CPSC Survey Reveals Serious Strangulation Risks Still Exist In Previously Recalled Stuffed Toys

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- A survey by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission revealed that as many as 180,000 stuffed plush mobile animal toys that were originally voluntarily recalled by R. Dakin & Co. in 1979-80, may continue to pose a strangulation hazard to infants. For this reason the importer of the toys, R. Dakin & Co. of San Francisco, has redoubled its efforts to remove the hazard from consumer's hands.

The 1982 CPSC survey analysis (the first of its kind conducted) indicated that a majority of Dakin consumers contacted were not aware of the recall. Some who still owned the toy were using it in a manner that placed their children at risk.

An eleven-month-old baby girl and an eight-month-old baby boy strangled in the fall of 1979 where in separate incidents, each became entangled in the elastic strings suspending the toy from a crib bedpost.

R. Dakin & Co. had undertaken a voluntary recall program in 1979-80 to notify toy owners of the potential hazard. Over 400,000 toys were then involved. Dakin's renewed efforts include paid ads in magazines aimed at parents of infants and toddlers. Dakin has also agreed to mail safety warning posters to thousands of pediatricians across the country for display in their waiting rooms.

Involved in the recall are six different models of stuffed toys which are intended to be suspended by means of three elastic cords.

The recalled Dakin toys are:

Each toy is covered with plush fabric and contains a musical chime device. The R. Dakin & Co. name appears on a tag sewn on each animal.

The stuffed toys were imported from South Korea and sold in the United States approximately $7-10 in toy and other retail stores.

For a full refund of the retail purchase price and reimbursement of postage costs , parents should return the animals to R. Dakin & Co., 499 Point San Bruno Blvd., South San Francisco, California 94080. Consumers who wish to keep the toys should: 1) cut off the three elastic cords, and 2) phone Dakin, toll-free, at 800-227-6598; in California, 800-632-2179.