Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Important safety recall

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.



11 comments:

  1. This is terrible. I could never imagine what a mother feels like losing a baby. Especially when you think you can trust a bed not to kill your child. Most women only think about SIDS when there babies are born.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks for the "heads up". I forwarded your post to both of my daughters. I can't remember which basinets they have for my grand-babies.

    Deb

    ReplyDelete
  3. Also!

    I was thinking about you today Zsuzsanna..

    I was baking a recipe that I got from my dear sweet German Grandmother- Berniece Viola Getzinger. It is called "Pflaumen Kuchen". There is about a 2 week window when I can bake this, because the "italian prune plums" that it calls for have such a limited time that they are available.

    I don't know if you can get these plums in Arizona. You can also use apples, or sour cherries, instead of the plums. This cake is loaded with fruit, and low on fat, so therefore a healthier dessert than most. AND- it comes from my German grandmother!!! AND by the way, it is awesomely delicious!!

    If you want me to forward it to you, just let me know!

    Blessings-
    Deb

    ReplyDelete
  4. I used the Graco play yard with the built in bassinet/changing table--it had no bar. I'm glad I couldn't afford a "close sleeper". My kids sleep in a normal bassinet for the first five months, and then they sleep with me until about age 2 1/2.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oh my! I just realized, I used this type of bassinet with Ethan. I never used the close sleeper. Praise God nothing happened to him.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Yeah, I’m one of the people who voted “I hate it but morbid curiosity gets the best of me.”

    However, thank you so much for posting this. I have one of these. The picture you posted is TERRIFYING to me. My baby has not slept in it for a year, and it is just gathering dust now, but I’m just shaking about what could have happened.

    I’m taking it back this weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Don't know if you will read this, but I'd like to add this. (No swearing or vulgarity is involved.) I do like reading about your efforts in natural baking. This is very interesting to me. I also like reading about your children and homeschooling.

    While I don't agree with you much politically or on your religious views, something keeps me coming back.

    I remember seeing this from the Howard Stern movie. Note, I'm not in any way shape or form comparing you to Howard Stern.

    They were discussing his ratings.
    "People who like Howard listen for an hour. Reason given, they want to see what he will say next. People who hate Howard listen for two hours. Reason given: They want to see what he will say next." I think that's why I come here... I'm wondering what you will say next.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Deb,

    I would love your recipe. Where do you find the special plums for it? For years, I have been looking for them without success. I often buy German cooking magazines at the German store in town, and this month's issue is full of various plum cakes, but alas, I can't find that variety anywhere.

    Nikki,

    Glad to hear Ethan was safe! You can return the bassinet to the store where you bought it for a full refund.

    Wendylou,

    The picture is indeed very frightening. I can't imagine going to check on my baby to find it in that position. The poor parents are no doubt traumatized for life. I am glad your baby was safe, and that you have gotten something valuable out of reading my blog! :)

    Most negative comments don't get published because I rarely take the time to read more than the first line. If I do, most of them are just too boring to post (i.e. more of the same objections that everyone has already heard hundreds of times). When I started this blog it really was just intended to keep family and friends updated. Since my friends and I agree on most doctrinal issues, me writing about "hot button issues" is intended to encourage them, not to make others with different opinions mad. People who disagree with me are welcome to their opinion, and they are welcome to visit my blog, but this just isn't a platform for them to voice their opinions.

    I think if you met me in person, you would find that I am as likable and civilized a person as anyone else. I find it ironic that all the people who find me intolerant and rude are so intolerant and rude to me. Tolerance, it seems, only moves to the left (i.e. more liberal views), but nobody wants to tolerate someone who is more "right wing" than they are. Before I became a Christian, I was about as radically left-wing as can be, but my world views changed in light of believing the Bible instead of my own gut feelings of right and wrong.

    As you noticed, I have a lot of other interest, such as healthy living, and I am glad to hear you glean interesting things from my blog in spite of our major differences.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Zsuzsanna-

    I will post the recipe later this evening- I'm in the middle of cooking dinner right now, and just sat down for a minute.

    I got my Italian Prune Plums at my local Whole Foods store. Do you have Whole Foods in Arizona? These plums have about a 2 week window for availability. You could use other plums, but the prune plums have just the right balance of sweet/tart/juicy. Oh. My. Goodness...this cake is so delicious!

    I had enough that I made 5 (yes I said FIVE) of these cakes, and froze four. If you can't find the prune plums, I'd be so delighted to send you one of me extra cakes.


    As I said before, this cake is also so delicious with apples (tart granny smith), sour cherries, peaches etc. But I think it is the best with the plums.

    I'll be back later with the recipe!

    Deb

    ReplyDelete
  10. Zsuzanna-

    I forgot to ask you- do you want me to post this recipe in these comments, or email them to you? I don't see an email address....

    Deb

    ReplyDelete
  11. Deb,

    you can either leave the recipe as a comment, or e-mail it to me at zsanderson@cox.net

    I will have to check our Whole foods for those plums. Can't wait to try the recipe! Not sure if mailing a cake would work (although that would be just wonderful!!!) because temperatures here are still in the high 90s every day and I don't know if it would spoil during shipping.

    ReplyDelete

Your KINDLY WORDED, constructive comments are welcome, whether or not they express a differing opinion. All others will be deleted without second thought.