Consumer

Feds Warn Parents Of Deadly Bassinet Dangers

2 Babies Were Strangled After Being Trapped In Product

CHICAGO (CBS) ― A government safety group is warning parents not to use a Pennsylvania company's baby bassinets after two babies were trapped and strangled in the product.

The "close-sleeper/bedside sleeper" bassinets, made by Simplicity Inc. of Reading, Pa., can allow infants to slip through the product and suffocate, said the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Simplicity Inc.'s 3-in-1 and 4-in-1 convertible bassinets contain metal bars spaced farther apart than federal standards allow.

CPSC said a 5-month-old girl from Shawnee, Kan., was strangled on Aug. 21 when she became entrapped between the bassinet's metal bars. Last September, a 4-month-old girl from Noel, Mo., became entrapped in the product's metal bars and died.

"If you have this product do not use it for your baby," said Nancy Cowles, executive director of Kids in Danger.

Child safety advocates say part of the danger stems from the fabric on the sides, which is attached by Velcro.

"It loosened enough so that the bars were actually exposed," Cowles said. "The gap between the bars was wide enough so that the baby could slip through, except for their head, and so it was hung, basically."

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a warning, but said the company refused to cooperate with a recall.

In response, SFCA, Inc. released a statement saying in part: "the products in question were manufactured and distributed by Simplicity, Inc., a company that is no longer in business. SFCA purchased Simplicity's assets at auction...and has no legal liability for any products distributed previously by Simplicity."

The Bottom Line: the product is still being sold and parents are confused.

"Did the parents assemble it in an improper way?" asked parent Maria Huerta. "There's always two sides to the story."

"That's why I'm for co-sleeping," said parent Kameren Dalton, "because I think I'm right there with them."

Experts say newborns are safe in a full size crib and if you do use a bassinet, Cowles said, "You want to look for one that has solid sides so you don't have this issue with fabric coming loose. You want to look for one that's sturdy."

"It's sad that they don't realize something's flawed until an accident happens," said parent Chad Dalton. "That's why you have to keep on the ball reading reviews. It's horribly tragic and I can't even fathom something happening to these little guys."

There are currently no federal standards regarding the construction of bassinets. But a new law, recently signed by President George W. Bush, will soon change that.

Over the next two years, new safety requirements are being phased in and manufacturers will have to perform independent testing. It also gives more power to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

CBS 2's Susan Carlson and the Associated Press contributed to this report.

(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)