Choking Incidents Forcing a Hazard Notice for Two Popular Toddler Toy Products in Aug. '09

After one incident that required hospitalization and another that thankfully didn’t reach the need for medical assistance, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has initiated, with the cooperation of the manufacturers, the voluntary “recall” of the following to products:

• Little Tikes Workshops and Trucks
• Jump ‘n Jive Doorway Jumpers

Photo courtesy of the CPSC.

Product recall isn’t a completely accurate description because none of the products are being taken back in their entirety by the manufacturers. In all cases, only components of the products will be replaced by consumer request.

The hazard point for the Little Tikes products are the oversized plastic toy nails. The manufacturer, Little Tikes Co., reported one incident where an 11-month old boy from Goose Creek, S.C., choked when a toy nail became lodged in his throat. The child was hospitalized, but made a full recovery, according to the company.

Little Tikes toys of concern are the following:

• Little HandiWorker Workhorse- Model Nos.: 0920/612237; Universal Product Codes (UPC): 0-50743-10920-1 & 0-50743-61223-7; Sold from March 1999 through June 2009.
• Black Pickup Truck with Tools- Model No.: 4028; UPC: 0-50743-04028-3; Sold from March 2000 through April 2009.
• Home Improvement 2-Sided Workshop- Model No.: 4146; UPC: 0-50743-04146-4; Sold from February 2001 through January 2009.
• Swirlin’ Sawdust Workshop- Model No.: 440Z; UPC: 0-50743-38540-7; Sold from April 2004 through November 2008.
• Electric Project Workshop- Model Nos.: 0914/430B; UPCs: 0-50743-00914-3 & 0-57043-52613-8; Sold from March 1994 through December 2003.

To remedy the problem, the company requests that consumers should immediately take the toy nails away from young children and contact them for a free replacement nail. Little Tikes can be contacted at: 800-791-2737 between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. ET, or through the company website at: www.littletikes.com.

With regard to Graco Children’s Products Inc., the hazard point of their Jump n’ Jive Doorway Jumper is that it includes detachable toys that are attached to the jumper straps with strips of hook and loop fabrics that can open during use and pose a choking hazard.

Photo courtesy of the CPSC.

The company reported one incident where a child removed the fabric strip and placed it in his/her mouth. The company didn’t report the age, gender, or location of the child, but did say that no injury occurred.

This jumper, model no. 1755544, was sold between April 2009 through July 2009. To remedy the problem, the company requests that consumers immediately remove and discard the detachable toys and fabric strips, and call the manufacturer for a replacement set of toys. Graco can be contacted at: 800-345-4109 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET, or through the company’s website at: www.gracobaby.com.

Reader commentary and input is always welcomed!