Wooden Clown Toys (BRIO) – Safety Concern (1997)
Hazard assessment based on recall description.
This AI-generated summary is provided for general informational purposes only and is derived from publicly available recall notices. It supplements but does not replace official agency classifications or safety instructions.
Check Your Product
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
Product
Brio wooden clown toys
Brand
BRIO / BRIO AB
Lot Codes / Batch Numbers
Not specified in CPSC notice. Check official source for details.
BRIO / BRIO AB is recalling Brio wooden clown toys. The hazard is: Choking. Based on CPSC recall notice.
Summary derived from CPSC notice
The following details were not provided by CPSC: remedy information, UPC codes.
Reason for Recall
As stated by CPSC
Wooden Clown Toys Recalled by BRIO NEWS from CPSC U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 6, 1997 Release # 98-024 Company Phone Number: (888) 274-6869 CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: Nychelle Fleming, (301) 504-7063 CPSC, BRIO Announce Recall of Wooden Clown Toys to Replace Hats WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), BRIO Corp. of Germantown, Wis., a subsidiary of BRIO AB of Sweden, is voluntarily replacing the hats on about 79,000 wooden clown toys. The hats present a potential choking hazard to young children. BRIO has received one report of a 22-month-old child in Germany reportedly choking to death on the clown's hat. No other injuries or complaints have been reported. The clown is a 9-inch high wooden stacking toy consisting of 12 brightly colored pieces, including the base. When all of the pieces are stacked in order, the toy resembles the figure of a clown with a yellow cone-shaped hat. The words, "BRIO...MADE IN SWEDEN" are stamped on the bottom of the toy's base. The toy is packaged in a red, white and yellow cardboard box. Pictures of the toy, model number 30130 and the words "BRIO...CLOWN" appear on the box. Specialty stores and mail order catalogs nationwide sold the toy from 1977 through September 1997, most recently for about $19. BRIO clown toys currently being sold have the redesigned hat and are in boxes labeled, "CONTAINS NEW HAT DESIGN." Consumers should take the clown's hat away from children immediately and send the hat to BRIO Corp., N120 W18485 Freistadt Road, Germantown, WI 53022. BRIO will send consumers a redesigned replacement hat and postage reimbursement. Consumers with questions should call BRIO toll-free at (888) 274-6869 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. CST Monday through Friday.
Reported concern (CPSC)
Choking
Recommended Action
Per CPSC guidance
The CPSC advises consumers to stop using the product. Contact the manufacturer or return the product to the place of purchase.
Verify this information on the official source
For complete details and official instructions, check the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) directly.
View official CPSC recall noticePage updated: Jan 6, 2026