Mattel, Fisher-Price to Pay $2.3 Million Civil Penalty for Violating Federal Lead Paint Ban

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 5, 2009 Release # 09-237

CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Mattel, Fisher-Price to Pay $2.3 Million Civil Penalty for Violating Federal Lead Paint Ban
Penalty is highest ever for CPSC regulated product violations

WASHINGTON, D.C. – As part of its commitment to protecting the safety of children, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced today that Mattel Inc., of El Segundo, Calif. and its wholly owned subsidiary, Fisher-Price Inc., of East Aurora, N.Y. have agreed to pay a $2.3 million civil penalty for violating the federal lead paint ban.

The penalty settlement, which has been provisionally accepted by the Commission, resolves CPSC staff allegations that Mattel and Fisher-Price knowingly (as defined in the Consumer Product Safety Act) imported and sold children’s toys with paints or other surface coatings that contained lead levels that violated a 30-year-old federal law. In 1978, a federal ban was put in place which prohibited toys and other children’s articles from having more than 0.06 percent lead (by weight) in paints or surface coatings. In 2007, about 95 Mattel and Fisher-Price toy models were determined to have exceeded this limit. Lead can be toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health consequences.

This civil penalty, which is the highest for violations involving importation or distribution in commerce of a regulated product and is the third highest of any kind in CPSC history, settles the following allegations:

• Mattel imported up to 900,000 non-compliant toys between September 2006 and August 2007, including the “Sarge” toy car and numerous Barbie accessory toys, and distributed most of them to its retail customers for sale to U.S. consumers. The “Sarge” car was recalled in August 2007 and the Barbie toys were recalled in September 2007.
• Fisher-Price imported up to 1.1 million non-compliant toys between July 2006 and August 2007, including certain licensed character toys and the Bongo Band, GEOTRAX locomotive, and Go Diego Go Rescue Boat toys. Most of these toys were distributed to retail stores for sale to consumers. The licensed character toys were recalled in August 2007, the Bongo Band and GEO TRAX toys were recalled in September 2007, and the Go Diego Go Boat toys were recalled in October 2007.

“These highly publicized toy recalls helped spur Congressional action last year to strengthen CPSC and make even stricter the ban on lead paint on toys,” said CPSC Acting Chairman Thomas Moore. “This penalty should serve notice to toy makers that CPSC is committed to the safety of children, to reducing their exposure to lead, and to the implementation of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act.”

This settlement also resolves other potential matters. In agreeing to the settlement, Mattel and Fisher-Price deny that they knowingly violated federal law, as alleged by CPSC staff.

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CPSC is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about it by visiting https://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/incident.aspx

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from thousands of types of consumer products under the agency’s jurisdiction. The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. The CPSC’s work to ensure the safety of consumer products – such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals – contributed significantly to the decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC’s Hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC’s teletypewriter at (301) 595-7054. To join a CPSC e-mail subscription list, please go to https://www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx. Consumers can obtain recall and general safety information by logging on to CPSC’s Web site at www.cpsc.gov.

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Tags: Fisher Price, Matel

Monday, December 28th, 2009 Children, Toys No Comments

Outdoor Playset Gliders Recalled by Backyard Play Systems

Outdoor Playset Gliders Recalled by Backyard Play Systems Due to Fall Hazard; Repair Kit Provided

The following product safety recall was voluntarily conducted by the firm in cooperation with the CPSC. Consumers should stop using the product immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Outdoor Playset Gliders

Units: About 1800

Distributor: Backyard Play Systems LLC, of Monroe, Mich.

Hazard: The retaining rings used to secure the gliders to the playset can become loose or detached, posing a fall hazard to children.

Incidents/Injuries: Backyard Play Systems has received one report of a retaining ring falling off. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves outdoor playset gliders designed to hang from home play equipment. The green plastic gliders were sold as an accessory to home play equipment marketed under the brand names Heartland Premium Play Systems, Yardline Play Systems and Backyard Play Systems.

Sold by: Backyard Buildings and More and Lowe’s stores nationwide and online at Costco.com, BettyMills.com, and BackyardBuildings.com from February 2008 through May 2009 for about $100.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the gliders. Backyard Play Systems is notifying all customers directly and is providing a free repair kit which includes replacement hardware and written instructions.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Backyard Play Systems toll free at (866) 890-2211 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday and between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. ET Saturday (March through October). Consumers can also email the firm at customerservice@backyard-play.com

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CPSC is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about it by visiting https://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/incident.aspx

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from thousands of types of consumer products under the agency’s jurisdiction. The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. The CPSC’s work to ensure the safety of consumer products – such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals – contributed significantly to the decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC’s Hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC’s teletypewriter at (301) 595-7054. To join a CPSC e-mail subscription list, please go to https://www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx. Consumers can obtain recall and general safety information by logging on to CPSC’s Web site at www.cpsc.gov.

Tags: Backyard Play Systems

Outdoor Play Sets Sold Exclusively at Toys“R”Us Recalled by Step2®

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 27, 2009 Release # 09-231

Firm’s Recall Hotline: (800) 347-8372 CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Outdoor Play Sets Sold Exclusively at Toys“R”Us Recalled by Step2® Due to Fall Hazard; Swings Can Break

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Step2 Play Up Gym play sets

Units: About 4,300

Manufacturer: The Step2 Company LLC, of Streetsboro, Ohio

Hazard: The triangular hangers that attach the swing’s ropes to the upper rail of the play set can break, posing a fall hazard to children.

Incidents/Injuries: Step2 has received 17 reports of hangers breaking. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves Step2 Play Up Gym play sets. The recalled outdoor play sets include a platform, climber, slide area and two swings and have a model number of 797300. A red “Step2” logo plate is attached to the front of the play set. Play sets that have hangers with white plastic bushings are not subject to this recall.

Sold at: Toys“R”Us stores nationwide from January 2009 through April 2009 for about $400.

Manufactured in: China (hanger component), United States (play set)

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled play sets and contact Step 2 to receive a set of replacement hangers and instructions.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Step2 at (800) 347-8372 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.step2.com

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CPSC is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about it by visiting https://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/incident.aspx

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from thousands of types of consumer products under the agency’s jurisdiction. The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. The CPSC’s work to ensure the safety of consumer products – such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals – contributed significantly to the decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC’s Hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC’s teletypewriter at (301) 595-7054. To join a CPSC e-mail subscription list, please go to https://www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx. Consumers can obtain recall and general safety information by logging on to CPSC’s Web site at www.cpsc.gov.

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Monday, December 28th, 2009 Children, Toys No Comments

Trampolines Recalled by Skywalker Holdings

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 26, 2009 Release # 09-230

Firm’s Recall Hotline: (866) 603-5867 CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Trampolines Recalled by Skywalker Holdings; Enclosure Problems Can Result in Fall Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: 13-foot Square Trampolines

Units: About 60,000

Distributor: Skywalker Holdings LLC, of Brigham City, Utah

Hazard: The straps supporting the top of the trampoline’s enclosure to the poles can fail. The enclosure could drop if these straps break, posing a risk that a user could fall from the trampoline.

Incidents/Injuries: Skywalker Holdings has received at least 250 reports of straps breaking. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves the Skywalker Holdings 13-foot Square Trampoline and Enclosure Combo. The unit has blue spring pads, a black net enclosure, and a jumping mat. “Skywalker Holdings” is printed on a label located under the jumping mat and on the enclosure net.

Sold at: Specialty stores and major retailers nationwide and online from January 2007 through February 2009 for between $400 and $600.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the trampolines and contact Skywalker Holdings to obtain a free repair kit.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Skywalker Holdings toll-free at (866) 603-5867 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. MT Monday through Friday, or visit the company’s Web site at www.skywalkertrampolines.com

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CPSC is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about it by visiting https://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/incident.aspx

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from thousands of types of consumer products under the agency’s jurisdiction. The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. The CPSC’s work to ensure the safety of consumer products – such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals – contributed significantly to the decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC’s Hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC’s teletypewriter at (301) 595-7054. To join a CPSC e-mail subscription list, please go to https://www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx. Consumers can obtain recall and general safety information by logging on to CPSC’s Web site at www.cpsc.gov.

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Tags: Fall Hazard

Monday, December 28th, 2009 Toys No Comments

Folding Toy Beach Chairs Recalled by Build-A-Bear Workshop

Folding Toy Beach Chairs Recalled by Build-A-Bear Workshop Due to Laceration Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Folding Toy Beach Chair for Stuffed Animals

Units: About 260,000 chairs in the United States and 9,700 in Canada

Importer: Build-A-Bear Workshop®, of St. Louis, Mo.

Hazard: This toy chair legs can bruise, pinch or cut fingers if caught while folding.

Incidents/Injuries: There have been eight injuries reported.

Description: This recall involves a wood frame, canvas seat, toy beach chair for stuffed animals. Some styles include an attached pillow. The toy chairs are blue (style #’s 002281, 004463, 009907, 011565, 102281, 109907, 111565), red (style #’s 007391, 011566, 107391, 111566), fuchsia/white stripe (style #’s 013226, 113226), Orange/white stripe (style #’s 013227, 113227).

Sold by: Build-A-Bear Workshop stores nationwide and online at www.buildabear.com from March 2001 through October 2008 for about $8 in the US and from March 2003 through October 2008 in for about $10 in Canada.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Return the toy beach chair to any Build-A-Bear Workshop store to receive an $8 USD/$10 CDN store coupon. If it is not possible to return the toy chair to a store, you can contact the company for alternate instructions on receiving a refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, please contact the Build-A-Bear Workshop toll-free at (866) 236-5683 Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. CT, Saturday 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. CT, or visit the company’s Web site at www.buildabear.com (PDF)

Note: Health Canada’s press release can be seen at http://209.217.71.106/PR/recall-retrait-e.jsp?re_id=748

Without pillow Blue, lime, fuchsia

With pillow Fuchsia, red, pink

Stripe design Fuchsia/white stripe Orange/white stripe

Toy chair with stuffed animal

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CPSC is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about it by visiting https://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/incident.aspx

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from thousands of types of consumer products under the agency’s jurisdiction. The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. The CPSC’s work to ensure the safety of consumer products – such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals – contributed significantly to the decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC’s Hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC’s teletypewriter at (301) 595-7054. To join a CPSC e-mail subscription list, please go to https://www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx. Consumers can obtain recall and general safety information by logging on to CPSC’s Web site at www.cpsc.gov.

Tags: Laceration Hazard

The Land of Nod Recalls Toy Xylophones

Toy Xylophones Recalled by The Land of Nod Due to Choking Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Rolling Toy Xylophones

Units: About 500

Distributer: The Land of Nod Northbrook, Ill.

Hazard: The pegs on the xylophone can break, posing a choking hazard to children.

Incidents/Injuries: The Land of Nod has received 22 reports of broken pegs. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The recalled product is a rolling xylophone made of metal, wood and plastic. It has four wheels and a string to pull the toy. The xylophone has eight metal bars, each of which is attached with two pegs. The name ‘Janod’ is printed on each side between the wheels, and on the back wheels.

Sold at: The Land of Nod catalogue, Web site (www.landofnod.com), and retail stores nationwide from October 2007 through March 2008 for about $45.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled product away from children and return it to the company for a credit of the purchase price and a $10 gift card.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact The Land of Nod at (800) 933-9904 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, log onto the firm’s Web site at www.landofnod.com, or email the firm at recall@landofnod.com

Toy Cars Recalled By TDI International

TDI International Recalls Toy Cars Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: “High Speed” Pull Back Toy Cars

Units: About 150

Importer: TDI International, of Los Angeles, Calif.

Hazard: Surface paint on the toy cars contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The recalled pull back toy car is yellow with “PROWL” printed on the side, “VICTOR” printed on the hood, and a blue and red police warning light on the top.

Sold at: Small retail stores in Houston and Hidalgo, Texas from June 2008 through July 2008 for about $2.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled toys away from children and contact TDI International for a full refund or a replacement toy.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact TDI International toll-free at (877) 834-8088 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday.

Tags: Lead Paint Standard

Toy Drum Recall by Woodstock Percussion Inc.

Woodstock Percussion Inc. Recalls Toy Drums Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Calypso Steel Drums

Units: About 2,800

Manufacturer: Woodstock Percussion Inc., of Shokan, N.Y.

Hazard: Surface paint on the recalled toy drums contain excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The recalled steel drum is made of steel and comes with two wooden drum sticks and a wooden stand. The sides of the drums are painted red. The drum pan is painted black with silver markings to show the location of notes. Each rim is stamped with a #5 or #6. Not all drums stamped with a #5 are affected by this recall.

Sold by: Mail order catalogues, Web sites and retail stores nationwide from December 2006 through December 2007 for between $50 and $100.

Manufactured in: Trinidad

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled steel drum away from children and return it to Woodstock Percussion for a replacement drum and a $5 credit or payment.

Consumer Contact: For more information, consumers can contact Woodstock Percussion toll-free at (866) 543-2848 anytime, e-mail safety@chimes.com, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.woodstockpercussion.com

Tags: Lead Paint Standard

Dinosaurs Recalled by Xtreme Toy Zone

Xtreme Toy Zone Recalls Toy Dinosaurs Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: “Dinosaur Epoch” Toy Dinosaurs

Units: About 480

Importer: Xtreme Toy Zone, of Los Angeles, Calif.

Hazard: Surface paint on the toy dinosaurs can contain excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The recalled “Dinosaur Epoch” Toy Dinosaurs are battery-operated dinosaurs that move and make sounds. The recall includes the orange-colored “Dinosaur Brachiosaurus” (model #1033) and the green, yellow and orange-colored “Dinosaur Carnotaurus” (model #1030). The model number can be located on the toy’s battery cover.

Sold at: Xtreme Toy Zone’s Web site from May 2008 through October 2008 for between $15 and $20.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled toys away from children and contact Xtreme Toy Zone for a refund or exchange.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Xtreme Toy Zone collect at (213) 237-9983 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.xtremetoyzone.com

Tags: Lead Paint Standard

Toy Army Figures Recalled by OKK Trading

OKK Trading Recalls Toy Army Figures Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Army Figures

Units: About 5,400

Importer: OKK Trading, of Los Angeles, Calif.

Hazard: Surface paint on the face of the Army figures contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The recall involves 7 ½ inch tall plastic toy Army figures. The figures are dressed in Army fatigues and have guns.

Sold at: Dollar type retailers and OKK Trading’s Web site www.okktoys.com from June 2008 through September 2008 for about $1.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled toys away from children and contact OKK Trading for a full refund or replacement toy.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact OKK Trading at (877) 655-8697 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.okktoys.com (pdf)

Tags: OKK Trading