I could understand if a hooded sweatshirt, which has been on the market for many years with a drawstring were the subject of a recall.  Maybe the company either wasn’t aware of the CPSC recommended guidelines, perhaps sold them prior to this publication or the importer didn’t feel that a voluntary standard applied to their goods.  I dont understand why or how they could be distributed and sold as recently as 6 months ago.

However, as the frequency of drawstring recalls increase, it makes me wonder, who at each of these importer/ US-based companies is responsible for notifying the stakeholders within their organization that drawstring’s are probably not a good idea?  Do drawstring’s really provide that much benefit to the company that they feel its worth killing a child or if they are lucky, recalling them?  I think it has more to do with a lack of education on part of these companies or they don’t have a safety or compliance professional on staff to keep track of the requirements. 

Drawstring’s on children’s clothing runs the risk of strangulation, most notably when worn while on playground equipment.  Think about it; your child is sliding down a slide, the drawstring knot gets tangled in a crease or gap and they strangle.  It happens….it is real and yet companies like the one identified in this recall continue to manufacture, import and sell garments with drawstring’s, although there is public information available that recommends against it.  There are industry standards stating drawstring’s are not allowed.

In my profession, it isn’t always about how our companies can benefit financially.  My primary focus is keeping up with the current laws and standards and trying to stay one step ahead of them by producing the safest possible goods; safe for children and adults alike.  I don’t want anyone injured or their property harmed because of our products, which is why we work so hard to keep them safe, at all costs.  It’s like a chess game, staying ahead, but through training, common sense and a realistic approach to how and where products will be used, we stay ahead of the changes and recommendations and most importantly, we rest peacefully at night knowing that no one will be harmed.

This is why it bothers me so much to witness pure negligence, like that shown by this company.  These were sold last fall…not years ago…but months ago.  Ok, so not that many were sold and the recall isn’t that broad, but no matter how extensive, their including drawstring’s on these sweatshirts could have killed a child and would have been avoidable.  Hire someone with the knowledge to identify this as a hazard….send it to a test lab and let the experts take a look….have someone collect and maintain safety information that applies to your products.  It doesn’t have to be a full-time position.  No matter how a company decides to collect, distribute and discuss the laws, standards and recommendations, they need to invest the time and money to implement some process that educates their staff and protects their company and consumers alike.

We all have an obligation to protect consumers, no matter their age.  No one should be injured or killed because we didn’t take the proper steps to protect those who spend their hard-earned money to buy our products.  I am a consumer too and I expect that every purchase I make will function as expected, will last as expected and never cause avoidable injury to me, my family or my property.  This company was negligent and although they didn’t violate any law, they simply chose to ignore the recommendations from the agency, which in my opinion is just as bad.

Parents, take a look at the attachment from the CPSC and determine if there are drawstring’s on any of your children’s clothes.  If so, either remove the drawstring or discard the garment.  Sweatshirts are replaceable…your kids are not.