CPSC, Century Announce Recall to Repair Lil' Napper Infant Swings

September 2, 1997
Release # 97-180

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For Immediate Release;
Contact: Kathleen Begala
(301) 504-0580 Ext. 1193

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Century Products Company of Macedonia, Ohio, is voluntarily providing a free repair kit for about 125,000 Century Lil' Napper infant swings. These swings have shoulder harness straps that are placed over each shoulder and buckled between the child's legs. If the straps on these swings loosen or are unbuckled, a child can become tangled in the straps and strangle.

CPSC and Century are aware of three deaths and one near-strangulation that occurred when children from 6 to 9 months old became entangled with the harness straps around their necks.

Century is offering a free repair kit, consisting of a new seat pad with a restraint system that has waist and crotch straps, and installation instructions. The new pad and straps can be installed easily in the Lil' Napper swing without using any tools.

Lil' Napper infant swings subject to this recall are model numbers 12-344, 12-345, 12-347, 12-475, and 12-476. The model number is located on a small white sticker on the bottom of the swing seat under the foot area. Each swing has a plastic, two-position seat with a removable plastic tray. The seats are covered by either a vinyl or fabric seat pad. There are four white tubular metal legs supporting the swing. The Century brand name and swing controls are on the motor assembly at the top of the swing. Other Century swing models have different restraint systems and are not being recalled.

Juvenile product, department, and discount stores nationwide sold the swings beginning in 1991 for about $90.

Consumers should stop using the Lil' Napper swings immediately and call Century at (800) 231-1448 for a free in-home repair kit with installation instructions or write to Century Products Company, 9600 Valley View Road, Macedonia, OH 44056. Consumers should not use the swing until the new pad and restraint system are installed.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission protects the public from unreasonable risks 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 or via Internet gopher services at cpsc.gov. Consumers can report product hazards to info@cpsc.gov.