Older Little People toys pose risk of choking

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This article was published 26/03/2010 (5891 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

OTTAWA — Parents and caregivers should immediately go through their toy boxes and throw out all the old Fisher-Price Little People figures because a baby recently choked to death when the iconic toy became lodged in the infant’s throat, Health Canada said Thursday.

The older Little People figures, which were manufactured before 1991, have a circular base approximately two centimetres in diameter, posing a risk of serious injury or death. The figures include a variety of characters, such as a little girl, a train conductor, a dog and a father.

The newer Little People figures, manufactured after 1991, have a larger circular base, approximately three centimetres in diameter. "These figures are taller, in chunkier shapes and are of sizes that cannot be taken into the throat of a young child. These newer figures are not the subject of this advisory," Health Canada said in a statement.

The government issued the alert because it "recently" became aware of the death of a 10-month-old child resulting from the use of one of these older products.

"This incident has brought attention to the fact that these products are still used in play in Canadian households.

"Health Canada strongly encourages parents, grandparents and caregivers who still have possession of any older Little People figures to immediately and safely discard of them. The toys should be disposed of in normal household garbage in such a way that they cannot be used or re-sold."

Health Canada, informed of the recent fatality by a local medical officer in an unspecified city, did not release further details surrounding the death.

This fatality marks the first in Canada linked to the older Fisher-Price Little People series.

There have been seven other deaths and one serious injury in the United States, all involving children under the age of three.

"At Mattel and Fisher-Price, our greatest concern has always rested with the safety of the children using our products. Throughout our history, we have remained committed to doing the right thing.

"Rest assured, all Little People figures sold since 1991 have been redesigned and do not present a choking hazard. Little People figures sold before 1991 may present a choking hazard due to their size and shape," Bongiovanni said.

 

— Canwest News Service