Hidden hazards in children's clothes.(recalls & safety alerts)(Brief Article)

Hazards in children's jackets have prompted recalls or warnings that affect nearly 90,000 garments.

* Thousands of "Falls Creek Army Flight Jackets" (see photo), sold at Meijer stores in five states, have a hood drawstring mat could snag on playground equipment, fences, and the like.

* Some 25,000 unbranded fleece pantsuits have a long waist drawstring with toggles and knots on the jacket. That kind of drawstring has led to death in the past when it caught on protrusions, notably bus doors or handles, and the vehicle dragged the child.

* A zipper pull is the problem with more than 50,000 "Just Friends" and "Angel Fish" jackets. The pull could come off and pose a choking hazard.

There have been no reports of death or injury from these particular products. However, between 1985 and 2000, the Consumer Product Safety Commission received reports of 23 deaths and 56 non-fatal incidents involving drawstings.

The CPSC says that hood drawstrings don't belong in outerwear in sizes 2T to 12. Drawstrings at the waist of children's garments should be no more than 3 inches long when the jacket is fully stretched out; the drawstring should also be sewn in so that it cannot be pulled out.

Products: 57,660 "Just Friends" and "Angel Fish" girls' hooded fleece jackets ...