CPSC, Norton McNaughton of Squire, Inc. Announce Recall of Girls' Hooded Sweaters with Drawstrings

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the manufacturers named below, today announced voluntary recalls of the following consumer products. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of product: Energie Brand Hooded Sweaters

Units: About 157,300

Manufacturer: Norton McNaughton of Squire, Inc., of New York, N.Y.

Hazard: The hooded sweaters have drawstrings, posing a strangulation hazard to children. In February 1996, the CPSC issued guidelines to help prevent children from strangling or getting entangled on the neck and waist drawstrings of upper garments such as jackets and sweatshirts.
These garments were identified by the Wisconsin Bureau of Consumer Protection.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The recalled hooded drawstring sweaters were sold in a variety of colors and youth sizes S, M, L and XL. They were sold in either the pull-over hooded style or with a zipper. The RN Number 33364 and the word "energie," together with a small red flower, are printed on the collar tags. Only sweaters with drawstrings are included in this recall.

Sold at: Various retailers nationwide from July 2004 through November
2004 for between $15 and $25.

Manufactured in: South Korea, Taiwan and China

Remedy: Consumers can remove the drawstrings to eliminate the hazard or return the hooded drawstring sweater to the store where purchased for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: Call Norton McNaughton toll-free at (800) 258-5663 anytime or visit the Web site at www.nortonmcnaughton.com

You can view this recall, and a picture of the recalled product, by visiting CPSC's web site at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml05/05065.html