Two Infants Die Due to Strangulation While Using Simplicity Close Sleeper Bassinets
"Despite the two deaths from these bassinets, no official recall has been issued yet. Simplicity Inc.'s assets were purchased at public auction in April 2008 by SFCA Inc., and SFCA Inc. refuses to cooperate with CPSC to recall the bassinets. Sadly, the company believes it is not responsible for products previously manufactured by Simplicity Inc."
Sad, indeed, when the product is not safe and deaths have been involved. Changes have been made to more recent versions of this model. The deaths occurred because of metal bars that fabric is supposed to cover, thus preventing entrapment (even though the bars exceed the maximum allowable distance). The new versions have the fabric permanently affixed over the bars. If they've made the change, then it's clear that they are aware of a problem, so why no recall when it could prevent more deaths?
UPDATE:The company won't take responsibility for recalling these bassinets, so retailers have taken action. The following retailers are removing the bassinets from their shelves and are offering refunds and store credits if your bassinet was purchased there:
- Wal-Mart Stores
- Toys "R" Us
- Babies "R" Us
- Kmart
- Big Lots
- Target
- J.C. Penney
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Comments
Can you please try to explain more about the problem with this sleeper? Your explanation is terrible. Did you write this in a rush? How does fabric prevent entrapment? I don’t understand. I guess I will check the company’s website for someone who knows what they are saying. Please rewrite this. Many people/parents will read it and be no more informed afterward.
I included a link in the headline that offers more information. I wish I could link to information on the Simplicity site, but because the company refuses to cooperate and recall the item, there is nothing available there that you would normally expect (like pictures of the problem areas, etc.) except information about numerous other products they’ve had to recall, some that also involved infant deaths and injuries.
So, let me see if I can clear it up here. I definitely do not want anybody to keep using the bassinet because they are confused or think that even though 2 babies have died it might somehow still be OK. It’s not.
The bassinet has bars.
These bars are further apart than they are supposed to be.
There is fabric that is supposed to cover the bars.
The fabric can come loose.
When it comes loose, a baby’s head can get trapped between the bars and they can be strangled to death.
In the new model the fabric covering the bars is permanently affixed so, in theory, it can’t come loose.
Please stop using this bassinet, even though the company is not offering a refund or exchange…
Also, since I posted that, a very thorough report from the Chicago Tribune came out which includes a picture of the product so you can kind of get an idea what the bar I’m talking about looks like… It also details the troubles that Simplicity has had previously and why the CPSC had to go around the company and issue this alert the way they did.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-bassinetaug28,0,6401002.story
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08378.html
Here is the CPSC link that shows what the problem is.
Thanks so much for posting that link. This morning the picture had not been added to the press release from the CPSC.
That makes it clear as day what those parents found when they walked in the room. The description from the Aunt and family friend in the Tribune article made my heart just sink to even imagine.
Kirsten, could you have been any more rude? You could have phrased that a little nicer, in my humble opinion!
it is my understanging that bassinets/sidecars/moses baskets/cosleepers are only supposed to be used up to 3 months of age. these babies were 4 months and 6 months old. does anyone have any differing info about this product? was it supposed to be used for those ages?
if the child can roll, they are not supposed to be in those products any longer.
I agree with Amanda, Why were these babies still in the bassinets at that age? Also I’m still unclear as to how a baby gets caught after seeing the example of the doll the flap was down it says if improperly attached the velcroed flap can loosen and baby is trapped? It sounds like a combo of faulty use and a bassinet that has the a fatal hazzard when not used properly. But I still wouldnt use the thing after hearing the story. What if a caretaker used it “improperly”.
they need to recall them