The Recall Desk
HighCPSC·04149·Announced 2004-06-02

Payless ShoeSource Recalls Smart Fit and Teeny Toes Children's Athletic Shoes

Payless ShoeSource is recalling about 441,000 children's athletic shoes because a metal eyelet can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.

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 choking hazard for young children, which is a high-risk product defect. Although one choking incident was reported, no injuries occurred, fitting the criteria for a high-risk product where injury has not yet been reported.

Plain-English summary

Payless ShoeSource Inc. is recalling approximately 441,000 pairs of Smart Fit and Teeny Toes children's athletic shoes. The recall involves prewalk and toddler sizes 0 to 10, which are white with different color trim. The brand name is written on the sole and insole, and the shoes have specific five-digit numbers on a label on the bottom of the shoe tongue: 31056, 31057, 31219, 32264, 32265, 33060, and 33061.

The recall was initiated because the metal eyelet lace holder at the top of the shoe can detach, creating a choking hazard for young children. Payless ShoeSource has received one report of a child starting to choke on a detached eyelet, though no injuries have been reported.

The shoes were sold at Payless ShoeSource stores and on their website nationwide from December 2003 through April 2004 for about $10. Consumers should take the recalled shoes away from young children immediately and return them to a Payless ShoeSource store for a cash refund or exchange. For more information, consumers can call Payless toll-free at 1-877-452-7500 or visit www.payless.com.

The recalled product

Product
Smart Fit™ and Teeny Toes™ Athletic Shoes
Manufacturer
Payless ShoeSource Inc., of Topeka, Kan.
Category
Consumer Product — Footwear
Hazard
Affected units
441,000

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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Same hazard · choking

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