Clacker Ball Toys Seized By Marshal NEWS from CPSC U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 10, 1985 Release # 85-065 Dangerous Toys Seized By U.S. Marshal In Phoenix The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission announced that on December 6, the United States Marshal's Office in Phoenix, Arizona seized almost 4,600 banned "clacker ball" toys. The toys, labeled "KER-BANGERS," are a hand-held novelty item consisting of two plastic balls connected by a cord to a plastic handle. When the hand is raised and lowered, the balls "clack" or bang against each other in an arc. Despite the claim on the package that the "KER-BANGERS" are "SHATTERPROOF," when the Consumer Product Safety Commission tested these toys, the balls either shattered or cracked. In addition, many of the handles broke. Consumers who have "KER-BANGERS" should promptly throw them away. The toys were the seized at the premises of a wholesaler, Empire Novelty & Concession Supply, Inc. 2213 East Indian School Road, Phoenix, Arizona. Empire Novelty is voluntarily recalling the toys from its customers, who are retailers. The "KER-BANGERS" were shipped from California and, according to the label, were manufactured by Chuck Howard Toy Co. of Inglewood, California. The manufacturer is no longer in business. Clacker balls were a popular toy in the early 1970's. To prevent injuries from fragmentation of the balls or from propulsion of the parts upon sudden disassembly during use, they are subject to a regulation enforced by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which requires them to pass specific durability tests.
Crib Toy Safety Alert issued by Fisher-Price NEWS from CPSC U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207 Note: Phone number change. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Originally issued October 10, 1984; Revised October 29, 2002 Release # 84-058 CPSC And Fisher-Price Issue Crib Toy Safety Alert WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Fisher-Price, in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, today voluntarily issued a product safety alert concerning the company's #155 Play Gym -- an activity bar toy for cribs. In late March the Company received a report that a one-year old child died when a hooded sweater became entangled on a #155 Play Gym. A previous death was reported in May 1980 due to a child's clothing catching on a Play Gym. In 1981, Fisher-Price voluntarily began labeling this crib toy to warn parents to remove the Play Gym from their child's crib when he is able to push up on hands and knees or reached 5 months of age. A child who can push up on hands and knees while wearing loose clothing or any stringlike material around the neck may become entangled on the Play Gym or other similar toys that attach across a crib. There may be unlabeled Play Gyms still in use. Therefore, the Commission and Fisher-Price are issuing this alert and urging parents to remove these toys from cribs and playpens as soon as their child begins to push up on hands and knees. The Commission and Fisher-Price also advise parents against putting children in cribs while the infants are wearing hooded clothing or any loose-fitting garments that could become entangled about a child's neck. Consumers outside of New York State who have questions may call Fisher-Price directly on a toll-free line: 1-800-233-4004. Consumers may also contact the Commission's toll-free hotline for further information at 1-800-638-CPSC. The teletypewriter number for the hearing-impaired is (301) 595-7054.