Western Novelty Company Recalls Butterfly Bracelets

WASHINGTON, DC -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Western Novelty Company is voluntarily recalling approximately 12,000 Butterfly Bracelets, model number P4136, because the bracelets may break and release small parts that could be a choking or aspiration hazard to young children.

The bracelets consist of yellow, orange, green and pink plastic butterflies about three eights of one inch wide, strung together on an elastic string with a black bead between each butterfly.

The retail display box held over one hundred unwrapped bracelets and was labeled in part: "Stretchable Bracelets, Made in Hong Kong."

The bracelets sold for approximately $.20 each. They were distributed through school and church carnivals and in retail stores in Colorado, Arizona, Kansas, and Illinois.

These bracelets were imported from Hong Kong and distributed by Western Novelty Company from July 1990 through February 1991.

Neither the CPSC nor the company is aware of any injuries involving this product. This voluntary recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury.

Consumers are urged to take these bracelets away from young children immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a refund of the purchase price. Consumers may also return their bracelets to Western Novelty Company, 5670 Washington Street, Denver, Colorado 80216 for a $.50 refund check. Consumers with questions about this recall may contact Western Novelty Company at 1-800-521-5219.

The potentially hazardous bracelets were identified during a joint surveillance program conducted between the CPSC and the U.S. Customs Service at the Port of Denver.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is announcing this recall as part of its mission to protect the public from unreasonable risks of injury and death associated with consumer products. The Commission's objective is to help reduce the estimated 28.5 million injuries and 21,600 deaths that occur each year with the 15,000 different types of consumer products within CPSC's jurisdiction.