Melissa & Doug has recalled about 84,000 Lights & Sounds Fire Truck Activity Board toys sold exclusively through Target after the detachable fire-hose port created a choking hazard. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced the recall on September 17, 2026.
Parents and caregivers should stop children from using an affected toy immediately. The recall covers only specific manufacturing dates and package codes, so the fastest next step is to check the markings on the bottom of the truck or on its original box.
What was recalled
The recalled product is the Melissa & Doug Lights & Sounds Fire Truck Activity Board. It is a red plastic fire engine with four black wheels, a white rotating ladder, activity controls that trigger lights and sounds, and a black plastic connector designed to resemble a fire hose.
The toy measures about 10.5 inches high, 14.31 inches wide and 3.06 inches deep, and it weighs roughly 1.6 pounds. “Melissa & Doug” is embossed on the battery-compartment box on the underside.
How to identify an affected fire truck
Turn the toy over and inspect the two circular date wheels on the battery-compartment cover. One wheel indicates the manufacturing year and the other indicates the month. A toy is included in this recall when its arrows show one of these combinations:
- Year 25 and month 4
- Year 25 and month 5
- Year 26 and month 3
If you still have the packaging, CPSC lists three affected date codes:
- OET 25100
- OET 25150
- OET 26064
Do not classify every Melissa & Doug fire-truck toy as recalled based only on its color or shape. Match the date wheels or package code to the official list. If the markings are difficult to read, keep the toy away from children while contacting Melissa & Doug for help.
Why the toy is being recalled
The black fire-hose port can loosen and detach from the activity board. A small detached component can become a choking hazard, particularly for young children who may put toy parts in their mouths.
Melissa & Doug received 26 reports of the small port coming loose. CPSC also lists one report of a minor cut. The federal notice does not report a choking injury, but the defect can expose a child to a serious choking risk if the part separates.
What owners should do now
- Stop using the toy immediately and place it somewhere children cannot reach.
- Check the two date wheels or the package code against the affected combinations.
- Register through the official Melissa & Doug recall page before altering or disposing of the toy.
- Follow the unique instructions supplied after registration, including the required marking, hose removal and photograph.
- Wait for registration confirmation before disposing of the disabled product in household trash.
CPSC says registered owners will be asked to remove the batteries, write “RECALL” and a unique supplied code on the front, cut the black hose from the toy, and upload a photograph. Follow the current instructions you receive rather than destroying the toy before registering.
Refund and replacement choices
Owners of an affected toy can choose one of three remedies:
- A free replacement Fire Truck Activity Board
- A $30 refund issued as a check
- A $40 credit for use at melissaanddoug.com
The official recall is handled through Melissa & Doug, not described as an ordinary Target return. The company can also be reached at 800-718-5365 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.
Where and when the toy was sold
The recalled activity boards were sold exclusively at Target stores nationwide and through Target.com from July 2025 through August 2026 for about $30. The toys were manufactured in China and imported by Melissa & Doug of Wilton, Connecticut.
The official recall number is 26-780. Saving that number can make it easier to confirm the notice if you contact the company or CPSC.
A useful safety check for other toys
This recall is a good reminder to inspect children’s toys periodically for loose knobs, ports, batteries, magnets and other detachable pieces. Stop using a toy if a component has cracked, loosened or no longer fits securely, even if that exact batch is not under recall.
Parents who regularly inspect toys for children under three can compare small-parts choking-hazard testers on Amazon. These tools can help flag loose pieces that fit inside a small-parts cylinder, but they do not replace age labels, supervision or official recall guidance.
Disclosure: ReaderSpice may earn a commission from qualifying Amazon purchases at no extra cost to you.
The bottom line
Check the underside of any Melissa & Doug Lights & Sounds Fire Truck Activity Board before a child uses it again. A year/month combination of 25/4, 25/5 or 26/3—or package code OET 25100, OET 25150 or OET 26064—places the toy within the recall. Stop use, register with Melissa & Doug and choose the replacement, $30 check or $40 store-credit remedy.
Sources
U.S. CPSC Recall 26-780: Melissa & Doug Fire Truck Activity Board
Melissa & Doug fire-truck recall registration
People: Thousands of Melissa & Doug toys recalled over choking risk
