HARTFORD, May 10 – The Consumer Product Safety Commission this week issued five voluntary recalls on sweatshirts that could be deadly – sweatshirts that come with drawstrings on either the hood or the waist.

“While “hoodies” are popular among youth from toddlers through teens, those that include a drawstring pose a great safety risk,” Consumer Protection Commissioner William M. Rubenstein said today. “Parents and caregivers should always look for and remove all drawstrings from the hood, neck and waist of any hooded sweater, top, jacket or sweatshirt they buy for children.”

Drawstrings are often involved in accidents and injuries on a playground slide. As children descend the slide, a toggle or knot on the drawstring can get caught at the top of the slide, trapping the youngsters, tightening, and eventually strangling them. Drawstrings that got caught on fences or in cribs have also caused harm to youngsters, and waistband drawstrings have been involved in many accidents involving school bus hand-rails and doors.

“Product safety inspectors always watch for drawstrings on children’s clothes, and if found, will pull the items off sale,” Rubenstein said. “But since no system is 100% perfect, parents also need to watch for drawstrings, and remove them.”

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the companies named below, announced  voluntary recalls of the following products.

	"Goddess" Hooded Sweatshirts with drawstrings imported by LANY Group LLC, of New York, N.Y. The girls' sweatshirts zip up the front and have a hood with a drawstring. The sweatshirts are red with gold hearts, stars and crowns. "Goddess" is printed on a label at the neck.
	Girls' Winter Jackets with drawstrings imported by LA Fashion Hub, of Los Angeles, CA. The recalled jackets have drawstrings through the hoods, are polyester with polyester fill, have a front zipper, snap or Velcro closures, and different designs stamped on the collar, down the front and on the pockets. A flower or heart design is embroidered on the front of the jackets.
	"YMI" girls' hooded sweatshirts with drawstrings imported by YMI Jeanswear, of Los Angeles, CA and sold under the brand name "YMI Jeanswear." They have a front zipper and a fur-lined hood with a drawstring stitched to each side. "YMI" is printed on the label at the neck. The sweatshirts were sold in gray, purple, pink and black, with a snowflake or a flower design on the front and back. A heart charm with "YMI" engraved on it is attached to the zipper.
	O'Neill Pluto hooded flannel shirts imported by La Jolla Sport USA Inc. dba O'Neill Clothing, of Irvine, CA.  This recall involves O'Neill Pluto brand boy's flannel long sleeve shirts with button front, a hood and two chest pockets. Style name "Pluto Flannel" and Style No. 41204106 is printed on a label sewn inside the wearer's left side seam. "O'NEILL" is printed on a label sewn inside the back neck. The shirts were sold in dark grey with horizontal black stripes.
	M.M.M. Boys' Jogging Suits imported by Myriad Trading Inc., of Ontario, CA. The jacket of the boys' two-color jogging suits has a drawstring. "M.M.M." appears on the label stitched into the back of the neck. The sets' color combinations include blue and white, gray and blue, and gray and red.

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