1 million baby slings recalled after three infant deaths
More than 1 million baby slings made by Infantino are being recalled because the products have been linked to three infant deaths.
Posted — Updated
The Consumer Product Safety Commission says babies can suffocate in the soft fabric slings. The agency is urging parents to immediately stop using the slings for babies under 4 months.
The recall involves 1 million Infantino "SlingRider" and "Wendy Bellissimo" slings in the United States and 15,000 in Canada. It follows a warning earlier this month from CPSC that sling-style baby carriers pose a suffocation risk to newborns.
CPSC officials said they are aware of three reports of deaths that occurred in the slings in 2009 – a 7-week-old infant in Philadelphia, a 6-day-old infant in Salem, Ore. and a 3-month-old infant in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Infantino President Jack Vresics says the company will offer a free replacement baby carrier, activity gym or shopping cart cover to any affected consumer.
Infantino sold the slings in the United States and Canada from January 2003 through March 2010 at Walmart, Burlington Coat Factory, Target, Babies “R” Us, BJ’s Wholesale, various baby and children’s stores and other retailers nationwide, and on the Web at Amazon.com, for between $25 and $30.
Consumers should stop using the recalled slings immediately and contact Infantino to receive a free replacement product, with a choice of a Wrap & Tie infant carrier, or a 2 in 1 Shopping Cart Cover, or a 3 in 1 Grow & Play Activity Gym. A Jittery Pals Rattle will also be provided.
Contact Infantino toll-free at 866-860-1361 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.infantino.com.
Copyright 2024 by WRAL.com and the Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
