Recall: Kaleidoscope Necklaces Recalled As Choking Hazard

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	CONTACT:
FEBRUARY 11, 1992	(301) 504-7908
Release # 92-053

Kaleidoscope Necklaces Recalled As Choking Hazard

WASHINGTON, DC -- Kaleidoscope necklaces, sold in children's clothing departments by Lawrence Jewelry Company of Eden Prairie, MN and K & M Associates of Providence, RI are being recalled by both firms in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). A small tube which contains a kaleidoscope and is attached to a cord necklace, can separate into small parts. This may be a choking hazard to children who place the kaleidoscope in their mouths.

The necklaces have orange, green, pink or yellow plastic kaleidoscopes measuring three inches long, hanging from colored, 14-inch nylon cords. Attached to the necklaces at time of sale were small tags with white hearts on a red background, or white tags with the words "L.J. Kids & Co." The necklaces were sold as accessory items in children's clothing departments of J. Byrons, Caldor, Sears, Shopko, Walmart and other smaller stores selling children's products. Approximately 15,000 were sold nationwide from June to August 1991 for between $3.00 and $3.50 each.

Lawrence Jewelry reported to CPSC that it learned of one choking incident which involved a young child who sucked the kaleidoscope tube pieces into her mouth, but suffered no injury.

Lawrence Jewelry and K & M Associates asks consumers to return the kaleidoscope necklaces immediately to the store where purchased for a cash refund. If consumers have questions about the recall, they may call Lawrence Jewelry at 1-800-328-3967 or K & M Associates at 1-800-343-9340.

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. 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.