| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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| July 13, 1988 |
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| Release # 88-048 |
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Potential Strangulation Hazard Prompts Recall of Chicco Crib Toy
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Some 136,000 Chicco-brand "Pram Mobiles" imported in 1987 and 1988 from Italy by Artsana of America, Inc., New York, N.Y., are being voluntarily recalled because of a potential strangulation hazard to infants. The majority of the toys were sold in Toys R Us Stores. Artsana said the crib toy retailed for $5-6 and consists of four pastel-colored, hard plastic bird and flower figures separated by three small balls. Two white cords at opposite ends allow the toy to be tied on a crib, carriage, playpen or stroller.
While no strangulations or injuries have been reported, Artsana is undertaking this voluntary recall because consumers who read the package instructions may leave the toy in the crib longer than is considered safe.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Chicco "Pram Mobile II does not warn consumers that the toy should be removed when the child begins to push up on hands and knees, or has attained the age of five months. CPSC said five- month-old infants can pull themselves up to a hanging crib toy and become entangled or fall forward over it, possibly strangling. The toy contains no warning about when to remove it from a crib; moreover, the package recommends its use from birth to 18 months of age.
Artsana said the Chicco crib toy is identified as item number 62926 on the package. Once removed from the package, the toy can be identified with words "Made in Italy" stamped on each of the plastic balls.
Consumers who have the Chicco "Pram Mobile" should return it to the retail store for a refund of the purchase price, or send the toy to Artsana of America, Inc. 200 Fifth Avenue, #910, New York, N.Y. 10010. The firm will refund the purchase price and postage.
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.