The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission today filed suit in federal district court in the District of Columbia against Sears Roebuck and Company to halt its improper sale of lawn darts. Sears agreed in a consent decree filed simultaneously with the CPSC's complaint to stop all sales of lawn darts nationwide within one week of. approval of the settlement by a federal judge. About 500 Sears stores were selling lawn darts and they are expected to begin removing them from retail shelves immediately.
An estimated 670 injuries a year from lawn darts are treated in U.S. hospital emergency rooms, and three-fourths of the victims are under age 15. Three children are known to have died in lawn dart-related incidents in the last 18 years.
"This settlement with Sears, the nation's largest retailer, will significantly advance the Commission's enforcement of the ban on lawn darts for children. Sears prompt response to the Commission's concerns should serve as an example for manufacturers and other retailers of lawn-darts," stated Commission Chairman Terrence Scanlon.
About the U.S. CPSC
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risk of injury associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product-related incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. Since the CPSC was established more than 50 years ago, it has worked to ensure the safety of consumer products, which has contributed to a decline in injuries associated with these products.
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