NEWS from CPSC

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CPSC CONTACT: Nychelle Fleming
November 17, 1999 (301) 504-7063
Release # 00-019 Century Contact: Barbara Riggins
(610) 286-4570

Century Offers Cash Reward for Recalled Infant Swings
Four strangulation deaths reported

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Century Products Co., of Macedonia, Ohio, is offering a $30 cash reward for the repair of each Lil' Napper infant swing. These swings were recalled in 1997 following reports of three deaths and one near strangulation from entanglement in the swings' shoulder harness straps. CPSC and Century have since become aware of a fourth death to an 8-month old infant girl in Texas.

The swings, which were manufactured by Century from 1991 through 1997, have shoulder harness straps that are placed over each shoulder and buckled between the infant's legs. If the straps on these swings loosen or are unbuckled, an infant can become tangled in the straps and strangle.

Despite a nationwide effort over the past 2 years to alert the public about this recall, Century believes that many of the 125,000 swings originally sold could still be in use. Consumers can get a free repair kit for the swing, which consists of a new seat pad and restraint system with crotch straps. To encourage consumers to repair their swings, Century is offering a $30 cash reward to each consumer who fixes the swing. In addition to offering the $30 reward, Century is taking further steps to get the word out, including direct mail notification to thrift stores and notices in new infant and convertible car seats.

The recalled Lil' Napper infant swings can be identified by the following model numbers, located on the bottom of the swing's seat: 12-344, 12-345, 12-347, 12-475 or 12-476. The Century brand name is on the motor assembly at the top of the swing. Each swing has a plastic, two-position seat with a removable plastic tray. The sets are covered by either a vinyl or fabric seat pad. There are four white tubular metal legs supporting the swing.

Parents and caregivers should immediately stop using these infant swings. To receive the repair kit and the $30 reward, call Century at (800) 231-1448 anytime or access their web site at www.centuryproducts.com.

movie iconConsumers can also view a video clip about this recall (Transcript). It is about 13 megabytes long and the download time depends upon the speed of your Internet connection.

Picture of Recalled Lil' Napper Infant Swing


The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission protects the public from unreasonable risk of injury or death from 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury and for information on CPSC's fax-on-demand service, call CPSC's hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC's teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270. To order a press release through fax-on-demand, call (301) 504-0051 from the handset of your fax machine and enter the release number. Consumers can obtain this release and recall information at CPSC's web site at http://www.cpsc.gov. Consumers can report product hazards to info@cpsc.gov.

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