Original; see modified release: Klackeroo Toy Recalled by Playskool

NEWS from CPSC

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Office of Information and Public Affairs

Washington, DC 20207

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 14, 2000
Release # 00-181

Recall Hotline: (888) 671-9764
CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: Kim Dulic, (301) 504-7058
Playskool Contact: Audrey Basso, (401) 727-5857

CPSC, Playskool Announce Recall to Replace Infant Toys

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Playskool, of Pawtucket, R.I., is voluntarily recalling to replace about 550,000 Klackeroo toys. The toy's brightly colored end knobs can detach and allow small, geometric-shaped pieces to come loose, posing a choking hazard to infants and young children.

Playskool has received 10 reports of the toy's knobs detaching to release small parts, including four reports of a small part from the toy being found in the mouths of infants and young children. There have been no reported injuries.

Playskool's Klackeroo is a brightly colored toy with orange plastic rods and small geometric shapes that move through a center purple ball. Solid-colored knobs with animal faces or the sun and moon imprinted on them cap both ends of each orange rod. When shaken, the rods move through the ball and the geometric shapes slide along each rod, making a "clacking" sound. The knobs are green, yellow, blue and red. The Playskool logo is imprinted on one end knob and "MADE IN CHINA" is imprinted on the center ball.

Toy and mass merchandise stores, including Toys "R" Us and Wal- Mart, sold these toys from October 1997 through September 2000 for about $8.

Parents and caregivers should take the toy away from infants and young children immediately, and contact Playskool anytime at (888) 671- 9764 to receive a free, redesigned replacement toy.

The recalled products will be replaced by a redesigned Klackeroo toy (model number 5542) which will feature a red center ball with no sliding geometric shapes.