Connecticut Governor Rell Announces Results of Statewide Sweep for Recalled Toys

Department of Consumer Protection Inspectors Find 127 Remaining Items

September 1, 2007 -- Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell today released the results from a statewide sweep of Connecticut stores that she directed the Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) to conduct in order to check for any toys that were part of the recent nationwide recalls.

DCP inspectors began the checks on August 23 and continued through August 28. Inspectors visited 265 toy stores, department stores, discount stores and grocery stores across the state.

Agents found 127 recalled toys at 32 stores in 25 towns, and immediately embargoed them so they could not be sold, or purchased them for testing.

"Most merchants are keeping children's safety issues high on their list," Governor Rell said. "However, given that more than 100 unsafe recalled toys were still available, I am challenging our retailers to do even better.

"Frankly, I'm concerned that some toys recalled several weeks ago were still on store shelves, particularly at the large retailers. Increased vigilance at all levels is needed; tainted toys must be stopped at our borders, and, where they slip through, retailers need to have foolproof procedures to ensure that every last toy is rounded up."

The Governor noted that DCP's routine checks for recalled and unsafe items are ongoing.

On August 2, Fisher Price voluntarily recalled one million character toys including Elmo, Sesame Street, Diego and Dora the Explorer products because surface paints contain excess levels of lead. Less than two weeks later, the federal government requested a voluntary recall of millions of imported toys that contained lead paint or small magnets. Mattel's Barbie and Tanner, Polly Pocket, Batman Magna, Doggie Daycare and Shonen Jump's One Piece play sets were recalled because they contain small magnets that - if swallowed - could cause health complications, while the company's toy Jeeps featuring the "Sarge" character from the movie Cars, because of lead paint hazards.

"We've made sure that the tainted toys we found will not be sold," DCP Commissioner Jerry Farrell said, "and now we'll begin to investigate the circumstances under which some of these retailers continued to sell the toys after the recall was announced, to determine whether any laws have been broken."

Consumers who may have any of the recalled toys should take them out of children's reach and verify whether or not the items are part of the recall. The three companies involved in this recall - Mattel, Fisher Price, and RC2, have set up return procedures. The companies will provide a new, non-recalled item or a voucher for the purchase of a new toy, in return for the recalled item.

Additional contact information is as follows:

Mattel and Fisher Price Website:

www.service.mattel.com (select ‘Recall” from top menu.)

RC2 Brands (Thomas the Tank Engine toys) Website:

www.recalls.rc2.com

Parents with concerns about toy safety can also call the Department of Consumer Protection hotline at (800) 842-2649.

Source: Connecticut Governor

Bookmark/Search this post with:

 •    •    •    •    •    •    •    •    •    •    •    •