April 7, 2009

T.J. Maxx and 13 other companies have agreed to pay more than $1 million in civil penalties for failing to promptly report sales of children's clothing with drawstrings through the hood or neck.

Government safety experts say these drawstrings can get caught
in nearby objects and cause children to get trapped or strangled.

In May 2006, the Consumer Product Safety Commission announced
that it would consider hooded jackets and sweatshirts for children
were defective products if they come with hood and neck
drawstrings.

The agency says the 14 companies failed to comply with a federal
law that requires them to immediately report if the announcement
applied to their products.
The companies deny knowingly violating the law.