Product Safety News

Washington, DC—The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced today a recall of the “Toy Tunes” Electronic Musical Toy because it poses a choking hazard to children under three years old. U.S. PIRG identified this hazardous toy in its November 2004 Trouble in Toyland report and alerted the CPSC. CPSC and Dollar Tree Stores announced the voluntary recall of 147,600 units of this electronic musical toy sold at Dollar Tree and Dollar Bill stores because the toy contained small parts that could break off during use, posing a choking hazard to young children.

“Every year, PIRG’s toy safety reports help the CPSC identify choking and other hazards to small children,” said Alison Cassady, Research Director for U.S. PIRG. “In the last 19 years, the CPSC and manufacturers have taken more than 120 safety actions as the result of our reports.”

According to Cassady, the ball on the end of the drumstick sold with these toys can break off during use, posing a choking hazard to young children. With its simple construction and bright primary colors, the toy has play value for a child under three years old; CPSC regulations prohibit marketing toys containing small parts to children under three.

U.S. PIRG sent its list of potentially hazardous toys to the CPSC for review and possible action in November 2004. “Unfortunately, it sometimes takes weeks or months to negotiate the terms of a recall with the manufacturer,” Cassady added. “That’s why U.S.PIRG supports giving the agency more recall authority and better tools to protect the public.”

“Ten years after passage of the Child Safety Protection Act, today’s recall reinforces the message—we can’t assume that every toy on store shelves is safe,” concluded Cassady. “U.S. PIRG’s toy reports continue to protect America’s children from hidden hazards.”