If you've recently visited a Build-A-Bear Workshop with your young ones, you may want to check your child's stuffed animal collection. The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced a recall yesterday of around 36,000 bears.
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The reason? Some of these cuddly friends could cause a choking hazard.
Which Build-A-Bear Products Are Affected?
The affected Build-A-Bear products are the company's Heartwarming Hugs weighted plush bear. The stuffed animal is for children ages 3 and up. They were sold online and also at Build-A-Bear Workshops between January 21 and March 6 for around $48.
The toy has a side pouch with a heart filled with nearly three pounds of ceramic beads that can be heated or cooled. Because of this, a cautionary label advising adult supervision is in place.
The CPSC states that the pouch is secured with a zipper. However, the slider on the zipper can detach, posing a choking hazard.
No injuries have been reported, according to the agency. But in one incident in the United Kingdom, the zipper detached, so the recall was issued "out of an abundance of caution."
The model number for the Build-A-Bear Heartwarming Hugs weighted plush bear is 034464. Owners should check the back of the bear's left leg to verify.
I Have One of the Bears Included In the Recall. What Should I Do?
If you have a Build-A-Bear Heartwarming Hugs weighted plush bear, consumers are encouraged to stop using it immediately. You can then return it to any Build-A-Bear Workshop for a full refund.
Customers who are unable to visit a store can get a free return shipping label on the company's website.
Any questions about the recall can be answered by calling 844-541-0144 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time Monday through Saturday, or 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central Time on Sundays. You can also email [email protected]. For more information, customers are encouraged to visit the Build-A-Bear website's recall section.
