Issues Complaint Seeking Recall Of Johnson & Johnson Crib Toys

The Complaint alleges two young children have strangled on the toys. A 10 month old boy died in Temple Hills, Maryland, in October, 1984, when he became entangled in the strings tying a Soft Triplet toy across his crib. A seven month old girl died in Coronado, California in December, 1985, when she was caught by the neck on top of a Triplet stretched across her crib.

The Soft Triplet, Piglet Crib Gym, and Triplets Marching Band toys can be hung across cribs and playpens and used as crib gyms. Consumers use their own strings or cords to tie the Soft Triplets and Marching Band toys. Once children can raise their heads over the strings or over the toy, they can get caught and strangle.

Over 1.6 million Soft Triplets were sold by mail order from 1979 to March of 1986 through magazines such as Parents, American Baby, and Baby Talk. About 62,000 Piglets and 3,000 Marching Band toys were sold through retail outlets nationwide, the Piglets from 1982 to 1984 and the Marching Band from 1985 to March to 1986.

The toys consist of three soft doll-like figures held together with elastic and with plastic rings at each end and are advertised for use from birth to 24 months.

The staff believes these toys are dangerous and should be removed from cribs and playpens immediately. While Johnson & Johnson is conducting a warning campaign against hanging the toys in cribs or playpens, the staff believes the toys should be recalled and removed from children's environments completely to prevent deaths and injuries.