The Recall Desk
CriticalCPSC·95059·Announced 1995-01-12

CPSC and Manufacturers Alert Playgrounds to Remove Dangerous Animal Swings

CPSC and seven manufacturers are urging the removal of heavy animal swings from playgrounds due to reports of head injuries and two deaths.

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 two deaths and 42 head injuries, which meets the rubric criteria for a Critical severity score (5) due to known fatalities.

Plain-English summary

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and seven playground equipment manufacturers have launched an effort to remove heavy metal and molded plastic "animal" swings from playgrounds. These swings, which were installed between 1951 and 1991, are painted to resemble horses, zebras, pelicans, ducks, turtles, seals, rockets, and other figures. The affected products were manufactured by BCI Burke, Blue Valley Industries, Game Time, Miracle Recreation Equipment Company, PCA, Playworld Systems, Quality Industries, and several companies that are no longer in business. BCI Burke's lightweight "Hobby Horse" swings are not included in this removal effort.

The removal is necessary because the swings have been involved in the 1985 death of a 2-year-old in California and the 1994 death of a 6-year-old in Pennsylvania, both of whom were struck on the head while walking near the swings. CPSC also has reports of 42 children who suffered head injuries, including skull fractures, concussion, brain damage, serious lacerations, contusions, and one child who lost sight in an eye. Approximately 10,000 of these 30 to 80-pound swings were installed at parks, schools, and daycare centers nationwide, though an undetermined number remain in use.

The seven active manufacturers are offering incentive plans to parks, schools, and daycare centers to replace the swings. The National School Supply and Equipment Association (NSSEA) is assisting CPSC and the manufacturers in contacting these facilities to urge immediate removal. Consumers who know of playgrounds with these animal swings should contact their local school boards, park offices, or the swing manufacturers for immediate removal.

The recalled product

Product
BCI Burke animal swings
Manufacturer
BCI Burke
Category
Consumer Product — Playground Equipment
Hazard

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Related recalls

Same hazard · head injury

See all →