March 1, 2001

Children's Brooms Recalled by EMSCO Inc.

EMSCO Inc., of Girard, Pa., is voluntarily recalling about 2,200 children's toy brooms. The paint on the handles of these brooms contain high lead levels. CPSC standards ban toys and other children's products containing high levels of lead. Young children could ingest lead from the broom handles, presenting a lead poisoning hazard.

The Ti-dee Helper brooms are about 37 inches long with a wood handle painted yellow and natural straw bristles. A silver label on the handle reads, "MADE IN MEXICO." The plastic packaging that covered the broom bristles reads, "Ti-dee HelperTM child's broom," and contains the model number "6089." Toy, discount and grocery stores sold these brooms from April 2000 through February 2001 for about $9.

Consumers should take these brooms away from children immediately, and return the brooms to the store where purchased for a refund. For more information, call EMSCO Inc. at (800) 458-0839 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit their web site at www.emscogroup.com.