The Public Policy Department recently learned of the recall of 300,000 Hill Sportswear Inc. hooded drawstring sweatshirts.  The sweatshirts were recalled following the death of a 3-year-old boy, who was strangled when the drawstring in his sweatshirt became caught on a playground set.

 

Since the sweatshirts were sold primarily in California and Texas, we wanted to alert you to the recall.

 

NEWS from CPSC

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Office of Information and Public Affairs

Washington, DC 20207

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 12, 2009 Release #09-129

Firm's Recall Hotline: (877) 322-8760 CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Strangulation Death of a Child Prompts Hill Sportswear To Recall Hooded Sweatshirts with Drawstrings

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is announcing today a voluntary recall by Hill Sportswear Inc., of Paramount, Calif., of 300,000 hooded drawstring sweatshirts. CPSC received one report of a death involving a 3-year-old boy in Fresno, Calif. He was strangled when the drawstring on the hooded sweatshirt that he was wearing became stuck on a play ground set.

The sweatshirts, Kid Pullover Hood Sweatshirt and Kid Zipper Sweatshirt with Hood, have drawstrings through the hood. The drawstrings should be removed immediately since they can become caught on objects and strangle a child. In February 1996, CPSC issued guidelines (pdf) to help prevent children from strangling or getting entangled on the neck and waist drawstrings in upper garments, such as jackets or sweatshirts.

The recall includes the Kid Pullover Hood and Kid Zipper with Hood. The Kid Pullover Hood has a flat style drawstring at the neck, one middle front pocket, and fleece inside lining. Top sewn in label reads “HILL/ Made in USA.” The hooded Zipper children’s sweatshirt has a rounded style drawstring at the neck, two front pockets, and fleece inside lining. Top sewn in label reads “HILL/ Made in USA”. The recalled sweatshirts were sold at various small retailers in California and Texas from August 1999 through December 2008 for approximately $8.

Due to the serious nature of this hazard, parents are urged to immediately remove the drawstrings from the sweatshirts or return the garment to either the place of purchase or to Hill Sportswear for a full refund.

Consumers should contact Hill Sportswear toll-free at (877) 322-8760 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. (PT) Monday through Friday.

 

  

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The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from thousands of types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. The CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals - contributed significantly to the decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC's hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC's teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270, or visit CPSC's web site at www.cpsc.gov/talk.html. To join a CPSC email subscription list, please go to https://www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx. Consumers can obtain this release and recall information at CPSC's Web site at www.cpsc.gov.