Note: Phone number change.

CPSC, Four Seasons General Merchandise Announce Pull Toy, Paper Weight, And Liquid Timer Recalls

WASHINGTON, DC - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Four Seasons General Merchandise, of Vernon, Calif., is recalling 4,800 Pull-A-Long Wooden Snail pull toys, 1,800 Water Timers (2 models), and 864 Paper Weights. The Pull-A-Long Wooden Snail breaks into small parts that could choke children. The Magic Diamond Paper Weight and Liquid Timers contain ethylene glycol and petroleum distillates, which are considered combustible and hazardous to children if ingested.

The Pull-A-Long Wooden Snail is a set of three wooden pull toys, one of which measures 3.75 inches long, the second of which measures 3.25 inches long, and the third of which measures 2.5 inches long. Each of the snails has a straight wood base and round, peg-like wooden wheels. The two larger snails have wooden heads and red antennae. The smallest snail has a red head and wooden antennae. The toys are packaged with 9 red, green, blue and natural wooden disks which range in size from 1.25 to 2.5 inches in diameter. The disks can be stacked on a peg on the snails' backs to form a shell. The snails can be pulled by a 13-inch pull cord. The toy was packaged in a cardboard box labeled in part, "Pull-A-Long Wooden Snail 3 Wagons Made in China."

The Pull-A-Long Wooden Snail, Model #3092, was sold at flea markets and discount stores in California and Illinois from May 1994 through Januray 1995 for about $1 each.

The Water Timers were sold in two models. The Trio Water Timer, model #3491, has 3 separate plastic tubes, each measuring 5 inches tall and 1.5 inches in diameter, which are divided into two compartments by clear plastic shelves. The base and top of the timer are pink and yellow plastic. When the timer is turned upside down, liquid flows between the two compartments through a spout in the center divider. The center tube contains a pink honey-like substance, and the outer tubes contain either a green or blue liquid. Some of the Trio Timers come with figures of a basketball, soccer ball, baseball, and football attached to spinning wheels inside the tubes. These timers come in a cardboard box with a see-through cellophane window on both sides labelled in part, "TRIO TIMER, Item No. WT-6, 1991 MADE IN TAIWAN."

Water Timer, model #3494, has two separate rectangular cells that each measure 4.75 inches tall and 1.5 inches wide and contain either red or blue liquid. A clear plastic spout divides each cell into two compartments. Each compartment contains a yellow plastic wheel with a black and white spiral design on the outside. When the timer is turned upside down, the colored liquids fall through the spout and spin the wheels. The timers come in a blue and white polka-dot cardboard box with double windows on one side. The box has blue letters that read "WATER TIMER, MADE IN TAIWAN." The Water Timers were sold in discount and retail stores in Arizona, California, Texas, and Puerto Rico, between July 1994 and April 1995 for $4.99 each.

The Magic Diamond paper weight is made of clear plastic and measures 3.5 inches in diameter. The paper weight is filled with clear liquid petroleum distillates and several pieces of iridescent paper. The paper weights were made in Taiwan and packaged in a black cardboard box with a front window which was labeled in part, "MAGIC DIAMOND" ITEM NO. MD-1, 1991, WORLDWIDELY PAT."

The Magic Diamond paper weights were sold in discount and retail stores in California, Arizona, and Colorado between Jan. 4 and Jan. 18, 1995 for $.99 each.

Consumers should take these toys away from young children immediately and return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers can also mail the toys to Four Seasons General Merchandise, 2801 E. Vernon Avenue, Vernon, CA 90058. The company will send consumers a full refund including postage. Consumers who have questions about this recall can call Bruce Gabbai with Four Seasons General Merchandise at (323) 582-4444 from 9:00 a.m.to 4 p.m. PST.

CPSC became aware of the hazardous toys through routine surveillance and a consumer complaint. CPSC and Four Seasons General Merchandise are not aware of any injuries involving the pull toys. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury.