Baby Sesame Street Elmo Silicone Teethers Recall: What To Do

The william carter recall announced in September 2026 affects a popular baby product sold across the United States. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission published the notice on September 3, 2026. It covers Baby Sesame Street Elmo Silicone Teethers made by The William Carter Company of Atlanta, Georgia. About 22,660 units are involved. Regulators warn that the black eyes can detach from the teether if it is frozen. That creates a choking hazard with a risk of serious injury or death.

What the William Carter Recall Covers

This william carter recall applies to Baby Sesame Street Elmo Silicone Teethers. The product is a soft silicone teether shaped after the Elmo character. It is marketed for infants who are teething. Many parents chill or freeze teethers to soothe sore gums. That common habit is central to the safety concern here. The recall notice was assigned recall number 26739 by the CPSC.

The recalling firm is The William Carter Company, based in Atlanta, Georgia. That company is the corporate parent behind several well-known juvenile product brands. The official CPSC notice is published under the Skip Hop brand name. However, the agency record lists The William Carter Company as the responsible firm. Both names refer to the same recall action. Consumers should not treat them as two separate events.

The CPSC scope figure for this william carter recall is 22,660 units. That number reflects the products distributed in the United States. Specific model numbers, lot codes, and date-of-sale details appear in the official notice. For example, packaging codes and item numbers are often printed on the back of the box. In most cases, the product itself also carries a small molded identifier. Readers should check the linked CPSC notice for the exact identifiers.

Retail details are also listed in the official notice. Teethers in this category are typically sold at national baby retailers and online marketplaces. As a result, a single household may have purchased one months before the recall date. Gift purchases and hand-me-downs make tracking harder. Anyone who owns an Elmo silicone teether should compare it carefully against the agency listing. Read the full CPSC recall notice here.

The Hazard and Reported Injuries

The hazard in this william carter recall is specific and unusual. The CPSC states that the black eyes can detach from the recalled teether if frozen. A detached eye is a small, hard piece. In an infant’s mouth, that piece poses a choking hazard. The agency describes the risk as serious injury or death.

Freezing is the trigger the agency identifies. Many caregivers place teethers in the freezer on purpose. Cold silicone feels soothing against inflamed gums. However, freezing can change how bonded components behave. Materials contract at different rates when chilled. As a result, a decorative part that holds firmly at room temperature may separate after time in the freezer.

Choking risks in infant products are treated seriously by regulators. Babies explore with their mouths by design. A teether is placed directly in the mouth for extended periods. Typically, that means there is no meaningful barrier between a loose part and the airway. Caregivers may not notice a missing eye right away, especially during naps or car rides.

The CPSC reports no injuries at the time of the notice. That is an important detail and should not be overstated. No injuries reported does not mean no risk exists. Recalls are frequently issued before harm occurs, which is the preferred outcome. The table below summarizes the core agency record for this william carter recall.

What To Do If You Own This Product

The first step is simple. Stop using the teether immediately. Do not wait until you have confirmed the model number. Place the product somewhere a child cannot reach it. In most cases, a high shelf or a sealed bag works. Do not pass it to another family or donate it.

Next, identify the product. Compare your teether to the images and identifiers in the official CPSC notice. Look for the item number and any printed lot or date codes. For example, check the original packaging if you still have it. Photographs of your receipt or order confirmation can also help. Online order history from a retailer account is often the fastest route.

The remedy details for this william carter recall are stated in the official CPSC notice. We are not restating remedy terms here, because the agency record we received contained remedy text that did not match this product. Follow the instructions in the official notice linked on this page instead. That notice is the authoritative source for what to do next. It will explain how to contact the company and what the company is offering.

Finally, watch your child if the teether was already used. Signs of a choking event include coughing, gagging, or difficulty breathing. Seek emergency care immediately if those appear. As a result of any incident, keep the product and packaging. You can also report a problem to the CPSC at SaferProducts.gov. That report helps regulators track patterns across households.

Does a William Carter Recall Mean You Can Sue?

A recall is a safety action. It is not a lawsuit. That distinction matters and is often misunderstood. When a company issues a recall, it is removing a product from use and offering a fix. Regulators may participate or announce it. However, no court is involved in that step.

So a william carter recall, by itself, is not a legal claim. There is no automatic payment attached to a recall. There is no settlement fund created by a recall notice. A recall notice does not mean anyone has been found at fault. Anyone promising guaranteed money based only on a recall should be treated with caution.

Personal injury claims typically require more than a recall. In most cases, they require an actual injury. They also require a causal link between the product and that injury. Medical records, the product itself, and purchase proof all matter. Timing rules called statutes of limitation also apply and vary by state.

If your child was hurt, you may be eligible to pursue a claim. That is a decision for a licensed attorney in your state to evaluate. No article can tell you whether your specific facts support a case. There are no guarantees of any outcome. However, preserving evidence early protects your options either way.

How Recalls Connect to Mass Tort Cases

Recalls and lawsuits are separate, but they sometimes intersect. A recall notice creates a documented record. It states what the defect was and when the company acted. In later litigation, that record can become evidence. Attorneys often use recall timelines to examine what a company knew and when it knew it.

Historical examples show the pattern. The Philips CPAP recall in 2021 involved sound abatement foam that could degrade. Thousands of individual claims were later consolidated into multidistrict litigation. Takata airbag inflators were recalled across tens of millions of vehicles. That recall was also followed by extensive litigation and a compensation program.

Neither example predicts anything about this william carter recall. Most recalls never produce mass tort litigation at all. The CPSC reports no injuries here at the time of the notice. As a result, there is no known lawsuit connected to this recall. Readers should not assume litigation exists simply because a recall was announced.

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is being recalled?

The william carter recall covers Baby Sesame Street Elmo Silicone Teethers. The CPSC assigned recall number 26739 on September 3, 2026. About 22,660 units are affected in the United States.

Why does freezing matter?

The CPSC states the black eyes can detach if the teether is frozen. A detached eye is a small piece that a baby could choke on. For that reason, the agency warns of serious injury or death.

Have any injuries been reported?

The agency reports no injuries at the time of the notice. That is a good sign, but it does not eliminate the hazard. Recalls are often issued before anyone is hurt.

How do I get the remedy?

Follow the instructions in the official CPSC notice linked on this page. That notice is the authoritative source for remedy details and company contact information. Stop using the teether while you sort out next steps.

Do I have a legal case?

A william carter recall alone is not a legal claim. If your child was injured, you may be eligible to pursue one. Speak with a licensed attorney in your state about your specific facts.

Were You Injured by a Recalled Product?

A recall by itself is a safety action, not a legal claim. However, if a recalled product caused a real injury, you may be eligible to pursue compensation. A licensed attorney can review your situation at no upfront cost — most work on contingency, meaning you pay nothing unless you recover.

Official Sources & Resources

Verify every recall against the issuing agency before acting:

• U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: official recall database — the record of truth for this notice
• CPSC: cpsc.gov — household goods, toys, furniture, appliances
• FDA: fda.gov — food, drugs, and medical devices
• NHTSA: nhtsa.gov — vehicles, tires, and child car seats
• USDA FSIS: fsis.usda.gov — meat, poultry, and egg products

Content last reviewed September 2026. This is general educational information, not legal advice. If you notice outdated information, please contact us.

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• Tort Reform by State — 50-State Comparison

Attorney Advertising. The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. A product recall is a safety action by a manufacturer or regulator and does not by itself establish liability or create a legal claim. No attorney-client relationship is created by accessing or using this content. Every case is unique. If you believe you were harmed by a recalled product, consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.