Playskool Announces Immediate Voluntary Recall Of Team Talkin’ Tool Bench Toy

PAWTUCKET, RHODE ISLAND (September 22, 2006) – In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Playskool is voluntarily recalling about 255,000 Team Talkin’ Tool Bench toys, age graded 3 years and up, following the deaths of two under-aged children. The Company learned that a 19 month-old and a two year-old, playing with the oversized plastic toy nail suffocated when the nail head became forcefully lodged in their throats.

“We are devastated and heartbroken by the news of these tragic accidents and our deepest condolences go out to the families of these young children,” said Al Verrecchia, CEO of Hasbro, Inc. “While the circumstances surrounding these tragedies are not clear to us at this time, we went to the Consumer Product Safety Commission and initiated this voluntary recall out of an abundance of caution. Even though the plastic toy nails are more than three inches long and an inch and a quarter wide -- far larger than what is considered a choking hazard under specific federal safety standards -- we are urging all caregivers to immediately return the toy nails to Playskool to prevent additional accidents. Consumers can contact us either by calling 1-800-509-9554 or on the web at Playskool.com.”



The Team Talkin’ Tool Bench™ is age graded for children age 3 years and older and is a 20-inch tall plastic toy tool bench with an animated red toy saw, a yellow toy drill and a blue toy vice. The toy talks and makes various sound effects, including tool sounds. The product 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 red Playskool logo is on the front of the brown surface of the tool bench.



The toy was sold at Toys R Us, Wal-Mart, Target, KB Toys stores and various other stores nationwide from October 2005 through September 2006 for about $35.



The Company is conducting a nationwide effort to alert the public about this voluntary recall. To get this product back, Playskool is offering a $50 certificate to consumers who return the toy nails. In addition to offering the $50 certificate, Playskool is taking further steps to get the word out including mailings to pediatrician offices, posters at retail stores, an online advertising effort and posting information and a video clip on the Playskool and Hasbro web sites --www.playskool.com and www.hasbro.com.

Consumers who own this toy should immediately take the oversized, plastic toy nails away from children and return them to Playskool. For instructions on how to return the toy nails and receive a $50 certificate, call Playskool at (800) 509-9554 or go to www.playskool.com.

B-roll includes:

- Product in the package and outside of the packaging

- Close-up shots of the nail

- Parts of the TV commercial

Contact Information

Wayne Charness

Hasbro, Inc.

Contact via E-mail