The Recall Desk
CriticalCPSC·09129·Announced 2009-02-12

Hill Sportswear Recalls Hooded Sweatshirts Due to Strangulation Death

Hill Sportswear is recalling approximately 120,000 children's hooded sweatshirts because drawstrings can become caught on objects and strangle a child.

What this means for you

Highest-severity recall. Risk of serious injury or death is documented or strongly suspected. Stop using the product now and follow the agency's instructions.

Our severity reasoning: The source text explicitly reports a death involving a 3-year-old child, which meets the rubric criterion for a score of 5 (Critical) regardless of other factors.

Plain-English summary

Hill Sportswear Inc. is recalling approximately 120,000 Kid Pullover Hood Sweatshirts and Kid Zipper Sweatshirts with Hoods. The recall was initiated after the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) received a report of a death involving a 3-year-old boy in Fresno, California. The child was strangled when the drawstring on the hooded sweatshirt he was wearing became stuck on a playground set.

The recalled garments feature drawstrings through the hood, which can become caught on objects and pose a strangulation hazard to children. The Kid Pullover Hood has a flat style drawstring, one middle front pocket, and a fleece inside lining. The Kid Zipper Sweatshirt has a rounded style drawstring, two front pockets, and a fleece inside lining. Both styles feature a top sewn-in label reading "HILL/ Made in USA."

These sweatshirts were sold for approximately $8 at various small retailers in California and Texas from 2003 to December 2008. Consumers should immediately remove the drawstrings from the sweatshirts or return the garment to the place of purchase or to Hill Sportswear for a full refund. Consumers can contact Hill Sportswear toll-free at (877) 322-8760 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. (PT) Monday through Friday.

The recalled product

Product
Kid Pullover Hood Sweatshirt and Kid Zipper Sweatshirt with Hood
Manufacturer
Hill Sportswear Inc., of Paramount, Calif.
Category
Consumer Product — Children's Clothing
Hazard
Affected units
120,000

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Related recalls

Same hazard · strangulation

See all →