Century Lil' Napper infant swings
CPSC Recall #97-180 — September 1, 1997
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 97-180 |
| Recall Date | September 1, 1997 |
| Remedy Type | Dispose |
| Units Affected | About 125,000 |
Where It Was Sold
| Juvenile product |
| department |
| and discount stores nationwide sold the swings beginning in 1991 for about $90. |
Product
Century Lil' Napper infant swings
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Century Products Company of Macedonia, Ohio, voluntarily provided a free repair kit for about 125,000 Century Lil' Napper infant swings. These swings have shoulder harness straps that are placed over each shoulder and buckled between the child's legs. If the straps on these swings loosen or are unbuckled, a child can become tangled in the straps and strangle.CPSC and Century were aware of three deaths and one near-strangulation that occurred when children from 6 to 9 months old became entangled with the harness straps around their necks.The repair kit is no longer available. Consumers should discard or destroy the product.Lil' Napper infant swings subject to this recall are model numbers 12-344, 12-345, 12-347, 12-475, and 12-476. The model number is located on a small white sticker on the bottom of the swing seat under the foot area. Each swing has a plastic, two-position seat with a removable plastic tray. The seats are covered by either a vinyl or fabric seat pad. There are four white tubular metal legs supporting the swing. The Century brand name and swing controls are on the motor assembly at the top of the swing. Other Century swing models have different restraint systems and are not being recalled.Juvenile product, department, and discount stores nationwide sold the swings beginning in 1991 for about $90.Consumers should stop using the Lil' Napper swings immediately and discard or destroy the product. Graco, which now owns the "Century" brand name, is offering a $30.00 incentive to anyone who has one to destroy it. The incentive, and more information, is available by calling Graco (800) 345-4109.
Hazard
These swings have shoulder harness straps that are placed over each shoulder and buckled between the child's legs. If the straps on these swings loosen or are unbuckled, a child can become tangled in the straps and strangle.
Incidents & Injuries
CPSC and Century were aware of three deaths and one near-strangulation that occurred when children from 6 to 9 months old became entangled with the harness straps around their necks.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should stop using the Lil' Napper swings immediately and discard or destroy the product. Graco, which now owns the "Century" brand name, is offering a $30.00 incentive to anyone who has one to destroy it.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Dispose 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 (Dispose) 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.