The Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a major playpen recall today. The playpens in question have been involved in the deaths of eight children. News Specialist Carole Mikita explains the problem.

The recall involves a total of 9.6 million playpens-- some manufactured as recently as May of this year. The problem are rivets-- that extend out about a quarter to a half an inch.

Ann Brown with the Consumer Product Safety Commission says despite the fact the government recommends parents never put a child's pacifier on a string -- many still do-- and watch what can happen-- if a child were to just lean over the edge of the playpen.

Ann Brown, Consumer Product Safety Commission: "The string gets caught on the protruding rivet. The child turns around and strangles and dies. Strangled by the playpen string."

Another danger - Brown says this can also happen if a child is wearing a loosely woven sweater.

Brown: "A string can get caught on a protruding rivet."

Some of the playpens can be repaired by putting a specially made cover over the rivets. But others-- the commission says should be destroyed.

The playpens being recalled carry these brand names:

• Bilt-rite
• Evenflo
• Gerry
• Graco
• Kolcraft
• Playskool
• Pride-Trimble
• Strolee

Now not all of the companies that make these playpens are still in businesses-- so as a consumer the first thing you need to do is check your playpen and see if it has these protruding rivets.