Mini-Hammocks Recalled by 10 Manufacturers

Mini-Hammocks Recalled by 10 Manufacturers NEWS from CPSC U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: May 16, 1996 (301) 504-7908 Release # 96-125 CPSC and 10 Manufacturers Announce Recall of 3 Million Mini-Hammocks WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), 10 mini-hammock manufacturers and importers are recalling over three million light-weight, net mini-hammocks that do not have spreader bars. Without spreader bars to hold the mini-hammock bed open, the mini-hammocks can twist around children's necks as they are getting into or out of the mini-hammock, resulting in strangulation and death. When a net mini-hammock is attached to trees, decks, porches, or other areas, it hangs like a thin rope. The mini-hammock can suddenly become twisted around a child's neck and strangle him. This can happen when children are attempting to climb into or out of, are playing on, or are swinging on mini-hammocks like swings. Between 1984 and 1995, CPSC received reports of 12 children between the ages of 5 and 17 years old who became entangled and died when using net mini-hammocks without spreader bars. CPSC is also aware of an injury to a seven-year-old girl who suffered permanent brain damage from a near-strangulation in a mini-hammock. Another near-fatal incident involved a five-year-old boy who was found entangled in a mini-hammock but was resuscitated by his mother. Mini-hammocks are light-weight, portable, thin net hammocks that are made without spreader bars. They measure between five to seven feet wide and seven to twenty feet long. Sporting goods stores, outdoor equipment stores, Army and Air Force Exchange Service stores ("PX/BX"), department stores, and even drug stores have sold the hammocks since the early 1970s for about $4 to $10. The following manufacturers and importers are participating in this voluntary recall of net mini-hammocks