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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Kim Dulic
November 1, 1999
(301) 504-7058
Release # 00-010b
CPSC & Montgomery Wards Recall Boys Jackets and Sweatshirts
PRODUCT: Boys Jackets and Sweatshirts: Montgomery Ward, of Chicago,
Ill., is recalling about 780 boys hooded jackets and sweatshirts sold
under the brand name North West Blue. The jackets and sweatshirts being
recalled have the following identification numbers printed on the care
label: "RN90866" or "RN81862". The garments are made in Nepal or Pakistan
from 100 percent cotton in sizes small through large. The sweatshirt is
style RN 90866, which comes in navy or olive. This is a pullover style
sweatshirt with a zipper front pouch pocket and elbow pads. The jacket
is style RN 81862, which comes in khaki, navy, olive or natural with
stripes on the chest and sleeves. This is a zip front jacket made from
cotton canvas with a fleece hood. "North West Blue" is on a sewn-in
label at the neck of both garment styles. Montgomery Ward stores
nationwide sold the garments from August 1999 to October 1999 for about $20.
PROBLEM: The jackets and sweatshirts have hood drawstrings. Children can
get entangled and strangle in the drawstrings that catch on playground
equipment, fences or tree branches. Since 1985, CPSC knows of 16 deaths
from neck/hood drawstrings. To help prevent children from strangling by
their clothing drawstrings, in 1996 CPSC issued guidelines for
drawstrings on children's outerwear, which were subsequently
incorporated into a voluntary standard. For jackets and sweatshirts,
CPSC recommends that drawstrings be completely removed and that
alternate closures, such as snaps, buttons, Velcro or elastic be used.
Montgomery Ward had been adhering to the voluntary standard and has
implemented procedures to prevent future errors.
INCIDENTS/INJURIES: None reported.
WHAT TO DO: Stop wearing the jackets and sweatshirts. Either remove the
drawstrings from the hood or return them to the nearest Montgomery Ward
store for a full refund. For more information, call Montgomery Ward at
(800) 695-3553 between 8 a.m and 6:30 p.m. CT Monday through Friday.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission protects
the public from unreasonable risk of injury
or death from 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. To
report a dangerous product
or a product-related injury and for information on CPSC's fax-on-demand service, call
CPSC's hotline at (800)
638-2772 or CPSC's teletypewriter at (301) 595-7054. To order a press release through
fax-on-demand, call
(301) 504-0051 from the handset of your fax machine and enter the release number.
Consumers can obtain this
release and recall information or report product hazards to
info@cpsc.gov.
