Over two million infant swings and rockers have been recalled for safety reasons after a baby tragically died.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission in the US has announced the recall of a number of 4Moms MamaRoo Baby Swings and RockaRoo Baby Rockers due to entanglement and strangulation concerns.
The company has unfortunately received two incident reports involving children who became tangled in the restraint straps, which can dangle below the seat when not in use.
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The CPSC explained in a press release that "non-occupant crawling infants can become entangled in the straps, posing a strangulation hazard."
The two reports were involving an unoccupied MamaRoo infant swing. Tragically, according to the CPSC, one 10-month-old baby died from asphyxiation, while another infant of the same age suffered bruising to the neck.
There have been no reported incidents involving the RockaRoo.
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The CPSC explained that two million MamaRoo swings and 220,000 RockaRoo rockers have been recalled. They noted that in addition, 60,000 MamaRoo and 10,000 RockaRoo were sold in Canada.
The swings and rockers were sold at BuyBuy Baby and Target stores nationwide and online at 4moms.com and Amazon from January 2010 through to August 2022.
The CPSC has advised parents what to do if they own one of these products, explaining: "Consumers with infants who can crawl should immediately stop using the recalled swings and rockers and place them in an area where crawling infants cannot access.
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"Consumers should contact 4Moms immediately to register for a free strap fastener that will prevent the straps from extending under the swing when not in use."
A statement by 4Moms reads: "Families put their trust in our company when they choose to bring our products into their homes. That’s why we take every precaution and make the extra effort to ensure that our baby gear products not only meet but exceed all applicable safety standards.
"We are deeply saddened by the two incidents that occurred when babies crawled under the seat of unoccupied MamaRoo swings. After investigating the circumstances behind these two reported incidents, 4moms decided to conduct a voluntary recall in partnership with the CPSC.
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"The free strap fastener kit we have designed is an easy-to-install solution that we believe will prevent any other incidents from happening when a MamaRoo or RockaRoo is not in use and an infant crawls under the seat. We strongly urge our consumers, retailers, and re-seller partners to implement the strap fastener solution to ensure the complete safety of our products.
"We will continue to hold ourselves to the highest quality and safety standards so that parents feel safe, secure, and confident in their decision to have 4moms support their family."
If you've been affected by any of the issues in this story, you can speak in confidence about where to get help from Mind free on 0300 123 3393, 9am–6pm Monday to Friday
Alternatively, if you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence contact Cruse Bereavement Care via their national helpline on 0808 808 1677
Lucy Devine