Two separate <"https://www.yourlawyer.com/practice_areas/product_liability">recalls have been issued for Children’s Sweatshirts, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Health Canada (HC) just announced.
Tommy Hilfiger USA
About 1,700—400 in the United States and 1,300 in Canada—Tommy Hilfiger Children’s Sweatshirts have been recalled by Tommy Hilfiger U.S.A. because the sweatshirts fail to meet federal flammability standards for wearing apparel, posing a risk of burn hazard to consumers. To date, no incidents or injuries have been reported.
This recall involves Tommy Hilfiger brand children’s sweatshirts sold in sizes 4 to 16. The sweatshirts have the letters “N.Y.C.” and “Hilfiger College” printed on the front. Sweatshirts included in this recall were sold in three styles, which can be viewed on the CPSC Web site at: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10233.html
The recalled Tommy Hilfiger Children’s Sweatshirts, which were manufactured in Indonesia, were sold for between $50 and $70 at Tommy Hilfiger retail stores nationwide, Macy’s Herald Square (N.Y.), and at Tommy.com from August 2009 through January 2010. The CPSC and HC are advising consumers to immediately stop using the recalled sweatshirts and contact Tommy Hilfiger to receive a full refund. Tommy Hilfiger U.S.A. at (800) 866-6922 between 7:00 a.m. and 12:00 a.m. Eastern Time, daily, or at Tommy Hilfiger’s website at www.tommy.com
Junk Food Clothing Co.
About 24,000 Children’s Hooded Sweatshirts with Drawstrings, which were manufactured in China and imported by Junk Food Clothing Co., of Los Angeles, California have been recalled due to strangulation hazard. To date, no incidents or injuries have been reported.
The garments have a drawstring through the hood, which can pose a strangulation hazard to children. Fourteen years ago, the CPSC issued guidelines to help prevent children from strangling or becoming entangled on the neck and waist by drawstrings in upper garments, such as jackets and sweatshirts. In 1997, industry adopted a voluntary standard for drawstrings that incorporated these guidelines. In May 2006, the CPSC’s Office of Compliance issued an announcement that such outerwear with drawstrings at the hood or neck would be regarded as both defective and a substantial risk of injury to young children. Unfortunately, the CPSC guidelines are routinely ignored by the clothing industry, and that attitude has had deadly consequences for some children. From January 1985 through January 1999, the CPSC received reports of 22 deaths and 48 non-fatal entanglement incidents involving drawstrings on children’s clothing.
This recall involves all children’s pullover and zippered hooded sweat shirts with drawstrings sold under the “Junk Food” brand name. These sweatshirts were sold in a variety of print designs and in children’s sizes small, medium, large, and extra-large. The “Junk Food” logo is sewn into the neck of the garment. The recalled Children’s Hooded Sweatshirts with Drawstrings were sold at department stores and retail outlets nationwide between June 2006 and August 2009 for about $35.
The CPSC is advising consumers to immediately remove the drawstrings from the sweatshirts to eliminate the hazard. Consumers can also return the product to the store where purchase for a refund. Junk Food Clothing Co. can also be reached toll-free at (877) 458-5865 between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday through Friday; at the firm’s Webbsite at www.junkfoodclothing.com; or by email to [email protected]
Of note, imports from China into the United States have long been making headlines for issues with defective parts and dangerous elements, including hazardous lead levels in children’s toys and products, parts that can break off and pose choking hazards to children, and problems with hooded garments with drawstrings that are considered defective and dangerous to children, such as is the case in this recall.
Recalls from products manufactured in China have also been associated with unsafe, sometimes deadly, medications, pet and consumer food products, and health items, as well as the ongoing drywall debacle that has been the culprit in untold numbers of cases involving homes across the United States plagued with corroding metals and offensive odors. In many cases the entire gutting of houses has been mandated to correct the problem.
