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CPSC Warns Against Baby Mattresses, Pads That Make Unfounded Claims About Reducing SIDS

U.S. CPSCInjuriesMar 16, 2000
Baby Air (Breathable Mattress) marketing
Baby Air (Breathable Mattress) marketing
Breathe Easy Vented Infant Sleeping Surface packaging
Breathe Easy Vented Infant Sleeping Surface packaging
Sleep Guardian Sleeping Pads
Sleep Guardian Sleeping Pads
Sleep Safe Mattress Cover marketing/packaging
Sleep Safe Mattress Cover marketing/packaging

Photos from the official notice: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission · image rights

Hazard

CPSC is warning consumers that certain baby mattresses and mattress pads encourage the potentially deadly practice of placing babies to sleep on their stomachs, and claim that the products reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Despite the claims, CPSC is not aware of any evidence that proves that babies can safely be placed to sleep on their stomachs on these products, or that using the products will reduce the risk of SIDS.

Remedy

According to CPSC, the risk of SIDS is significantly reduced by placing babies to sleep on their backs in a crib that meets current safety standards and has a firm, tight-fitting mattress and no soft bedding.

Incidents & injuries

There are about 3,000 Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) deaths per year - a reduction of about 38 percent in the 5 years following the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation that babies be placed to sleep on their backs.

Product description

The following products make the claims through their advertising and marketing, including their instructions and packaging. Due to the efforts of CPSC, these firms have stopped manufacturing and distributing the products. CPSC also has requested that retailers stop sale and remove the products from store shelves immediately. Product Manufacturer/Importer Estimated Quantity Sold Description Baby Air (Breathable Mattress) Kid Safe Van Nuys, Calif. 5,000 A wood frame covered by mesh fabric.Used in place of or on top of mattress. Breathe Easy Vented Infant Sleeping Surface U.S. Family Products, Willard, Mo. 33,000 Ridged foam mattress pad with air holes. Used on top of mattress. Sleep Guardian Sleeping PadSleep Guardian, Charleston, S.C. 600 Vinyl pad with open weave fabric cover attached to an air pump. Used on top of mattress. Sleep Safe Mattress Cover Jupiter Industries, Ontario, Canada 1,000 Mesh fabric mattress cover.

Sold on

The four products involved in CPSC's action have been sold for about $30 to $100 in baby, drug and discount department stores; in catalogs; and on the Internet, including the following web sites: www.sidsprevent.com, www.kidsafeprod.com and flashmall.com.

Contact the company

Consumers should call the CPSC hotline at 800-638-2772 (TTY 301-595-7054).

What should I do?

Stop using the product and follow the remedy below. Contact the company for a refund, repair or replacement — recall remedies are free.

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