CPSC Educates New Parents on Safe Babywearing

Infant suffocation deaths in slings prompt renewed effort to warn moms and dads

• Make sure you can see your baby’s face or eyes in the sling and that your baby can see you. Also, you should place the baby’s face at or above the rim of a sling or wrap so that their face is visible.

• After nursing your baby, change the baby’s position in the sling, so that the baby’s face is at or above the rim of a sling or wrap and that their face is visible and clear of fabric and the mother’s body. You should be vigilant about frequently checking the baby in a sling.

• A new voluntary consensus standard for slings is being worked on by ASTM International. This is a positive step toward providing manufacturers with an effective safety standard.

• This warning is not intended to characterize all slings as being dangerous to babies. CPSC has identified (1) specific situations that can pose a risk of serious harm to babies, and (2) simple safety tips that we hope the babywearing community can share with new parents.

Proper use of a sling.  (Shown to the left)

Baby's face is at or above the rim of a sling or wrap and is clear of the fabric and obstructions.

 Improper use of sling.   (Shown to the left)

 Instead, keep the infant's head above
 all fabric and away from the mother's
 body.

 Make sure the infant's face is not
 covered by the sling.

Improper use of a sling. 
(Shown to the left)

Infant is in a curled position with chin touching chest.

Suffocation can occur in this position.

Infants can suffocate in this position against the mother's body or the sling's fabric.

Green Mountain Vista Inc. Recalls Roman Shades due to Rick of Strangulation

The CPSC in cooperation with Green Mountain Vista Inc. has announced a voluntary recall of their Roman shades.  Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.  Strangulations can occur when a child places his/her neck between the xposed inner cord and the fabric on the backside of the shade or when a child pulls the cord out and wraps it around his/her nect.

This recall involves all Green Mountain Vista Roman shades.  These shades have a small sewn-on label on the back side of the shade.

To obtain a free repair kit contact the Window Covering Safety Council at 800-506-4636 anytime or visit www.windowcoverings.org.  For more information contact
Green Mountain Vista at 800-639-1728 or visit their website at www.gmvista.com.

Alexander Designs" Brand Drop-Side Cribs Sold Exclusively at JCPenny Recalled for Repair Due to Entrapment, Suffocation and Fall Hazards

The CPSC in cooperation with Alexander Designs Ltd. has announced a voluntary recall of their dorp-side cribs.  The drop-side rail hardware on the cribs can break ore fail, allowing the drop side to detach from the crib.  When the drop side detaches, a hazardous gap is created between the drop-side rail and the crib mattress in which infants and toddlers can become wedged or entrapped, posing risks of suffocation and strangulation.  In addition, children can fall out of the crib when the drop-side rail falls unexpectedly or detaches from the crib.  Drop-side rail failures also can occur due to incorrent assembly or with age-related wear and tear.

This recall involves full-size cribs sold under the Alexander Designs brand name.  The following models are included:

For additional information, contact Jardine Baby at 800-295-1980 anytime or visit their website at www.jdservice.biz/jcp-safety-notice.

Tike Tech Recalls Jogging Strollers Due to Strangulation Hazard

The CPSC in cooperation with Tike Tech Ltd., of Toronto, Ontario has announced a voluntary recall of their Tike Tech Single City X3 and X3 Sport Jogging Strollers.  Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.  It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

The opening between the grab bar and seat bottom of the stroller can allow an infant's body to pass through and become entrapped at the neck by the grab bar, posing a strangulation hazard to young children when a child is not harnessed.  When using a stroller, parents and caregivers are encouraged to always secure children by using the safety harness and never to leave them unattended.

The ID Codes are located on the interior left side fame.  The ID codes are TT-18-01, TT-18-02, TT-18-03, TT-18-04, TT-18-05, TT-18-06, and TT-18-07.  For more information contact Tike Tech at 800-296-4602 or send an email to recall@tiketech.com or visit their website at www.tiketech.com.

Valco Baby Recalls Jogging Strollers Due to Strangulation Hazard

The CPSC in cooperation with Unique Baby Products USA LLC, of Brooklyn, N.Y. has announced a voluntary recall of the their Valco Baby Tri Mode Single and Twin Jogging Strollers.  Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

The opening between the grab bar and seat bottom of the stroller can allow an infant's body to pass through and become entrapped at the neck by the grab bar, posing a strangulation hazard to young children when a child is not harnessed.  When using a stroller, parents and caregivers are encouraged always to secure children by using the safety harness and never leave them unattended.

The model numbers of the affected grab bars are listed below:

RUN6140, RUN6141, RUN6142, RUN6143, RUN6144, RUN6145, RUN6146, RUN6147, RUN7710, RUN7711, TRI8800, TRI8801, TRI8802, TRI8802, TRI8890, TRI9103, TRI9104, TRI9105, TRI9105, TRI1033, TRI1034, AND TRI1034.

For more information contact Valco Baby at 800-610-7850, or send them an email to recall@valcobaby.com or visit their website at www.valcobaby.com.

Infant Sleep Positioners Pose Suffocation Risk

Two government agencies are warning parents and other caregivers not to put babies in sleep positioning products as two recent deaths underscore concerns about suffociation. 

The FDA and the CPSC issed the warning after reviewing reports of 12 known infant deaths associated with the products.  The most common types of sleep positioners feature bolsters attached to each side of a thin mat and wedges to elevate the baby's head.  The sleep positioners are intended to keep a baby in a desired position while sleeping.  They are often used with infants under 6 months old.  To reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends infants be placed to sleep on their backs on a firm surface free of soft objects, toys, and loose bedding.

For more information, please visit FDA's link below:

http://www.fda.gov/downloads/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/UCM227719.pdf

CPSC Urges Parents to Inspect and Secure TVs, Furniture, and Appliances in Child-Proofing Efforts

On average, one child dies every two weeks due to tipovers

Many parents and caregivers may not be aware that one of the top hidden hazards in the homes where young children live or visit is unsecured and unstable TVs, furniture and appliances. Today, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging families to take a moment to inspect and secure these items to prevent any more tragedies.

Between 2000 and 2008, CPSC staff received reports of nearly 200 tipover related deaths involving children eight years old and younger. Nearly all of these fatalities (93%) involved children five years old and younger.

More than 16,000 children five years old and younger were treated in emergency rooms because of injuries associated with TVs, furniture, and appliance tipovers according to CPSC staff’s most recent estimates from 2006.

“Large TVs and unstable furniture can be a deadly combination. Taking simple, low-cost steps to secure furniture and TVs can save lives,” said CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum. “Parents need to know about this hidden danger and take action now.”

Typically, injuries and deaths occur when children climb onto, fall against or pull themselves up on television stands, shelves, bookcases, dressers, desks, chests and appliances. In some cases, televisions placed on top of furniture will tip over and cause a child to suffer traumatic and sometimes fatal injuries.

To help prevent tip-over hazards, the CPSC offers the following safety tips:

• Furniture should be stable on its own. For added security, anchor chests, dressers, TV stands, bookcases and entertainment units to the floor or attach them to a wall.
  
  
• Place TVs on a sturdy, low-rise base. Avoid flimsy shelves.
  
  
• Push the TV as far back on its stand as possible.
  
  
• Place electrical cords out of a child’s reach and teach kids not to play with them.
  
  
• Keep remote controls and other attractive items off the TV stand so kids won’t be tempted to grab for them and risk knocking the TV over.
  
  
• Make sure free-standing ranges and stoves are installed with anti-tip brackets.

Lan Enterprises Recalls Zooper Tango Double Strollers, Repair Kit Available

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Lan Enterprises LLC of Hillsboro, Oregon, and formerly of Beaverton, Oregon, has announced a voluntary recall of their Zooper Tango "Double Stroller".

The stroller's frame latch above the front wheels can fail when the stroller hits an object, causing the stroller to unexpectedly collapse.  This can result in minor scrapes, cuts and bruises.   Consumers should immediately stop using these recalled strollers and contact Zooper to recieve a free repair kit.

This recall involves 2007 and 2008 Zooper Tango double strollers with a model number of SL808B and SL808F.  The model numbers were printed on the original packaging.  The strollers have production dates ranging from January 1, 2007, through April 30, 2008.  The production dates are printed on the warning labels attached to the seats.  The word "Zooper" is printed on the stroller canopies and grab bars. 

For more information visit their website at www.zooper.com or call 888-966-7379.

Rhino Toys Inc. Recalls Bead Toy due to Choking Hazard

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety commission, in cooperation with Rhino Toys Inc., of Santa Cruz, California, has announced a voluntary recall of the Beado handheld bead play toy.  Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.  It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consuemr product.

Rhino Toys sold about 5,500 toys from March 2010 through may 2010.

The toys' plastic wires can detach from the hubs due to insufficient adhesive, allowing the beads to slide off.  The loose beads pose a choking hazard to young children.

IKEA Recalls Roller Blinds, all Roman blinds and all Roll-Up Blinds Due to Risk of Strangulation

The U.S. Consumer Produce Safety Commission and Health Canada, in cooperation with the firm IKEA, announced a voluntary recall of the following product.  consuemrs should stop using products immediately unless otherwise instructed.  It is illegal to resell or attempt a recalled consumer product.

IDEA Home Furnishings, of Conshohocken, Pa. maker of the Roller, Roman, and Roll-Up Blinds sold about 3,360,000 units in 2009 and 2009. 

Roller Blinds Hazard:  Strangulations can occur if the blind's looped bead chain is not attached to the wall or the floor with the tension device provided and a child's neck becomes entangled in the free-standing loop.

Roman Blinds Hazard:  Strangulations can occur when a child places his/her neck between the exposed inner cord and the fabric on the backside of the blind or when a child pulls the cord out and wraps it around his/her neck.  An additional hazard exists when the Roman blind has a continuous looped bead chain that if not attached to the wall or floow, which poses a strangulation hazard to children.

Roll-up Blinds Hazard:  Strangulations can occur if the lifting loops slide off the side of the blind and a child's neck becomes entangled on the free-standing loop or if a child places his/her neck between the lifting loop and the roll-up blind material.

This recall involves roller blinds that do not have a tension device attached to the bead chain, all Roman blinds and all roll-up blinds.

Infant Death Prompts Recall of Ring Slings Made by Sprout Stuff due to Suffocation Risk

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), in cooperation with Sprout Stuff, of Austin, Texas, is announcing the recall of about 40 Sprout Stuff infant ring slings. 

Consumers are advised to immediately stop using these slings due to a risk of suffocation to infants.  Do not attempt to fix these carriers.

CPSC and Sprout Stuff are aware of one report of a death of a 10-day-old boy in the recalled sling in Round Rock, Texas in 2007.

The Sprout Stuff infant ring sling is fabric/natural muslin and comes with or without a shoulder pad.  tThe sling is worn by parents and caregivers to carry a child up to two years of age.  "Sprout Stuff" is printed on the back side of the tail's hem.

Sprout Stuff sold the recalled infant slings, which were made in the United States, directly to consumers between October 2006 and may 2007 for between $35 and $45.  Sprout Stuff is directly contacting know purchasers of the recalled infant slings.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled slings and contact Sprout Stuff to return the sling for a full refund.  Contact Sprout Stuff toll-free at 877-319-3103 anytime, email the firm at sproutstuffrefunds@gmail.com or contract the firm by mail at Sprout Stuff Refunds, P.O. Box 612, Buda, Texas  78610.

CPSC Issues Warning on Drop-Side Cribs

32 Fatalities in Drop-Side Cribs in Last 9 Years

WASHINGTON, D.C. - As part of its commitment to ensure safe sleep for young children, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is once again warning parents and caregivers about deadly hazards with drop-side cribs. In the last five years, CPSC has announced 11 recalls involving more than 7 million drop-side cribs due to suffocation and strangulation hazards created by the drop side. CPSC staff is actively investigating several other crib manufacturers for potential drop-side hazards as part of a larger effort by the agency to rid the marketplace and homes of unsafe cribs. CPSC will continue to take aggressive action to address any risks and will keep the public informed.

CPSC staff has completed a comprehensive review of crib-related infant fatalities reported to the agency between January 2000 and the present. CPSC staff is aware of 32 infant and toddler suffocation and strangulation deaths and hundreds of incidents that were caused by or related to drop-side detachments in cribs made by various manufacturers.

In addition to the 32 deaths the CPSC staff associated with the drop-side detachments, CPSC has received an additional 14 reports of infant fatalities due to entrapment in cribs that could be related to a drop side. The information obtained was insufficient for staff to conclusively determine whether or not the drop side was involved. Of the 32 deaths that were analyzed, some occurred in cribs where the drop side detached without caregivers noticing the detachment, while some other deaths occurred after a consumer tried to repair the detached drop side, but the repair ultimately failed.

In other incidents, consumers unknowingly installed the drop side or drop-side hardware incorrectly. In several cases, this occurred due to incorrect or confusing directions. In these incidents, the drop side still appeared to function as intended, but the stress on the crib hardware resulted in the drop-side detachment.

CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum has committed to parents and caregivers that there will be a new and vastly improved mandatory federal standard for cribs this year. The standard will incorporate, at minimum, the new voluntary standard banning drop-side cribs from the United States market. Due to the new voluntary industry standard, many manufacturers have already stopped selling drop-side cribs or will do so beginning June 1, 2010.

Drop-Side Hazards

CPSC technical staff has determined drop-side cribs generally have a tendency to be less structurally sound than cribs with four fixed sides. Drop-side hardware is prone to break, deform or experience other problems during normal or foreseeable use. The older the crib, the more problems can be expected. When drop-side hardware breaks or deforms, the drop side can detach in one or more corners from the crib. If an infant or toddler rolls or moves into the space created by a partially detached drop side, the child can become entrapped or wedged between the crib mattress and the drop side and suffocate. Infants can also strangle in the “V” shape formed by a drop side that detaches in an upper corner.

Advice to Consumers

Check your crib regularly and make sure it has not already been recalled.

While CPSC staff cannot say that every drop-side crib is hazardous, based on investigations of incidents we have received, the agency believes that overall most drop-side cribs are more prone to mechanical failure than similar designed fixed-side cribs. In addition, older cribs may not meet current voluntary standards. Factors that contribute to safety problems in older cribs include:

• The longer a crib is used, the more wear and tear on hardware and joints, allowing screws to loosen and fall out and plastic parts to flex and break.
• Repeated assembly and disassembly increases likelihood that crib parts can be damaged or lost.
• Wood warps and shrinks over time and glue can become brittle. This can lead to joint and slat failures.

Important Message from CPSC: CPSC reminds parents not to use any crib with missing, broken, or loose parts. Make sure to tighten hardware from time to time to keep the crib sturdy. When using a drop-side crib, parents should check to make sure the drop side or any other moving part operates smoothly. Always check all sides and corners of the crib for disengagement. Disengagements can create a gap and entrap a child. In addition, do not try to repair any side of the crib. Babies have died in cribs where repairs were attempted by caregivers.

If your baby is less than six months old and is not yet able to push up to his/her hands and knees, you can put your baby to sleep in a bassinet. Make sure your bassinet has not been recalled. Here’s a list. Also, you can use a play yard. Do not put additional bedding such as pillows, thick quilts, comforters or anything plush into your baby’s sleeping space. More babies die every year from suffocation in plush sleeping environments than from defective cribs.

Giraffe blanket recalled due to choking hazard

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Rashti & Rashti, announced a voluntary recall of their Giraffe Blanket.  Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

The balls on top of the giraffe's horns can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.

About 44,000 blankets were sold in Target Stores from January 2009 through August 2009.

Consumers should contact Rashti & Rashti for a full refund.  Click here to visit their website.

For more information from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety commission Click here.

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

May 5, 2010

Kimono Robe

Lounge Sets

Slumber Short Set

Roberta Roller Rabbit recalls childern's Kimono robes, lounge and slumber short sets due to violation of Federal Flammability Standard

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Roberta Roller Rabbit by Roberta Freymann, of New York, N.Y. has announced a voluntary recall of their long sleeved children's kimono robes, lounge sets and slumber short sets.

The recalled sleepwear fails to meet the federal children's sleepwear flammability standard, posing a burn hazard to childern.

No injuries or incidents have been reported.

This recall involves garments that were sold in sizes 0 (12 months), 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 and were sold in the New York, N.Y., East Hampton, N.Y. and Santa Monica, CA retail stores from January 2005 through February 2010.  Approximately 9,200 items were sold to the public.

Consumers should stop using the recalled robes and lounge set immediately and return them to a Roberta Roller Rabbit retail store for a store credit. 

Contact Roberta Roller rabbit toll-free at 877-449-0604 between 9:30am and 6:30 pm ET Monday through Friday, or visit their website at www.RobertaRollerRabbit.com.

Roberta Roller Rabbit has set up a "RECALL HOTLINE" phone number for immediate questions.  They can be reached at 877-449-0604.

You can also contact the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission at their "RECALL HOTLINE" phone number at 800-638-2772 or Click Here to visit their website.