Recall: Water Toys & Toy Snake Recalled By Beachcombers International

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  
July 14, 1988  
Release # 88-51

Importer Recalls Water Toys; Toy Snake

WASHINGTON, DC - Beachcombers International Inc. of Fort Myers, Florida is voluntarily recalling water toys and a squeaking toy snake because they may pose choking and lead poisoning hazards to young children.

The imported toys recalled by Beachcombers International are:

  • "Big Mouth Fish, Hippo, and Frog," plastic wind-up water toys labeled "MASUDAYA 1976 Made in Hong Kong;" some 8,000 toys were sold nationally for about $2 each.

  • "Devil Fish," an eight-inch wind-up toy in the shape of a fish which was imported from Hong Kong and sold for $2 in New Jersey and Virginia.

  • "Lively Squeaking Snake," a plastic cobra snake some 21 inches long from China which sold nationally for $1.

Consumers should immediately take the toys away from children and return them to the retail store for a refund of the purchase price.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said both water toys have small parts, which may present a choking hazard to young children; the toy snake contains an excessive amount of lead in the surface coating. The violations were discovered by U.S. Customs' agents and CPSC inspectors during routine import surveillance at the Port of Miami. Consumers desiring additional information may call Beachcombers International at 1-813-731-2111.