Laceration Hazard Leads To Recall Of Swimways Corp,s "Skippy" Pool Toys

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: “Skippy” Pool Toys

Units: About 31,000

Manufacturer: Swimways Corp., of Virginia Beach, Va.

Hazard: The elastic tongue of the fish can break and forcefully come out and cut the users’ hands during launching of the toy.

Incidents/Injuries: Swimways has received 24 reports of the pool toy breaking during use. There were five reports of injuries to children including one requiring stitches to a child’s hand. Another child’s thumb nail was ripped back from the nail bed.

Description: This recall involves a rubber pool toy shaped like a fish. The fish are blue, purple or green colored and measure 8 ½ inches long by 5 inches wide. A loop of elastic tubing shaped like a tongue comes out of the mouth of the fish and is used for launching the fish across the water like a slingshot. “WARNING. Do not aim at another person. Made in China” is printed on the bottom of the fish.

Sold at: Mass merchandisers and independent pool supply stores nationwide from February 2007 through September 2007 for about $10.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should take the toy away from children immediately and contact Swimways for a free replacement toy.