CR President demands that companies stop delaying and put infant safety first
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Consumer Reports President and CEO Marta Tellado today sent letters to juvenile product manufacturers demanding that they protect babies’ safety by immediately recalling all their infant inclined sleep products. A CR investigation found these inclined sleepers linked to dozens of infant deaths, and the Consumer Product Safety Commission now reports 73 infant deaths associated with the products. While more than five million infant inclined sleep products have been recalled, including the Fisher-Price Rock ‘n Play Sleeper and Kids II rocking sleepers, CR and other safety advocates have documented that many inclined sleepers remain for sale and in use, and continue to put infants at risk.
“The evidence is overwhelming: infant inclined sleep products are inherently unsafe. There is no reason for manufacturers to wait for more deaths or injuries to take action. These companies must carry out recalls immediately. Any delay leaves infants in danger and keeps parents and caregivers in the dark,” said Tellado.
A recent CPSC-commissioned expert study of how infants move and use their muscles in inclined sleepers concluded that the products are unsafe for sleep. Based on these findings and on the products’ terrible toll on infants, the CPSC now advises parents and caregivers not to use infant inclined sleepers and has voted to move forward with a proposed rule to prohibit them. It is likely to take a minimum of several months for this rule to become final.
In letters to the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association and infant inclined sleeper manufacturers Baby Delight, Chicco, Dorel Juvenile, Evenflo, Fisher-Price, Graco, Hiccapop, Nuna, and Summer Infant, CR’s Tellado urged the industry to support the CPSC’s proposed rule, and in the meantime, to issue recalls to live up to their responsibilities to their customers.
“Consumers reasonably expect companies to offer products that are safe, and to remove all hazardous products from the market. Manufacturers are failing in these responsibilities by allowing dangerous sleep products to remain on store shelves and in homes. Based on the government’s recent warning and proposal, I urge these companies to change course right away and become a part of the solution, rather than the problem,” Tellado added.
Consumer Reports urges anyone with an inclined sleep product or accessory to immediately stop using it. American Academy of Pediatrics safe sleep recommendations say that babies should be placed alone to bed on a firm, flat surface in their own space, with no extra bedding. All infant inclined sleep products and accessories conflict with that advice.
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Contact: David Butler, dbutler@consumer.org, 202-462-6262
Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit membership organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. For 80 years, CR has provided evidence-based product testing and ratings, rigorous research, hard-hitting investigative journalism, public education, and steadfast policy action on behalf of consumers’ interests. Unconstrained by advertising or other commercial influences, CR has exposed landmark public health and safety issues and strives to be a catalyst for pro-consumer changes in the marketplace. From championing responsible auto safety standards, to winning food and water protections, to enhancing healthcare quality, to fighting back against predatory lenders in the financial markets, Consumer Reports has always been on the front lines, raising the voices of consumers.