Recall: Toys and Rattle Recall

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	CONTACT: Nychelle White
December 17, 1996	(301) 504-7063
Release # 97-041

CPSC and Importers Announce Recall of Toys and Rattle

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), four toy importers are recalling over 133,000 toys and rattles. The toys and the rattle contain small components that can break off presenting a choking hazard to young children.

The importers participating in this recall are Laiko International Company Inc. of City of Industry, Calif.; Lexin Inc. of Los Angeles, Calif.; Shalom International Corp. of Carteret, N.J.; and The Right Start Inc. of Westlake Village, Calif. CPSC and the importers are not aware of any injuries involving these toys or the rattle. The recalls are being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury.

Laiko International Recall

Laiko International is recalling more than 50,000 Free Wheel Racer toy cars. The plastic Free Wheel Racer toy cars have orange or pink bodies, black wheels, a silver rear mounted engine, and a driver's head in the cockpit.

The cars were packaged in clear plastic with a cardboard header labeled in part, "FREE WHEEL RACER CHAMPION - FOR AGE 5 & UP - MADE IN HONG KONG - Non-Toxic." The package includes the UPC code number "084036 102204".

The toys were sold through Dollar and discount stores nationwide from November 1993 through December 1996 for about $1.

For more information, consumers can call Laiko International Inc. at (800) 735-2456 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. PST or write to Laiko International Inc., 16710 Johnson Dr., City of Industry, Calif. 91745.

Lexin Inc. Recall

Lexin Inc. is recalling about 340 Little Performer and 240 Flying Boat toys. The Little Performer toy (Item MS 085) is a wind-up figurine of a girl with a vinyl head, hands, and legs wearing a red and white fabric dress. The girl is seated at a xylophone, which she plays when wound. The Flying Boat toy (Item MF 742) is a pressed sheet metal model of a wheeled speed boat. The 13 inch long by 4.25 inch wide boat is red, white, blue, and gray with black tires with a vinyl driver's head in the cockpit.

The Little Performer toys were packaged in paperboard boxes. Labeling on the box includes a picture of the toy and reads in part, "WIND-UP SPRING - LITTLE PERFORMER WITH SOUND EFFECT - FOR CHILDREN AGES 3-UP - MADE IN CHINA - MS 085." The Flying Boat toys were packaged in paperboard boxes. Labeling on the box includes a picture of the toy and reads in part, "FLYING BOAT - FRICTION - MF 742 - MADE IN CHINA."

The toys were sold through specialty gift and collectable stores in the West and Southwest from August through November 1996 for about $15 to $25.

For more information, consumers can call Lexin Inc. at (310) 329-7568 or write to Lexin Inc., 148 W. 32nd St., #D, Los Angeles, Calif. 90061.

CPSC learned of this problem during joint surveillance of imported toys with the U.S. Customs Service.

Shalom International Corp. Recall

Shalom International Corp. is recalling is recalling about 75,000 Colormates toy jewelry sets. The plastic necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and barrettes come in a variety of pastel and bright colors and styles. The necklaces and bracelets have a variety of plastic beads/shapes strung on elastic thread. The sets come in the following styles:

#60074KS necklace/bracelet/earring set with multi-colored rings.

#60328NB necklace/bracelet set with ducks, cats, or bunnies. #60331NB necklace/bracelet set with bows, hearts, or flowers.

#60332NB necklace/bracelet set with mice, cats, or bunnies. #60339KS necklace/fabric-covered barrette set with hearts, bears, or bows.

#60340KS necklace/fabric-covered barrette set with hearts or bows.

#60334NB necklace/bracelet set with flowers.

The sets were packaged on cardboard hang tags. The tag pictures a girl, lists the model number, and reads in part, " COLORMATES - NOT RECOMMENDED FOR CHILDREN UNDER 3 YEARS OLD - Shalom International Corp. - Made in China."

These sets were sold through Dollar and discount stores nationwide from January 1995 through December 1996 for about $1.

For more information, consumers can call Shalom International Corp. at (800) 524-1428 or write to Shalom International Corp., 700 Milk St., Carteret, N.J. 07008.

The Right Start Inc. Recall

The Right Start Inc. is recalling about 8,000 Baby's Play Sets because the blue and white ball attached to the yellow rabbit rattle may separate. The Baby's Play Set includes up to nine red, yellow, and blue plastic toddler toys such as rattles shaped like rabbits, hammers, key rings, horns, and phones. The yellow rabbit rattle, measuring approximately five inches long, is shaped like a figure-8. One loop of the "8" holds a blue and white ball, printed with two eyes and a smile, containing small balls. Red plastic rabbit ears protrude from this end of the rattle. The other loop of the "8," which is embossed with two paws, serves as a handle.

The Right Start Inc. packaged the play set in a brown cardboard carton labeled, "Item BB1816BU ... Baby's Playset ... Made in China." The Right Start mail order catalog and The Right Start retail stores sold the play sets from September 1994 through August 1995 for $14.95.

Consumers should take the yellow rabbit rattles away from young children immediately. Consumers should return the yellow rabbit rattle or the complete Baby's Play Set to the nearest The Right Start store or call the company at (800) 710-7816. The Right Start Inc. will refund consumers either $1.50 for each rattle, or $14.95 for each complete play set.

Consumers should take all of these recalled items away from young children immediately, and return the items to the store where purchased for a full refund. If consumers have questions about these recalls, they should call the importer or CPSC's Hotline at (800) 638-2772.