The CPSC is recalling about 2 million Mother’s Touch/Deluxe Baby
Bathers because a potential problem with its folding wire frame places
infants at risk of fall accidents. Already, there have been seven reports
of incidents over this product safety issue, including those involving
five babies who sustained head injuries. One infant had to go to the ER
after developing a bump to the head, while the four others, ages 2 weeks
to 2 months, sustained skull fractures, with one of them ending up in
the ICU because of a brain bleed.
The bathers are supposed to be used to hold a baby during bath time. The
safety issue might come into play if the bather is being carried or lifted
while there is an infant in it. If its folding wire frame were to suddenly
become disengaged from the side hinge, the child could fall out.
The recall affects more than three dozen models. Consumers need to stop
using the bathers right away and contact the manufacturer, Summer Infant
Inc., to receive a free repair kit. However, CPSC says that even once
the repair has been made, the baby bather shouldn’t be used to carry
or lift an infant. (Bathers that were made beginning July 2007 or later
come with a warning not to do either.) Also, Health Canada, which is recalling
about 65,000 baby bather units, noted that misusing the product as an
infant carrier could cause the headrest to fold and the child to fall out.
The past couple of months have a busy time for child products that were
recalled because of their injury risks. Just two weeks ago, our products
liability law firm reported on the recall of 4 million Bumbo baby seats.
This was the second mass recall of this product since 2007 and comes after
reports of at least 84 child falls, with more than 20 skull fractures
resulting. It seems that even when used as designed, Bumbo seats have
continued to cause injuries to children.
Last month, Kolcraft recalled about 5,600 Contours Options LT Tandem Strollers
over concerns that that they pose both a choking and fall hazard to kids.
The fall hazard can arise if the front wheel assembly breaks. Strollers
made in January and February 2012 might pose a choking hazard if the support
screws from the baskets detach. There have been no reports of related
choking injuries so far. All Contours Options LT Tandem strollers, model
number ZT012, are included in this recall. (This recall by Kolcraft comes
on the heels of its recall of 36,000 Contours Options strollers because
of laceration and amputation injury risks. At least three children and
two adults have been hurt.)
You can visit the CPSC Web site, which you can find below, for a list
of all other recalls.
As child products liability lawyers, we are familiar with the different
product defects that can pose a safety hazard to kids and babies. Unfortunately,
even with all the safety regulations that exist and the past incidents
of child injuries that have occurred due to such defects (as well as malfunctions),
accidents can and do happen.
Serious Head Injuries with Falls From Summer Infant Baby Bathers, CPSC,
August 29, 2012
Kolcraft Recalls Contours Tandem Strollers Due to Fall and Choking Hazards,
CPSC, July 24, 2012
Consumer Product Safety Commission
