NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer
Product Safety Commission
| Office of Information and
Public Affairs |
Washington,
DC 20207 |
CPSC Warns Of Tennis Net
Tightener Danger
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Consumer
Product Safety Commission today issued an alert to warn consumers
of the risk of injury especially to small children associated
with the M.R. Lane Jiffy A-4 Tennis Net Tightener. The Commission
is aware of 18 injuries and one fatality which occurred when an
11-year-old girl was struck on the neck while adjusting the lever.
The other incidents include facial and mouth injuries.
The product is a tennis net
tightening device made of iron. The device moves up and down the
net post on a track bolted to the post. The lever increases or
decreases the tension in the net and can spring forward with some
force when released. A person can be seriously injured if struck
by the lever. The brand name "Jiffy A-4" appears on the
hook part of the device.
The company manufactured
approximately 50,000 units from 1929 until 1978. In 1978, the
company issued cautionary labels and a safety pin was added to
prevent small children from inadvertently pulling upon the handle.
No reports of incidents or injuries have been received involving
these redesigned units. The company has been out of business
since November 1982.
The product was distributed
through sporting goods distributors and tennis court construction
firms. The tennis net tensioning device has been installed in
both private and public tennis courts.
The Commission urges parents to
caution children not to play with the tennis net tensioning
device, but rather to request the maintenance personnel to adjust
the net height, if necessary.
The Commission urges operators of
tennis courts in public parks and private clubs to check to
determine if M.R. Lane A-4 Tennis Net Tensioning Devices are used
on their courts and if they are, check to determine whether or
not a safety pin has been added. If not, the handle should be
tied down permanently so that a child can not move the handle.
Also, place a notice near the tension device warning children to
request maintenance personnel to adjust the device.
| JIFFY-A4 APPEARS ON THE
HOOK PART OF THE DEVICE. ARROW SHOWS LOCATION OF SAFETY
PIN. THIS SAFETY PIN IS PLACED THROUGH HOOK ASSEMBLY SO
THAT A CHILD CAN NOT MOVE THE HANDLE. |
| HANDLE SHOULD BE
PERMANENTLY TIED DOWN IF SAFETY PIN HAS NOT BEEN ADDED |
| THE TENNIS NET TIGHTENING
DEVICE MOVES UP AND DOWN THE NET POST |
|
