Keds Corporation And CPSC Announce Recall Of Keds Flexibles Children's Shoes

PRODUCT: Keds Flexibles infant's and young children's shoes with model numbers TH 2120, 2121, 2122, 2130, 2131, 2140 and 2141 followed by the designations TW-206 or CH-206, in sizes 2, 3, and 4 through 10. No other Flexibles shoes are affected by this recall. PROBLEM: The blue Keds label at the heel of the shoe may separate and could pose a choking hazard to young children. WHAT TO DO: Look at the upper right corner of the underside of the shoe tongue to see if the shoe is an affected model and has one of the designation numbers indicated. Return recalled shoes to the store where purchased for a replacement or full refund. Call 1-800-334-7447 toll-free with questions about this recall.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Keds Corporation of Cambridge, MA is voluntarily recalling certain Keds "Flexibles" shoes for infants and young children. The affected shoes, sizes 2, 3, and 4 through 10, include only models TH 2120, 2121, 2122, 2130, 2131, 2140, and 2141 followed by the designation TW-206 or CH-206.

The Keds blue label, located at the heel of the shoe, could separate and be swallowed by an infant, possibly causing serious injury or death. There are no reports of injuries.

The Keds Corporation urges all parents to return the shoes to the retailer where purchased for a replacement pair or a full refund. If the blue label can be easily removed from the heel, parents are urged to do so before the shoes are returned to the store. If the label cannot be removed easily, keep the shoes away from young children until the shoes can be returned. In addition to a refund, Keds will donate one dollar to K.I.D.S (Kids in Distressed Situations, Inc.) for each pair returned by consumers.

The shoes come in three styles: JUMP (high lace), HOP (mid lace), and SKIP (mid velcro). The sole design features jumbled triangles, squares, and circles and comes in six different colors.

Consumers can determine if they have purchased shoes affected by the recall by examining the upper right corner of the underside of the shoe tongue for the model number and designation. If an affected model number is followed by the designation TW-206 or CH-206, the shoes should be returned to the store. Shoes with a US-336 code are not affected by the recall. All other Keds Flexibles are manufactured with a different adhesion process and therefore pose no safety concern.

Approximately 20,000 pairs of these shoes were sold nationally beginning in February 1992. The affected shoes have been removed from retail shelves.

Customers may call 1-800-334-7447 toll free from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern Time if they have additional questions.

The 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 products under CPSC's jurisdiction.