Products Liability Update: Drawstrings in Children’s Clothing Present Significant Risks of Serious Personal Injury and Death
In 1996, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a guideline for children’s clothing manufacturers to help prevent children from strangling themselves or getting entangled by the drawstrings of upper outerwear garments, such as jackets and sweatshirts. The guideline essentially cautioned manufacturers to replace drawstrings with snaps, zippers, hooks, or Velcro to help prevent any personal injury accidents from occurring.
The CPSC called drawstrings “hidden hazards” that can cause death and injury. The guideline referred to reports of drawstrings getting caught on playground equipment, bus doors, and cribs. The CPSC reported that from January 1985 through January 1999, there were 22 reported deaths and 48 non-fatal incidents involving the entanglement of children’s clothing. In one case, a girl was reported to have strangled to death when a drawstring on her coat got caught on a playground slide.
Despite the guideline’s warnings, the CPSC reports at least one manufacturer a month who is recalling a clothing product because of a potential strangulation or choking hazard. This week in fact, Pumpkin Patch recalled its hooded girls’ raincoats with drawstrings pursuant to the guidelines issued by the CPSC.
So far no injuries have been reported in connection with the Pumpkin Patch raincoats, but the CPSC advises parents to remove the drawstring or take the coat back for a refund.
If you have been injured and would like more information on defective products in Tennessee, please call 866-853-2888 or visit the Baker Associates website.
