Playskool recalls Toy Workbench nails after 2 deaths

Playskool, in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), is voluntarily recalling parts of a talking bench toys following the deaths of two small children, who apparently suffocated when oversized, plastic toy nails sold with the tool bench toys became lodged in their throats. Playskool is a toy brand owned by Pawtucket, Rhode Island, US based nation's second-largest toy maker, Hasbro.

The recall applies to two 3-inch-long plastic nails, included in the Playskool Team Talkin' Tool Bench, which has sold about 255,000 sets since October 2005. The toy bench was sold for about $35 at Toys R Us, Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Target Corp., KB Toys stores and various other stores countrywide from October 2005 through this month.

The Team Talkin' Tool Bench, the toy which has raised the controversy, is a 20-inch tall plastic toy tool bench which includes an animated red toy saw, a yellow toy drill and a blue toy vice. The toy bench also includes a toy hammer, screwdriver, two 2¼-inch plastic screws, two 3-inch plastic nails and pieces to build a small toy plane. The toy talks and makes numerous sound effects.

Playskool received reports that a 19-month-old boy from Martinsburg, W.V., and a 2-year-old boy from League City, Texas, suffocated when oversized, plastic toy nails became forcefully lodged in their throats.

Playskool officials said, the toy is designed for children three years and older, and in the reported death cases, both victims were younger than that. They say the plastic toy nails from the tool bench were small enough to be swallowed by kids.

The president and CEO of Hasbro Incorporated, Alfred Verrecchia said Playskool is voluntarily conducting a recall as a precaution to prevent additional incidents. He said the nail, which is more than an inch wide, meets federal safety guidelines.

In a reply to a query why did it take a second death for the company to launch the recall, he said the company learned in February about the death of Martinsburg boy and only last week the company came to know that it was named in a civil lawsuit prompted by the death of a 2-year-old boy from League City.

“We immediately called the CPSC and they did an investigation and they concluded it was a tragic accident, but it was a freak accident and there was no need to recall the product. It was fully compliant and therefore, we did not, and were somewhat guided by Consumer Product Safety Commission. When we got the second report, which came last Friday, at that point in time, we decide, 'No, bring the product in,'" said the president and CEO of Hasbro Incorporated, Alfred Verrecchia.

As part of the recall, the company has provided some options to the consumers. The customers who have purchased the toy can return the plastic nails and receive a $50 gift certificate for Hasbro products. CEO said consumers can also claim a gift certificate for returning toy plastic screws in the set, although those parts are not included in the recall.

At the same time, Wal-Mart says they will gladly take the toy back and provide full refund. They also say they have pulled the toy from their shelves. Toys-R-Us says they will also gladly give the refund, as long as the customers have a receipt.