Blue Box Crib Toy Recalled

WASHINGTON, D.C. Blue Box, New York, N.Y. is voluntarily recalling approximately 30,000 Blue-Box crib gyms because of a potential strangulation hazard to infants. crib toys were sold in Toys R Us stores.

The majority of these The Blue-Box Crib Gyn distributed nationally in 1987 and 1988 for about $8, consists of a blue plastic bar approximately 15 inches long with several infant toys suspended from it Yellow straps at each end allow the toy to be attached to a crib or playpen rail. The words "Blue-Box" and "Made in Singapore" are molded on the plastic bar.

While no strangulations or injuries have been reported, Blue-Box is recalling this toy because consumers may leave the toy in the crib longer than is considered safe. In particular, the package is labeled as appropriate for children "ages 3 months and up," but does not caution consumers to remove the product from the crib when the infant begins to push up on hands and knees or reaches five months of age. Also, the package does not contain information about the risk if the toy is not removed.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, five-month-old infants can pull themselves up to a hanging crib toy and may become entangled or fall forward over it, possibly strangling. In addition, because the toy is not labeled to advise consumers that it wi I not fit a standard full-size crib, consumers may attach strings or ribbons to the toy for use in a full-size crib. The addition of strings or ribbons could increase the risk of strangulation. Consumers with the Blue-Box crib gym should return it to the retailer for a refund of the purchase price.