small components that can break off presenting a choking hazard to young children.
Incidents & Injuries
CPSC and the importers are not aware of any injuries involving these toys or the rattle. The recalls are being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should take all of these recalled items away from young children immediately, and return the items to the store where purchased for a full 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.