Recall: Manley Toy Direct Zapper Toy Recall

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 28, 2001 Release # 02-049

Zapper Recall Hotline: (800) 767-9998 CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: Kim Dulic, (301) 504-7058

CPSC, Manley Toy Direct Announce the Recall of Zapper Toys

WASHINGTON, D.C.- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Manley Toy Direct, of Indianola, Iowa, is voluntarily recalling about 15,800 Zapper toys. The balloon tongues and the cylinders holding the tongues on these toys can detach, posing a choking and aspiration hazard to young children.

The Promotional Resources Group of Companies Inc., of Topeka, Kan., previously recalled about 105,000 Bug Zapper toys on June 6, 2000. That company received a report of a 3-year-old boy who inhaled a balloon tongue that detached from a Zapper toy into his sinus cavity. He required medical treatment to remove the part from his nose. Additionally, eight firms recalled about 835,000 Zapper toys on March 19, 2001.

The vinyl Zapper toys are about 2- to 3-inches long, and come in the shape of various animals including frogs, dinosaurs and snakes. When the toy is squeezed, the balloon tongue attached to its mouth inflates or rolls out. "CHINA" or "MADE IN CHINA" is molded into the toy.

Arcades, amusement parks and carnivals sold and distributed these toys from January 2000 through August 2001. They were sold for about $1.

Consumers should immediately take these toys away from young children and return the toy to the place of purchase for a refund, or throw them away. For more information, contact Manley Toy Direct at (800) 767-9998 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday to Friday.