WASHINGTON, D.C.- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission (CPSC), Playskool, of Pawtucket, R.I., is voluntarily
expanding its recall program for its Busy Poppin' Pals toys to include
170,000 Sesame Street Busy Poppin' Pals toys. Small springs inside these
toys can break loose, posing a choking and laceration hazard to young
children.
On August 16, 2000, Playskool and CPSC announced the recall of
420,000 Busy Poppin' Pals toys with model number 5415, featuring animal
characters, for the same problem.
Playskool has received eight reports relating to the springs in
its Sesame Street Busy Poppin' Pals toys, including one report that a
child put the broken spring in his mouth. No injuries were reported.
Playskool received 16 reports of springs breaking in the Busy Poppin'
Pals toy recalled earlier. This resulted in five children putting the
broken springs in their mouths, and two of these children suffering
lacerations.
Playskool's Sesame Street Busy Poppin' Pals toy is a 13-inch long
white plastic toy with blue, yellow and green buttons, levers and knobs
of various shapes that, when activated, make Sesame Street characters
pop up from under the toy's base. The characters -- Elmo, Ernie, Big
Bird, Bert, and Cookie Monster -- are hidden under corresponding blue,
yellow or green lids that have the numbers one through five imprinted on
top. The toy has a white carry handle and features the Playskool and
Sesame Street logos on the front. The model number, "5446," "MADE IN
CHINA" and "C-023B" are imprinted on the bottom of the toy.
Mass merchandise stores and toy stores sold these toys (Playskool
model 5446 made in China) nationwide from November 1994 through 1996 for
about $10.
Consumers should take these toys away from young children immediately,
and contact Playskool at (877) 518-9743 anytime or visit the firm's web
site at www.hasbro.com to get information about how to receive a free,
redesigned replacement toy.
Busy Poppin' Pals toys with model 6205 have different springs and
are not part of this recall. Any Busy Poppin' Pals toy that have "Made
in Mexico" imprinted on the toy's bottom are not part of this recall.
