Hearth Record

Tyco Recalls Big Bird Battery-Powered Toothbrush

Kids’ product recall 92-023. Announced by CPSC on Nov 26, 1991.

CPSC’s own notice, on cpsc.gov

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The short answer

Announced by CPSC on Nov 26, 1991. 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?

Poisoning

Source:

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

What should you do?

The notice gives no remedy in a field of its own.

Source:

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

Which ones are recalled?

NOVEMBER 26, 1991 Release # 92-023 WASHINGTON, DC -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Tyco Toys, Inc., Moorestown, NJ, announced today that it is voluntarily recalling “Big Bird Sparklin Smile” battery operated toothbrush (stock no. 2524). Approximately 330,000 of these products were sold between 1986 and 1991 for up to $10.00 each. The toothbrushes were sold nationwide under the Ideal and Tyco brand names through toy, variety and discount stores, and limited catalog mail-order sales. The Big Bird toothbrush uses four “AA” size batteries. If one of the batteries is inadvertently reversed, the battery may rupture or leak. Tyco has received three reports of minor burn injuries to children from leaking batteries and has learned from a news report that an exploding battery in this toothbrush may have caused serious eye injury to an adult. While these incidents appear to be due to defective batteries or improperly installed batteries, Tyco is recalling the toothbrush to eliminate the possibility of any further incidents. For a refund of the purchase price, consumers who have the Big Bird toothbrush should mail it to: Tyco Industries - Toothbrush Recall, 540 Glen Avenue, Moorestown, NJ 08057. No other Sesame Street toys, Ideal toys or Tyco toys are affected by this recall. For additional information about the toothbrush recall consumers may call Tyco toll-free at 1-800-822-5574 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time). Retailers are being instructed to remove these products from shelves and return them to Tyco. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is participating in this recall as part of its mission to protect the public from unreasonable risks of injury and death associated with consumer products. The CPSC is the Federal agency responsible for consumer product safety. Some 15,000 different types of consumer products fall within the Commission’s jurisdiction. Tyco Toys, Inc. the fourth largest U.S. toy manufacturer, distributes a broad line of products worldwide including radio controlled toys, electric racing toys, dolls, and activity toys

Ideal Big Bird Sparklin Smile battery operated toothbrushes and Tyco Big Bird Sparklin Smile battery operated toothbrushes.

Source:

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

Who made and sold it?

  • Made by Ideal.
  • Made by Tyco Toys.
Source:

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

Was anyone hurt?

The notice doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt.

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.

How to read a record

Four things every record does, shown on an example record made up for this guide.

An example record, made up for this guide

An example nursing home

Made up for this guide: no real place is shown

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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