CPSC, Child GuidanceTM Announce Recall to Replace Caterpillar Toys

Recalled July 21, 2000 · CPSC recall 00147 · Child GuidanceTM

Hazard

Young children can choke on the small balls attached to these toys.

Remedy

Parents and caregivers should take these toys away from young children immediately. Consumers should send the toy back to the firm to receive another toy of similar value. The firm will pay postage costs.

Units

Almost 1 million

Incidents / injuries

CPSC has received one report of a 5-month-old girl in El Paso, Texas, choking to death after one of the small balls attached to these toys lodged in her throat. CPSC also received reports of two children starting to choke on a ball from this toy.

Description

The Wiggle Waggle Caterpillar™ is a pull toy that plays four songs and various sounds. It has five ball shapes raised from its body on the end of tightly wound coil wire springs. The two smaller ball shapes on the caterpillar's head resemble antennas. The toy is about 10 inches long, and is green with yellow oval wheels that cause it to wobble when it moves. The segments of the caterpillar's body have lights that flash to the music and sounds. "Child Guidance™" and "MADE IN CHINA" are imprinted on the bottom of the toy. "Ages 12 months & up" is written on the packaging.

What to do

Contact

For more information, call Child Guidance™ at (877) 586-1006 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday or visit their website at www.jakkspacific.com/recall.html

Product

Wiggle Waggle Caterpillar™ toys

Imported by

Child Guidance™ of New York, N.Y., a division of JAKKS Pacific Inc.

Retailers

Toy and discount department stores nationwide sold the caterpillar toys, from May 1998 through June 2000, for about $13.

Made in

China

Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Official recall notice on cpsc.gov →