Massive Toy Recall From Mattel

08/14/2007 (KFSN) -- A warning from the people in charge of toy safety has one of the world's leading toymakers pulling about 9 million items off of store shelves.

Toy-making giant Mattel issued recalls Tuesday for millions of toys that could be dangerous to children. This is the second major recall of Mattel toys this month.

Stores across the country, including those here in the valley have pulled the items from their shelves, and now parents are being asked to check the toys already in their homes.

Kashawn Staley is the father of two young boys. He says he always tries to pick out toys that are educational and safe. "I want them to have fun and play with their toys, but I don't want them to be in danger," says Staley.

Staley is one of many local parents concerned about the latest recall of more than 9 million Chinese-made Mattel toys. About 7 million of the toys, including Polly Pocket Dolls and Batman action figures, are being recalled because they have magnets that could fall off and be swallowed.

Nancy Nord, Consumer Product Safety Commission, says "If more than one magnet is swallowed, they can attract inside the body, causing intestinal perforations, infections, and blockages."

The recall also includes about one and a half million die cast cars that contain potentially toxic lead paint.

Priscilla Aivazain, mother, says "We just make sure we don't have that toy, and if we do then we just find out what we need to do and take it away from the kids."

Action News spoke with representatives for several local stores, including Target and Toys-R-Us. They say all of the toys involved in the recall have been pulled from their shelves.

Mattel says it has stopped the sale of those products and made production changes to fix the problems with the magnets. The company is also offering consumers replacements for the recalled toys.

Bob Eckert, Mattel, says "No system is perfect, but when a mistake is made, particularly by a vendor plant, we look for it. When we find it, we notify people." Federal officials say so far there have been no reports of injuries from toys included in this latest recall.

For more information, you can call the consumer product safety commission at 1-800-638-2772.

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