Millions of Child Products Recalled

Wednesday, February 20th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

WASHINGTON (AP) _ Three companies are recalling nearly 4 million children's products, most of them Snuggle-brand toy bears, because of potential choking and lead poisoning hazards, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said Tuesday.

Unilever Home and Personal Care USA, of Greenwich, Conn., is recalling about 3.9 million of the plush bears after receiving 32 reports of the toy's eyes and nose coming off. The company received three reports of children placing these small parts in their mouths.

The other recalled products are 39,000 Random House ``Monsters In The Closet'' children's books with closure snaps that can detach and pose a choking hazard; and 75,000 Alpha International pedal cars covered with paint that contains high levels of lead, which can poison children.

No injuries related to these products have been reported, but the government said consumers should cut the snap off the book and take the other products away from children immediately.

The recalled cream-colored bears have tags that read ``Snuggle'' and ``Made in China.'' They come in three sizes: 8-inch bears made of terry or plush fabric; 10-inch bears with tan paws and ears; and 5-inch bears in one of four styles _ Pajama Bear, Nightcap Bear, Purple Blanket Bear and Pink Blanket Bear.

Stores included the 5-inch and 8-inch bears with sales of Snuggle fabric softener between May 1999 and July 2001. The 10-inch bears were sent between May 1997 and May 1998 to consumers who sent in a proof of purchase for Snuggle fabric softener and up to $4. The Pajama and Nightcap bears were sent with a similar promotion between November 2001 and December 2001.

The recalled children's board books are made of heavy cardboard and display characters from the film ``Monsters, Inc.'' The books, printed in English and Spanish, have a hole at the top of the back cover to allow them to hang on a door knob.

Stores and Internet sites sold these books from October 2001 through January 2002 for about $8.

The recalled pedal cars come in various colors and 17 models, including three fire trucks, four police cars, eight sedans, one yellow taxi and one dump truck. Most of the metal cars have a ``Gearbox'' logo on the seat back, the hubcaps or the pedals.

Two sedan models, labeled ``Raley's Coca-Cola'' and ``Raley's Keebler,'' were sold exclusively at Raley's supermarkets from July 2000 through December 2000. Stores sold the other pedal cars from November 1999 through January 2002 for between $100 and $500.

For more information on replacements and refunds, consumers may call the safety agency toll-free 1-800-638-2772.

Consumers can also call Alpha International, also known as Gearbox Pedal Car Company, at 1-800-368-6367 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. CST.