Water toys recalled for possible impalement injuries to swimmers

Monday, May 19th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

WASHINGTON (AP) _ A Virginia company is recalling about 25,000 packages of water sticks designed to stand upright after sinking to the bottom of the pool because the toys could injure swimmers who land on them.

The ``Swim Ways Deluxe Dive Buddies'' come in packages of four. The toys, which are about 7 1/2 inches long and an inch around, are soft plastic tubes with the head and feet of a sea horse, walrus, diver or shark. Each has a point value written on its back.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission, announcing the recall Monday, said that neither it nor Swimways Corp., of Virginia Beach, have received any reports of injuries.

The toys were sold for about $6 at pool stores nationwide from December 2002 through May 2003.

The commission advises consumers to immediately take the toys from children and contact Swimways for information on receiving a refund or a free replacement. The company can be reached at 1-800-889-7946, weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST. Consumers can also visit their Web site at www.swimways.com.