It's not a formal recall, but the Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a warning that baby slings can be dangerous or even deadly to infants, the Chicago Sun-Times reports. Baby slings and carriers come in such a dizzying array of styles, as you can see from this ad from Sling Station, that it would be difficult to pinpoint which are safe and which are not so safe.
The agency has investigated more than 13 deaths related to baby slings in the last two decades, three in just the last year. Twelve of those deaths involved infants younger than four months.
Specifically, the CPSC warns that baby slings have the potential to cause suffocation in one of two ways:
- The fabric can block a baby's mouth and nose, cutting off air supply and causing suffocation in as little as two minutes.
- Slings that cradle the baby in a curved, "C-like" position can cause a baby to slump its head forward and restrict its ability to breathe, rendering the baby unable to cry for help.
The only baby sling singled out in the Sun-Times article was the "Sling Rider" carrier manufactured by Infantino. The CPSC maintains that this sling and others like it present the second hazard, as they tend to place the infant in a curved position. In fact, many parents have said as much in the abundance of 1-star reviews at retailer Amazon.com calling for the product to be recalled.
Infantino and the CPSC actually did recall the Sling Rider in 2007, but it was for a fall hazard that was corrected. Other slings that have been recalled include the Ellaroo Ring Sling carrier in 2008 and the ZoloWear Infant Carrier in 2005, also for fall hazards.
The Juvenile Products Manufacturers' Association, an industry trade group, indicated to the Sun-Times that it is in the process of developing standards for slings and carriers.
If you, or a loved one has questions with regards to injuries sustained from a baby sling, it may be best to contact a Chicago injury lawyer.
Related Resources:
- Product Liability (FindLaw, ABA Family Legal Guide)
- Infant Deaths Prompt CPSC Warning About Sling Carriers for Babies (CPSC)
- Directory of Chicago Injury Lawyers (FindLaw)
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