U.S. Toy Company, Inc. Recalls Four Toys Because Of A Potential Choking Hazard

WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Toy Co., Inc. of Grandview, MO is voluntarily recalling four toys because small components separate from the toys and are a choking or aspiration hazard to young children.

The recall of the following four toys is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). These toys were originally sold throughout the country from 1988 through July 1990.

1. Hippo Counter (#RO-1005) Imported from Taiwan, consists of a two-tone plastic body with pasted-on eyes. There are four metal wires mounted on the Hippo's back for counting beads. The wires may detach from the body of the hippo releasing the counting beads. The package reads in part: "Ages 2 & up, Toddlers learn to count from 1 to 5 by 'flipping' the easy-moving counters..." Approximately 1,000 toys sold for $4.95 each and were made in Taiwan.
2. 9" Angel Doll (#MU69) Imported from China, consists of a soft body with a plastic head and painted on face. The hair is made of straight fine yarn with a bow at the top of the head. These dolls are dressed in a one-piece outfit which has elastic at the neck, wrists, and legs. Their hands hold a bouquet of flowers. These flowers have a plastic center which could break during use and present an aspiration hazard to children. Approximately 600 dolls sold for $2.50 and were made in China.
3. Pull-Along Activity Loco (#HKT-7277) Imported from Hong Kong, consists of an eight and one-quarter-inch tall train engine on four red plastic wheels. The toy has nine different fun activities which include a spinning telephone dial with ringing bell, a squeaking whistle, windows with sliding mirrored shades, a funny clock face with movable hands, a colorful wheel that turns around, a spinning ball headlight, colorful counting rings, a see-through smokestack with tumbling beads and a click-click sound when moved along. This toy may break during during use releasing the tumbling beads from the see-through smokestack and exposing sharp points under the front wheels. An estimated 900 Pull-Along Activity Locos sold for approximately $14.95 each and were made in China. The package states in part "Age over 18 months."
4. Tell By Touch (#CPX-48) Imported from Thailand, consists of a wooden board with 10 circular openings for placement of 10 matching cylinders. Each opening and each cylinder has a textured top surface ranging from soft velvet to rough sandpaper. The cylinder pieces are small enough to present a serious choking hazard to young children. Approximately 800 toys were sold for an estimated $14.95 each and were made in Thailand. This recall affects only those Tell by Touch toys that have cylinders with red painted sides purchased before January 1, 1990.

Consumers are urged to take these toys away from young children and return them to the store where purchased for a exchange or gift certificate. Consumers with additional concerns or questions about this recall may write to U.S. Toy Co., Inc., 1227 East 119th Street, Grandview, MO 64030.

These hazardous toys were identified as a result of a consumer complaint in addition to a joint surveillance program conducted between the CPSC and the U.S. Customs Service at the Port of Kansas City. Neither the CPSC nor the U.S. Toy Company is aware of any injuries caused by these four toys.

The CPSC's mission is to protect the public from unreasonable risks of injury and death associated with consumer products. The CPSC is the Federal agency responsible for consumer product safety. Some 15,000 different kinds of consumer products fall within the Commission's jurisdiction and each year these products are involved in an estimated 30 million injuries and 22,000 deaths.