The CPSC is urging parents and caregivers to immediately stop using convertible “Close Sleeper and Bedside Sleeper” bassinets made by Simplicity, Inc., of Reading, PA after learning this month of the death of a five-month-old girl due to strangulation resulting from entrapment between the bassinet’s metal bars.
This is the second such death the CPSC has been informed of in regard to the Simplicity Co-Sleeper bassinets. Last year a four-month-old girl died after becoming entrapped in the metal bars of the same model bassinet.
SFCA, Inc. bought out all of Simplicity Inc.’s assets at a public auction this spring and, according to a statement released by the CPSC, has since refused to cooperate with the government by recalling these Simplicity bassinets. SFCA claims that they are not responsible for products previously manufactured by Simplicity, Inc.
About The Danger Posed by These Simplicity Bassinets
The Simplicity 3-In-1 and 4-In-1 convertible bassinets contain metal bars spaced farther apart than 2 3/8 inches, which is the maximum distance allowed under federal crib safety guidelines. The metal bars are covered by an adjustable fabric flap which is attached by Velcro. The fabric is folded down when the bassinet is converted into a bed-side, co-sleeping position. If the Velcro is not properly re-secured when the flap is adjusted, infants may slip through the opening and get trapped in the metal bars. This poses a very serious and real danger of suffocation / strangulation.
The CPSC stated that this warning does not include cover bassinets produced in recent months that have fabric permanently attached over the lower bar instead of using Velcro.
The CPSC is further urging parents, caregivers, day care centers and all consumers and concerned citizens to share this safety warning with each other and ensure that everyone knows about the danger of these Simplicity bassinets.
In a statement today, SFCA insisted the warning does not involve any product it manufactures or distributes. It noted that the CPSC said its warning does not include bassinets produced in recent months that have fabric permanently attached over the bar – a feature SFCA says its bassinets include.
“All bassinets produced and sold by SFCA are produced in this manner, with fabric permanently attached over the lower bar, and meet or exceed ASTM standards and CPSC guidelines,” the company said.
Side Note: The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) voted to release this public warning using its new authorities provided in the Consumer Product Safety improvement Act of 2008.
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