CPSC Alert: Children’s jackets with drawstrings pose strangulation risk

2010-02-04 05:07:38 (GMT) (JusticeNewsFlash.com - Justice News Flash, Product liability)

CPSC Image: Children’s jackets with drawstrings were recalled due to injury hazard.

Legal news for product liability attorneys. Children’s jackets with drawstrings were recalled due to injury hazard.

CPSC announced a product recall involving GTM Sportswear nylon jackets due to a strangulation hazard.

Manhattan, KS—GTM Sportswear Inc. and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) http://www.cpsc.gov/ are voluntarily recalling children’s jackets with drawstrings over strangulation hazard. Consumers are advised to stop using the product unless otherwise instructed, as reported by the CPSC.

GTM Sportswear Inc., of Manhattan, Kansas recalled about 210,000 children’s jackets with drawstrings after discovering the drawstrings on the jacket’s hood can pose a strangulation hazard to children. The CPSC released guidelines in February 1996, “(which were incorporated into an industry voluntary standard in 1997),” and were designed to help prevent kids from strangling and entangling themselves on the neck and waist drawstrings in garments such as jackets and sweatshirts. At this time no incidents or injuries have been reported. The product recall includes “children’s hooded nylon jackets in sizes XXS-XL (2T-16) and in various colors. “GTM Sportswear” is printed on a label sewn in the neck of the garments. Styles include Youth Medalist Jacket (YJA180), Youth Legacy Jacket (YJAPT01), Youth Eclipse Jacket (YLJA186), Youth Dominator Jacket (YJA3800), Youth Booster Jacket (YJA150), Youth Achiever Jacket (YJA161).” The China manufactured jackets were sold at GTM Sportswear, K-State Super Store, and Cats Closet stores in Kansas, and other customer screen print and embroidery stores across the country, and on the Web at www.gtmsportswear.com, www.kstategear.com, www.catscloset.com and www.justforkix.com and in GTM Sportswear and the Just for Kix catalogs from January 2003 through December 2009 for the retail price between $25 and $30. Consumers are advised to remove the drawstrings from the jackets immediately to eliminate the strangulation risk, or return them to the place you purchased them at or to GTM Sportswear for a full refund.

Consumers who wish for additional information can contact GTM Sportswear at (800) 437-9560 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, and on Saturday between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m., or visit the their Web site at www.gtmsportswear.com.

Legal News Reporter: Nicole Howley-Legal news for product liability lawyers.