FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 29, 1997
Release # 98-018 |
Company Phone Number: (619) 282-6692
CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: Nychelle Fleming, (301) 504-7063
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CPSC, Novi Kids Announce Recall of Halloween Bounce Balls
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Novi Kids Inc. of San Diego, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 40,000 packages of Halloween Bounce Balls sold exclusively at Target stores. The balls present a serious choking hazard to young children, which can result in death.
A sticker on the package suggests the balls are "GREAT for FAVORS and TRICK or TREATS!" If used as Halloween treats, the balls could be given to children under 3 years old. Small balls marketed to young children are banned by the Federal Hazardous Substances Act.
CPSC and Novi Kids Inc. are not aware of any deaths or injuries involving this toy. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury.
The Bounce Balls are collections of eight multicolored rubber balls that measure 1 inch in diameter. They are packaged in a clear plastic tray with a cardboard backing. The package backing also is multicolored, and contains various Halloween images, including jack-o'-lanterns and ghosts.
Target stores nationwide sold the packages of balls beginning October 4, 1997, for about $2.
Consumers should take these balls away from young children immediately, and return them to the Target store where purchased for a refund. For more information, consumers should call Novi Kids Inc. collect at (619) 282-6692 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. PST Monday through Friday, or write to the company at 10222 San Diego Mission Road, San Diego, CA 92108.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about your experience with the product on SaferProducts.gov
CPSC is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of the thousands of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $900 billion annually. CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical or mechanical hazard. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters and household chemicals - contributed to a decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.
Federal law bars any person from selling products subject to a publicly-announced voluntary recall by a manufacturer or a mandatory recall ordered by the Commission.
To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury go online to www.SaferProducts.gov or call CPSC's Hotline at (800) 638-2772 or teletypewriter at (301) 595-7054 for the hearing impaired. Consumers can obtain news release and recall information at www.cpsc.gov, on Twitter @OnSafety or by subscribing to CPSC's free e-mail newsletters.