Soccer Nets Recalled Because of Strangulation

Sept. 17, 2008 -- The Consumer Product Safety Commission says Regent Sports Corporation of Hauppauge, N.Y., is recalling about 190,000 soccer nets after receiving two reports of children's heads getting entangled in the nets. One of those children, a 20-month-old boy, died of strangulation, according to the CPSC.

The recall includes MacGregor Folding Soccer Goals and Mitre Folding Soccer Goals. Those products were sold at Wal-Mart, Ace Hardware, and sports and toy stores nationwide from May 2002 through May 2008 for $26.

The fixed-knot flexible openings in the soccer goal net can pose a hazard for head and neck entrapment or strangulation for young children, states the CPSC.

The CPSC advises consumers to stop using the recalled soccer goal nets immediately and return them to Regent Sports to receive a free replacement net. For more information, call Regent Sports at 877-516-9707 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday.

Both recalled soccer goals have a foldable white frame with a white net that is attached by Velcro strips. When upright, the MacGregor goal measures 6 feet wide by 3 feet high and the Mitre net measures 8 feet wide by 6 feet high. Each has a recalled net with squares measuring 5 inches on each side.

The MacGregor soccer goal has model number 97236 printed on the assembly instructions and UPC code number 029807972365 printed on the net's packaging.

The Mitre soccer goal has model number 89186 printed on the assembly instructions and UPC code number 029807891864 printed on the net's packaging.

Nets manufactured after April 2007 with 4-inch by 4-inch square openings are not included in the recall.

A spokesperson for Regent Sports wasn't immediately available for comment.