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 close-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.
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. On August 27, 2008 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. On August 28, 2008 CPSC is announced 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.com
- Toys "R" Us Inc., of Wayne, N.J. - (800) 869-7787 or www.toysrus.com or www.babiesrus.com
- Kmart Corp., of Hoffman Estates, Ill. – (800) 659-7026 or www.kmart.com
- Big Lots!, of Columbus, Ohio – (866) 244-5687 or www.biglots.com
- Target of Minneapolis, Minnesota sold at www.target.com only
- J.C. Penney, of Plano, Texas – (888) 333-6063 or www.jcp.com
These additional retailers have subsequently agreed voluntarily to recall the product and provide a refund or store credit to consumers who return the product to the store where purchased:
| STORE | CITY | STATE |
|---|---|---|
| AAFES | Dallas | TX |
| Amazon.com, LLC | Seattle | WA |
| Bed Bath & Beyond | Union | NJ |
| Burlington Coat Factory | Burlington | NC |
| Buy Buy Baby | Garden City | NY |
| Chelsea & Scott, LTD (OneStepAhead) | Lake Bluff | IL |
| CSN Stores | Boston | MA |
| Fingerhut Direct Marketing | Eden Prairie | MN |
| Frogs and Lily Pads | St. Johnsbury | VT |
| Kohl’s Department Stores | Menomonee Falls | WI |
| ShopKo Stores, Inc. | Green Bay | WI |
| Sweet Pea Décor | North Beach | MD |
| USA Baby #47 | Overland Park | KS |
| USA Baby #58 | Brookfield | WI |
| USA Baby #136 | Berlin | CT |
| USA Baby #141 | Waipahu | HI |
| USA Baby #142 | Virginia Beach | VA |
| USA Baby #147 | Clovis | CA |
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.
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.
Recalled models have removable fabric that is fastened by Velcro over the bars (see top picture). Models that have been modified or redesigned so that the fabric is permanently attached and stitched over the lower bar creating a barrier are not included in this recall (see bottom picture).
Recalled Model
Modified Model
Some Recalled Simplicity Bassinets Include Graco and “Winnie the Pooh” Brand
WASHINGTON, D.C. – – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is aware that some bassinets in the Simplicity recall announced August 28, 2008 include the Graco logo and “Winnie the Pooh” motif licensed by Disney Consumer Products. Consumers are urged to check their bassinets to ensure they are not using one of the recalled Simplicity models, including those with the Graco logo or “Winnie the Pooh” motif.
The Simplicity bassinets with the Graco logo were sold between 2001 and 2004. The Simplicity bassinets with the “Winnie the Pooh” motif were sold between 2002 and 2008.
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:
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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 involving 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.
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