Recall: CPSC, Kindermusik International Announce Recall of "Fiddlesticks" Instruments

April 13, 2003 Alert #03-534

CPSC, Kindermusik International Announce Recall of "Fiddlesticks" Instruments

PRODUCT: Fiddlesticks - Kindermusik International, of Browns Summit, N.C., is recalling 32,000 Fiddlestick instruments. Fiddlesticks are wooden rhythm instruments designed for use in the Kindermusik classroom and at home. The recalled instrument is 7" long, 1" in diameter, and is made of wood. It is hollowed out in the middle. Steel balls are inserted into the middle of the instrument to create a shaker sound and the ends are capped with wooden plugs. They are primarily sold as part of a music instructional kit. Kindermusik educators sold the music kits, including the Fiddlesticks, in the United States and Canada from December 2002 through January 2003.

PROBLEM: Some of the Fiddlesticks have caps that can become loose, allowing ball bearings to spill from the inside of the sticks. Both the caps and the ball bearings pose a potential choking hazard to young children.

INCIDENTS/INJURIES: None reported.

WHAT TO DO: Consumers should stop using the Fiddlesticks immediately and return them to their Kindermusik educator for a free replacement. Kindermusik will replace this product with either re-designed Fiddlesticks or an instrument of comparable value. For more information, contact Kindermusik at (800) 628- 5687 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or e-mail fiddlesticks@kindermusik.com. Consumers can visit the firm's web site at www.kindermusik.com.