| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 24, 1998 Release # 98-131 |
Company Phone Number: (800) 536-7855 CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: Nychelle Fleming, (301) 504-7063 |
CPSC, STK International Announce Recall of Baby Rattles
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), STK International Inc., of Vernon, Calif., is recalling about 15,800 baby rattles. The handles of these rattles could present a serious choking hazard to infants and young children. Because of the rattle handles' shape, they could block a child's airway if inserted in the throat.CPSC and STK International Inc. are not aware of any injuries involving this rattle. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury.
The rattles are called "Turning Ball with Whistle," and are designed to be an infant toy. They are made of multi-colored plastic with a handle connected to a ring holding a rotating segmented ball. This ball contains a clear plastic ball holding two small metal balls. The handle is made up of large colored beads and has a whistle on the tip. The rattle is packaged in a clear plastic bag with a cardboard hang tag reading, "TURNING BALL WITH WHISTLE *** NO. BI-194 *** MADE IN CHINA ***."
Discount dollar stores nationwide sold the recalled rattle from December 1997 through May 1998 for about $1.
Consumers should take these toys away from young children immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a refund. For more information about this recall, consumers should call STK International Inc. at (800) 536-7855 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PDT Monday through Friday.
CPSC learned of the problem through testing samples as part of a joint CPSC/U.S. Customs Service import surveillance program.
