CPSC, Klutz Inc. Announce Recall of Chinese Jump Ropes

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Klutz Inc. of Palo Alto, Calif., is offering to replace the Chinese jump ropes sold with about 66,000 children's activity books by Anne Akers Johnson entitled "Chinese Jump Rope," distributed by Klutz. The ends of the elasticized ropes are joined together by metal crimps that may fail in use. Children using the ropes or standing nearby can be hit by an end of the rope as it snaps back.

Klutz has received 17 reports of the ropes breaking apart and one report in which a child was struck and scratched near the eye, but did not require medical attention.

Klutz is offering to replace all metal crimped ropes with knotted ropes.

"Chinese Jump Rope" is a colorfully illustrated children's book that describes how to play variations of the popular jump rope game, including "Doubles," "American Ropes," "Crazy Rope," and "Toothpicks." Each book comes with two elastic ropes, one short and the other long.

Klutz sold the jump ropes with the activity books directly through its catalog and through major retail book stores as well as many independent gift, toy and book stores nationwide beginning in March 1997 for $10.95.

Consumers should take the recalled jump ropes away from children immediately and call Klutz Inc. collect at 415-857-0888 for the free replacement ropes or write to Klutz Inc., 2121 Staunton Court, Palo Alto, CA 94306. Alternatively, consumers can make their own repair by cutting the ends of the ropes, removing the metal crimps, and tying the ends of the rope together with a square knot.