WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission,
in cooperation with the manufacturer named below, today announced
voluntary recalls of the following consumer products. Consumers should
stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of product: Smart Fit(tm) and Teeny Toes(tm) Athletic Shoes

Units: About 441,000

Manufacturer: Payless ShoeSource Inc., of Topeka, Kan.

Hazard: The metal eyelet lace holder at the top of the shoes can detach,

posing a choking hazard to young children.

Incidents/Injuries: Payless ShoeSource has received one report of a
child
starting to choke on a detached eyelet from one of these shoes. No
injuries
have been reported.

Description: These are children's athletic shoes in prewalk and toddler
sizes. The shoes are white with different color trim and come in sizes 0
to
10. The brand name "Smart Fit" or "Teeny Toes" is written on the sole
and
insole of the shoes. The recalled shoes have one of the following
five-digit
numbers, found on a label on the bottom of the shoe tongue: 31056,
31057, 31219, 32264, 32265, 33060 and 33061. No other styles or models
are included in this recall.

Sold at: Payless ShoeSource stores and Web site nationwide from
December 2003 through April 2004 for about $10.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should take the recalled shoes away from young
children immediately and should return the shoes to a Payless ShoeSource

store for a cash refund or exchange.

Consumer Contact: For more information, call Payless toll-free at
(800) 654-0697 between 7:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. CT Monday through Saturday,
and between 9:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday, or visit their Web site at
www.payless.com

To see pictures of the recalled products on CPSC's web site, please go
to
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml04/04149.html