Happy-Mates Squeeze Toy Recall

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- In cooperation with the Consumer Product Safety Commission, Electra-Plastics, Inc. of Port Newark, New Jersey, today announced a voluntary recall of four "Happy-Mates" squeeze toys because they are small enough to lodge in the throat of a child and obstruct the airway thus causing choking and/or suffocation. Although these particular toys have not been involved in any choking incident known to CPSC, similar shaped toys have been involved in choking deaths. Between 8 pnd 9 thousand of these toys have been distributed primarily in the northeastern states during the last 2 years.

All four squeeze toys have bulbous or flared ends measuring 3/4" to 1 l/4" in diameter and handles that are 2 3/4" long. Overall length of the toys is.5". The toys are:

• orange lion's head with bow tie on orange handle
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• yellow cat's head with bow tie on yellow handle
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• green frog's head with bow tie on white handle
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• pink pig's head with bow tie 'on pink handle

The toys are made of soft easily compressed plastic material and are packaged and sold under the brand name "Happy Mates." They are stamped "Taiwan" on the squeaky portion. The packaging bears the number H702.

Consumers should remove these products from use immediately and return to the retailer where purchased for full refund. Or consumers may return the toys to Electra-Plastics, Inc., Bldg. 305, Navy and Neptune Streets, Port Newark, N.J. 07114 for a full refund. The telephone number is 201-589-2525. Retailers should remove the toys from sale immediately and return to Electra-Plastics, Inc. for a full refund.