Last Thursday, the Consumer Product Safety Commission released an IKEA recall for children’s LATTJO Bat Cape Costumes because of a strangulation hazard.
According to the recall, the fabric hook and loop fastener at the neck of the cape can fail to detach, posing a strangulation hazard to children and men with youthful spirits.
Nearly 11,000 capes are out in the market, and the company has already received three incident reports from outside of the U.S. According to the recall, IKEA sold about 750 units in Canada as well.
The capes retailed for $13 and were available in IKEA stores from November 2015 through February 2016, which also brings up the troubling realization that the company clearly failed to capitalize on the $2.6 billion dollar Halloween costume market.
The polyester capes were manufactured in China, but the recall is particularly upsetting because of the capes’ positive social impact. According to the company, the capes encouraged role play, which helps children develop social skills by imitating grown-ups and inventing their own roles.
Come on IKEA, how are we going to prepare our children for a lifetime of vigilante justice if we can’t get a clasp right?
IKEA is asking consumers to return the capes immediately for a full refund. I just hope that the bat hat and bat legs stay on the market. Need those to ship to complete the set.
