October
31, 2001
Sassy
Inc., of Northbrook, Ill., is voluntarily recalling to replace about 455,000
soft rattles. The sewn-on, spherical shaped fabric eyes on the rattles can
detach, posing a choking hazard to small children. Sassy has received 129
reports of eyes detaching from the rattles, including some incidents in which
eyes were found in children's mouths. One of these children started to choke on
a detached eye and a parent used the Heimlich maneuver to remove the eye.
The rattles involved in the recall include:
"Lily Pad Rattle" - A green frog with four plastic legs and a
multi-colored belly.
"Bitty Kity Rattle" - A clear, plastic tube filled with beads
connects a purple, cat-like face to a purple ball. Three plastic pieces
encircle the plastic tube and make a rattle sound when shaken.
"This Little Piggy Rattle" - A pink pig-like face is connected to a
green ball by a yellow and pink arm and a blue arm. Beads inside the green ball
make a rattle sound when shaken.
"Goo Goo Goldfish" - A multi-colored fish with pink lips, an orange
fin, and a clear, plastic tube that connects the head to the tail. Beads inside
the tube make a rattle sound when shaken.
"Smoochie Poochie Rattle" - A blue, puppy-like face with green
spotted ears is connected to a blue and green spotted body. Five plastic pieces
encircle the body and make a rattle sound when shaken.
"Crinkly Crown Dragon Rattle" - A green dragon with a scaled, curved
tail. Three blue ridges protrude from the dragon's back.
A caretag attached to the head of each rattle reads in part, "Sassy"
and "1999 Made in China." Rattles with the same appearance but
embroidered eyes are not involved in this recall. Toy and mass merchandise
stores nationwide sold these rattles from August 1999 through mid-October 2001
for about $5.
Consumers should immediately take these toys away from young children and
return them to Sassy to receive a free replacement toy. Consumers should call
Sassy at (800) 781-1080 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday for
information on how to receive the replacement toy. Consumers also can visit the
firm's website at http://www.sassybaby.com/safety_notice.html.
Sassy Media Contact: Fritz Hirsch (800) 345-5831 Ext. 23