Tara Toy Corporation Recalls Sesame Street Push Power Toys

PRODUCT: Tara Toy Corporation's Sesame Street Push Power action figures, item # 75110. They are Big Bird driving a red fire engine, Ernie riding on an airplane, and Cookie Monster sitting on a scooter carrying chocolate chip cookies on his back.

PROBLEM: Toys may break, releasing small pieces of plastic and screws, and exposing sharp points and edges. This may pose a potential choking, laceration or puncture wound hazard to young children. Neither CPSC nor the company is aware of any injuries involving these products.

WHAT TO DO: Consumers are urged to take the toys away from young children immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a refund of the purchase price. Consumers with questions may call Tara Toy Corporation at (516) 273-8810.

WASHINGTON, DC -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Tara Toy Corporation of Hauppauge, NY is voluntarily recalling approximately 44,000 Sesame Street Push Power action figures, Item #75110.

There are three different models of these colorful plastic toys. They are: Big Bird driving a red fire engine, Ernie riding on an airplane, and Cookie Monster sitting on a scooter with a clear plastic carrier on the back that contains chocolate chip cookies. None of the characters can be removed from their vehicles. All three models have the same item number, 75110. Embossed on the under-carriage of each vehicle is the following: "CTW JHP, INC. TARA TOY CORP. MADE IN CHINA."

Neither CPSC nor the company is aware of any injuries involving these products. This voluntary recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury.

After CPSC testing, the vehicles broke, releasing small pieces of plastic and screws, exposing sharp points and edges. The wheels also separated. This violates the small parts requirements under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act. These hazards may pose potential choking, laceration and puncture injuries to young children.

These toy vehicles were sold nationwide from June 1991 to January 1992. Each toy sold for approximately $3.99 each.

The firm reports that some of the distributors of these toys include, Boscov's, Long Island Consortium, Marbal Drug Corp., Ocean State Jobbers, Rose's Store, Shepher Distributing, Super Dollar Discount, Thrift Drug, Toys 'R Us, F.W. Woolworth, Pike Distributors, and Marc Glassman, Inc.

The potentially hazardous toys were identified during a joint surveillance program conducted by CPSC and the U.S. Customs Service at the Ports of Cleveland, Ohio and Newark, New Jersey.

Consumers are urged to take the Sesame Street Push Power action figures away from young children immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a refund of the purchase price. Consumers with questions about this recall may contact the Tara Toy Corporation at (516) 273-8810.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is announcing this recall as part of its mission to protect the public from unreasonable risks of injury and death associated with consumer products.