1. Infants Strangled to Death in Simplicity Bassinets: CPSC Urges Consumers To Stop Using Simplicity 3-in-1 and 4-in-1 Convertible “Close-Sleeper” Models
NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs
Washington, DC 20207
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 27, 2008
Release #08-378
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908
Infants Strangled to Death in Simplicity Bassinets: CPSC Urges Consumers To Stop Using Simplicity 3-in-1 and 4-in-1 Convertible “Close-Sleeper” Models
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging parents and caregivers to stop using convertible “close-sleeper/bedside sleeper” bassinets manufactured by Simplicity Inc., of Reading, Pa. CPSC has learned that on August 21, 2008, a 5-month-old girl from Shawnee, Kan. was strangled to death when she became entrapped between the bassinet’s metal bars. This is the second strangulation death CPSC has learned of in the co-sleeper bassinets. On September 29, 2007, a 4-month-old girl from Noel, Mo. became entrapped in the metal bars of the bassinet and died.
CPSC is issuing this safety alert because SFCA Inc., the company which purchased all of Simplicity Inc.’s assets at public auction in April 2008, has refused to cooperate with the government and recall the products. SFCA maintains that it is not responsible for products previously manufactured by Simplicity Inc.
The Simplicity 3-in-1 and 4-in-1 convertible bassinets contain metal bars spaced farther apart than 2 3/8 inches, which is the maximum distance allowed under the federal crib safety standard. The metal bars are covered by an adjustable fabric flap which is attached by velcro. The fabric is folded down when the bassinet is converted into a bed-side co-sleeping position. If the velcro is not properly re-secured when the flap is adjusted, an infant can slip through the opening and become entrapped in the metal bars and suffocate. This warning does not cover bassinets produced in recent months that have fabric permanently attached over the lower bar.
Due to the serious hazard these bassinets pose to babies, CPSC urges all consumers to share this safety warning with day care centers, consignment stores, family and friends to ensure that no child is placed to sleep in a Simplicity convertible bassinet covered by this warning.
The Commission voted, using its new authorities in the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, to release this warning upon making a finding that the health and safety of the public require immediate notice.
To see this release on CPSC's web site, including pictures of the recalled product, please go to:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08378.html********************************************************
2. Six Retailers Agree To Stop Sale and Recall Simplicity Bassinets Due To Strangulation Hazard
NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs
Washington, DC 20207
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 28, 2008
Release #08-381
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908
Six Retailers Agree To Stop Sale and Recall Simplicity Bassinets Due To Strangulation Hazard
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging retailers across the country to protect the health and safety of babies by stopping sale and recalling nearly 900,000 dangerous Simplicity bassinets. Yesterday, CPSC warned parents, caregivers and consumers to immediately stop using convertible "close-sleeper/bedside sleeper" bassinets manufactured by Simplicity Inc., of Reading, Pa., due to a serious safety risk. Today, CPSC is announcing that the following retailers have voluntarily agreed to recall the product and provide a refund or store credit to consumers who return the product to the store where purchased:
Wal-Mart Stores Inc., of Bentonville, Ark. – (800) 925-6278 or
www.walmart.comToys "R" Us Inc., of Wayne, N.J. - (800) 869-7787 or
www.toysrus.com or
www.babiesrus.comKmart Corp., of Hoffman Estates, Ill. – (800) 659-7026 or
www.kmart.comBig Lots!, of Columbus, Ohio – (866) 244-5687 or
www.biglots.comTarget of Minneapolis, Minnesota sold at
www.target.com only
J.C. Penney, of Plano, Texas – (888) 333-6063 or
www.jcp.comBelow is a listing of Simplicity 3-in-1 and 4-in-1 Convertible "Close-Sleeper" model bassinets that are included in this recall. The model number can be found on a label on the underside of the bassinet.
RECALLED Model Numbers:
3000CL
3112DOH6
3011WHE
9250A
3016LAU
3046GTM
3010BIJ
3112DOH7
3011WHK
3012SOM
3016MIR
3046HAN
3010HAV
3122BAN
3012BIJ
5750SAR
3017NCB
3047MON
3010NGS
3122TGC
3012OXF
3012TGT
3020SFB
3050LIL
3010TGT
3010BIJC
3012SFD
3013PRO
3025BER
3050SAR
3010WHE
343-8363
3040SAR
9250B
3025C
3060GFS
3040LAU
343-8399
3040SPR
3014LOL
3026CRT
3060TFS
TD2500
3045FEL
3050SWT
3014NGS
3027MIS
8393
3040WDS
3111DPC
3060BTL
3015GFR
3030SAR
3040SPRC
3045DRM
3012LLTC
3112BDY
3070MAN
3040CLA
3040LAC
3111ZOL
3050SWTC
3045OXFC
3112DOH
5730FKB
3045DRMC
CPSC learned that on August 21, 2008, a 6 ½-month-old girl from Shawnee, Kan. was strangled to death when she became entrapped between the bassinet’s metal bars. This is the second strangulation death CPSC has learned of in the co-sleeper bassinets. On September 29, 2007, a 4-month-old girl from Noel, Mo. became entrapped in the metal bars of the bassinet and died.
The Simplicity 3-in-1 and 4-in-1 convertible bassinets contain metal bars that are covered by an adjustable fabric flap which is attached by velcro. The fabric is folded down when the bassinet is converted into a bed-side co-sleeping position. If the velcro is not properly re-secured when the flap is adjusted, an infant can slip through the opening and become entrapped in the metal bars and suffocate. This warning does not cover bassinets produced in recent months that have fabric permanently attached over the lower bar.
Due to the serious hazard these bassinets pose to babies, CPSC urges all consumers to share this safety warning with day care centers, consignment stores, family and friends to ensure that no child is placed to sleep in a Simplicity convertible bassinet covered by this warning.
To see this release on CPSC's web site, including pictures of the recalled product, please go to:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08381.html********************************************************
