On December 19, 2014, the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, in accordance with BRP, announced a voluntary recall of Ski-Doo and Can-Am Kids’ Hoodies Due to Strangulation Hazard. The hoodies have a drawstring around the neck area which poses a strangulation hazard to children. Drawstrings can become entangled or caught on playground slides, hand rails, school bus doors or other moving objects, posing a significant strangulation and/or entanglement hazard to children. In February 1996, CPSC issued guidelines about drawstrings in children’s upper outerwear. In 1997, those guidelines were incorporated into a voluntary standard. Then, in July 2011, based on the guidelines and voluntary standard, CPSC issued a federal regulation. CPSC’s actions demonstrate a commitment to help prevent children from strangling or getting entangled on neck and waist drawstrings in upper outerwear, such as jackets and sweatshirts. No injuries or incidents have been reported at this time.
This recall involves 14 styles of Ski-Doo or Can-Am kids’ hooded sweatshirts for boys and girls. They were sold in kids’ sizes 2 through 12. The hoodies are cotton/polyester blend. There is a drawstring in the hood of the garment. Colors include raspberry, yellow, heather, charcoal gray and black. “Ski Doo” or “Can-Am” is printed on the front. Recalled style numbers include: 286485, 453215, 453265, 453320, 453321, 453375, 453376, 453464, 453618, 453658, 453660, 453661, 453707 and 453708. The style numbers indicating the different graphic treatments are printed on the white care label that is sewn into the neck and side of the garment. These products were sold at BRP authorized dealerships nationwide and in the BRP online stores at www.can-am.brp.com and www.ski-doo.com from April 2007 through December 2014 for between $40 and $65.
Consumers should immediately take the hoodie away from kids and remove the drawstring from the sweatshirt to eliminate the hazard or return it to an authorized BRP dealer for a full refund. Consumers should call BRP toll-free at (888) 272-9222 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or atwww.can-am.brp.com and click on “Visit Website, then “Owners,” then “Safety,” then “Safety Recalls” or www.ski-doo.com and click on “Safety Recall” at the bottom of the page for more information.
As a consumer, safety advocate, and trial lawyer, I am continually troubled by the fact that manufacturers and retailers continue to sell dangerous products. Manufacturers, in their zeal to get products on the market, often cut corners and overlook safety when designing and manufacturing products. Manufacturers have an obligation and opportunity to thoroughly assess product safety before the launch of a product. It should not take a person to get injured for a manufacturer to make a product safe.
The Quinn Law Group, LLC, is a preeminent personal injury law firm wi offices conveniently located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Cherry Hill, New Jersey. If you or a loved one has been injured by a dangerous product or through the fault of another, please contact Sean E. Quinn for a free, no-obligation consultation. We are Your Voice. Your Advocate.
