The Recall Desk
HighCPSC·82036·Announced 1982-07-27

CPSC Recalls Banned Wooden Baby Rattles Due to Choking Hazard

Montgomery Schoolhouse and Schowanek are voluntarily recalling approximately 63,900 wooden baby rattles that violate federal safety bans due to choking risks.

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 product with a known choking hazard that has caused fatalities in the past, but the source explicitly states that no injuries have been reported for these specific units, fitting the 'High' criteria for risk-of-harm products without reported injury.

Plain-English summary

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is working with The Montgomery Schoolhouse, Inc. and Schowanek of America to voluntarily recall specific wooden baby rattles. The Montgomery Schoolhouse is recalling approximately 61,000 units, while Schowanek is recalling approximately 2,900 imported units. These products were sold starting in September 1981.

The recall is issued because these rattles violate a 1978 federal ban on designs that can become caught in an infant's throat, posing a risk of choking and suffocation. The CPSC issued the original ban after becoming aware of 10 fatalities and 19 choking incidents involving similar products since 1943. To date, there have been no reported injuries involving the specific Montgomery Schoolhouse or Schowanek rattles being recalled in this notice.

Consumers should remove these rattles from use immediately. Montgomery Schoolhouse rattles, which may feature colored parts, clear varnish, or metal bells in hardwood cages, should be returned to the retailer or directly to the company for exchange with compliant products. Schowanek rattles, identified by specific model numbers such as No. 10875/2 and No. 10876/19, should be returned to the place of purchase or directly to Schowanek for a refund or exchange.

The recalled product

Product
Montgomery Schoolhouse TT 5 Disc Rattles
Manufacturer
Schowanek

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Same manufacturer · Schowanek

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