Hearth Record

CPSC, Manley Toy Direct Announce the Recall of Zapper Toys

Kids’ product recall 02-049. Announced by CPSC on Nov 28, 2001.

CPSC’s own notice, on cpsc.gov

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The short answer

Announced by CPSC on Nov 28, 2001. 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?

The balloon tongues and the cylinders holding the tongues on these toys can detach, posing a choking and aspiration hazard to young children.

Source:

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

What should you do?

Consumers should immediately take these toys away from young children and return the toys to the place of purchase, for a refund, or throw them away.

Source:

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

  • How to reach the firm: For more information, contact Manley Toy Direct at (800) 767-9998 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday to Friday.

Which ones are recalled?

The vinyl Zapper toys are about 2 to 3 inches long, and come in the shape of various animals, including frogs, dinosaurs and snakes. When the toy is squeezed, the balloon tongue attached to its mouth inflates or rolls out. “CHINA” or “MADE IN CHINA” is molded into the toy.

About 15,800 units, as CPSC gives them.

Zapper 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 Manley Toy Direct, Indianola, Iowa.
  • Arcades, amusement parks and carnivals sold and distributed these toys, from January 2000 through August 2001. They were sold for about $1.
  • Made in China, as the notice gives it.
Source:

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

Was anyone hurt?

The Promotional Resources Group of Companies Inc., of Topeka, Kan., previously recalled about 105,000 Bug Zapper toys on June 6, 2000. That company received a report of a 3-year-old boy, who inhaled a balloon tongue that detached from a Zapper toy into his sinus cavity. He required medical treatment to remove the part from his nose.

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 record, made up for this guide

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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