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WASHINGTON, April 13, 2000 --After six infant deaths, Graco and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) have announced a campaign under which Graco is providing new safety restraints to upgrade about 7 million infant swings made before November 1997.

The restraint systems on the older swings consist of a waist belt only and a hinged or removable tray, which serves as a restraint. If parts are missing, the restraints are not used, or the tray pops off, infants can slip down into the seat and strangle or fall from the swing.

The commission said it knows of six deaths. These occurred when parts were missing or the restraints were not used and infants slid down the swings' seats and became tangled in the restraints. In five instances, the swings were second hand.

Of 209 incidents, 181 were reports of infants falling from the swing. In nine of the falls, infants suffered serious injuries including bone fractures and concussions. Twenty-two infants were caught at the neck or chest.

Graco is offering a free, new safety restraint to replace the swings' old restraint systems. The safety restraint kit comes with instructions and can be installed easily. The new safety system has a buckle that assures the crotch strap is used each time the waist belt is buckled, so that infants are securely fastened into the swings.

If consumers have a Graco infant swing, they should call Graco to determine if their swing needs a new safety restraint. The swings are battery-powered or wind-up, and are either the traditional A-frame or open top design. Some models have removable seats, which can be used as an infant carrier. Graco will help consumers identify swings that need new safety restraints.

Mass merchandise, juvenile products and major discount stores nationwide sold the Graco swings through approximately January 1998 for between $70 to about $120.

Consumers should stop using the swings immediately. To receive the free safety restraint, consumers should call Graco at (800) 934-9082 anytime. Consumers may also visit Graco's website or write to Customer Affairs, Graco Children's Products Inc., P.O. Box 100, Elverson, PA 19520. Consumers should have the swing in front of them when they call so that Graco can determine if the swing needs the new safety restraint.

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