October 10, 2002
Dollar Tree Stores Inc. Announces Recall of Toy Sponges

Dollar Tree Stores Inc., of Chesapeake, Va., is voluntarily recalling about 280,000 animal toy sponges. The eyes on the toys can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.

Dollar Tree Stores has received one report of an eye coming off. No injuries have been reported. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injuries.

There are three types of sponge animals involved in this recall: whales, turtles and fish. The sponge animals are made of soft terry cloth and have suction cups for attaching to tiled or smooth surfaces. The toys have a sewn-in label that reads in part, "DOLLAR TREE DISTRIBUTION, INC.," "MADE IN CHINA" and "RN# 87254." Dollar Tree, Only One Dollar, Only $1, Dollar Express and Dollar Bills sold the stuffed animals nationwide from May 2001 through September 2002 for $1.

Consumers should take these sponge animals away from young children immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a full refund. For more information, consumers can call Dollar Tree Stores at (800) 876-8077 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm's web site at www.dollartree.com.