Hedstrom Swing Seats Recalled for Laceration Risk from Open Hooks

Plain-English summary

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the Hedstrom Corporation announced a voluntary recall of approximately two million sling-type swing seats. These seats were sold nationally over the past six years as part of Hedstrom and some Sears swing sets, or separately as replacement seats. The recall addresses a safety issue where the "V"-shaped brackets that attach the seat to the swing chains may not be completely closed.

The open hook ends of these brackets have caused serious lacerations to children, including injuries to the leg, arm, face, and groin. The company received 18 reports of such injuries. Although installation instructions indicated that hooks should be completely closed, incidents occurred when the metal did not touch.

Consumers should check their sling seats for "V" bracket hooks that are not completely closed and close them until the metal touches. The Hedstrom Corporation is out of business, and the previously offered free bracket guard kits to cover the hook ends are no longer available.

The recalled product

Product

Hedstrom swing set sling-type swing seats

Manufacturer

Sears

Category

Consumer Product — Swing Sets

Hazard

• laceration

Distribution

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