Recall: Swings on Backyard Gym Sets Recalled By Hedstrom®

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Originally issued June 5, 2001, Last revised October 22, 2002 Release # 01-165

CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: Nychelle Fleming, (301) 504-7063

CPSC, Hedstrom® Corp. Announce Recall of Swings on Backyard Gym Sets

WASHINGTON, D.C.- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Hedstrom® Corp., of Bedford, Pa., and their subsidiary Backyard Products, of Collingwood, Ontario, recalled to repair about 190,000 Star Cruiser® and Rocket Rider® swings on backyard gym sets. Screws that hold the swing together can fall out, causing the seat to fall to the ground, posing an injury risk to children.

Hedstrom had received 291 reports of seats separating, including 19 children who suffered lacerations, scrapes and bruises.

The recalled swings, which come with separate pieces for the seat and handle bars/leg rest, were sold with Hedstrom metal and wood gym sets, wood kits, and as accessories. The Star Cruiser has a one-piece seat, with a white plastic circle and the words, "Star Cruiser" and "Hedstrom" on the front of the handle bars/leg rest. A mesh backing, called a Safe-T TM Backrest, can be connected to back of the seat. The Rocket Rider is a 'see-saw' swing, with a white seat on which two children can sit back-to-back. The words, "Rocket Rider" are printed on the front of each of the two handle bars/leg rests.

Department, toy, discount, lumber, and hardware stores nationwide, including Toys "R" Us, Wal-Mart and Kmart, sold the gyms from September 2000 through April 2001 for $150 to $400.

Consumers should stop using the swings immediately, detach them from the gym set, and discard or destroy them. The firm is out of business and a repair is no longer available.