| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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| May 24, 1982 |
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| Release # 82-022 |
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Reliance "Protecto Hold Me Tite" Squeeze Toy Recalled Because Of A Choking Hazard
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- In cooperation with the Consumer Product Safety Commission, Reliance Products Corporation, Woonsocket, Rhode Island, today announced a voluntary recall of approximately 390,000 "Protecto Hold Me Tite" squeeze toys, Assortment #06233, because of the danger of choking and/or suffocation. Since 1974 approximately 390,000 of the toys have been sold for approximately $1.97 each.
There have been two separate reports alleging that a four month old and a six month old infant choked and suffocated when the handle of the "Hold Me Tite" squeeze toy lodged in the throat and caused obstruction of the airways.
The product is an animal shaped squeeze toy with a handle and a built in squeaker. Three models are involved: a pink elephant, a yellow bear and an orange lion. The product is packaged and sold under the brand name "PROTECTO" and labeled "Hold Me Tite" assortment number 06233. Stamped on the squeaker section on the back of the head is "Reliance Products Corporation, Made in Taiwan."
Consumers should remove these products from use immediately and return them to the retailer where purchased for a full refund. Or consumers may return the squeeze toy to Reliance Products Corporation, 108 Mason Street, P.O. Box 1220, Woonsocket, Rhode Island for a full refund.
Retailers should remove the toys from sale immediately and return to Reliance Products Corporation for a full refund.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about your experience with the product on SaferProducts.gov
CPSC is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of the thousands of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $900 billion annually. CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical or mechanical hazard. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters and household chemicals - contributed to a decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.
Federal law bars any person from selling products subject to a publicly-announced voluntary recall by a manufacturer or a mandatory recall ordered by the Commission.
To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury go online to www.SaferProducts.gov or call CPSC's Hotline at (800) 638-2772 or teletypewriter at (301) 595-7054 for the hearing impaired. Consumers can obtain news release and recall information at www.cpsc.gov, on Twitter @OnSafety or by subscribing to CPSC's free e-mail newsletters.