Recall: Playskool Busy Poppin' Pals Toys Recall

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Originally issued December 8, 2000, Revised October 24, 2002 Release # 01-050

Playskool Recall Hotline: (800) 752-9755 CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: Ken Giles, (301) 504-7052

Note: phone number change

CPSC, Playskool Announce Recall of Additional 170,000 Busy Poppin' Pals Toys

WASHINGTON, D.C.- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Playskool, of Pawtucket, R.I., is voluntarily expanding its recall program for its Busy Poppin' Pals toys to include 170,000 Sesame Street Busy Poppin' Pals toys. Small springs inside these toys can break loose, posing a choking and laceration hazard to young children.

On August 16, 2000, Playskool and CPSC announced the recall of 420,000 Busy Poppin' Pals toys with model number 5415, featuring animal characters, for the same problem.

Playskool has received eight reports relating to the springs in its Sesame Street Busy Poppin' Pals toys, including one report that a child put the broken spring in his mouth. No injuries were reported. Playskool received 16 reports of springs breaking in the Busy Poppin' Pals toy recalled earlier. This resulted in five children putting the broken springs in their mouths, and two of these children suffering lacerations.

Playskool's Sesame Street Busy Poppin' Pals toy is a 13-inch long white plastic toy with blue, yellow and green buttons, levers and knobs of various shapes that, when activated, make Sesame Street characters pop up from under the toy's base. The characters -- Elmo, Ernie, Big Bird, Bert, and Cookie Monster -- are hidden under corresponding blue, yellow or green lids that have the numbers one through five imprinted on top. The toy has a white carry handle and features the Playskool and Sesame Street logos on the front. The model number, "5446," "MADE IN CHINA" and "C-023B" are imprinted on the bottom of the toy.

Mass merchandise stores and toy stores sold these toys (Playskool model 5446 made in China) nationwide from November 1994 through 1996 for about $10.

Consumers should take these toys away from young children immediately, and contact Playskool at (800) 752-9755 anytime or visit the firm's web site at www.hasbro.com to get information about how to receive a free, redesigned replacement toy.

Busy Poppin' Pals toys with model 6205 have different springs and are not part of this recall. Any Busy Poppin' Pals toy that have "Made in Mexico" imprinted on the toy's bottom are not part of this recall.