There is a ban in the US on any pieces of children’s upper clothing that contains a drawstring. Whether it is on the hood, the neck or the waist all drawstrings on tops are banned. This ban is in place because a number of children have died recently. The string can get caught in something or the child becomes tangled up and strangled. This does not mean that all childrens hoodies should be banned however. Without the drawstring they are good 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 a considerable risk was presented to children who wore tops with drawstrings attached.

The public was made aware of drawstring dangers when a three year old boy tragically died when a string on his clothes got caught in a side as he was going down it. Retailers are slow to be caught when they break the law because so few people know which items are banned by law. The publication of the ban means that the CPSC can find lawbreaking retailers and manufacturers more quickly.

In Seattle the large department store Nordstrom was fined $60,000 for stocking banned tops. Four other retailers received fines totalling over $600,000 over the past few years for the same crime. They include Hills Sportswear and Kohl’s. A girl died when her top from Hills got caught on playground equipment.

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. They are comfy which means children like wearing them. For autumn and winter they are wardrobe staples.

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