Animal Swings
CPSC Recall #95-059 — January 11, 1995
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 95-059 |
| Recall Date | January 11, 1995 |
| Remedy Type | Dispose |
| Units Affected | About 10,000 |
Product
Animal Swings
Description
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: BCI Burke, Fond du Lac, Wis. 800-356-2070 Blue Valley Industries, Mexico, Penn. 717-436-8266 Game Time, Fort Payne, Ala. 800-377-2561 Miracle Recreation Equipment Company, Monett, Mo. 800-523-4202 PCA, St. Louis, Mo. 800-727-8180 Playworld Systems, New Berlin, Penn. 800-233-8404 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.
Hazard
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.
Incidents & Injuries
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.
Remedy Instructions
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.
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.