CPSC, STK International Announce Recall of Baby Rattles

June 24, 1998
Release # 98-131

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For Immediate Release;
Contact: Nychelle Fleming
(301) 504-0580 Ext. 1192

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.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission protects the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death from 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury and for information on CPSC's fax-on-demand service, call CPSC's hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC's teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270. To order a press release through fax-on-demand, call (301) 504-0051 from the handset of your fax machine and enter the release number.

Consumers can obtain this release and recall information at CPSC's web site at http://www.cpsc.gov or via Internet gopher services at gopher.cpsc.gov. Consumers can report product hazards to info@cpsc.gov.