Straps On Teddy Bear Swings May Break; Newco Recalls Swings To Prevent Falls

PRODUCT: "Swing-N-Slide" molded plastic Teddy Bear Swing manufactured by Newco, Inc. of Janesville, WI. The swing is designed for children under 45 pounds.

PROBLEM: The swing's waist and crotch straps can pull out of the seat. Children may then slide out of the swings and be injured.

WHAT TO DO: Consumers should cut off the Teddy Bear Swing straps and plastic safety bar and send them to Newco to receive a free redesigned Teddy Bear Swing. Consumers may call Newco at 1-800-888-1232 to request postage-paid return packaging or further information.

WASHINGTON, DC -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Newco, Inc. of Janesville, WI is recalling its "Swing-N-Slide" molded plastic Teddy Bear Swing. The plastic swing seat is shaped like a brown teddy bear and is designed for children under 45 pounds. It has a waist strap and crotch strap that may pull out of the seat, allowing an infant or toddler to fall from the swing and be injured.

Newco, Inc. and CPSC learned of this problem from consumers who reported three incidents where toddlers slid out of the swing when the straps pulled out from the seats. The children who fell from the swings received minor cuts and bruises.

The Teddy Bear Swings were sold nationwide from February to June 1993 in hardware and home center stores. Approximately 13,000 swings were sold for about $34 each.

Consumers should immediately stop using the Teddy Bear Swings. Newco asks that consumers cut off the waist and crotch straps and the plastic safety bar, and return these parts to Newco for a free redesigned Teddy Bear Swing. Consumers may request postage-paid return packaging or call Newco for more information at 1-800-888-1232.

CPSC is announcing this recall as a part of its mission to protect the public from unreasonable risks of injury and death associated with consumer products. The Commission's objective is to reduce the estimated 28.6 million injuries and 21,700 deaths associated each year with the 15,000 different types of consumer products under CPSC's jurisdiction.