Baby hammocks

CPSC Recall #00-107b — May 9, 2000

Recall Summary

Recall Number00-107b
Recall DateMay 9, 2000
Remedy TypeReplace
Units AffectedAbout 350
Manufactured InMexico

Where It Was Sold

The Hangout store in Boulder
Colo.
and its catalogs sold these hammocks as model number MY-BB-1110 from January 1990 through September 1999 for about $20.

Product

Baby hammocks

Description

PRODUCT: Baby Hammocks - Hangouts, of Boulder Colo., is recalling about 350 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, "Hangouts® from Bellartson" and "Woven by Hand in MEXICO." The Hangout store in Boulder, Colo., and its catalogs sold these hammocks as model number MY-BB-1110 from January 1990 through September 1999 for about $20. PROBLEM: These baby hammocks can suddenly become twisted 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 incidents or injuries have been reported in these hammocks, but between 1984 and 1995, CPSC received reports of 12 deaths of children in other mini-hammocks. WHAT TO DO: Consumers with one of these hammocks should stop using it immediately, and return it to Hangouts for a free, standard single hammock (model MY-SS-1130). For more information, call Hangouts at (800) 205-4916 anytime.

Hazard

These baby hammocks can suddenly become twisted 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 incidents or injuries have been reported in 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, and return it to Hangouts for a free, standard single hammock (model MY-SS-1130). 

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Replace 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 (Replace) 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.