BUTTERFLY baby toys recalled because wire in antennae can hurt children

WASHINGTON (AP) _ A Georgia company is recalling about 21,000 toy butterflies because their antennae contain wire that can cut and scratch babies. <br><br>Kids II, of Alpharetta, Ga., has received 27 reports

Thursday, September 6th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

WASHINGTON (AP) _ A Georgia company is recalling about 21,000 toy butterflies because their antennae contain wire that can cut and scratch babies.

Kids II, of Alpharetta, Ga., has received 27 reports of wires passing through the fabric on the antennae of these toys, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said Thursday. Four babies suffered cuts to the hand or face, and five babies were scratched.

The recall involves Carter's Activity Butterflies with 3-inch-long antennae that end in stuffed stars containing a squeaker and a rattle. The stuffed butterflies are green and purple with multicolored wings. The toy makes sounds when squeezed.

On a small tag behind one of the toy's wings is model number 50052. On the opposite side a date code ends with, ''00433,'' ''00856,'' ''01003,'' or ''01148.''

Stores nationwide sold these butterfly toys from February 2001 through August 2001 for between $15 and $20.

The government said consumers should take these toys away from babies and return them to the store where purchased.

For more information or to get a free replacement toy, consumers can call Kids II toll-free at 1-877-325-7056 between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. EDT Monday through Friday

Butterfly toys with shorter antennae _ about 1 3/4 inches long _ do not contain wire, and are not part of the recall.