Deaths Caused by Baby Slings Prompt Safety Alert

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is preparing to issue a safety warning regarding baby slings. This safety alert has been prompted by the significant risk of infant suffocation and reportedly, some infants have already succumbed to this terrible hazard. Our New York defective product lawyers are also concerned about this hazard and the harm it could cause to infants.

Inez Tenenbaum, the head of the CPSC said her agency is going to issue a general warning to the public about baby slings. “We know of too many deaths in these slings and we now know the hazard scenarios for very small babies. So, the time has come to alert parents and caregivers,” said Tenenbaum.

During a meeting of the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association, an industry trade group that certifies some children’s products, Tenenbaum spoke about baby slings. Although, Tenenbaum did not single out any particular brand and she did not mention how many deaths have been associated with these infant products.

In the last couple of years, there have been complaints regarding some baby carriers. Consumer Reports raised concerns in 2008 regarding soft fabric baby slings and the numerous serious injuries that were reported. The concern, however, was regarding the risk of children falling out of slings. Consumer Reports did follow up in a blog about suffocation risk of baby slings, citing these slings as a factor in at least seven infant deaths.

The issue with baby slings is the possible position that the baby can get into while in the device, known as the “C-like” position. This curved position can make it difficult to breathe. The other risk is that the baby could turn toward the mother and suffocate in her clothing.

In 2007, the Infantino’s “SlingRider” was recalled for problems with the plastic sliders on the sling’s strap. To date, there have not been any recalls due to the risk of suffocation.

If your child has been injured by a defective product in New York, such as a baby sling, stroller, play pen or crib, contact a Long Island personal injury attorney at our law firm at 800.734.9445. We have offices in Long Island and Manhattan.