Hyman Products, Inc. Recalls Jingle Bell Cat & Jingle Bell Dog Due To Choking Hazard

WASHINGTON, DC -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Hyman Products, Inc., of Maryland Heights, MO is voluntarily recalling 700 Jingle Bell Cat plush toys, item A0534, and 50 Jingle Bell Dog plush toys, item A0533. When CPSC tested the toys in accordance with regulations under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, the zipper clasp separated posing a potential choking or aspiration hazard for young children.

The cat is white and the dog is tan and white in color. Both toys are 12 inches high and are wearing Santa Claus hats decorated with sprigs of holly. The cat has a green, red and gold plaid bow around its neck. The dog has a green bow around its neck. Both stuffed toys have soft plush bodies. Zippers on the backs of both toys open into small cloth-lined compartments that house voiceboxes which, when activated, play Jingle Bells with meowing for the cat and barking for the dog. The voiceboxes are battery-powered and are activated by pressing on the animals' bodies. Imprinted on the voicebox is "MADE IN TAIWAN."

The Jingle Bell Cat, imported by Hyman Products, Inc. was sold nationwide to seven retail toy and gift stores from October 11, 1991 through November 1, 1991. The Jingle Bell Dog, also imported by Hyman Products, Inc., was sold nationwide to nine retail toy and gift stores from November 7, 1991, through November 15, 1991. Each toy sold for a retail price of $29.99 each.

Consumers are urged to take the toys away from young children immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a full refund of the purchase price. For more information about this recall, consumers may contact Hyman Products, Inc. at 1-800-800-3344 or (314) 739-1990.

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

The potentially hazardous toys were identified at the Port of Chicago, IL, during a joint CPSC/U.S. Customs surveillance program.

The 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. The Commission's objective is to reduce the estimated 28.5 million injuries and 21,600 deaths associated each year with the 15,000 different types of consumer products under CPSC's jurisdiction.