By Marianne Frederick

Yesterday, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the Lee Carter Co., of San Francisco, California, announced a recall of 25,000 infant rattles. The hazard is that the handle of the baby rattles violates the federal standard for toy rattles; it can fit into the throat of a child and cause choking.

The rattles were manufactured in Mexico and imported to the U.S. by Lee Carter Co. The rattles are made of colorful, woven plastic and contain a bell. The rattles are approximately 4-1/2 inches in length. A tag attached to a purple plastic loop at the end of the rattle's handle has the words, "Made in Mexico" and "Lee Carter Company" printed on it.

The rattles would have been purchased at various Mexican specialty craft stores throughout the U.S. from February 2001 through October 2011 for about $4.

Parents and caregivers should immediately take the rattle from infants and children and either dispose of them or return them to Lee Carter Co. for a full refund or credit towards a replacement product. For more information, consumers can call Lee Carter Co. collect at 1(415) 824-2004 anytime, or visit the firm's website at www.leecartercompany.com

To view a photo of the toy rattle being recalled, please visit the CPSC website at:

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml12/12093.html.

Because the CPSC continues to be interested in hearing about any adverse experience with this toy rattle, consumers may report a negative experience to the CPSC on www.saferproducts.gov.

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