Wal-Mart Recalls Stuffed Christmas Beagles Due to Choking Hazard

December 14, 2006 - WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Holiday Time™ Stuffed Christmas Beagles

Units: About 56,000

Importer: Wal-Mart Stores Inc., of Bentonville, Ark.

Hazard: The red pompoms on the wreath attached to the beagle's mouth could detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The stuffed animal is a brown and white beagle with a red scarf and Santa hat trimmed in red and white stripes. A green wreath with red pompoms is attached near the beagle's mouth. The stuffed beagle measures 7-inches tall and 5-inches long. "Marketed by WAL-MART STORES, INC" and UPC number "8 85271 90780 3" are printed on the dog's sewn-in labels. "Holiday Time™" is printed on the animal's hang tag.

Sold exclusively at: Wal-Mart stores nationwide from September 2006 through December 2006 for about $3.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the stuffed animal away from young children and return it to the nearest Wal-Mart store for a full refund.
Consumer Contact: For more information, contact Wal-Mart at (800) 925-6278 between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit www.walmartstores.com.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from more than 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $700 billion annually. The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard or can injure children. The CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals - contributed significantly to the 30 percent decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC's hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC's teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270, or visit CPSC's web site at www.cpsc.gov/talk.html. To join a CPSC email subscription list, please go to www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.asp. Consumers can obtain this release and recall information at CPSC's Web site at www.cpsc.gov.