CPSC Recalls 3 Million Mini-Hammocks Due to Strangulation Risk
Ten manufacturers are recalling over 3 million light-weight net mini-hammocks without spreader bars because they can twist around children's necks, causing strangulation and death.
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 12 deaths and serious injuries (permanent brain damage) associated with the product, which meets the rubric criteria for a Critical severity score.
Plain-English summary
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and 10 manufacturers are recalling over three million light-weight, net mini-hammocks that lack spreader bars. These products, sold by brands including Academy Broadway, Algoma Net Company, Avid Outdoor, Coghlan's, E-Z Sales, Nelson/Weather-Rite, Rothco, Schwarzman Export Import, Standard Sales, and Texsport, are portable, thin net hammocks measuring between five to seven feet wide and seven to twenty feet long. They were sold in sporting goods stores, outdoor equipment stores, Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) stores, department stores, and drug stores for approximately $4 to $10.
The recall is due to a serious strangulation hazard. Without spreader bars to hold the hammock bed open, the netting can hang like a thin rope and twist around a child's neck when they are getting into or out of the hammock, playing on it, or swinging on it. Between 1984 and 1995, CPSC received reports of 12 children, aged 5 to 17, who died after becoming entangled in these mini-hammocks. Additionally, CPSC is aware of a seven-year-old girl who suffered permanent brain damage from a near-strangulation and a five-year-old boy who was resuscitated after being found entangled.
Consumers should immediately remove these mini-hammocks from porches, decks, trees, recreation rooms, and other locations. E-Z Sales is offering replacement mini-hammocks with spreader bars or larger hammocks for returning MiniPak Hammocks and Superhammocks. The other nine manufacturers are offering a full refund for returning the mini-hammocks to the store where purchased. If consumers do not know the retailer or manufacturer, they should destroy the mini-hammock immediately to prevent injury or death.
The recalled product
- Product
- Academy Broadway light-weight net mini-hammocks
- Manufacturer
- Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES)
- Hazard
Distribution
Distributed nationwide across the United States.
Related recalls
Same hazard · strangulation
See all →- Severe
- High
- SevereYouth Sweatshirts with Drawstrings Recalled for Strangulation Hazard
CPSC · 2026-05-07
- High
- High