N.Y. thrift shops ordered to stop selling children's clothes with drawstrings

NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced on Tuesday that his office sent cease and desist letters to 46 thrift shops throughout the state ordering them to stop selling children's clothing with drawstrings.

Schneiderman alleged that 46 out of 51 thrift shops visited by his office sold one or more items of illegal children's drawstring clothing. Drawstrings on children's clothing at the waist and neck are considered a safety hazard as they can catch on playground equipment, vehicle doors and cribs. The garments have caused injuries and death by strangulation.

New York banned the sale of children's drawstring clothing in 2003.

“The sale of children’s clothing with drawstrings has been illegal in New York for more than a decade – and that includes the sale of these items by thrift stores,” Schneiderman said. “No child should be put at risk simply because of the clothing that he or she is wearing. With these warning letters, we are sending a clear signal that thrift shops, like all retailers, must comply with the law – that they cannot sell clothing that puts children at risk of injury, strangulation and death. Beyond that, my office also hopes to also raise parents’ awareness of the serious dangers posed by children’s drawstring clothing.”

The letters ordered the shops to immediately stop selling illegal drawstring clothing and to remove all offending items from their shops.