|
Kids' basketball sets recalled
|
 |
December 22, 1998: 9:03 a.m. ET
More than 10M adjustable-hoop toy sets pose strangulation hazard
|
NEW YORK (CNNfn) - About 10.1 million toy basketball sets sold between 1976 and this fall are being recalled voluntarily by their makers because of the risk they could strangle a young child, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said Tuesday.
The CPSC said 20 children under the age of five have had their heads and necks caught in the nets of the toy sets over the past 10 years. In 1992, an 18-month-old child died after becoming entangled in a partly unhooked net, the commission said.
The sets affected by the recall were made by Ohio Art (OAR), Little Tikes, Fisher-Price and Today's Kids. They were sold in stores nationwide for between $10 and $50.
The concern about the adjustable set centers around the way the net attaches to the hoop. If the net can unhook from the rim, or has a knot that can slide, it is subject to the recall. The companies involved will replace the nets with ones that attach securely to the rim and do not have sliding knots.
The CPSC said the sets are made of plastic and come in a variety of colors. They generally have an adjustable pole that raises the backboard to heights varying from 3-1/2 to 6 feet.
The CPSC said parents should not return the basketball sets to retailers but instead should contact the company that made the set for details about how to fix the problem.
About 4.2 million Ohio Art sets sold between 1976 and 1997 are affected by the recall. Information about replacing the net is available by calling (800) 641-6226.
Little Tikes, a unit of Rubbermaid Inc. (RBD), is recalling 3 million sets sold since 1993. Information about the recall is available by calling (888) 848-4537.
Today's Kids of Booneville, Ark., a unit of privately held Spang & Co., is recalling about 1.7 million sets sold between 1986 and 1997. More information about their recall is available by calling (800) 916-8697.
And Fisher-Price, a unit of Mattel (MAT), is recalling 1.2 million sets sold between 1988 and 1996. Details are available by calling (888) 229-4555.
For Fisher-Price, this is 1998's second big toy recall. In October, the company recalled more than 10 million Power Wheels battery-powered sit-in cars because of the risk they could catch fire. Nine injuries to children and 150 fires have been blamed on the toy vehicles.
On Monday, Ohio Art shares closed at 21-3/4, Rubbermaid finished at 29-1/16 and Mattel ended at 23-3/16. 
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
