Friday, August 29, 2008

URGENT: Simplicity Bassinets Recalled Due to Deaths

The US Product Safety Commission has issued an urgent recall on the following items. For more information, please visit, http://www.mykidzgotstyle.com/servlet/the-template/recalls/Page?sfs=387bbd9b



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


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 27, 2008
Release #08-378
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

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 co-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.

To see this release on CPSC's web site, including pictures of the recalled
product, please go to: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08378.html

********************************************************
Six Retailers Agree To Stop Sale and Recall Simplicity Bassinets Due To
Strangulation Hazard


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 28, 2008
Release #08-381
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Six Retailers Agree To Stop Sale and Recall Simplicity Bassinets Due To
Strangulation Hazard


WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging
retailers across the country to protect the health and safety of babies by
stopping sale and recalling nearly 900,000 dangerous Simplicity bassinets.
Yesterday, CPSC warned parents, caregivers and consumers to immediately stop
using convertible "close-sleeper/bedside sleeper" bassinets manufactured by
Simplicity Inc., of Reading, Pa., due to a serious safety risk. Today, CPSC is
announcing that the following retailers have voluntarily agreed to recall the
product and provide a refund or store credit to consumers who return the
product to the store where purchased:

Wal-Mart Stores Inc., of Bentonville, Ark. – (800) 925-6278 or www.walmart.com
Toys "R" Us Inc., of Wayne, N.J. - (800) 869-7787 or www.toysrus.com or
http://www.babiesrus.com/
Kmart Corp., of Hoffman Estates, Ill. – (800) 659-7026 or www.kmart.com
Big Lots!, of Columbus, Ohio – (866) 244-5687 or www.biglots.com
Target of Minneapolis, Minnesota sold at www.target.com only
J.C. Penney, of Plano, Texas – (888) 333-6063 or www.jcp.com


For the complete list of recalled model numbers, please visit, http://www.mykidzgotstyle.com/servlet/the-template/recalls/Page?sfs=387bbd9b

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