Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Fisher-Price issues warning over Rock 'n Play Sleeper linked to 10 infant deaths

General manager says a 'child fatality is an unimaginable tragedy'

Maya Oppenheim
Women's Correspondent
Saturday 06 April 2019 19:11 EDT
Comments
The Consumer Product Safety Commissionurged parents to stop using the product as soon as their child is able to roll over
The Consumer Product Safety Commissionurged parents to stop using the product as soon as their child is able to roll over (Fisher-Price)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Parents have been warned to stop using a portable cot made by Fisher-Price after ten children have died in recent years.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) urged parents to stop using the product as soon as their child is able to roll over.

Both Fisher-Price and the commission issued a warning about the Rock ‘n Play sleeper on Friday – linking the product to ten deaths.

The infants, who were three months or older, rolled from their back to their stomach or side while unrestrained, according to the commission.

The warning, which failed to explain what caused the infants' death, said to “never add blankets, pillows, stuffed toys, or other items to the environment” and always put infants to sleep on their backs.

Fisher-Price, a US toy company, had previously warned consumers to stop using the product when infants can roll over and possibly fall.

“The reported deaths show that some consumers are still using the product when infants are capable of rolling and without using the three point harness restraint,” the company said in the recent statement.

Chuck Scothon, general manager at Fisher-Price, said a “child fatality is an unimaginable tragedy” in a statement about the warning.

Mr Scothon also noted that the sleeper meets all “applicable safety standards.”

He added: “Fisher-Price and every one of our employees take the responsibility of being part of your family seriously, and we are committed to earning that trust every day”.

Patty Davis, a spokesperson for the CPSC, said the latest death was reported last month. She said the commission is currently investigating the product.

“If it turns out that it needs to be recalled, we will move forward with that,” Ms Davis told CNN.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in