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Recall Details
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | |
| October 23, 1986 | |
| Release # 86-065 | |
Washington, DC -- The U.S. Consumer Product-Safety Commission and Johnson & Johnson Baby Products Company announced today that the company and the Commission staff had entered into a consent agreement resolving a pending CPSC action relating to three of the company's toys -- Soft Triplets, Piglet Crib Gym, and Triplets marching Band. These toys have a common design consisting of three cloth dolls held together by short pieces of elastic with a plastic ring at each end.
In a complaint filed May 30, 1986, the Commission staff alleged that when the toys were used as crib toys, babies could get caught and possibly strangle themselves on the toys or on strings used to hang them across cribs and playpens. The Commission had received reports that the toy or strings used to hang it in a crib had been involved in two deaths, one in October 1984 and one in December 1985.
Johnson & Johnson Baby Products Company contended that the toys were safe when used as directed, and that instructions were provided with the toys warning of this risk of strangulation. Today's settlement puts I an end to this litigation.
As part of the agreement settling the suit and in accordance with its long-standing policy, Johnson & Johnson Baby Products Company is offering consumers a refund of the purchase price for these toys when returned to the company. To obtain the refund, consumers should either call the company toll free at 1-800-262-2232 or return the toys directly to:
| Soft Triplets Refund Offer Stratmar Station PO Box 7422 Bridgeport, Connecticut 06650 (Include your name and address) |
Johnson & Johnson Baby Products Company will be announcing the refund in notices in Parents, American Baby, and Baby Talk magazines in posters sent to pediatricians and retailers, and in letters sent directly to all known mail order customers of the toys.
About 1.6 million Soft Triplets toys were distributed from 1979 through March of 1986 nationwide at a cost of about $6.50. Approximately 63,000 Piglet Crib Gyms were sold from 1982 to 1984 and 4,000 Triplets, Marching Band toys were sold 1985 through mid-March L985, both at retail stores for an average of $8.00.
For more information on the refund offer, consumers can call Johnson & Johnson Baby Products Company at the number indicated above or the CPSC's toll-free number at 800-638-CPSC. A teletypewriter number for the hearing impaired is (800) 638-8270.
Note: Individual Commissioners may have statements related to this topic. Please visit www.cpsc.gov/commissioners to search for statements related to this or other topics.
If you are experiencing issues with a recall remedy or believe a company is being non-responsive to your remedy request, please use this form and explain the situation to CPSC.
Related Recalls
The recalled bath seats violate the mandatory standard for infant bath seats because they are unstable and can tip over while in use, posing a risk of serious injury or death due to drowning.
The recalled infant walkers violate the mandatory standard for infant walkers because they can fit through a standard doorway and fail to stop at the edge of a step, posing a deadly fall hazard. In addition, the infant walkers have leg openings that allow the child to slip down until the child's head can become entrapped, posing a risk of serious injury or death.
The children’s costumes contain a prohibited phthalate, which violates the federal phthalates ban. Phthalates are toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects.
The wooden button on the soother clips can come off, exposing a sharp screw, which can pose choking and laceration hazards.
The recalled crib bumpers violate the federal crib bumper ban because they can obstruct an infant’s breathing, posing a risk of serious injury or death, due to suffocation. This creates an unsafe sleeping environment for infants. Padded crib bumpers are banned by the Safe Sleep for Babies Act.
The high chairs violate the mandatory standard for high chairs because they were sold without the required attached restraint system, posing a deadly fall hazard to babies. In addition, a child’s head can become trapped in the opening between the seat and tray, posing a deadly entrapment hazard.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risk of injury associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product-related incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. Since the CPSC was established more than 50 years ago, it has worked to ensure the safety of consumer products, which has contributed to a decline in injuries associated with these products.
Federal law prohibits any person from selling products subject to a Commission ordered recall or a voluntary recall undertaken in consultation with the CPSC.
For lifesaving information:
- Visit CPSC.gov.
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- Report a dangerous product or product-related injury on www.SaferProducts.gov.
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