Congressional Committee Asks Graco and Chicco to Consider Recalling Inclined Sleepers
Congressional Committee Asks Graco and Chicco to Consider Recalling Inclined Sleepers
A House Representatives committee is asking children’s products manufacturers Graco and Chicco to consider recalling their popular baby products citing dozens of infant deaths that have been linked to infant sleepers. According to a report on USA Today, Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., who is chairwoman of the House Oversight and Reform Committee, has requested information on the design and safety of Chicco’s Lullaby Playards and Graco’s Care Station Playard products, which include an inclined sleeper component.
Products Pose Suffocation Risks
The Playards were formerly called playpens and sometimes also referred to as portable cribs and some of them include bassinets or sleeper accessories. Maloney wrote in her letter to Graco calling on both companies to provide documentation about the products’ safety by March 20. Inclined sleepers have been linked to at least 73 reported infant deaths as of late January, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
Millions of infant sleeper products have been recalled since last year including 4.7 million Fisher-Price Rock’n Play sleepers. In late January, Graco, Summer Infant, Evenflo, and Delta Children recalled more than 165,000 inclined infant sleepers because they pose a suffocation risk for infants. Safety advocates have called on manufacturers of these products to keep consumers better informed. Advocates have also said sales of these dangerous and defective products should be stopped immediately.
Why Infant Sleepers are Dangerous
Inclined sleepers grew in popularity because they are light, inexpensive and have melodies and lights to soothe babies. However, the inclined position may allow the baby to shift on to his or her back or side – positions that can inhibit breathing. A number of child fatalities that were linked to these products involved suffocation. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has strongly spoken out against the use of these products because of the dangers they pose.
If your child has been injured as a result of these or other defective products, it is important to understand that you have legal rights. You may be able to file a product liability lawsuit against the manufacturer of the defective product seeking compensation for the injuries and losses caused. Families of deceased victims may also be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit seeking compensation for their losses. An experienced California product defect lawyer will be able to help victims and their families better understand their legal rights and options.
