Voluntary Recall Of Team Talkin' Tool Bench Toy

26 September 2006

Playskool Announces Immediate Voluntary Recall Of Team Talkin' Tool Bench Toy

Hasbro New Zealand is voluntarily recalling 1200 Playskool Team Talkin' Tool Bench toys sold in New Zealand since September last year. This follows a voluntary recall in the US initiated on Friday 22 September 2006.

The US recall was prompted by two accidents in that country, where toddlers playing with the tool bench's oversized plastic toy nail suffocated when the nail head became forcibly lodged in their throats. There have been no accidents reported in New Zealand or Australia.

Hasbro Inc's US based CEO, Al Verrecchia, said: "We are devastated and heartbroken by the news of these tragic accidents and our deepest condolences go out to the families of these young children. While the circumstances surrounding these tragedies are not clear to us at this time, we went to the Consumer Product Safety Commission and initiated this voluntary recall out of an abundance of caution. Even though the plastic toy nails are more than 80mm long and 35mm wide -- far larger than what is considered a choking hazard under specific federal safety standards -- we are urging all caregivers to immediately return the toy nails to Hasbro to prevent additional accidents."

In the interests of public safety, Hasbro is urging caregivers to immediately remove the oversized plastic toy nails from children. Toy owners can call Hasbro on the number below for information on returning the nails and replacement options.

The Team Talkin' Tool Bench is age graded for children three years and older. The children involved in the tragic accidents were aged 19 months and two years. While this product is fully compliant with all relevant New Zealand and Australian Safety Standards, and the oversized plastic toy nails are not considered a "small part" under such standards, Hasbro is voluntarily recalling as a precaution to prevent any additional accidents.

Consumers can call 0508 HASBRO (0508 427276) from 9am -to 5pm for further information.

Product Information

The Team Talkin' Tool Bench(tm) is a 51cm tall plastic toy tool bench with an animated red toy saw, a yellow toy drill and a blue toy vice. The toy talks and makes various sound effects, including tool sounds. The product also includes a toy hammer, screwdriver, two 57mm plastic screws, two 80mm plastic nails and pieces to build a small toy plane. The red Playskool logo is on the front of the brown surface of the tool bench.

The toys were sold at The Warehouse, Farmers and K-Mart stores, nationwide from September 2005 through September 2006 for about $90. No other Hasbro or Playskool products have been affected.

ENDS

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