Despite the fact that a recall was issued for Lane cedar hope chests in 1996 – nearly two decades ago – the product claimed the lives of two more children this month, underscoring the fact that many product recalls go unnoticed by consumers.
NBC News reports that the two children – Masschusetts siblings, aged 7 and 8 years old – became trapped in the chest and suffocated to death. Lane cedar chests, which were manufactured between 1912 and 1987, have been responsible in the deaths of at least 10 children due to a lid that latches shut and cannot be opened from the inside.
According to Nancy Cowles, executive director of the product safety improvement group Kids in Danger, approximately 30% of recalled products are actually fixed or returned, meaning that “the majority of children’s products that are recalled remain in use.” Product safety advocates urge parents to stay vigilant by regularly checking the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website for recall announcements, and by removing any potentially hazardous products from the home immediately.
Has your child been injured by a recalled product? The product liability attorneys at Hodes Milman can help. Call (949) 640-8222 or go online at verdictvictory.com today.
