The Recall Desk
HighCPSC·01182·Announced 2001-07-02

Chicco Build-A-Ball Toys Recalled for Suffocation Risk

Chicco USA Inc. is recalling Build-A-Ball toys because large ball halves can stick to a child's face, covering the nose and mouth.

What this means for you

Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a risk-of-harm product (suffocation) where injury has not yet been reported, fitting the High severity criteria.

Plain-English summary

Chicco USA Inc. is recalling approximately 6,000 Build-A-Ball toys sold in the United States. The toy consists of five multi-colored plastic balls, ranging from 2 to 4 inches in diameter, that can be stacked or nested. The packaging indicates the toy is for children ages 1-3 or 1-4 years.

The recall was issued because some of the larger-sized ball halves can become stuck on a young child's face, covering the nose and mouth, which can cause suffocation. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) received one report of a 2-year-old boy who had a ball-half stuck on his face. A nearby adult was able to pull the toy from the child's face, and no injury was reported.

The toys were sold at Amazon.com, Army & Air Force Exchanges, and other toy stores nationwide from January 1999 through April 2001 for about $6. Parents and caregivers should take these balls away from young children immediately and return the toys to the store where purchased for a refund.

The recalled product

Product
Build-A-Ball toy
Manufacturer
Chicco USA Inc., of Bound Brook, N.J.
Category
Consumer Product — Toys
Hazard
Affected units
6,000

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Related recalls

Same hazard · suffocation

See all →