Are Hoodies Dangerous for Kids to Play In?

Hoodies can be hazardous to children's health for several reasons. These include Sweat-stress, Suid syndrome, and suffocation. Whether they are worn during sleep and playtime or not, kids should be educated about them to protect themselves from these risks.

Suid Syndrome

Infants wearing hooded clothing can suffocate or suffer strangulation if the drawstring is long enough. The condition is characterized by a lack of reflexes in the infant brain that trigger a protective wake-up signal. Infants with Suid syndrome may not have these reflexes and may rebreath while suffocating.

If a child is playing outside in a hooded pajama, a hooded hood can trap air, which can lead to asphyxia, a potentially fatal condition. Another potential risk is that of heat-stress, a precursor to SUID syndrome. Excessive heat stress can be fatal in children, and has been documented even in colder climates.

Strangulation

Many hoodies for kids to play in have neck and drawstrings that can cause strangulation. This is a huge product hazard and is extremely dangerous. Parents should avoid buying hoodies for kids unless the hoodie has a snap closure or a button instead of a drawstring. Hoodies can be dangerous for children just like they are dangerous for babies.

This hazard has been the cause of four separate recalls of hoodies for children in the last two months. The hoodies with drawstrings have the potential to become tangled in doors, cribs, and other objects. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued guidelines on how to prevent this from happening. The guidelines were first published in 1996 and were later adopted as a voluntary standard in 1997. In 2011 they were made federal regulation.

The CPSC has issued guidelines aimed at preventing young children from strangling themselves on hoodie drawstrings. These guidelines were adopted as an industry voluntary standard in 1997. Currently, hoodies for kids are sold in sizes 2-12. They come in a variety of colors and prints.

Suffocation

One of the most common dangers of hooded pajamas for children is the risk of suffocation. As the hood cannot be pulled down, the child can become trapped under the hood and suffocate. This is particularly dangerous in infants. Overheating is also a major concern with hooded clothing. The risk of heat stroke is also greater for infants when they wear hooded pajamas. Avoid wearing your toddler in hoodie for bed.

Many hoodies for children have drawstrings on the hoods that could entangle a child's fingers. CPSC recommends that parents remove the drawstrings. However, simply shortening the drawstrings may not eliminate the risk of strangulation. In such cases, it is better to buy kids' outerwear with alternative closures such as snaps, buttons, and Velcro.

Zippers

Hoodies that feature zippers are especially dangerous for children. They aren't just uncomfortable to wear, but they can also be a hazard if children are playing in them. Children under the age of 14 are particularly susceptible to injuries due to zippers, and manufacturers must adhere to strict quality control measures to ensure that the zippers are safe for wear and play. Various testing methods are used to ensure that zippers are safe, and these methods include physical performance testing, needle detection, and hazardous substance tests.

Another danger posed by zippers in hoodies is suffocation. Even if the hood has a drawstring, a child may be suffocated, or worse, strangled, if the zipper isn't removed quickly enough. Infants with SUID syndrome are particularly at risk, as they don't have the reflexes to cry out and trigger an emergency.