Hearth Record

CPSC, Playskool Announce Recall to Replace Busy Poppin’ Pals Toys

Kids’ product recall 00-164. Announced by CPSC on Aug 16, 2000.

CPSC’s own notice, on cpsc.gov

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The short answer

Announced by CPSC on Aug 16, 2000. Copied from CPSC on Oct 19, 2026.

Every line below is in CPSC’s own words, with its source beside it.

What’s wrong with it?

Small springs inside the toy can break loose, posing a choking and laceration hazard to young children.

Source:

CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.

What should you do?

Consumers should take these toys away from young children immediately and contact Playskool to receive a free, redesigned replacement toy.

Source:

CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.

  • How to reach the firm: Consumers may contact Playskool at (800) 752-9755 anytime or visit their website at http://www.hasbro.com/consumer/safety.html

Which ones are recalled?

The Playskool Busy Poppin’ Pals is a 13-inch-long white plastic toy with blue, yellow and red buttons, levers and knobs of various shapes that, when activated, make animal characters pop up from under the toy’s base. The animals are hidden under blue, yellow or red lids that have the numbers 1 through 5 on top. The lid colors match the color of the buttons, levers and knobs that activate them. The pop-up animals are a giraffe, elephant, panda bear, lion and monkey. The toy has a white carry handle and has the Playskool logo on the front. The model number 5415 and “MADE IN CHINA” are imprinted on the bottom of the toy.

420,000 units, as CPSC gives them.

Busy Poppin’ Pals toys.

Source:

CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.

CPSC’s photos

CPSC shows 1 photo on its notice. Hearth Record doesn’t copy them; each opens on cpsc.gov.

Who made and sold it?

  • Imported by Playskool, Pawtucket, R.I.
  • Mass merchandise and toy stores, including Toys R Us, sold these toys nationwide for about $10. The toys were sold from January 1996 through August 2000.
  • Made in China, as the notice gives it.
Source:

CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.

Was anyone hurt?

Playskool has received 16 reports of the springs breaking. Five children put the broken springs in their mouths, resulting in two children suffering lacerations.

Source:

CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.

What the record doesn’t say

  • The notice lists no UPCs, so check the model, the description and the photos.
  • The notice lists no model numbers in a field of their own; its description may give them.
  • How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Source:

Hearth Record wrote these lines.

Sources

  • U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Recalls API.

    Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work). CPSC asks to be credited, and that no endorsement be implied.

Source:

Recalls of kids’ and home products are from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). CPSC does not endorse Hearth Record. Copied on Oct 19, 2026.

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An example nursing home

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Not fully inspected in over two years (CMS flag)

11 health citations at the latest inspection cycle

The state average is 14.3.

Source:

CMS, State and US Averages and Health Deficiencies. Released Oct 8, 2026. Updated monthly.

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