Fisher-Price has issued a partial recall of its Snuga Swings after concerns about the risk of infant suffocation. Between 2012 and 2022, five infant deaths were linked to the swings, leading the company to instruct parents to immediately remove two components: the headrest and an insert in the seat pad that provides body support. These parts have been associated with increased suffocation risks, especially when used for sleep.
While Fisher-Price offers a $25 refund for parents who cut and dispose of the recalled parts, some safety advocates argue the action is insufficient. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commissioner Richard Trumka Jr. called for a full recall of the product, stating, “This flawed recall will leave many babies in harm’s way.” He further criticized the company for prioritizing profits over child safety, advising parents to take the refund and discard the entire swing.
The recall impacts 2.1 million Snuga Swings sold in the U.S. from October 2010 to January 2024, and also includes units sold in Canada and Mexico. Despite the recall, Fisher-Price insists the swing can still be safely used while infants are awake, provided the two recalled parts are removed.
Safety experts have long warned against inclined sleepers like the Snuga Swing, as they can cause an infant’s head to slump forward, restricting their ability to breathe. Instead, experts urge parents to place infants on their backs on a firm, flat surface for sleep or naps.
This recall comes in the wake of several similar actions by Fisher-Price in recent years, including the high-profile recall of millions of Rock ‘n Play Sleepers in 2019, which were linked to over 30 infant deaths. Additional recalls followed in 2021 for other infant products associated with fatalities, raising concerns about the company’s approach to child safety.
As more parents become aware of the risks posed by inclined sleepers, safety advocates like Trumka continue to push for broader product recalls and stricter regulations. “It’s time to put the safety of our children first,” he stated, urging Fisher-Price to take stronger measures to protect infants.
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