Recall: Caterpillar Toys Recalled by Child Guidance<SUP>TM</SUP>

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 21, 2000 Release # 00-147

Caterpillar Toy Recall Hotline: (877) 586-1006 CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: Kim Dulic, (301) 504-7058

CPSC, Child Guidance^TM Announce Recall to Replace Caterpillar Toys

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Child Guidance^TM, of New York, N.Y., a division of JAKKS Pacific Inc., is voluntarily recalling almost 1 million Wiggle Waggle Caterpillar^TM toys. Young children can choke on the small balls attached to these toys.

CPSC has received one report of a 5-month-old girl in El Paso, Texas, choking to death after one of the small balls attached to these toys lodged in her throat. CPSC also received reports of two children starting to choke on a ball from this toy.

The Wiggle Waggle Caterpillar^TM is a pull toy that plays four songs and various sounds. It has five ball shapes raised from its body on the end of tightly wound coil wire springs. The two smaller ball shapes on the caterpillar's head resemble antennas. The toy is about 10 inches long, and is green with yellow oval wheels that cause it to wobble when it moves. The segments of the caterpillar's body have lights that flash to the music and sounds. "Child Guidance^TM" and "MADE IN CHINA" are imprinted on the bottom of the toy. "Ages 12 months & up" is written on the packaging.

Toy and discount department stores nationwide sold the caterpillar toys from May 1998 through June 2000 for about $13.

Parents and caregivers should take these toys away from young children immediately. Consumers should send the toy back to the firm to receive another toy of similar value. The firm will pay postage costs. For more information, call Child Guidance^TM at (877) 586-1006 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday or visit their web site at www.jakkspacific.com/recall.html.

Consumers can also view a video clip about this recall (transcript). This is in "streaming video" format.