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Infant Deaths Prompt CPSC Warning About Sling Carriers for Babies
Baby slings recalled after infant deaths
WASHINGTON, D.C.- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is advising parents and caregivers to be cautious when using infant slings for babies younger than four months of age. In researching incident reports from the past 20 years, CPSC identified and is investigating at least 14 deaths associated with sling-style infant carriers, including three in 2009. Twelve of the deaths involved babies younger than four months of age.
Slings can pose two different types of suffocation hazards to babies. In the first few months of life, babies cannot control their heads because of weak neck muscles. The sling’s fabric can press against an infant’s nose and mouth, blocking the baby’s breathing and rapidly suffocating a baby within a minute or two. Additionally, where a sling keeps the infant in a curled position bending the chin toward the chest, the airways can be restricted, limiting the oxygen supply. The baby will not be able to cry for help and can slowly suffocate.
Many of the babies who died in slings were either a low birth weight twin, were born prematurely, or had breathing issues such as a cold. Therefore, CPSC urges parents of preemies, twins, babies in fragile health and those with low weight to use extra care and consult their pediatricians about using slings.
Two months ago, the Commission added slings to the list of durable infant products that require a mandatory standard. Additionally, CPSC staff is actively investigating these products to determine what additional action may be appropriate. Until a mandatory standard is developed, CPSC is working with ASTM International to quickly complete an effective voluntary standard for infant sling carriers.
CPSC recommends that parents and caregivers make sure the infant’s face is not covered and is visible at all times to the sling’s wearer. If nursing the baby in a sling, change the baby’s position after feeding so the baby’s head is facing up and is clear of the sling and the mother’s body. Parents and caregivers should be vigilant about frequently checking their baby in a sling.
CPSC is interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are directly related to infant slings. You can do this by visiting www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/incident.aspx or call CPSC’s Hotline at (800) 638-2772.
Baby slings recalled after infant deaths
WASHINGTON, D.C. – After reports of three infant deaths, the government ordered a recall Wednesday of 1 million “SlingRider” and “Wendy Bellissimo” infant slings, in conjunction with the manufacturer Infantino of San Diego, Calif.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission urged consumers to immediately stop using these slings for infants younger than four months of age due to a risk of suffocation and contact Infantino for a free replacement product.
At the same time Canada Health is recalling 15,000 of the slings that were sold in Canada.
The commission is aware of three reports of deaths that occurred in these carriers in 2009: a 7-week-old infant in Philadelphia, Pa.; a 6-day-old infant in Salem, Ore.; and a 3-month-old infant in Cincinnati, Ohio.
The Infantino “SlingRider,” is a soft fabric baby carrier with a padded shoulder strap that is worn by parents and caregivers to carry an infant weighing up to 20 pounds. “Infantino” is printed on the plastic slider located on the strap.
“Infantino,” “SlingRider” and the item number are printed on the instruction label inside the baby sling carrier. “Wendy Bellissimo” branded sling carriers were sold exclusively at Babies “R” Us and have a sewn-in label on the inside of the sling strap that says in part “Wendy Bellissimo Media, Inc.” and lists item numbers 3937500H7 and 3937501H7.
Infantino sold the slings in the U.S. and Canada from January 2003 through March 2010 at Wal-mart, Burlington Coat Factory, Target, Babies “R” Us, BJ’s Wholesale, various baby and children’s stores and other retailers nationwide, and on the Web at Amazon.com, for between $25 and $30. The products were manufactured in China and Thailand.
Consumers should not attempt to fix the carrier and are advised to contact Infantino toll-free at (866) 860-1361 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or go to www.infantino.com to receive a free replacement product.
The recalls follows a recent government warning about suffocation risks from the popular carrier-style slings. Reports singled out the “SlingRider” by Infantino because babies can slump into a curved position while inside the sling.
Today, First Candle is requesting your help. Just a few minutes of your time can help propel a movement that will save thousands of babies’ lives for future generations to come.
We are joining our friends at the C. J. Foundation for SIDS, to seek co-sponsors for S.1445 and H.R. 3212…the Stillbirth and SUID Prevention, Education and Awareness Act. This act is sponsored by D-NJ Senator Frank Lautenberg and Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr., and quite simply the single most promising piece of legislation crafted in the past decade to promote infant survival and address the sudden unexpected death of young children related to SIDS, SUID, SUDC and Stillbirth. An incredible amount of legislative staff time has been put into understanding the issues and defining ways in which we can reduce the risk for future families.
Nothing you can do today will have more meaning and prevent more tragic losses.
PLEASE CONTACT YOUR CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE TODAY.
By clicking on the following link provided by the C.J. Foundation for SIDS, it will be easy to type in your zip code and automatically direct your letter to the appropriate congressional offices. You may personalize the letter or send the template as is.
http://www.votervoice.net/groups/sids
My personal goal is to have a minimum of 81 co-sponsors by Mothers’ Day…equivalent to the number of babies who are stillborn plus the number of babies who die of Sudden Unexpected Infant or Child Death EVERY DAY here in the United States.
Won’t you please help?????????? Please do it in honor of the babies and children whom you love in your life.
Thanks from the bottom of my heart!!!
Marian Sokol, President of First Candle
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following product.
Consumers should stop using product immediately unless otherwise instructed.
Name of Product: Graco Harmony(tm) High Chairs
Units: About 1.2 million
Manufacturer: Graco Children’s Products Inc., of Atlanta, Ga.
Hazard: The screws holding the front legs of the high chair can loosen and fall out and/or the plastic bracket on the rear legs can crack causing the high chair to become unstable and tip over unexpectedly. This poses a fall hazard to children.
Incidents/Injuries: Graco has received 464 reports of screws
loosening/falling out and/or plastic brackets cracking causing the high chair to tip over unexpectedly. These tip-over’s resulted in 24 reports of injuries including bumps and bruises to the head, a hairline fracture to the arm, and cuts, bumps, bruises and scratches to the body.
Description: This recall involves all Harmony(tm) High Chairs. The Harmony(tm) high chair was manufactured from November 2003 through December 2009 and is no longer in production. The model number can be found on the label that is located on the underside of the foot rest.
Harmony(tm) High Chair Model Numbers:
3920BAN
3920BAN2
3920BEB
3920BEBB
3920COV
3920DOH
3920GEI
3920GEIDSP
3920GRN
3920HMP
3920IVY
3920LAU
3920PKR
3930DDH
3930DHO
3935CAL
3935OXB
3935PKR
3935PKRDSP
3935SPM
3935SPMDSP
3935THR
3935THR2
3935THR3
3940BIA
3940BIADSP
3940CAP
3940CLE
3940COT
3940DRM
3940HML
3940MCH
3940NGS
3940SAV
3940SLT
3940SPT
3940STA
3940UNN
3951CLO
3951CLT
3951COT
3951ORC
3951WLO
3955WSR
3960BGN
3960CJG
3960CNP
3960GGG
3980CNR
3E00ABB
3E00BAT
3E00DCF
3E00DCFDSP
3E00DGP
3E00DGPDSP
3E00GPK
3E01BDS
3E01BDSCA
3E01DNY
3E01DNY1
3E01ELP
3E01ELPDSP
Note: These model numbers may begin with the letter A, B, C, or D
Additional Models:
1752404
1755859
1755860
1757259
1757412
1760429
Sold at: AAFES, Burlington Coat Factory, Babies “R” Us, Toys “R” Us, Sears, Target, Target.com, Walmart, WalMart.com, Shopko, USA Baby, and other retailers nationwide from December 2003 through March 2010 for between $70 and $120.
Manufactured in: United States
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the Harmony(tm) high chair and contact Graco to receive a free repair kit.
Consumer Contact: To order a free repair kit, contact Graco toll-free at (877) 842-3206 or visit the firm’s Web site at www.gracobaby.com. For additional information, contact Graco at (800) 345-4109 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.
To see this recall on CPSC’s web site, including pictures of the
recalled product, please go to:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10171.html
MGCBNA has wrapped up our SIDS Project and below is the link of Debra’s news coverage on WLOX (aired twiced). Special thanks to all of you who made this possible. With this 3-day presentation, we have reached thousands of coastal residents! Since her interview, we have been asked to do more presentations in the next 2 months!
What We Did:
WATCH THE VIDEO – “Reducing the Risk of SIDS”
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