ZMC Group Recalls 245,000 Light-Up Toys: Button Cell Battery Hazard Poses Risk to Children

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has announced an expanded recall of 245,124 battery-powered light-up toys sold by ZMC Group. The products — which include light-up yo-yos, maracas, wands, and LED headbands — contain button cell batteries that pose a serious ingestion hazard for young children. If a child swallows one of these batteries, the results can be severe: internal burns, serious injury, or death, sometimes within two hours.

For Colorado Springs families, this recall covers the type of small light-up toys that often show up in party favor bags, holiday gift bins, and dollar store toy sections. If you've picked up any of these products recently, stop use now and follow the steps below.

Why Button Cell Batteries Are Dangerous

Button cell batteries — the small, round, flat batteries used in many light-up toys and other products — are among the CPSC's highest-priority hazards for young children. The problem isn't just choking. When swallowed, a button cell battery can become lodged in the esophagus or stomach. Once there, it generates an electrical current that reacts with moisture in the tissue, producing a caustic chemical that causes severe internal burns. The damage can begin within two hours of ingestion and can be fatal.

Young children are especially at risk because button cells are the right size to fit in a child's airway, and the batteries are often hidden inside toys in ways that parents don't immediately notice. The hazard is well-documented: the CPSC has issued dozens of recalls for button-cell-containing products over the past decade.

What to Do If You Have One of These Toys

The CPSC recommends destroying recalled products rather than setting them aside. A toy that's placed in a box or trash bag can still reach another child. Cut the toy or remove the battery and dispose of both separately.

What's Next

If you're unsure whether a toy you own is included in this recall, visit cpsc.gov/Recalls and search for ZMC Group for the full product listing and images. To stay informed about future recalls affecting children's products, you can sign up for email alerts at cpsc.gov/Recalls/Stay-Informed. The CPSC sends alerts directly to subscribers when new recalls are issued — it's one of the easiest ways to stay current on product safety news without having to search manually.