Legal News for Product Liability Attorneys. At least 14 infants have died due to suffocation caused by sling carriers in the last 20 years.
Product liability attorney alerts- The CPSC warns of suffocation hazards associated with sling carriers, prompted by numerous incident reports over the last 20 years.
West Palm Beach, FL—The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) http://www.cpsc.gov has issued a warning about the safety hazards associated with using sling carriers for babies younger than four months of age. Based on injury and incident reports gathered over the last twenty years, there have been at least 14 sling-related fatalities, three of which occurred in 2009. Twelve of the 14 babies who suffocated due to sling carriers were reported to be under the age of four months.
According to the CPSC, “Slings can pose two different types of suffocation hazards to babies. In the first few months of life, babies cannot control their heads because of weak neck muscles. The sling’s fabric can press against an infant’s nose and mouth, blocking the baby’s breathing and rapidly suffocating a baby within a minute or two. Additionally, where a sling keeps the infant in a curled position bending the chin toward the chest, the airways can be restricted, limiting the oxygen supply. The baby will not be able to cry for help and can slowly suffocate.” Several of the babies who suffocated due to these risky slings were born prematurely, had a low birth weight (twins), or had respiratory issues, such as the common cold, at the time.
The CPSC has been working with ASTM International in developing a mandatory standard for sling carriers as a means of preventing suffocation hazards to babies and infants. A voluntary standard is in the works as the CPSC continues to urge parents and caregivers to use caution when using a sling. The baby’s face should be visible at all times to ensure safety. For more information or to issue an incident or injury report, the CPSC can be reached by phone at (800) 632-2772 or online at www.cpsc.gov.
Legal News Reporter: Sandra Quinlan- Legal News for Product Liability Lawyers.