Units: About 441,000
Manufacturer: Payless ShoeSource Inc., of Topeka, Kan.
Hazard: The metal eyelet lace holder at the top of the shoes can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.
Incidents/Injuries: Payless ShoeSource has received one report of a child starting to choke on a detached eyelet from one of these shoes. No injuries have been reported.
Description: These are children’s athletic shoes in prewalk and toddler sizes. The shoes are white with different color trim and come in sizes 0 to 10. The brand name "Smart Fit" or "Teeny Toes" is written on the sole and insole of the shoes. The recalled shoes have one of the following five-digit numbers, found on a label on the bottom of the shoe tongue: 31056, 31057, 31219, 32264, 32265, 33060 and 33061. No other styles or models are included in this recall.
Sold at: Payless ShoeSource stores and Web site nationwide from December 2003 through April 2004 for about $10.
Manufactured in: China
Remedy: Consumers should take the recalled shoes away from young children immediately and should return the shoes to a Payless ShoeSource store for a cash refund or exchange.
Consumer Contact: For more information, call Payless toll-free at (800) 654-0697 between 7:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. CT Monday through Saturday, and between 9:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday, or visit their Web site.