Mini-Hammocks Recalled

Mini-Hammocks Recalled NEWS from CPSC U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Hannah Simone August 8, 1996 (301) 504-7908 Release # 96-183 CPSC, EZ Sales, Twin Oaks Hammock Company, and Safesport Manufacturing Company Announce Recall of Mini-Hammocks WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), EZ Sales of Gardena, Calif., Twin Oaks Hammock Company of Louisa, Va., and Safesport Manufacturing Company of Chapin, S.C., are recalling 75,000 light-weight, net mini-hammocks that do not have spreader bars. Some EZ Sales hammocks were marketed using the "Hang Ten" label and trademark. These manufacturers join 10 other manufacturers and importers of mini-hammocks without spreader bars who are recalling 3 million of the potentially dangerous products this year. Without spreader bars to hold the mini-hammock bed open, the mini-hammock can twist around a child's neck as he/she is getting into or out of the mini-hammock, resulting in strangulation and death. When a net mini-hammock is attached to an indoor or outdoor location such as trees, decks, porches, or recreation rooms, 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 five 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 witho