Foundation for Better Childhood Development

Health & Safety

CPSC Educates New Parents on Safe Babywearing

  • Friday, 19 November 2010 00:00
  • Written by Funtastic Learning Toys


CPSC Educates New Parents on Safe Babywearing

Infant suffocation deaths in slings prompt renewed effort to warn moms and dads

WASHINGTON, D. C. - Infant slings and wraps have been used for thousands of years in many different cultures. For many parents across the United States, "babywearing" promotes a positive bond between child and parent. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) wants to make sure that parents and caregivers are aware of important safety information related to the proper use of slings.

CPSC is taking this opportunity to urge everyone to use slings and wraps safely, as CPSC has identified 14 infant suffocation deaths with sling-style carriers over the past 20 years. After reviewing numerous cases, child safety experts at CPSC have determined that parents with infants younger than four months of age, premature, low-birthweight babies, and babies with colds and respiratory problems should take extra care in using a sling, including consulting their pediatrician.

Suffocation/asphyxiation can occur when babies are contained entirely within the pouch of a sling with their face, including nose and mouth, pressed against the adult's body, blocking their breathing. Suffocation can occur within minutes.

Because of the nature of the product and its use, some slings tend to keep an infant in a curled, chin-to-chest position, which can interfere with breathing. When an infant is in the chin-to-chest position, suffocation can occur. Both scenarios are serious concerns to CPSC. Many of the babies who died in slings were twins in separate slings and infants with breathing issues.

CPSC recommends that parents and caregivers:

* Make sure you can see your baby's face or eyes in the sling and that your baby can see you. Also, you should place the baby's face at or above the rim of a sling or wrap so that their face is visible.

* After nursing your baby, change the baby's position in the sling, so that the baby's face is at or above the rim of a sling or wrap and that their face is visible and clear of fabric and the mother's body. You should be vigilant about frequently checking the baby in a sling.

Tips for Safer Toy Shopping and Playing Experience

  • Thursday, 18 November 2010 00:00
  • Written by Funtastic Learning Toys


CPSC Releases Top Three Tips for a Safer Holiday Toy Shopping and Playing Experience

1. Which Toy for Which Child - Always choose age appropriate toys.

2. Gear Up for Safety - Include safety gear whenever shopping for sports-related gifts or ride-on toys, including bicycles, skates, and scooters.

3. Location, Location, Location - Be aware of your child's surroundings during play. Young children should avoid playing with ride-on toys near automobile traffic, pools or ponds. They also should avoid playing in indoor areas associated with hazards such as kitchens and bathrooms and in rooms with corded window blinds.

Here are some additional safety steps that consumers can take while shopping this holiday season:

Read more: Tips for Safer Toy Shopping and Playing Experience

Deaths Prompt Warning on Infant Sleep Positioners

  • Wednesday, 29 September 2010 00:00
  • Written by Funtastic Learning Toys

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today warned consumers to stop using infant sleep positioners. Over the past 13 years, CPSC and the FDA have received 12 reports of infants between the ages of 1 month and 4 four months who died when they suffocated in sleep positioners or became trapped and suffocated between a sleep positioner and the side of a crib or bassinet.

Most of the infants suffocated after rolling from a side to stomach position. In addition to the reported deaths, CPSC has received dozens of reports of infants who were placed on their backs or sides in sleep positioners, only to be found later in potentially hazardous positions within or next to the sleep positioners.

Read more: Deaths Prompt Warning on Infant Sleep Positioners

Hidden Hazards for Children in the Homes

  • Thursday, 23 September 2010 00:00
  • Written by Funtastic Learning Toys

CPSC Urges Parents to Inspect and Secure TVs, Furniture, and Appliances in Child-Proofing Efforts

On average, one child dies every two weeks due to tipovers


WASHINGTON, D.C. - Many parents and caregivers may not be aware that one of the top hidden hazards in the homes where young children live or visit is unsecured and unstable TVs, furniture and appliances. Today, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging families to take a moment to inspect and secure these items to prevent any more tragedies.

Between 2000 and 2008, CPSC staff received reports of nearly 200 tipover related deaths involving children eight years old and younger. Nearly all of these fatalities (93%) involved children five years old and younger.

More than 16,000 children five years old and younger were treated in emergency rooms because of injuries associated with TVs, furniture, and appliance tipovers according to CPSC staff’s most recent estimates from 2006.

Read more: Hidden Hazards for Children in the Homes