Children’s Snow and Sand Castle Kits by Paricon Recalled Due to Sharp Edges; Sold Exclusively at LL Bean

The following product safety recall was voluntarily conducted by the firm in cooperation with the CPSC. Consumers should stop using the product immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Snow and Sand Castle Kits

Units: About 800

Manufacturer: Paricon Inc., of South Paris, Maine

Hazard: The largest plastic castle block maker in the kit could crack at the handle during use, creating sharp edges that can pose a laceration hazard to young children.

Incidents/Injuries: No injuries have been reported.

Description: The recall castle kit consists of three red plastic block makers. Only the largest block maker in the set is included in the recall. The largest block maker measures about 19 inches in length and 5 inches in width. Smaller block maker blocks and castle kits with the letter “A” on the inside of the large block maker are not included in this recall.

Sold by: L.L. Bean retail stores nationwide, catalogs and internet from September 2007 through October 2007 for about $30.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the large blocks and immediately take these recalled toys away from children. Letters will be sent to each customer with a replacement large castle block maker and a return mailer enclosed. In addition the notice will be posted in L.L. Bean retail stores and on its web site, and customers can return the kit to any retail store for a replacement.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, please contact Paricon at (800) 873-8452 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit L.L. Bean’s Web site at www.llbean.com

Swimways Corp. Recalls “Skippy” Pool Toys Due to Laceration Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: “Skippy” Pool Toys

Units: About 31,000

Manufacturer: Swimways Corp., of Virginia Beach, Va.

Hazard: The elastic tongue of the fish can break and forcefully come out and cut the users’ hands during launching of the toy.

Incidents/Injuries: Swimways has received 24 reports of the pool toy breaking during use. There were five reports of injuries to children including one requiring stitches to a child’s hand. Another child’s thumb nail was ripped back from the nail bed.

Description: This recall involves a rubber pool toy shaped like a fish. The fish are blue, purple or green colored and measure 8 ½ inches long by 5 inches wide. A loop of elastic tubing shaped like a tongue comes out of the mouth of the fish and is used for launching the fish across the water like a slingshot. “WARNING. Do not aim at another person. Made in China” is printed on the bottom of the fish.

Sold at: Mass merchandisers and independent pool supply stores nationwide from February 2007 through September 2007 for about $10.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should take the toy away from children immediately and contact Swimways for a free replacement toy.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Swimways toll-free at (888) 559-4653 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.swimways.com

The Gymboree Corp. Recalls Toy Swords Due to Breakage and Laceration Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. Name of Product: Toy Pirate Swords

Units: About 6,000

Manufacturer: The Gymboree Corp., of San Francisco, Calif.

Hazard: The swords can break, creating a sharp point, which poses a laceration hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Gymboree has received 11 reports of the sword breaking. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves a toy pirate sword with SKU number 140025491-GYS049. The SKU number is printed on the price tag above the bar code. The sword is made of plastic, and has a gold-colored handle and a gray plastic blade. The sword is about 19 inches long.

Sold at: Gymboree stores nationwide and its Web site from August 2007 through September 2007 for between $12 and $15.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the swords and return them to any Gymboree store for a full refund. Consumers also can contact Gymboree to receive instructions on returning the swords via mail.

Consumer Contact: For further information, contact Gymboree toll-free at (877) 449-6932 between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. PT Monday through Friday and between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. PT Saturday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.gymboree.com

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.