L'il Tots Crib Toy Recalled

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- McCrory Corporation, York, is voluntarily recalling approximately 6,000 L'il Tots "Baby's First Gift Sets" because one of the toys in the set, the "Hanging Melody Bells," may present a potential strangulation hazard to infants.

The "Baby's First Gift Sets" were distributed on the East and West coasts and throughout the South in 1986 for about $11.99. The "Hanging Melody Bells" toy consists of a white plastic strap approximately 28 inches long with five colored plastic bells suspended from it. The ends of the strap allow the toy to be attached to a crib or playpen rail.

While no strangulations or injuries have been reported to McCrory, it 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 three to 18 months," but does not caution consumers to remove the bells 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 strangulation.

Consumers should take the Hanging Melody Bells away from children and return them to the nearest McCrory store for a refund of the purchase price. For more information, or to locate the nearest store, consumers may call McCrory toll-free at 1-800-284-3704, ext. 7514.