FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 8, 1998
Release # 98-092 |
Company Phone Number: (800) 645-3867
CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: Nychelle Fleming, (301) 504-7063
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CPSC, Atico International Announce Recall of "Eyeball" and Smiley Face Floating Balls
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Atico International USA, Inc., of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., is recalling about 329,000 Halloween Floating Eyeballs and about 100,000 Smiley Face Floating Balls. These balls contain kerosene. If the ball cracks or breaks, kerosene leaking out could poison young children if swallowed. The smaller of these balls also present a serious choking hazard to young children. They lack warning labels required for small balls.
CPSC and Atico International USA, Inc. are not aware of any injuries involving these balls. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injuries.
All of the Smiley Face balls are 1.5 inches in diameter. They are yellow with black features. The Halloween Eyeballs were sold in two sizes. They measure either 1.5 or 2.25 inches in diameter. They are white with different colored irises and red streaks (resembling bloodshot eyes). All the balls float in kerosene inside a clear outer ball, and are labeled "MADE IN TAIWAN."
These balls were sold nationwide by retail chain stores such as Arbor Drug, Eckerd Drugs, Thrift Drugs, K&B, Inc and Walgreen drug stores from June 1995 through October 1997 for about $1.
Consumers should take these balls away from children immediately and return them to the store where they were purchased for a refund. For more information, contact Atico International USA toll free at (800) 645-3867, extension 541. Consumers will hear a recording asking them to leave their name and number, and an Atico International USA representative will return their call.
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.