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CPSC has reports of 42 children who suffered head injuries after being struck by these swings. The injuries included skull fractures, concussion and brain damage, serious lacerations and contusions, and one child who lost sight in an eye.
About 10,000
For further information, consumers may call CPSC's toll-free Hotline at 800-638-CPSC.
Recall Details
Washington, D.C. -- CPSC and a group of seven playground equipment manufacturers together have launched an effort to get potentially dangerous, heavy metal and molded plastic "animal" swings removed from playgrounds. The swings, which were installed from 1951 to 1991, were involved in the 1985 death of a 2-year-old in California and the 1994 death of a 6-year-old in Pennsylvania. These children were struck on the head as they walked near the swings.
CPSC also has reports of 42 children who suffered head injuries after being struck by these swings. The injuries included skull fractures, concussion and brain damage, serious lacerations and contusions, and one child who lost sight in an eye.
About 10,000 of the 30- to 80-pound swings were installed at parks, schools, and daycare centers nationwide. An undetermined number are still in use. The swings, which are made of cast aluminum or molded plastic, are painted to look like horses, zebras, pelicans, ducks, turtles, seals, rockets, and other figures. They were manufactured by BCI Burke, Blue Valley Industries, Game Time, Miracle Recreation Equipment Company, PCA, Playworld Systems, Quality Industries, and a number of companies that are no longer in business. BCI Burke's lightweight "Hobby Horse" swings are not included in this removal effort.
The following seven manufacturers of the heavy animal swings are each offering incentive plans to parks, schools and daycare centers to replace the swings:
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BCI Burke, Fond du Lac, Wis. |
800-356-2070 |
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Blue Valley Industries, Mexico, Penn. |
717-436-8266 |
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Game Time, Fort Payne, Ala. |
800-377-2561 |
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Miracle Recreation Equipment Company, Monett, Mo. |
800-523-4202 |
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PCA, St. Louis, Mo. |
800-727-8180 |
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Playworld Systems, New Berlin, Penn. |
800-233-8404 |
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Quality Industries, Hillsdale, Mich. |
800-766-9458 |
Consumers who know of playgrounds with these animal swings should call their local school boards or park offices and the swing manufacturers for immediate removal of the swings.
The National School Supply and Equipment Association (NSSEA) is assisting CPSC and the seven manufacturers in this effort. Together, they will contact school boards, parks, and daycare centers across the country to urge immediate removal of these animal swings.
Consumers who know of playgrounds with these animal swings should call their local school boards or park offices and the swing manufacturers for immediate removal of the swings.
The National School Supply and Equipment Association (NSSEA) is assisting CPSC and the seven manufacturers in this effort. Together, they will contact school boards, parks, and daycare centers across the country to urge immediate removal of these animal swings.
The swings, which were installed from 1951 to 1991, were involved in the 1985 death of a 2-year-old in California and the 1994 death of a 6-year-old in Pennsylvania. These children were struck on the head as they walked near the swings.
CPSC also has reports of 42 children who suffered head injuries after being struck by these swings. The injuries included skull fractures, concussion and brain damage, serious lacerations and contusions, and one child who lost sight in an eye.
Note: Individual Commissioners may have statements related to this topic. Please visit www.cpsc.gov/commissioners to search for statements related to this or other topics.
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The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risk of injury or death 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. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products has contributed to a decline in the rate of injuries associated with consumer products over the past 50 years.
Federal law prohibits any person from selling products subject to a Commission ordered recall or a voluntary recall undertaken in consultation with the CPSC.
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