January 2012

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Lee Carter Co., of San Francisco, Calif., have issued a recall of roughly 25,000 infant rattles for handles that pose a choking hazard to children.

According to the CPSC, the handles are small enough to fit inside a child's throat and violate federal safety standards designed to protect children from choking dangers.

There have been no reported incidents of babies choking on the rattles. Consumers, however, should immediately take the recalled rattles away from infants.

The recalled rattles measure about 4-1/2 inches long, are woven from multi-colored plastic and have a bell inside. "Made in Mexico" and "Lee Carter Company" are printed on a tag on a purple plastic loop at the end of the rattle's handle.

They were sold at various Mexican specialty craft stores nationwide from February 2001 through October 2011 for about $4.

In addition to removing the recalled rattles from children's use, consumers are advised to return them to Lee Carter Co. for a full refund or credit towards a replacement product.

For additional information, consumers should call Lee Carter Co. collect at (415) 824-2004 anytime, or visit the firm's website: www.LeeCarterCompany.com.
 

Toys Distribution Inc. Recalls Rattles Due to Choking Hazard- Dec. 13, 2011

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. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Baby Rattles

Units: About 50

Distributor: Toys Distribution Inc., of Los Angeles, Calif.

Manufacturer: Winning Key (WK) Manufacturing and Topwin Toys (HK), of China

Hazard: The recalled rattles can break into small parts, posing a choking hazard to young children and violating the federal safety requirements for rattles. In addition, the size of the handle on some of the rattles is small enough to enter an infant's mouth, lodge in the throat and cause a choking hazard or lead to bruises and lacerations.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported

Description: The recall includes plastic rattles sold in various pastel colors and shapes, including a toy phone, animal, small buggy and sea horse. The rattles were sold in sets of five or eight rattles per box. "HANDBELL TOYS" is printed in the upper left corner of the package. "MADE IN CHINA" is printed on the bottom of the package. One set has "JUNYI" printed on the front upper right corner of the package and "ITEM NO. 58083801" printed on the back lower corner on a white sticker. Another set has "XIN DA MEI" printed on the front upper right corner of the package and "ITEM NO. 308363" printed on the back lower corner on a white sticker.

Sold at: Small toy stores in Colorado and Texas from December 2009 through December 2010 for about $2.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should take the recalled rattles away from children immediately and return them to the place of purchase or contact Toys Distribution Inc. to receive a full refund or replacement product.

Customer contact: For additional information, contact Toys Distribution Inc. collect at (323) 266-8088 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday. Consumers can also e-mail the firm at mailbox@shoptdi.com