Propac Distributing Corp., a Los Angeles-area distributor of hooded children's sweatshirts, is recalling about 7,000 of its defective products because they pose a strangulation hazard. According to a CBS News report, the product recall covers the Proclub brand sweatshirts that have a zipper and pullover hood with drawstrings. They were apparently sold at retail stores in Los Angeles and Las Vegas from November to December 2008. The company, which is based in Gardena, says consumers who have these sweatshirts should remove the drawstring from the sweatshirts or return the clothing item for a full refund.

Since the beginning of this year, we've seen a number of these defective clothing recalls involving hooded sweatshirts with drawstrings. Earlier this year, Hill Sportswear recalled 300,000 of its Kid brand pullovers and sweatshirts after a 3-year-old boy in Fresno, California, was strangled to death when the drawstring on his hooded sweatshirt became entangled in a playground set.

In 1999, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued guidelines stating that these drawstrings in children's clothing are a hidden hazard and can lead to deaths and serious injuries when they get caught on items such as playground equipment, bus doors or cribs. According to CPSC's statistics, between January 1985 and January 1999, there were reports of 22 deaths and 48 injuries involving entanglement of children's clothing with drawstrings on them.

It's worth noting that the CPSC issued these federal guidelines more than 10 years ago. Still we see these dangerous and defective products being distributed in the United States. A majority of these clothing items seem to be imported. If your child has suffered serious personal injury as a result of these or other defective products, please consult with an experienced products liability attorney. There is no question that these manufacturers must be held responsible for the hazardous products they put on the market. Thousands of American consumers are hurt each year as a result of dangerous and defective products. If you are one of them, I'd like to hear from you.