What was recalled
The Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a recall for specific children’s playsets marketed under the brand name Stashables, manufactured and distributed by BS Interactive. These products are officially identified as "Stashables Children's Ramp Sets." While the packaging may feature vibrant graffiti art and promise a variety of miniature vehicles, the scope of this recall is precise: it targets the finger skateboard ramp sets that contain specific miniature toy vehicles. It is important to understand exactly what physical items are subject to this alert, as not every item produced by BS Interactive is included, only those matching the specific description below.
The recalled product consists of 6-piece or 11-piece toy sets designed for finger skateboarding and related activities. Each set includes miniature plastic ramps decorated with graffiti-style artwork. Alongside these ramps, the sets contain a mixture of small-scale vehicle toys, which may include toy skates, skateboards, caster boards, scooters, and bicycles. However, the recall notice clarifies that only the miniature scooters and skateboards included within these specific ramp sets are subject to this action. The other components, such as the ramps themselves or other vehicle types like bicycles or caster boards (if present but not identified as non-compliant), are not part of this specific safety alert regarding lead content.
To identify if you have a recalled item, you must look for several key identifiers printed on the product packaging. The front of the box will prominently display the "Stashables" brand name. It will also indicate that the product is intended for children aged 5 years and older ("Stashables, 5+ years") and specify whether it is a 6-piece or 11-piece set. Crucially, you must check the bottom left corner of the front panel of the packaging. The batch number "18112021" is printed in this location on both the scooter and skateboard components' packaging. If your product has this specific batch number, it is part of the recall.
Regarding the distribution of these items, the recall record indicates that Stashables-branded finger skateboard ramp sets were sold at retail stores nationwide. The products were available in various colors and designs, but the color or design does not determine whether a unit is recalled; only the brand, product type, and batch number matter. While the exact start date of sales is not specified in the current record, the recall was officially announced on November 3, 2022. Consumers who purchased these sets at any time prior to this announcement may still have them in their homes. It is vital to inspect your storage areas, toy boxes, and shelves for these specific ramp sets, as they may be stored away from immediate view but remain accessible to children.
If you find a Stashables ramp set with the batch number 18112021 printed on the bottom left corner of the front panel, please treat it as recalled immediately. Do not assume that because the packaging looks new or the toys appear undamaged that they are safe. The hazard is internal to the materials used in the miniature scooters and skateboards, meaning the exterior appearance gives no indication of the safety risk. You should keep these items out of reach of children until you can contact BS Interactive for further instructions on how to proceed with the remedy.
The hazard, explained
When we talk about lead in consumer products, it is important to understand exactly how the danger works so that you can take it seriously without panic. In this specific case involving Stashables finger skateboard ramp sets, the problem lies in the surface paint used on the miniature scooters and skateboards. Lead is a heavy metal that has been banned from use in children’s products for many years because of its well-documented toxicity. When lead-containing paint is applied to a toy, it creates a chemical hazard that is not immediately visible to the naked eye. You cannot smell it, see it (unless the paint is chipping), or taste it reliably. The danger arises from the physical interaction between the child’s body and the toy.
The mechanism of harm begins with ingestion or mouthing, which is a natural and common behavior for young children. Even though these are miniature "finger" toys designed for older users, they are small enough to be handled extensively. If a child puts these scooters or skateboards in their mouth, or if they touch the painted surfaces and then put their fingers in their mouths, microscopic particles of lead can enter their digestive system. Once ingested, lead does not simply pass through the body like many other substances. Instead, it is absorbed into the bloodstream. The body mistakenly treats lead similarly to calcium, allowing it to accumulate in bones, teeth, and soft tissues over time.
This accumulation is what makes lead poisoning so particularly insidious and harmful. Lead is a neurotoxin, meaning it directly damages the nervous system. For developing brains, which are highly active during childhood, even low levels of lead exposure can interfere with cognitive development. This can result in long-term adverse health effects, including reduced IQ, attention deficits, and behavioral problems. The severity of these effects depends on the amount of lead absorbed and the duration of exposure. Because children absorb lead more efficiently than adults and their brains are still forming neural connections, they are uniquely vulnerable to this type of chemical injury.
It is also worth noting that while the recall notice mentions a violation of the federal lead paint ban for the surface coating and the federal lead content ban for the scooter itself, the primary vector of exposure here is likely the paint. The paint acts as a reservoir for the toxic metal. As the toy is handled, squeezed, or used, tiny amounts of the material can wear off or become airborne dust if the paint chips, increasing the likelihood that it will be ingested. This is why the CPSC emphasizes immediate removal from children’s reach. There have been no reported incidents of illness to date from these specific sets, but the potential for serious health consequences exists because lead poisoning is cumulative and preventable. By removing the source of exposure now, you eliminate the risk before any absorption can occur.
Who is most at risk
When evaluating the safety of any consumer product, particularly one involving young children, it is essential to look beyond the general warning and understand the specific biological and behavioral vulnerabilities that make certain groups more susceptible to harm. In this recall involving Stashables Children's Ramp Sets, the primary group at risk consists of children under the age of six, even though the packaging may suggest an older age range. This discrepancy between the marketing label and the actual developmental stage of the user is a critical factor in understanding the hazard. The product is marketed as suitable for ages 5 and up, yet it contains miniature scooters and skateboards that are small enough to be easily swallowed or mouthed by toddlers and younger children who are still in the oral exploration phase of development.
The danger here is not just about choking on the plastic parts themselves, but more insidiously, about lead poisoning. Lead is a potent neurotoxin that affects the developing brains of young children far more severely than it affects adults. A child’s body absorbs lead much more efficiently than an adult’s, and their developing nervous system is uniquely sensitive to its toxic effects. Even small amounts of lead exposure can result in permanent cognitive deficits, behavioral issues, and learning disabilities. Because the surface paint on these specific miniature scooters and skateboards contains levels of lead that exceed federal safety standards, any child who puts these toys in their mouth, sucks on them, or gets paint residue on their hands and then transfers it to their food is at immediate risk.
Furthermore, the nature of "finger" toys creates a unique behavioral trap. These items are designed to be handled frequently with bare hands, manipulated rapidly, and often used in close proximity to the face. Unlike larger ride-on toys that remain distant from the mouth, finger skateboards and scooters are intimate playthings. They are held, gripped, and tapped against surfaces, which can cause the lead-containing paint to chip, wear off, or become dusty. This dust then settles on the child’s hands. When a child eats snacks, touches their face, or puts their fingers in their mouth without washing them thoroughly—a common occurrence among young children—the ingested lead becomes a direct pathway into their bloodstream.
While older children and adults are less likely to ingest these toys, they are not entirely without risk. Adults who supervise play may come into contact with the lead dust on their own hands and inadvertently transfer it to themselves or other family members, particularly infants or pregnant women for whom lead exposure poses severe risks to fetal development. However, the core vulnerability remains with young children whose behaviors align perfectly with the mechanism of exposure: mouthing objects, poor hand hygiene, and high absorption rates. Therefore, the urgency in removing these items from the home is driven by the fact that the very demographic the product is often associated with—kids playing with scooters—is the one most biologically equipped to suffer severe health consequences from lead ingestion.
How to tell if you have the recalled item
Identifying whether your toy is part of this specific recall requires careful attention to several distinct details on both the packaging and the product itself. Because the recall involves a wide variety of miniature vehicles within the same brand family, you cannot rely solely on the brand name "Stashables" to confirm if your item is affected. Instead, you must verify the specific model configuration, the batch number, and the physical characteristics of the toys inside. The recalled items are Stashables-branded finger skateboard ramp sets that include graffiti art designs. These sets come in two primary configurations: a 6-piece set or an 11-piece set. It is crucial to understand that not every item in these sets is part of this recall. Only the miniature scooters and skateboards included within these specific ramp kits are subject to the safety alert. The ramps themselves, as well as other potential items like caster boards or bicycles if they were included in your specific box, are not part of this particular lead paint violation notice, though you should always exercise caution with any toy containing small parts. To confirm if you have the recalled product, start by examining the front of the original packaging. Look for the "Stashables" brand name prominently displayed. Alongside the brand name, you will see an age recommendation that reads "5+ years." This is a standard indicator for this line of products, but it does not confirm the recall on its own. The most critical piece of evidence is located on the front panel of the box. You need to find the batch number printed clearly on the bottom left corner of that front panel. For this specific recall, the affected batch number is 18112021. If your packaging does not display this exact sequence of numbers in that specific location, your item is likely not part of this recall. However, if you have discarded the box, you can still identify the product by looking at the toys themselves. The batch number is also printed on the bottom left corner of both the miniature scooter and the miniature skateboard. When inspecting the toys, look for the specific items mentioned in the hazard section: miniature scooters and skateboards. These are small, handheld versions designed for finger use, not full-sized rideable vehicles. They may feature various colors and designs, but their small scale is a key identifier. Since the recall does not specify color variations, you must rely on the batch number and the fact that they were sold as part of a Stashables ramp set to be sure. If you are unsure after checking these details, do not guess. The safest approach is to stop using the toy immediately and contact BS Interactive for verification. You can reach them at 888-808-0173 or via email at customerservice@stash-direct.com. They can help you confirm whether your specific item falls under this recall based on its unique identifiers. Remember, lead exposure is a serious concern, so it is better to be thorough in your identification than to risk any potential harm from ingesting lead-tainted paint.What to do — step by step
If you own a Stashables-branded finger skateboard ramp set, the most important thing you can do right now is remove the specific miniature scooters and skateboards from your home immediately. This is not a situation where you should wait for further instructions or try to test the product yourself. Lead is a toxic metal that poses serious health risks, particularly because it can be absorbed through ingestion or even prolonged skin contact with contaminated surfaces. The remedy provided by BS Interactive requires immediate action to ensure that no child comes into contact with these hazardous items. Please take the recalled miniature scooters and skateboards away from children right now. Do not allow them to play with these specific components, even if they are part of a larger, seemingly harmless ramp set. Once the items are safely out of reach, you need to initiate the replacement process by contacting BS Interactive directly. You have several options for reaching them: call their toll-free number at 888-808-0173 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Central Time, Monday through Friday; send an email to customerservice@stash-direct.com; or visit their dedicated recall webpage at www.stash-direct.com/recall/. When you access the online portal, look for the "RECALL" button located at the top of the page to find detailed information and instructions. BS Interactive is also actively contacting all known purchasers directly, so keep an eye on your phone and email for their outreach. However, do not rely solely on them finding you; if you purchased the item independently or received it as a gift, you must take the initiative to contact them yourself. When you connect with BS Interactive, you will be asked to receive free replacement scooters and skateboards. The company has arranged for free shipping for these replacements, so there should be no cost to you for the new, compliant products. A critical part of this remedy involves proof of disposal. You will be asked to submit a photo of the recalled scooters and skateboards that you have disposed of. This step is essential for the company to verify that the hazardous items are no longer in circulation. Please ensure your photos clearly show the items before you discard them, following local waste disposal guidelines. Do not simply throw them in the trash without documentation, as this could delay your replacement or leave the hazard unresolved. By following these steps carefully—removing the item, contacting the manufacturer, and documenting its disposal—you are taking decisive action to protect your family from potential lead poisoning hazards while securing a safe alternative for continued enjoyment of the hobby.Your refund, repair, or replacement options
If you have one of the recalled Stashables children's ramp sets in your home, the good news is that you do not need to pay for the solution. BS Interactive has committed to providing a complete remedy at no cost to you. The company is offering free replacement miniature scooters and skateboards to ensure that your child can continue to enjoy the toy without the safety risk associated with the original items. This approach is designed to be as convenient and stress-free as possible for parents who are already worried about their child's exposure to lead.
The first step in accessing this remedy is determining how you will receive it. BS Interactive states that they are actively contacting all known purchasers directly. This proactive measure means that if your contact information was recorded at the time of purchase, you may receive instructions via email or phone soon. However, do not wait passively for this notification to arrive. If you have not heard from them, or if you purchased the item second-hand or as a gift, it is your responsibility to initiate the process. You can reach BS Interactive by calling their toll-free number at 888-808-0173. Their customer service team is available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time, Monday through Friday. Alternatively, you can send an email to customerservice@stash-direct.com for written assistance.
You also have the option to manage this process entirely online, which may be faster if you prefer digital communication. Visit www.stash-direct.com/recall/ or navigate to www.stash-direct.com/recall and click on "RECALL" at the top of the page. This dedicated portal is designed to guide you through the necessary steps without needing to speak to an agent immediately. When you submit your request through either the phone, email, or online form, you will be asked for specific information to verify your purchase and arrange the shipment.
A key requirement of this remedy program involves the disposal of the hazardous items. Because the recalled miniature scooters and skateboards contain lead paint that exceeds federal safety limits, they must be kept away from children immediately and disposed of properly. BS Interactive requires consumers to submit a photo of the disposed recalled scooters and skateboards as proof of compliance. This step is crucial for the company's records and ensures that the unsafe products are removed from circulation. Once you have safely discarded the items and submitted the required photo, BS Interactive will ship your free replacement sets. Notably, the company covers all shipping costs, so there will be no charge to you for returning the old items or receiving the new ones. This comprehensive support system is in place to make the resolution straightforward, allowing you to focus on keeping your family safe.
