| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
CONTACT: Ken Giles |
| December 17, 1996 |
(301) 504-7052 |
| Release # 97-042 |
| |
Wooden Toys Recalled Because of Lead Paint
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Oriental Trading Company of Omaha, Neb., is voluntarily recalling approximately 44,400 wooden toys because some of the paint on the toys contains high levels of lead. CPSC standards ban toys containing high levels of lead. Young children might swallow lead if they chewed on these toys. Although no reports of illness or injury have been received, this recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of lead poisoning.
Two types of wooden toys are involved in this recall. One toy is a set of 32 wooden beads with a cord for stringing the beads, packaged in a clear plastic bag labeled (in part): "OTC Item No. M-027/653 QTY: 1PC MADE IN CHINA." The other toy is a set of six spinning tops, packaged in a clear plastic bag labeled (in part): "OTC ITEM NO: M-027/294 QTY: 1 SET MADE IN CHINA."
These two toys were sold from September 1994 to November 1996 through the firm's catalogs for under $4 and through retail stores.
Consumers who purchased these wooden toys from toy stores should return them for a full refund or full credit. Consumers who purchased the toys through Oriental Trading's catalog should call the company at (800) 228-0045 to obtain refund instructions.
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.