New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection
The
New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection (DCP) urges the
Federal government to issue a recall of the Striker Remote Control Car toy, and
for Five Below stores to remove the toy from its shelves immediately. Research
and testing found the bottom of this toy car contains 2.5 times the allowable
paint and surface coating lead level established by the federal Consumer
Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA). The Division is also seeking to warn
holiday shopping consumers about the health hazards the lead paint found on the
Striker Remote Control Car presents to children.
“During
this holiday shopping season, we need to make sure the toys we are buying our
children are safe,” said
New York State Secretary of State Robert Rodriguez. “This toy
poses a hazardous risk to our kids and should not be on store shelves. I urge
Five Below to voluntarily pull the item from its shelves and the federal
government to immediately take steps necessary to issue a recall of this
product.”
The
DCP conducts product research and testing and enforces New York’s Children’s
Product Safety and Recall Effectiveness Act. Product testing found the Speed
Striker Remote Control Car contains a 230 parts per million (ppm) total lead
content in the white coating on the code and print on the bottom of the car.
This lead level is 155% above the federal CPSIA limit of 90 ppm for the presence
of total lead content in paints and surface coatings, in violation of CPSIA
Section 101 & 16 CFR 1303.
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The
toy Speed Striker Remote Control Car was purchased at Five Below and is
distributed by 1616 Holdings, Inc.
The
DCP contacted the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to request
a national recall of the Speed Striker Remote Control Car containing lead and
asked Five Below to remove the toy from its shelves and discontinue its sale.
The DCP also contacted the distributor 1616 Holdings Inc. requesting it cease
the distribution and sale of the Speed Striker Remote Control Car in New York
State and nationwide.
If
anyone has the Speed Striker Remote Control Car at home, they can dispose of it
by simply throwing it in the garbage, or they can choose to set it aside in a
safe area and await any future recall instructions, which may or may not
include a refund component.
Hazards
in children’s products are often latent and unfortunately not known until
someone is hurt. Accordingly, the DCP urges consumers to follow simple safety
tips when shopping to best ensure the toys purchased are safe for children:
- Always
purchase age-appropriate toys.
- Read
labels carefully and take note of all warnings.
- Keep
toys in good condition and dispose of broken toys or repair them right
away.
- Make
sure any fabric toys are labeled as flame-resistant or flame-retardant.
Lead
is a chemical substance often used in production of painted toys, furniture,
and toy jewelry; cosmetics; food or liquid containers; and plumbing materials.[1] According to the
New York State Department of Health, lead is a metal that can harm children
when it gets into their bodies. Lead can harm a young child’s growth, behavior,
and ability to learn. It can also cause anemia, kidney damage and hearing loss.
[2] The Speed
Striker Remote Control Car contained 230 ppm of lead, well above the federal
limit of 90 ppm. (for more information on Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention,
please click here). https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/lead/
Consumers
who identify a recalled product in the marketplace, or require more information
about toy safety and recalls, are urged to call the Consumer Assistance
Hotline: 1-800-697-1220. Consumer complaints can be filed at any time at www.dos.ny.gov/consumer-protection. The
Division can also be reached via Twitter at @NYSConsumer or
Facebook at www.facebook.com/nysconsumer.
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