Recalls: Cribs
Johnson & Johnson Crib Toys Case Settled NEWS from CPSC U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 23, 1986 Release # 86-065 Johnson & Johnson Crib Toys Case Settled Washington, DC -- The U.S. Consumer Product-Safety Commission and Johnson & Johnson Baby Products Company announced today that the company and the Commission staff had entered into a consent agreement resolving a pending CPSC action relating to three of the company's toys -- Soft Triplets, Piglet Crib Gym, and Triplets marching Band. These toys have a common design consisting of three cloth dolls held together by short pieces of elastic with a plastic ring at each end. In a complaint filed May 30, 1986, the Commission staff alleged that when the toys were used as crib toys, babies could get caught and possibly strangle themselves on the toys or on strings used to hang them across cribs and playpens. The Commission had received reports that the toy or strings used to hang it in a crib had been involved in two deaths, one in October 1984 and one in December 1985. Johnson & Johnson Baby Products Company contended that the toys were safe when used as directed, and that instructions were provided with the toys warning of this risk of strangulation. Today's settlement puts I an end to this litigation. As part of the agreement settling the suit and in accordance with its long-standing policy, Johnson & Johnson Baby Products Company is offering consumers a refund of the purchase price for these toys when returned to the company. To obtain the refund, consumers should either call the company toll free at 1-800-262-2232 or return the toys directly to: Soft Triplets Refund Offer Stratmar Station PO Box 7422 Bridgeport, Connecticut 06650 (Include your name and address) Johnson & Johnson Baby Products Company will be announcing the refund in notices in Parents, American Baby, and Baby Talk magazines in posters sent to pediatricians and retailers, and in letters sent directly to all known mail order customers of the toys. About 1.6 million Soft Triplets toys were distributed from 1979 through March of 1986 nationwide at a cost of about $6.50. Approximately 63,000 Piglet Crib Gyms were sold from 1982 to 1984 and 4,000 Triplets, Marching Band toys were sold 1985 through mid-March L985, both at retail stores for an average of $8.00. For more information on the refund offer, consumers can call Johnson & Johnson Baby Products Company at the number indicated above or the CPSC's toll-free number at 800-638-CPSC. A teletypewriter number for the hearing impaired is (301) 595-7054. Read more.
Crib Toys Recalled by Johnson & Johnson NEWS from CPSC U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 2, 1986 Release # 86-36 Issues Complaint Seeking Recall Of Johnson & Johnson Crib Toys Washington, D.C. -- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission today announced that its staff has issued a Complaint against Johnson & Johnson Baby Products Co., Inc. seeking a recall of over 1.6 million crib toys because of alleged strangulation hazards to infants. The Commission authorized issuance of the Complaint by a 3-l vote with Acting Chairman Graham and Commissioners Scanlon and.,Armstrong voting for the Complaint and Commissioner Dawson voting against it. Commissioner Statler recused himself from participating in this matter. The Complaint alleges two young children have strangled on the toys. A 10 month old boy died in Temple Hills, Maryland, in October, 1984, when he became entangled in the strings tying a Soft Triplet toy across his crib. A seven month old girl died in Coronado, California in December, 1985, when she was caught by the neck on top of a Triplet stretched across her crib. The Soft Triplet, Piglet Crib Gym, and Triplets Marching Band toys can be hung across cribs and playpens and used as crib gyms. Consumers use their own strings or cords to tie the Soft Triplets and Marching Band toys. Once children can raise their heads over the strings or over the toy, they can get caught and strangle. Over 1.6 million Soft Triplets were sold by mail order from 1979 to March of 1986 through magazines such as Parents, American Baby, and Baby Talk. About 62,000 Piglets and 3,000 Marching Band toys were sold through retail outlets nationwide, the Piglets from 1982 to 1984 and the Marching Band from 1985 to March to 1986. The toys consist of three soft doll-like figures held together with elastic and with plastic rings at each end and are advertised for use from birth to 24 months. The staff believes these toys are dangerous and should be removed from cribs and playpens immediately. While Johnson & Johnson is conducting a warning campaign against hanging the toys in cribs or playpens, the staff believes the toys should be recalled and removed from children's environments completely to prevent deaths and injuries. Read more.
