Millions of everyday baby products that pose a serious health risk to infants have been recalled, after the strangulation death of a 10-month-old and close call involving another child according to an announcement Monday from the US Consumer Product Safety Commission.
4moms, which manufactures products for young children, issued a recall of its MamaRoo Baby Swing — versions 1.0 through 4.0 — and RockaRoo Baby Rockers, the CPSC said.
"When the swing or rocker is not in use, their restraint straps can dangle below the seat and non-occupant crawling infants can become entangled in the straps, posing a strangulation hazard," the CPSC indicated.
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Many parents use swings or rockers to calm the baby or help their infant sleep. This recall could be a major issue for many parents.
The recall affects 2 million MamaRoo swings and 220,000 RockaRoo rockers, according to the CPSC information. The CPSC also indicated that 60,000 MamaRoo swings and 10,000 RockaRoo rockers were sold in Canada. Both products were sold at BuyBuy Baby and Target stores, as well as online through Amazon and the 4moms website.
"4moms has received two reports of entanglement incidents involving infants who became caught in the strap under the unoccupied MamaRoo infant swing after they crawled under the seat, including a 10-month-old infant who died from asphyxiation, and a 10-month-old infant who suffered bruising to his neck before being rescued by a caregiver," a statement from the CPSC and 4moms indicated. "No incidents involving the RockaRoo have been reported."
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The statement from 4moms and the CPSC recommends those who have the products "immediately stop using the recalled swings and rockers, place them in an area where crawling infants cannot access and contact 4moms immediately to register for a free strap fastener that will prevent the straps from extending under the swing when not in use."
The products do not need to be disposed of. 4moms has created a strap fastener that secures the straps when the swings and rockers are not in use.
The straps are free, you just need to email [email protected], call the recall hotline at 877-870-7390, or order a strap online through the website.
According to CNN.com, baby swings and rockers have been involved in a number of recent recalls. The Kids II Rocking Sleepers were linked to five infant deaths and the Fisher-Price Rock 'n Play sleepers were connected to more than 30 infant deaths over 10 years.
In another CPSC report, a parent describes their son crawling through a space between the swing's base and seat and getting entangled by the product's strap. "The strap got so tightly twisted around his neck I had to cut the strap to loosen him. He suffered marks and popped blood vessels all the way around his neck," the parent wrote. "Very scary and is dangerous if anyone has this product and doesn't realize the straps underneath can do this," the person added.
"We are deeply saddened by the two incidents that occurred when babies crawled under the seat of unoccupied MamaRoo swings," Gary Waters, CEO of 4moms, said in an emailed statement. "The free strap fastener kit we have designed is an easy-to-install solution that we believe will prevent any other incidents from happening," he added.
"While we welcome the recall, these incidents are a somber reminder of what can happen when a common hazard, like a loose strap, goes unnoticed until it's too late," Oriene Shin, policy counsel for product safety at Consumer Reports, stated on Tuesday in an emailed release. "Parents trust companies to anticipate hazards and design products that protect their baby from a wide range of scenarios, including those that might not seem very likely."
Thorley Industries can be reached toll-free at (877) 870-7390 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday; by email at [email protected]; or online at https://www.4momsrecall.expertinquiry.com or https://www.4moms.com.
