FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 24, 1998
Release # 98-131 |
Company Phone Number: (800) 536-7855
CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: Nychelle Fleming, (301) 504-7063
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CPSC, STK International Announce Recall of Baby Rattles
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), STK International Inc., of Vernon, Calif., is recalling about 15,800 baby rattles. The handles of these rattles could present a serious choking hazard to infants and young children. Because of the rattle handles' shape, they could block a child's airway if inserted in the throat.
CPSC and STK International Inc. are not aware of any injuries involving this rattle. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury.
The rattles are called "Turning Ball with Whistle," and are designed to be an infant toy. They are made of multi-colored plastic with a handle connected to a ring holding a rotating segmented ball. This ball contains a clear plastic ball holding two small metal balls. The handle is made up of large colored beads and has a whistle on the tip. The rattle is packaged in a clear plastic bag with a cardboard hang tag reading, "TURNING BALL WITH WHISTLE *** NO. BI-194 *** MADE IN CHINA ***."
Discount dollar stores nationwide sold the recalled rattle from December 1997 through May 1998 for about $1.
Consumers should take these toys away from young children immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a refund. For more information about this recall, consumers should call STK International Inc. at (800) 536-7855 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PDT Monday through Friday.
CPSC learned of the problem through testing samples as part of a joint CPSC/U.S. Customs Service import surveillance program.
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.