Why Drawstrings Keep Getting Kids' Sweatshirts Recalled — and How to Check Before You Buy

A May 2026 recall of youth sweatshirts sold at Gabe's stores is the latest in a decades-long pattern of children's outerwear recalls tied to one specific, well-defined federal safety rule about drawstrings. The rule itself is simple enough that any shopper can check a hoodie or jacket themselves, at a store, a thrift shop, or in a pile of hand-me-downs.

The recall that prompted this

Allura Imports Inc. recalled gray youth sweatshirts with a Bobcat logo, sizes 8/10 and 12/14, in May 2026, after CPSC found the drawstrings "can get caught on objects and cause death or serious injury to children from strangulation." About 120 units had been sold exclusively at Gabe's stores between October and November 2025, for about $15 each. No injuries were reported; the remedy was to remove the drawstring and get a refund.

The actual rule

The federal standard, 16 CFR Part 1120, based on ASTM F1816-97, bans hood and neck drawstrings outright on children's upper outerwear in sizes 2T through 12 (or the equivalent). CPSC has found that these drawstrings "present a strangulation hazard that is a substantial product hazard." Waist or bottom drawstrings on sizes 2T through 16 are allowed, but only if they extend no more than 3 inches outside the drawstring channel when the garment is fully expanded, have no toggles, knots, or attachments at the free ends, and are bar-tacked at the center if the drawstring is continuous.