Lele & Company, Ten West Apparel Recall Children’s Hooded Sweatshirts

Two more recalls of <“https://www.yourlawyer.com/practice_areas/product_liability”>children’s jackets with dangerous drawstrings have been implemented, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) just announced. In both cases, the recalls were initiated because the children’s jackets have drawstrings through the hood, which can pose a strangulation hazard to children. The CPSC is advising consumers to immediately remove the drawstrings from the sweatshirts to eliminate the hazard. To date, no incidents or injuries have been reported in these two specific cases.

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.

LELE & Company Inc., of Los Angeles, California
LELE is recalling about 2,700 children’s hooded sweatshirt sets with drawstrings and involves hooded sweatshirts sold under the “Maria Elena” and “Eddie” brand names. The sweatshirts were sold in children’s sizes 8 through 14 and have various character designs on the front including “Princess,” “Prince,” and “Champion.” Style number 4282 is printed on the back of the tag attached to the label. The recalled LELE Children’s Hooded Sweatshirts, which were manufactured in Vietnam, were sold at Dd’s Discount, Frine Solarzvo, and Toro Wholesale stores in California; El Carrusel and Hana Hosiery in Georgia; Lacala Design in Illinois; and La Revoltosa stores in Florida from August 2008 through August 2009 for between $6.50 and $9.00.

In addition to removing the drawstrings, the CPSC is advising consumers that the recalled LELE Children’s Hooded Sweatshirts can be returned to the store of purchase for a refund. Also LELE can be reached by calling the firm collect at (213) 745-8979 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday through Friday or at the firm’s Web site at www.leleforkids.com

Ten West Apparel, of New York, N.Y.
About 75 Boys’ Hooded Jackets, which were imported by Ten West Apparel are involved in this recall that includes Ten 1 West boys’ jackets with a drawstring through the hood. The recalled jackets were sold in size 10/12 and are black cotton with a white fleece lining. “TEN 1 WEST” is printed on a hangtag on the center of the back neck. The recalled Ten West Apparel Boys’ Hooded Jackets were sold exclusively at Burlington Coat Factory stores nationwide from November 2006 through September 2009 for about $12. Of note, the jackets were manufactured in China, a country long associated with products that have been found to be dangerous and linked to an increasing and significant string of recalls and injuries.

In addition to removing the drawstring, the CPSC is advising consumers to return the recalled garment to Burlington Coat Factory or to Ten West Apparel for a full refund. Ten West Apparel can be reached by calling the firm collect at (212) 564-1007 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, or at the Burlington Coat Factory’s Web site www.burlingtoncoatfactory.com.