Mini-hammocks
CPSC Recall #01-500 — September 17, 2000
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 01-500 |
| Recall Date | September 17, 2000 |
| Remedy Type | — |
| Units Affected | 53 |
| Manufactured In | Yucatan, Mexico |
Where It Was Sold
| Hamacas sold these hammocks on their web site as model number HA005 from January through April 2000 for about $20. |
Product
Mini-hammocks
Description
PRODUCT: Baby Hammocks - Hamacas, of Yelm, Wash., recalled 53 baby hammocks. The baby hammocks are 6-foot-long mini-hammocks. They are woven from thin cotton strings with nylon end strings in solid or multi-striped colors. The label attached to the end loop reads, "WOVEN BY HAND AND MADE IN YUCATAN MEXICO." Hamacas sold these hammocks on their web site as model number HA005 from January through April 2000 for about $20. PROBLEM: Without spreader bars to hold the mini-hammock bed open, the mini-hammocks can suddenly twist around children's' necks and strangle them. Also, infants sleeping on soft bedding can become wedged in positions in which they cannot breathe. INCIDENTS/INJURIES: No injuries have been reported with these hammocks, but between 1984 and 1995, CPSC received reports of 12 deaths of children in other mini-hammocks. CPSC also recommends that babies never be placed on soft bedding. To prevent suffocation, babies should sleep in a crib on a firm, flat mattress on their backs with no pillows or other soft bedding. WHAT TO DO: Consumers with one of these hammocks should stop using it immediately. For additional information, contact Hamacas at (360) 493-6600 or e-mail Hamacas at [email protected] to receive an adult replacement hammock.
Hazard
Without spreader bars to hold the mini-hammock bed open, the mini-hammocks can suddenly twist around children's' necks and strangle them. Also, infants sleeping on soft bedding can become wedged in positions in which they cannot breathe.
Incidents & Injuries
No injuries have been reported with these hammocks, but between 1984 and 1995, CPSC received reports of 12 deaths of children in other mini-hammocks.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers with one of these hammocks should stop using it immediately. For additional information, contact Hamacas at (360) 493-6600 or e-mail Hamacas at [email protected] to receive an adult replacement hammock.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a remedy at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly — either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (refund, replacement, or repair) at no cost to you.
Yes. If you were injured by a defective consumer product — whether recalled or not — you may have grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer and potentially the retailer. A recall notice can serve as evidence that the manufacturer was aware of the defect. Injuries that may support a claim include burns, lacerations, fractures, electric shock, choking incidents, and chemical exposure. Most product liability attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless you win. Consult an attorney promptly, as statutes of limitation vary by state.
In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.
If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney — parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.