In the US there is a ban on any top designed for children which has a drawstring attached to it. It does not matter if it is on the hood, around the neck or attached to the waist. Children have died recently because of drawstrings which has prompted the ban. Strangulation occurs when the string gets tangled around the child or caught up on something. This does not mean that all children hoodies should be banned however. They can be great items of clothing for children.
Back To The Ban
Heavy fines and even prosecution has been brought against large retailers and manufacturers who used drawstrings in their children’s tops. The Consumer Product Safety Commission ruled that they were putting the health and safety of children at risk by even stocking tops with drawstrings on.
The tragic death of a three year old boy whose string got attached on a slide and he suffocated made these rulings more open to the public. One reason why retailers have gotten away with stocking children’s clothes with drawstrings is because not very many parents knew that they were banned. The publication of the ban means that the CPSC can find lawbreaking retailers and manufacturers more quickly.
Nordstrom the Seattle retailer was fined ,000 for selling banned tops. Four more retailers have received a collective fine of 0,000 over the past few years. Hills Sportswear and Kohl’s were two of them. Yet again another little girl suffocated when het top got caught at the playground.
Every parent should make sure that the clothing they buy their child is safe to be worn. Thinking about how your child’s activities could be risky to your child should be done when buying items. If they go on a bike you do not want their trousers to get caught in the pedals for example.
Hoodies should not be banned all together. When they are designed safely they can look super cute. Their comfort value means that children will happily wear them. Not only that, but a hoody is a great winter and autumn staple.
