Fisher-Price has recalled more than 2 million baby swings after five babies died in them over a decade.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Snuga swing was officially recalled on Thursday due to a choking hazard.
In most of the reported deaths, the infant was unsecured and had bedding materials added to it, according to the CPSC. All deaths involved infants aged one to three months between 2012 and 2022.
Since 2010, more than 2 million Snuga swings have been sold in America. In the US, about 99,000 were sold in Canada and about 500 in Mexico.
The product rocks forwards, backwards and sideways. Rotates 90 degrees. The recall covers 21 models of this product.
On Thursday, the Snuga swing was officially recalled due to a choking hazard
The reminder reads: “Consumers are reminded to never use these products for sleep and never to add blankets or other materials to the swing, even after removing the headrest and body support pad.
“Parents and caregivers should never use any reclined seating products, such as swings, paragliders, pacifiers and rockers, to help their baby sleep, nor should they leave infants in these products unattended, unrestrained or with bedding due to the risk of suffocation.”
To “remediate” the product, the CPSC recommended removing the headrest and body support insert from the swing. Anyone who removes these parts and throws them away will receive a $25 refund from Fisher-Price.
Detailed instructions on how to do this can be found on the Mattel website.
The swings have been sold at Amazon, Toys R Us, Walmart, Sams Club and Target for the past 14 years for about $160.
To keep infants safe, the CPSC recommends placing them on their backs to sleep.
To “remedy” the product, the CPSC recommended removing the headrest and body support insert from the swing
“The best place for a baby to sleep is on a hard, flat surface in a crib, bassinet or on a playground, with only a sheet. “Infants who fall asleep in a tilted or upright position should be moved to a safe sleeping place with a firm, flat surface, such as a crib, bassinet, or play area,” the CPSC said in a reminder.
Congress passed the Safe Sleep for Babies Act in 2022, which bans the use of inclined sleepers for infants.
“Fisher-Price's greatest concern and primary goal has always been the safety of children using our products,” the company said in a statement.
Fisher-Price announced the recall on Thursday and said its “greatest concern” was child safety
CPSC Commissioner Richard Trumka said Fisher-Price's recall efforts are insufficient.
In a statement, he wrote: “First, Fisher-Price is not recalling the entire product, instead it is only recalling part of it. Even after a consumer uses a “rescue measure,” the product remains hazardous to a child's sleep, yet Fisher-Price encourages “continue to use the swing.”
“I fear this dangerous approach will put children at risk of death just to save Fisher-Price money – it's a terrible example of putting profit over people.
Trumka also pointed out that the company only reimburses a portion of the total cost of the product.
Fisher-Price is a Mattel brand specializing in children's products and toys
He advised people to discard the product completely.
In 2019, Fisher-Price recalled their Rock n' Play Sleeping Baby and did not offer refunds to all customers, Trumka said.
After the recall was issued, an additional eight children died, bringing the death toll to over 100.
“Fisher-Price can do more to save children's lives – I think it must. “I strongly believe that consumers should demand more from this company,” he said.
