R. Dakin Stuffed Toys Recalled for Infant Strangulation Hazard

Plain-English summary

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and R. Dakin & Co. are addressing a continued strangulation hazard associated with six models of stuffed plush mobile animal toys. A 1982 CPSC survey indicated that as many as 180,000 of these toys, originally voluntarily recalled by R. Dakin & Co. in 1979-80, may still be in consumer hands. The survey found that a majority of contacted consumers were unaware of the initial recall, and some were using the toys in ways that placed children at risk.

The hazard involves the three elastic cords used to suspend the toys, which can entangle infants. The source text notes that an eleven-month-old baby girl and an eight-month-old baby boy strangled in separate incidents in the fall of 1979 after becoming entangled in the elastic strings suspending the toy from a crib bedpost. The affected models are the Hummbug Bee (34-3645), Embo Elephant (34-1972), Jolly Polly Parrot (34-3462), Stanley Stork (34-3653), Lucky Ladybug (34-3662), and Duckswoop (34-3666). These toys were imported from South Korea and sold in the United States for approximately $7-10.

R. Dakin & Co. has renewed its efforts to remove the hazard, including paid advertisements in magazines and mailing safety warning posters to pediatricians. Consumers who wish to keep the toys should cut off the three elastic cords and call R. Dakin & Co. toll-free at 800-227-6598 (or 800-632-2179 in California). For a full refund of the retail purchase price and reimbursement of postage costs, parents should return the animals to R. Dakin & Co. at 499 Point San Bruno Blvd., South San Francisco, California 94080.

The recalled product

Product

R. Dakin Hummbug Bee Embo Elephant Jolly Polly Parrot Stanley Stork Lucky Ladybug Duckswoop Stuffed Toys

Manufacturer

R. Dakin

Category

Consumer Product — Toys

Hazard

• strangulation

Distribution

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