Consumer Products Recalls

Flying Gym Playground Swings Repaired by Miracle Recreation Equipment Company NEWS from CPSC U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207 FOR RELEASE June 4, 1986 Release # 86-38 Miracle Recreation Equipment Company To Repair "Flying Gym" Playground Swings Washington, D.C. -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Miracle Recreation Equipment Company of Grinnell, Iowa, today announced a repair program affecting an estimated 1,475 "Flying Gym" playground swings produced by the firm prior to 1985. A ten-year-old boy in Seattle, Washington died from injuries received after part of a "Flying Gym" swing fell and struck him in December 1984. "Flying Gym" is a playground swing consisting of two swings suspended from a cross beam that rotates about a central metal shaft. The units were sold with a metal "cowboy" or "clown" shroud over the center or with no shroud at all. "Flying Gym" swings subject to this program are models 309 (cowboy), 306 (clown) and 305 (no shroud) and were sold nationally to local park and recreation departments and to some schools and churches. From its sales records, Miracle Recreation Equipment Company will contact directly, by registered mail, each known purchaser- of a "Flying Gym" unit to notify them of the potential hazard and arrange for a field repair intended to prevent the swing assembly from separating from the central shaft. The firm will provide needed parts, without charge, for the repair and an allowance of $50.00 for welding costs. The manufacturer sold some units prior to 1972, the earliest year for which it currently has sales records. Any owner of play- ground purchased prior to 1972 who believes he may have a "Flying Gym" should contact Miracle Recreation Equipment Company for assistance in identifying the product and obtaining information about the repair. Until the repair has been completed, the Commission and the manufacturer urge that the swings be removed from all "Flying Gyms" to prevent their use. For additional information, please contact Miracle Recreation Equipment Company, P.O. Box 275, Grinnell, Iowa 50112 (515-236-7536).

Strangulation

Entrapment; Internal Injury; Strangulation

12 Inch Teddy Bear Warning by Country Cozy's NEWS from CPSC U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 13, 1986 Release # 86-29 CPSC Issues Warning On 12 Inch Teddy Bear Dangers Washington, DC -- Country Cozy's, Inc., Paramount, California, and the Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a warning today to consumers about a 12 inch teddy bear, model LSB, which has small parts which could be a choking hazard and sharp wires which could cause lacerations or puncture wound injuries. Attached to the left paw of each teddy bear are three wires with balls on the ends representing balloons on strings. When the Consumer Product Safety Commission subjected the teddy bears to use and abuse testing, the balls, which are small parts, detached, exposing sharp points on the ends of the wires. While Country Cozy's intended these bears as decorative giftwear, the bears are attractive to small children and are likely to be given to small children. Consumers who bought these teddy bears for children should immediately remove and discard the balls and wires to eliminate the choking, puncture and laceration hazards. Retailers should do the same to any teddy bears they have in stock. The model LSB teddy bear in question is wearing a dress trimmed with white lace. Attached to the front of the dress is a hexagonal-shaped. ceramic tile approximately 1 3/4 inches in diameter with the message, "Crazy 'Bout You" and five hearts in various colors on it. Approximately 3,000 of these teddy bears were distributed nationwide between January, 1985, and January, 1986. Neither the CPSC nor Country Cozy's, Inc., know of any injuries involving these teddy bears. Anyone wishing additional information may contact Greg Buscher of Country Cozy's, Inc., at 213-630-3415.

Entanglement; Entrapment

Choking

Fall

Lead

Poisoning

Choking

Poisoning

Choking

Official Chopper 9 Flying Toy Helicopter Warning NEWS from CPSC U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 4, 1986 Release # 86-11 "Official Chopper 9" Flying Toy Helicopter warned by Whimports Honolulu, Hawaii -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Whimports of Honolulu, Hawaii today warns consumers of a possible hazard associated with the flying of a toy helicopter called "Official Chopper 9". Approximately 30,000 "Official Chopper 9's" were sold between July of 1984 and January 1985 in Hawaii only. The firm and the Commission are aware of four eye and face laceration incidents in which the rotor blades either flew off the toy, striking the user or bystander, or the entire helicopter descended rapidly, striking the person in the face. The incidents happened in October 1984, and Whimports voluntarily stopped sales of the toy in January 1985. The "Official Chopper 9," which retailed for approximately $5.00, is a six-inch plastic flying toy helicopter with a hand launching device. The number 9 is prominently displayed on the cabin of the toy. Assembly is required before the toy can be flown. It is this assembly which is difficult and if done improperly could allow the rotor blades to come off and cause possible facial lacerations or serious eye injury. Consumers are urged to discontinue use and to return either the three rotor blades or the entire toy helicopter to Whimports. Whimports will replace the returned blades with a redesigned rotor assembly and if the entire toy helicopter is returned, it will be replaced with a new toy helicopter with a redesigned rotor assembly. Returns should be mailed to: Whimports, 449 Koula Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813. Consumers may reach Whimports by calling 537-6079. For further information, they can reach the Consumer Product Safety Commission office in Honolulu, Mr. Donald Ching, 546-7523.