Hedstrom, Blazon, and Sears Swing Sets Recalled for Strangulation Hazard

Plain-English summary

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reissued a notice regarding "Hedstrom Big T" swing sets, Blazon-Flexible Flyer "T-Type Play Centers," and Sears brand T-style gym sets. Approximately 1.5 million of these sets were sold nationally between 1973 and 1991. The products were manufactured by Hedstrom Corporation, Blazon-Flexible Flyer, Inc., and Turco, with some sold under Sears labels.

The recall addresses a strangulation hazard where strings from children's clothing, such as mitten strings or jacket hoods, can become entangled in the area where the handrail attaches to the slide. Hedstrom Corporation reported a case where a three-year-old girl strangled when her mitten strings caught in the handrail attachment area of a Big T slide. The CPSC is also aware of an incident involving a hood string on a similarly designed slide. Although Blazon-Flexible Flyer and Turco were unaware of specific entanglement reports, their slide designs are considered functionally identical to the involved Hedstrom model.

Hedstrom, Blazon-Flexible Flyer, Inc., and Turco are out of business, and the previously offered retrofit guards are no longer available. Consumers are urged to stop using these products immediately and should discard or destroy them.

The recalled product

Product

Hedstrom And Blazon-Flexible Flyer Renew Slide Guard Offer To Prevent Strangulation From Clothing String Entanglement

Manufacturer

Sears

Category

Consumer Product — Playground Equipment

Hazard

• strangulation
• entanglement

Distribution

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