Pier 1 Imports Recalls Pull Toys

PRODUCT: Three wooden pull toys SKU# 1197598, imported by Pier 1 Imports and sold in its stores nationwide during the 1993 holiday season. The toys came in three styles: a gray elephant, a red and black soldier, and a brown bear. Each toy has a wooden base with wheels and a pull string with a bead at the end.

PROBLEM: During CPSC testing, the wooden beads at the end of the pull strings separated and various other wood chips separated during impact testing, presenting a potential choking hazard to young children.

WHAT TO DO: Consumers are urged to take the pull toys away from young children immediately and return them to the stores where purchased for a full refund or exchange for other merchandise. Anyone with questions about this recall may contact Pier 1 Imports at 1-800-245-4595.

WASHINGTON, DC -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Pier 1 Imports, Fort Worth, TX is continuing its voluntary recall, initiated in December of 1993, of three wooden pull toys.

The pull toys came in three styles: a brown bear, a gray elephant, and a red and black soldier, each on a wooden base with wheels and a pull string that has a bead at the end. Each toy is approximately 6 inches high, 6 inches long, and 3 inches wide and has a white sticker on the underside of the base that reads, "Made in Sri Lanka 1197598 100/1001 7.99." The toys were sold for $7.99 during the 1993 holiday season.

CPSC tested the pull toys and found that the small wooden beads at the end of the pull strings separated during tension testing, presenting a potential choking hazard to young children. In addition, various other wood chips separated during impact testing.

Consumers are urged to take the pull toys away from young children immediately and return them to any Pier 1 Imports store for a full refund or exchange for other merchandise. Anyone having questions about this recall may call Pier 1 toll-free at 1-800-245-4595.

Neither CPSC nor Pier 1 Imports is aware of any injuries involving these pull toys. Pier 1 Imports took corrective action immediately after it was made aware of the potential problem and is conducting the voluntary recall in order to prevent the possibility of injury. The potentially hazardous pull toys were identified by the Public Interest Research Group in Washington, DC.

CPSC is announcing this recall as part of its mission to protect the public from unreasonable risks of injury and death associated with consumer products.