On April 12^th, Fisher-Price recalled all Rock ‘n Play Sleepers, after at least 32 babies have died using the product. This voluntary recall covers nearly 5 million of the infant sleepers, which have been sold since 2009. If you have one of the Rock ‘n Play Sleepers, please stop using it immediately, and contact Fisher-Price online at www.service.mattel.com or toll-free at 866-812-6518, for a refund.

The Rock ‘n Play “sleeper features a fabric cradle on a metal stand that rocks babies so they can be soothed to sleep.”(The New York Times)

A week prior to this voluntary recall, The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Fisher-Price had put out a warning to stop using the Fisher-Price Rock ‘n Play as soon as an infant can roll over (usually around 3 months of age), and to use the three-point harness restraint when putting a baby in the Rock ‘n Play.(US CPSC)

The American Academy of Pediatrics, called the Rock ‘n Play “deadly”, and urged CPSC and Fisher-Price to recall the product.

Safe sleep guidelines by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) state “babies should not be put to bed at an incline because it can increase the risk of suffocation.”(AAP) The guidelines also state that babies should be put to bed on a firm, flat surface. The Rock ‘n Play is not firm or flat.

Here are the specific instructions and warnings included with the Rock ‘n Play Sleeper:

“Failure to follow these warnings and the instructions could result in serious injury or death.

• ALWAYS use the restraint system.
• ALWAYS use the pad provided, which includes the restraint. NEVER add

a mattress, pillow, comforter, or padding.

• SUFFOCATION HAZARD – Infants can suffocate:

– in gaps between an extra pad and the side of the product.

– on soft bedding.

• FALL HAZARD – To prevent falls, DO NOT use this product when the infant begins

to push up on hands and knees, can pull up or sit unassisted or has reached

25 lbs (11 kg), whichever comes first.

• Strings can cause strangulation! NEVER place items with a string around a child’s

neck such as hood strings or pacifier cords. NEVER suspend strings over product

or attach strings to toys.

• NEVER place product near a window where cords from blinds or drapes can

strangle a child.

• To reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), pediatricians

recommend healthy infants be placed on their backs to sleep, unless otherwise

advised by your physician.

• Always provide the supervision necessary for the continued safety of your child.
• When used for playing, never leave child unattended.” (Mattel.com)

Fisher-Price says that it stands by the safety of its product and issued the recall “due to reported incidents in which the product was used contrary to the safety warnings and instructions.” (NBCNews.com)

To see the actual recall on the US CPSC website, click here.

Contact David L. Hood If You’ve Been Hurt by a Defective Product in South Carolina

If you or a loved one has been injured by a recalled or defective product, please schedule a free consultation with attorney David L. Hood by calling (843) 491-6025 or filling out our brief online contact form.

We know how difficult it can be to deal with the effects of product defect-related injuries and the untold pain and suffering they cause. At the Law Offices of David L. Hood, we work hard to protect your rights and make things simple for you and your family so you can focus on healing. After a free case evaluation, attorney David L. Hood, co-counsel, and our team of experts will vigorously pursue your case to get you the best result we can achieve. Let us put years of experience to work for you!

*Clients are not liable for any expenses unless there is a recovery in their case; however, if there is a recovery in their case, clients will be liable for expenses. Attorney’s fees are based on a percentage of the recovery, which will be computed before deducting expenses.

 

Other online research used in this article:

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2019/04/08/fisher-price-rock-n-play-consumer-reports-calls-immediate-recall/3402268002/

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2019/04/05/fisher-price-rock-n-play-warning-issued-after-10-babies-died/3379241002/

https://6abc.com/health/consumer-reports-more-than-30-deaths-associated-with-sleeper/5238786/