KinderkidsTM, of Lawrence, Kan., is voluntarily recalling about 18,000 inflatable playrings. Babies sit inside the playring, which is used as an activity center and looks like a pool float. When a baby leans his face against the side of the playring, the soft surface covers the baby's nose and mouth, restricting airflow, and posing the risk of suffocation.

There has been one report of a 6-month old baby found gasping for air after falling asleep face down in the playring. The baby was removed from the playring without injury.

The recalled playring, which measures 40 inches in diameter, has a yellow, plastic, inflatable, inner tube with a multicolor cloth covering. The cloth covering features eight activities for babies, including a boat rattle, a mirror flower, a soft teether on a puppy's collar, a butterfly, and a squeak ball and fish. A tag on the bottom of the cloth covering reads "Warning!" and "Recommended for children 6 to 18 months." The packaging reads, "Discovery Playring," "MADE IN CHINA" and "Not to be used in water." They are sold with plastic foot pumps for inflating the playrings. Walmart stores, and One Step Ahead, a mail-order company, sold the playrings from July 1998 though April 2000 for between $20 and $35.

Consumers should stop using the playrings immediately and contact Kinderkids for information on how to receive a refund. Consumers should call Kinderkids toll-free at (888) 433-6251 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. PT Monday through Friday. Kinderkids Media Contact: Jennifer Lee (888) 433-6251

Kinderkids
3211 Clinton Pkwy.
Lawrence, KS 66047
TEL: 785-842-9339
FAX: 785-842-6413