LeapFrog Announce Recall to Repair “Alphabet Pal” Educational Pull Toys

WASHINGTON, D.C.- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), LeapFrog, a division of Knowledge Kids Enterprises Inc., of Emeryville, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 500,000 “Alphabet Pal” electronic pull toys. The toy has a two-part, red plastic connector on the pull string designed to separate under tension. The plastic pieces can detach from the string when the connector is pulled apart and could pose a choking hazard to young children.

LeapFrog has received nine reports of the red plastic connector detaching. No injuries have been reported.Consumers should cut the red plastic string connector off of these toys immediately, or return it to the firm to receive a free replacement toy without a plastic connector.The “Alphabet Pal” is a green caterpillar pull toy, about 12 inches long, with four wheels. It has 26 plastic legs, one for each letter of the alphabet. When its yellow pull cord is tugged, the toy sings the ABC Song. Other functions include color and letter name identification, and letter sounds. The antennae on the caterpillar’s head lights up. Writing on the toy includes, “LEAP FROGTM” and “Made in China.”

Toy, department and specialty stores nationwide sold these toys from June 1999 through November 2000 for about $20.

For more information, call LeapFrog at 877-501-5327 anytime, write to: LeapFrog, 1400 65th Street, Suite 200, Emeryville, CA 94608-1071, or visit the firm’s web site at www.leapfrog.com.

Toys without plastic connectors on the pull-string are not part of this recall.

Playskool Announce Recall of Additional 170,000 Busy Poppin’ Pals Toys

WASHINGTON, D.C.- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Playskool, of Pawtucket, R.I., is voluntarily expanding its recall program for its Busy Poppin’ Pals toys to include 170,000 Sesame Street Busy Poppin’ Pals toys. Small springs inside these toys can break loose, posing a choking and laceration hazard to young children.

On August 16, 2000, Playskool and CPSC announced the recall of 420,000 Busy Poppin’ Pals toys with model number 5415, featuring animal characters, for the same problem.Playskool has received eight reports relating to the springs in its Sesame Street Busy Poppin’ Pals toys, including one report that a child put the broken spring in his mouth. No injuries were reported. Playskool received 16 reports of springs breaking in the Busy Poppin’ Pals toy recalled earlier. This resulted in five children putting the broken springs in their mouths, and two of these children suffering lacerations. Playskool’s Sesame Street Busy Poppin’ Pals toy is a 13-inch long white plastic toy with blue, yellow and green buttons, levers and knobs of various shapes that, when activated, make Sesame Street characters pop up from under the toy’s base. The characters — Elmo, Ernie, Big Bird, Bert, and Cookie Monster — are hidden under corresponding blue, yellow or green lids that have the numbers one through five imprinted on top. The toy has a white carry handle and features the Playskool and Sesame Street logos on the front. The model number, “5446,” “MADE IN CHINA” and “C-023B” are imprinted on the bottom of the toy. Mass merchandise stores and toy stores sold these toys (Playskool model 5446 made in China) nationwide from November 1994 through 1996 for about $10. Consumers should take these toys away from young children immediately, and contact Playskool at (800) 752-9755 anytime or visit the firm’s web site at www.hasbro.com to get information about how to receive a free, redesigned replacement toy. Busy Poppin’ Pals toys with model 6205 have different springs and are not part of this recall. Any Busy Poppin’ Pals toy that have “Made in Mexico” imprinted on the toy’s bottom are not part of this recall.