Eyeball and Smiley Face Floating Balls Recalled by Atico International
Kids’ product recall 98-092. Announced by CPSC on Apr 8, 1998.
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The short answer
Announced by CPSC on Apr 8, 1998. 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?
Choking
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
What should you do?
The notice gives no remedy in a field of its own.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
Which ones are recalled?
Eyeball and Smiley Face Floating Balls Recalled by Atico International NEWS from CPSC U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 8, 1998 Release # 98-092 Company Phone Number: (800) 645-3867 CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: Nychelle Fleming, (301) 504-7063 CPSC, Atico International Announce Recall of “Eyeball” and Smiley Face Floating Balls WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Atico International USA, Inc., of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., is recalling about 329,000 Halloween Floating Eyeballs and about 100,000 Smiley Face Floating Balls. These balls contain kerosene. If the ball cracks or breaks, kerosene leaking out could poison young children if swallowed. The smaller of these balls also present a serious choking hazard to young children. They lack warning labels required for small balls. CPSC and Atico International USA, Inc. are not aware of any injuries involving these balls. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injuries. All of the Smiley Face balls are 1.5 inches in diameter. They are yellow with black features. The Halloween Eyeballs were sold in two sizes. They measure either 1.5 or 2.25 inches in diameter. They are white with different colored irises and red streaks (resembling bloodshot eyes). All the balls float in kerosene inside a clear outer ball, and are labeled “MADE IN TAIWAN.” These balls were sold nationwide by retail chain stores such as Arbor Drug, Eckerd Drugs, Thrift Drugs, K&B, Inc and Walgreen drug stores from June 1995 through October 1997 for about $1. Consumers should take these balls away from children immediately and return them to the store where they were purchased for a refund. For more information, contact Atico International USA toll free at (800) 645-3867, extension 541. Consumers will hear a recording asking them to leave their name and number, and an Atico International USA representative will return their call.
Halloween Floating Eyeball toys and Smiley Face Floating Ball toys.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
Who made and sold it?
- Made by Arbor Drug.
- Made by Thrift Drugs.
- Made by K&B.
- Made by Walgreens.
- Made by Eckerd.
- Made by Atico.
- Made in Taiwan, as the notice gives it.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
Was anyone hurt?
The notice doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt.
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.
Hearth Record wrote these lines.
Sources
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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.
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.