* American Academy of Pediatrics * Consumer Federation of America * Consumer Reports * Kids In Danger *
“As leading child health and consumer advocacy organizations, we are proud to join together in supporting H.R. 3172 and S. 1767, the Safe Sleep Act. Our groups have long been sounding the alarm on the dangers of infant inclined sleep products, and have been urging retailers to remove them from sale. These products are deadly, and their design is inherently unsafe. This legislation would help prevent more families from experiencing the tragedy of losing a child to one of these products by banning their manufacture, import, and sale altogether.
“The recent recalls of the Fisher-Price Rock ‘n Play Sleeper and Kids II rocking sleepers – products that are linked to dozens of documented infant deaths – are important steps forward, but it is clear that current voluntary and mandatory standards do not protect infants from the dangers these products pose. Far too many of these products are still on store shelves and in families’ homes, posing an urgent threat to child health. Parents often think that when they purchase a product for their child, it must be safe – but that is not necessarily the case. The safest sleeping environment for infants is always on their back, on a separate, flat and firm sleep surface without any bumpers or bedding. Infant inclined sleep products should not be used or sold anywhere, period.
“Together, we urge Congress to advance the Safe Sleep Act without delay and thank Representative Tony Cárdenas (D-Calif.) and Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) for their leadership on this issue. We also call on the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to take immediate action and eliminate the infant inclined sleep product category completely. There is no question: infant inclined sleepers are dangerous and have no place in a safe sleep environment.”
For the full joint statement, click here.