Feds Warn of 14 Infant Deaths in Rockers From Fisher-Price, Kids2

WEDNESDAY, June 15, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- At least 13 infant deaths have been reported in Fisher-Price's Infant-to-Toddler Rockers and Newborn-to-Toddler Rockers since 2009, while there has been one death reported with a Kids2 Bright Starts Rocker, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and both companies warned in new alerts issued Tuesday.

Rockers should never be used for sleep, and infants should never be unsupervised or unrestrained in the rockers, CPSC and the companies stressed.

Fisher-Price has sold more than 17 million rockers worldwide since the 1990s and recommends consumers visit its Safe Start website for safety videos, tips and additional safety information, as well as the latest safety warnings. Consumers are asked to report incidents to Fisher-Price at 1-800-432-5437.

Kids2 has sold more than 1.8 million rockers worldwide since 2012 and encourages consumers to call Kids2 at 1-800-230-8190 or go to its website to ask questions or report incidents.

The CPSC said consumers can report incidents involving rockers or other infant products at its website. The agency investigates incidents and deaths that occur while infants are using the products.

Parents and caregivers should never use inclined products such as rockers, gliders, soothers, and swings for infant sleep, and should not leave infants in these products unsupervised, unrestrained or with bedding material, due to the risk of suffocation, the CPSC advises.

A new agency rule requiring that infant sleep products have a sleep surface angle of 10 degrees or less takes effect on June 23.

The CPSC offers the following safety tips:

• The best place for an infant to sleep is on a firm, flat surface in a crib, bassinet or play yard.
• Use a fitted sheet only and never add blankets, pillows, padded crib bumpers or other items to an infant's sleep setting.
• Infants should always be placed to sleep on their back. Infants who fall asleep in an inclined or upright position should be moved to a location with a firm, flat surface such as a crib, bassinet or play yard.

More information

For more on infant sleep safety, go to the American Academy of Pediatrics.

SOURCES: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Fisher-Price, Kids2, news releases, June 14, 2022