Children's Bendable Toy Recalled by Vendor

Missouri Secretary of State
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, August 11, 2006
Contact: Margaret Conroy, (573) 526-0949

Children's Bendable Dog and Cat Toys Recalled by Vendor

Unsafe Lead Levels in Children's Toys

Jefferson City, Missouri -- Highsmith, Inc., issued a recall for bendable children's toys after a test showed they may contain an unacceptable level of lead. The rubbery toys, which are four inches long, look like cats and dogs and can be twisted into different poses.

Some libraries had been using the toys as an incentive for young readers as part of the nationwide "Paws, Claws, Scales, and Tales" program designed to help public and school libraries encourage children to read during the summer months. Approximately 2000 toys from Highsmith, Inc., were given out by at least 23 local libraries in Missouri.

Parents are encouraged to throw away these toys or return them to their local libraries for proper disposal. If parents have specific questions about whether a toy or household item contains lead, please contact the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services at 573-751-6102 or toll free at 866-628-9891. The website is http://www.dhss.mo.gov/ChildhoodLead/.

The local libraries that may have given these out include:

• Richmond Heights Memorial Library, St. Louis
• Mid-Continent Public Library, Independence
• Butler Public Library, Butler
• Christian County Library, Ozark
• St. Clair County School District R2, Appleton City
• City of Seymour, Seymour
• Ozark Regional Library, Ironton
• Wellsville Public Library, Wellsville
• Trails Regional Library, Warrensburg
• Little Dixie Regional Libraries, Moberly
• St. Clair County Library, Osceola
• Rock Hill Public Library, Rock Hill
• Valley Park Community Library, Valley Park
• Wright County Library, Hartville
• Heartland Regional Library System, Vienna
• Pulaski County Public Library, Richland
• St. Louis County Library, St. Louis
• Oregon County Library District, Alton
• Howard County Library District, Fayette
• Fairview Community Library, Fairview
• Carnegie Public Library, Shelbina
• Westridge Elementary School, Ballwin
• Camden County Library, Camdenton