Hooded Sweaters Recalled by Empress Arts; Children Can Strangle on Drawstrings

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Children's Hooded Sweaters

Units: About 130

Manufacturer: Empress Arts Ltd., of Monterey Park, Calif.

Hazard: The sweaters have drawstrings through the hood. Children can get entangled in the drawstrings that can catch on playground equipment, fences or tree branches. In February 1996, CPSC issued guidelines (pdf) to help prevent children from strangling or getting entangled on the neck and waist drawstring in upper garments, such as jackets and sweatshirts. From 1985 through June 2008, CPSC received reports of 27 deaths and 70 non-fatal incidents involving the entanglement of children's clothing drawstrings.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The cotton knit sweaters are cream colored with a blue stripe at the wrists and waist, a blue ball on the hood, and blue buttons. There is a drawstring through the hood with pom-poms at the ends. The sweaters were sold in children's size 2T under the brand name "Empress Arts." "Empress Baby" is sewn into the sweaters tag.

Sold at: Specialty children's stores nationwide from August 2006 through April 2008 for between $28 and $45.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately remove the drawstrings from the sweaters to eliminate the hazard.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Empress Arts collect at (323) 780-8181 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday or visit the firm's Web site at www.empressarts.com