Recall: Beanbags Sold With Barney Hopscotch Game Towels Recalled by Franco

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 7, 1999 Release # 99-121

Company Phone Number: (800) 631-4663 CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: Nychelle Fleming, (301) 504-7063

CPSC, Franco Manufacturing Co. Inc. Announce Recall of Beanbags Sold With Barney^TM Hopscotch Game Towels

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Franco Manufacturing Co. Inc., of Metuchen, N.J., is recalling beanbags sold with about 4,800 Barney Hopscotch Game Towels. The seams on these beanbags can separate and allow plastic pellets to be released, presenting an aspiration hazard to young children.

CPSC and Franco Manufacturing are not aware of any injuries involving these beanbags. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury.

The Barney Hopscotch Game Towel is a terry beach towel with a printed hopscotch board in red, yellow, blue and green. The two beanbags sold with the towels also are made with a terry fabric, one solid green and one solid purple. The beanbags are 2 inches square in size. The towel is 29 inches by 58 inches, and has the Barney, Baby Bop and BJ characters printed on it. The sewn-in label on the towel reads, in part, "Franco Beach Co," and "Made in China." The game towel was sold in a clear plastic bags with white plastic handles.

Ames, Meijers and Walmart stores sold the game towels nationwide from March 1999 through May 1999 for about $15.

Consumers should take these beanbags away from children immediately, and send them to Franco Manufacturing for a refund, including the cost of postage. Only the beanbags should be sent to Franco Manufacturing Co. Inc., ATTN: Consumer Relations, 555 Prospect St., Metuchen, NJ 08840. For more information, consumers should call Franco Manufacturing at (800) 631-4663 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. EDT Monday through Friday.