Hedstrom and Sears Gym Sets Recalled for Finger Amputation Risk

Plain-English summary

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Hedstrom are renewing a campaign to address injuries associated with certain Hedstrom and Sears brand gym sets equipped with "glide rides." The recall affects specific models sold between 1982 and July 1, 1988, including Hedstrom models 4-277, 4-377, 4-677, 4-777, 4-778, and 4-877, and Sears models 72226, 72026, and 72066. Approximately 370,000 of these units were sold. The hazard involves a mechanism where a child standing on the slide or crossbar can entrap or pinch a finger in the bracket assembly while propelling or stopping the glide ride.

The recall was initiated because of 19 additional injuries reported since the original announcement in November 1988, bringing the total to 31 incidents. These injuries include severed or amputated fingertips and severe lacerations. The low response rate to the original offer of free glide guards, with only about 14,000 consumers requesting them, prompted this renewed effort to prevent further harm as weather warms and children are more likely to use the equipment.

Consumers who own one of the affected models and have not installed a glide guard should stop using the product immediately and discard or destroy it. The firm is out of business, and the repair program is no longer available. The model number is located on an identification label on the top bar of the gym set.

The recalled product

Product

Hedstrom gym set Glide Rides

Manufacturer

Sears

Category

Consumer Product — Swing Sets

Hazard

• finger-amputation
• laceration

Distribution

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