The Dollywood Company Recalls Plastic Rattle & Flute Toy Due To Choking Hazard

PRODUCT: The Dollywood Company "Plastic Rattle and Flute" toy model number 42979. The toy was sold at retail stores in The Dollywood Company amusement complex at Pigeon Forge, TN.

PROBLEM: The mouthpiece on the flute part of the toy and the black balls on the drum part of the toy may come off, presenting a potential choking hazard for young children.

WHAT TO DO: Consumers should immediately discontinue use and mail the toy back to The Dollywood Company for a full refund, including postage. The mailing address is: The Dollywood Company, 1040 Dollywood Lane, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863. For more information, consumers may call The Dollywood Company at (615)428-9445.

WASHINGTON, DC -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), The Dollywood Company of Pigeon Forge, TN is voluntarily recalling 4,770 "Plastic Rattle and Flute" toys model number 42979. When CPSC tested the product, the mouthpiece of the flute and a black ball attached to the drum of the rattle/flute toy came off presenting a potential choking hazard for young children.

The product consists of a whistle at one end and a hand-drum at the other end. The complete toy measures 7-1/2 inches long. The whistle portion resembles a flute; a small puff of air at or near the mouthpiece of the flute causes a whistle sound. When the gray wand inserted through the clear plastic chamber of the flute is pulled up or pushed down, different sounds are made. The drum was sold in different colors with two black balls 1/2-inch in diameter each hanging on the end of a string secured to the side of the drum. When the rattle/flute toy is twisted back and forth or shaken, the balls hit the sides of the drum and make a noise. The word "Dollywood" is written on a white sticker in the middle of the drum; embossed on the drum are the letters "R.O.C."

The rattle/flute toy, imported by The Dollywood Company from China, was sold from April 1991 through June 1992 at retail stores in The Dollywood Company amusement complex in Pigeon Forge, TN. The rattle/flute toys sold for $2.49 each.

Consumers are urged to take the rattle/flute toys away from young children immediately and mail to: The Dollywood Company, 1040 Dollywood Lane, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863. Consumers will receive a full refund, including reimbursement for postage. For more information about this recall, consumers may contact The Dollywood Company at (615) 428-9445.

This voluntary recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury. Neither CPSC nor Dollywood is aware of any injuries involving this product. The potentially hazardous rattle/toy was identified at the Port of Knoxville, TN during a joint CPSC/U.S. Customs surveillance program.

CPSC 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 reduce the estimated 28.5 million injuries and 21,600 deaths associated each year with the 15,000 different types of consumer products under CPSC's jurisdiction.