| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
CONTACT: Media Relations |
| April 2, 1996 |
(301) 504-7908 |
|
Release # 96-092
|
CPSC and The Americas Co. Announce Wooden Armadillo and Turtle Recall
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), The Americas Company of San Francisco, Calif., is recalling approximately 42,000 wooden armadillos and turtles. The products are hazardous because they contain a level of lead in the painted surface that violates the law and is dangerous to children if consumed.
The wooden armadillos and turtles, with bodies measuring between one and four inches long, are made of dried gourds and are painted in various colors and patterns. The armadillos and turtles have movable heads and the larger armadillos also have movable tails.
A sticker on the bottom of the armadillos and turtles reads, "Hecho En Mexico" ("Made in Mexico"). The large armadillos' hang tags read, "Folk Art *** The Nature Company, Berkeley, CA *** sku #696807 *** Item 696807 *** $14.00/xxx."
Six retailers, including The Nature Company stores, sold the armadillos and turtles nationwide from May 1995 to February 1996 for between $4 and $14 each.
Consumers should immediately take the armadillos and turtles away from children and return the items to the store where purchased for a full refund or exchange. Consumers can also return armadillos and turtles with proof of purchase directly to The Americas Company, 1977 Union Street, San Francisco, Calif. 94123. The Americas Co. will exchange the product for a new one that meets CPSC standards. For more information, consumers should call The Americas at (800) ARTIFAX (278-4329) between 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. PT, Monday through Friday.
The Americas and CPSC are not aware of any injuries involving these products. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury.
This matter came to CPSC's attention as a result of a referral from the Texas Department of Health, Austin, Texas.
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.