Girls' Hooded Sweatshirts with Drawstrings Recalled by Rebelette International Due to Strangulation Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Girls’ Hooded Sweatshirts

Units: About 4,800

Distributor: Rebelette International Trading Corp., of South El Monte, Calif.

Hazard: The sweatshirt jackets have a drawstring through the hood which poses a strangulation hazard to children. In February 1996, CPSC issued guidelines (pdf) to help prevent children from strangling or getting entangled on the neck and waist by drawstrings in upper garments, such as jackets and sweatshirts.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The recalled hooded sweatshirts have a drawstring at the neck. They zip up the front, and are either blue with pink stripes on the sleeves with “Red Hot Chili Steppers” printed on the front, or brown with blue stripes on the sleeves with “Powder Puffs Touch League” on the front. The sweatshirts were sold in children’s sizes small, medium, large, and sizes 4, 5, 6, and 6X. “REBELETTE of Los Angeles” is printed on the collar label.

Sold at: Marshalls Stores and specialty children’s clothing retailers nationwide from July 2007 through September 2007 for about $15.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately remove the drawstring from the hood to eliminate the hazard, or return the sweatshirt to either the place of purchase or to Rebelette International for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Rebelette International collect at (626) 448-9988 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday.

Note: CPSC was notified about these garments by the Wisconsin Department of Consumer Protection.