Sears Wood and Hardboard Play Gym

Play Gyms Repaired by American Toy & Furniture and Sears NEWS from CPSC U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207 Note: Firm is out of business. Do not use these products. Please discard or destroy these products. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Originally issued January 26, 1983; Revised July 10, 2001 Release # 83-003 CPSC Announces Repair Program For Children's Play Gyms WASHINGTON, D.C. -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, American Toy & Furniture Company, Inc., Chicago, Illinois, and Sears, Roebuck and Co., today announced a voluntary repair program of 30,000 children's play gyms sold from 1976 through July, 1980. There have been no reports of incidents or injuries involving this gym. However, there have been three reports of suffocation from infant head or neck entrapment between the steps of the ladder of a play gym similar in appearance, but not sold by Sears and not manufactured by American Toy & Furniture. While the Sears play gym has several features which make accidents less likely, a repair program is being conducted as an additional precaution. The product made by American Toy & Furniture was sold nationwide only through Sears catalogues for about $30. The product was sold under the name "Wood and Hardboard Play Gym." It consists of a hollow box, made of fiberboard and wood about 30 inches high which supports a two-step wooden ladder on one side held in place by two brackets and a short slide on the other. Gyms purchased after July, 1980 are not affected. They incorporate a newly designed ladder. Consumers owning affected gyms should discontinue use of the ladder. Firm is out of business. For further information about this recall, consumers may call the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's toll-free Hotline on 800-638-CPSC.