PARENTS should urgently check if they’ve got a Fisher-Price sleeper after the death of ten babies has been linked to the cradle.
Fisher-Price, alongside the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), similar to Trading Standards here in the UK, have issued a warning about how to use the Rock ‘n Play Sleeper.
Fisherprice
It comes after the CPSC says it is “aware of 10 infant deaths in the Rock ‘n Play that have occurred since 2015”.
But while this has happened over in the US, Fisher-Price confirmed to The Sun that “thousands” of the cradles have been sold here in the UK too.
The toy manufacturer says these were sold by one specific retailer, although it wouldn’t tell us the exact number sold or confirm the shop in question.
We couldn’t see the toy on sale in the UK when we checked online but it does appear to have been sold on Amazon in the past although the web pages have since been removed.
We’ve asked Amazon to confirm this but it hasn’t responded to our requests for comment.
Fisher-Price advice on how to use the Rock ‘n Play Sleeper
HERE’s how Fisher-Price recommends parents should use the sleeper:
- ALWAYS use the provided restraints.
- ALWAYS place infants on their backs to sleep.
- Use ONLY the pad provided by Fisher-Price.
- MAKE SURE that no pillows, blankets or extra padding are placed in the Rock ‘n Play Sleeper.
- STOP using the product when the infant begins to roll over.
Of course, many more parents may have the item if they bought it while on holiday or from an overseas website.
The warning states that parents should stop using the cradle when their child reaches three months of age or as soon as they can rollover unaided.
The babies, which were all three months or older, died after rolling from their back to their stomach or side, while unrestrained, according to the CPSC.
It’s unclear why this resulted in death but media reports suggest it was because this left the tots unable to breathe.
But while a warning has been issued, Fisher-Price and the CPSC have stopped short of issuing a recall and Fisher-Price says it won’t offer refunds to concerned parents who’ve bought the cot.
This is despite the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) – a body made up of 67,000 children’s healthcare professionals – calling for an immediate recall.
It says infants should always sleep on their back, on a separate, flat and firm sleep surface without any bumpers or bedding.
The sleeper is tilted at an incline.
Kyle Yasuda, president of the APP, said: “There is convincing evidence that the Rock ‘n Play inclined sleeper puts infants’ lives at risk, and CPSC must step up and take immediate action to remove it from stores and prevent further tragedies.”
Your product recall rights
PRODUCT recalls are an important means of protecting consumers from dangerous goods.
As a general rule, if a recall involves a branded product, the manufacturer would usually have lead responsibility for the recall action.
But it’s often left up to supermarkets and retailers to notify customers when products could put them at risk.
If you are concerned about the safety of a product you own, always check the manufacturer’s website to see if a safety notice has been issued.
When it comes to appliances, rather than just food items, the onus is usually on you – the customer – to register the appliance with the manufacturer as if you don’t there is no way of it contacting you to tell you about a fault.
If you become aware that an item you own has been recalled or has any safety notice issued against it, make sure you follow the instructions given to you by the manufacturer.
They should usually provide you with more information and a contact number on its safety notice.
In some cases, the manufacturer might ask you to return the item for a full redund or arrange for the faulty product to be collected.
You should not be charged for any recall work – such as a repair, replacement or collection of the recalled item.
A spokesperson for Fisher-Price said: “A child fatality is an unimaginable tragedy. Fisher-Price has a long, proud tradition of prioritising safety as the cornerstone of our mission.
“Generations of parents have trusted us for almost 90 years to provide safe products for their children. We are there with you from the moment you bring your child home and take our responsibility for product safety very seriously.
“The CPSC and Fisher-Price have jointly issued an alert warning parents and caregivers to discontinue use of the Rock ‘n Play Sleeper when infants begin to roll over.
“To ensure a safe sleep environment for infants, we remind parents and caregivers to follow all safety warnings included with the product: always use the provided restraints, always place infants on their backs to sleep, and make sure that no pillows, blankets or extra padding are placed in the Rock ‘n Play Sleeper.
“The Rock ‘n Play Sleeper meets all applicable safety standards, including those of the international standards organisation, known as ASTM International, and is certified by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA).”
Argos has recently recalled over a dozen pillows and mattress toppers amid fire hazard fears.
While Smyths and Very have withdrawn a Cry Babies Nala doll over fears it contains a toxic chemical.
Dog food sold in PetsatHome has also been recalled amid concerns it could cause vomiting and weight loss.
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