CPSC Issues Warning on "Simplicity" Bassinets; Recall Urged

Parents and child care providers should immediately stop using certain "Simplicity" brand baby bassinets due to the risk of accidental infant strangulation, a federal product safety agency announced on Wednesday. At least two infant deaths have been linked to a design problem with the bassinet, and CPSC has begun asking retailers to recall more than 900,000 of the affected products.

The warning from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) applies to convertible 3-in-1 and 4-in-1 "close-sleeper/bedside sleeper" bassinets manufactured by Simplicity Inc., of Reading, Pa. CPSC reports that it has received two reports of infants dying from strangulation after becoming trapped between the bassinet’s metal bars. (See the CPSC Warning for detailed information on the affected Simplicity bassinets, and instructions for parents and care providers.) The agency announced that "[d]ue 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."

Reuters reports that CPSC is asking retailers to stop selling the Simplicity bassinets and recall the more than 900,000 that have already been sold -- and so far six major retailers have agreed. The Chicago Tribune calls the Simplicity bassinet "one of the most popular" in the country, and reports that a full recall of the affected bassinets is being pushed for by the family of a 6-month old baby who died on August 21, after becoming caught between a metal support and the bassinet mattress.

• CPSC Warning on "Simplicity" Bassinets
• Six Retailers Agree to Recall 'Simplicity' Bassinets (CPSC)
• Some Recalled Simplicity Bassinets Include Graco and 'Winnie the Pooh' Brand (CPSC)
• Reuters: Regulator Seeks Recall of Simplicity Bassinets
• Chicago Tribune: Popular Bassinet Linked to at Least 2 Babies' Deaths
• Safety Tips from CPSC
• Defective and Dangerous Products (FindLaw)
• What is Product Liability? (FindLaw)