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Note: Firm is out of business. Do not use these products. Please discard or destroy these products.
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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| Originally issued December 5, 1983; Revised July 10, 2001 |
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| Release # 83-062 |
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Pixieland To Repair Potentially
Hazardous Playground Equipment
Washington, D.C.-- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product
Safety Commission, Pixieland, Incorporated, Swainsboro I Georgia,
today announced a voluntary repair program on five different models
of its metal playground equipment which may present head entrapment
hazards to children. The products involved are the Double Climber
Slide, Single Climber Slide, Toddler Climber, Fence Climber and
Rainbow Climber.
The five models of metal playground equipment, which range in
cost from approximately $85 to $450, are intended for use by pre-school
children, and are sold to day care centers, child care centers and
other similar facilities.
The spacing between some of the rungs on these five models pose a
potential entrapment hazard because they are wide enough to allow a
child's body to pass all the way through, but are too narrow for the
head to follow. Consequently, a child could be hung, with his head
trapped between the rungs and his feet off the ground. This could
result in head injuries, neck injuries, or strangulation. All spacings
ranging from 4.5 inches to 7.5 inches represent potential
entrapment hazards.
The Commission has investigated three incidents in which children's
heads became entrapped between the rungs on these playground structures.
One victim received contusions and abrasions to the neck and head,
while another victim had to be resuscitated because his breathing and
pulse had been stopped.
Pixieland has been manufacturing these playground structures
since 1978, with distribution to 21 states east of the Rockies. In
1978, the firm began to redesign this equipment to eliminate the
potential head entrapment hazard. However, some of these units still
have spacing between the rungs which are in the potential entrapment
range of 4.5 to 7.5 inches.
The Double Climber Slide, Single Climber Slide, and Rainbow
Climber all are rainbow-shaped with apex approximately 4' from the
ground. Each is approximately 4'4" wide and 15' to 16' in length.
The Single Climber and Double Climber Slides have one and two sliding
boards respectively, while the Rainbow Climber has no slide. The
Toddler Climber is 3' high 3' wide, and 4' long, while the Fence
Climber is similar in design but measures 4' high, 4' wide, and 6' long.
A sticker label with the Pixieland name and address may be found on
some of these structures.
All day care centers, child
care centers, etc., are urged to determine whether they have any of
the five models of playground equipment. If they do, the spacings
between all rungs should be measured. If any spacing measures from
4.5 inches to 7.5 inches, discontinue use of the
equipment immediately. Firm is out of Business.
Further information on this playground equipment can be obtained by calling the Commission's toll-free Hotline at 800-63S-CPSC. The teletypewriter number for the hearing
impaired is 800-638-8270.
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