Children’s Hooded Sweatshirts Recalled for Drawstring Strangulation Risks

Thousands of children’s hooded sweatshirts have been recalled today because the garments have drawstrings around the neck, which violates federal safety guidelines and poses a risk of strangulation death and other injuries to kids.

About 12,000 sweatshirts sold by Sunsations Inc. of Virginia Beach, Va. and another 1,200 “Hello Kitty” zip-up hooded sweatshirts distributed by NTD Apparel, of Los Angeles, Calif. are included in today’s product recalls announced by the company’s and the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

No injuries to children or incidents of near strangulation have been reported associated with the recalled garments, but the recall was announced because of the risk of injury to children wearing the clothing, safety officials said.

In 1997, federal guidelines went into place banning the use of drawstrings around the neck or waist of children’s clothing in an effort to reduce the risks of strangulation or entrapment. Sweatshirts, jackets, and other upper garments for children are covered by the safety rules.

Sunsations Sweatshirt Recall

The Sunsations sweatshirts have a drawstring through the hood which can pose a strangulation hazard to children. The recall involves children’s hooded sweatshirt sizes 2T through 12 sold in various solid colors. Style numbers included in this recall are: KD102, KD124 and KFS102, the CPSC said.

They were manufactured in Pakistan and sold at Sunsations stores in Virginia Beach, Va., Ocean City, Md., and North Carolina from April 2006 through July 2009 for about $13.

Consumers should immediately remove the drawstrings from the sweatshirts to eliminate the hazard or return the garment to Sunsations for a full refund, officials said.

‘Hello Kitty’ Sweatshirt Recall

The “Hello Kitty” hooded sweatshirts being recalled have an appliqué on the right chest and screenprint on left chest and left sleeve. They were sold in black with silver lining and in sizes 2T, 3T, 4, 5, 6 and 6X. NTD APPAREL, D1592H7273, RN#116180 is printed on the neck label and care label, the CPSC said.

The clothing was sold at Macy’s and Dillard’s department stores nationwide from November 2008 through December 2008 for $36. The defective sweatshirts were made in China.

Consumers should immediately remove the drawstrings from the sweatshirts to eliminate the hazard, or return the garment to either the place of purchase or to NTD Apparel for a full refund, the CPSC said.

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