Products with string, small parts or gaps can pose strangulation hazards for small children. In May, Powell Company recalled approximately 6,300 bean bag chairs due to a zipper that exposed small pellets that posed suffocation and strangulation hazards. This week, an apparel company is recalling a child’s clothing item that poses a strangulation hazard. Specifically, 5 Star Kids Apparel issued a recall for 48,000 boys’ jackets with drawstrings that could strangle a child, according to the CPSC.
The recalled jackets come in an assortment of colors like black, green, grey and navy blue and have elastic drawstrings with toggles in the bottom hem and neck area. The phrase “Mecca” is embroidered on the front chest of the jacket and also appears on the jacket’s interior label. The jackets are long-sleeved and hooded, and come in the sizes 2T to XL. Although the drawstrings could be potentially dangerous for a young child, so far the company has not received any incident or accident reports from consumers.
The jackets were sold at various children’s retailers from August 2010 through March 2011 for approximately $30. The style number of the affected products is listed on the Consumer Affairs website. The numbers can be found on a label located on the inner left side of the jacket. It is recommended that owners of the jacket either remove the drawstrings by cutting them out of the garment including the toggle, or return the product to the location where it was purchased for a full refund. If the owner removes the drawstrings on the jacket, it can be worn normally.
According to the CPSC, a federal regulation regarding drawstrings in children’s upper outerwear was established in July 2011. Prior to that, there were only guidelines for manufacturers of children’s apparel to follow. The CPSC states it is committed to “help[ing] prevent children from strangling or getting entangled on neck and waist drawstrings in upper outerwear, such as jackets and sweatshirts.”