Toy Telephones Recalled by Durham

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Oct. 1) -- Durham Industries, Inc., of New York City is recalling the detachable connector cords sold with approximately 97,000 toy telephone sets, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced today.

The cord connects two battery-operated toy telephones, enabling children to talk to each other. The two-prong plugs at each end of the cord so closely resemble genuine electrical plugs that children may try to force them into household sockets, thereby receiving severe shocks or burns, according to CPSC staff.

An 8-year-old girl was burned earlier this year when she was able to force one of the plugs into a wall electrical outlet.

The connector cord is sold as part of the model 7028 "Holly Hobbie" dial/intercom toy telephone set. Available in pink and blue, the toy phones are equipped with functional intercoms, signal lights and buzzers. The words "Holly Hobbie" are printed on the center dial of each toy phone.

The set has been sold exclusively by the K-Mart Corporation for approximately $9.95. Durham has imported the toy from Yugoslavia since 1977.

Parents should return the cords to Durham Industries, Inc., 41 Madison Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010, to receive free replacement cords which have been redesigned.