Infant Deaths Prompt Massive New Recall Impacting Minnesota, Wisconsin

An urgent recall was issued recently that impacts families in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and beyond as the product in question was sold at popular retailers into 2024.

Recalls are fairly common and a lot of times it's because the product in question has the potential to harm or sicken people so a recall is issued to err on the side of caution.

However, this recall is urgent because the products, which were sold in mass quantities, have already led to the deaths of 5 infants. While the recall is a big, important step, some people believe it falls short of protecting children.

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Announces Massive Recall

On October 10, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission(CPSC), with Fisher-Price, announced the recall of over 2 million Fisher-Price Snuga Swings sold in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The Snuga Swings were sold at Walmart, Sam's Club, Target, Amazon, and Toys R Us nationwide from October 2010 through January 2024 for about $160.

The swings pose a serious suffocation risk. To date, there have been five deaths reported involving infants 1 to 3 months of age when the product was used for sleep.

In most of those incidents, the infants were unrestrained, and bedding materials were added to the product. Therefore, the recall stressed that the swing should never be used for sleep and bedding materials should never be added to it. If the product is used for sleep or bedding material is added, the headrest and body support insert on the seat pad can increase the risk of suffocation.

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Consumers are urged to immediately remove both the headrest (by cutting the tether) and the body support insert from the seat pad if they plan on continuing to use the swing exclusively for awake-time activities. Fisher-Price is providing a $25 refund to consumers who remove and destroy those parts of the product.

Fisher-Prices stresses that consumers should never use these products for sleep and never add blankets or other materials to the swing, even after the headrest and body support insert have both been removed.

Furthermore, parents and caregivers should never use any inclined seated products, such as swings, gliders, soothers, and rockers, for infant sleep and should not leave infants in these products unsupervised, unrestrained, or with bedding material due to the risk of suffocation.

Experts Believe The Recall Is Dangerous & Doesn't Go Far Enough

While the recall made headlines, so did the reaction by experts who believe Fisher-Price isn't doing enough to protect children.

CPSC Commissioner Richard L. Trumka Jr. issued a statement criticizing Fisher-Price for what he called a “flawed” recall, saying the solution provided by the company was not enough.

Trumka added that the recall “is doomed to fail and will keep many babies in harm’s way,” Trumka stated. He slammed Fisher-Price for only recalling a portion of the product and only offering consumers a small fraction of the $160 they originally spent.

He recommends parents and caregivers get the $25 refund and then throw this product away since the Fisher-Price so-called ‘repair’ will still leave the product unsafe for infant sleep.

The Snuga Swing Platform Has 21 Models With Same Flawed Design

The recalled Snuga Swing is an infant swing with a front-to-back and side-to-side motion. The swing has 90 degrees of rotation, two seat back positions, and folds up for storage.

There are 21 models with this Snuga Swing platform, each featuring minor differences in fabric colors and toy accessories.

The following chart includes a complete list of Snuga Swing models included in the recall.

The model number and name are printed on the underside of the swing motor housing.

• Model Number: BGB32 - My Little Snugakitty™ Cradle 'n Swing
• Model Number: CCF38 - My Little Snugabunny™ Swing
• Model Number: CHM56 - My Little Snugabear Cradle 'n Swing
• Model Number: CHM69 - My Little Snugabear Ballerina Cradle 'n Swing
• Model Number: CHM76 - Safari Dreams Cradle 'n Swing
• Model Number: CHM78 - Moonlight Meadow Swing
• Model Number: DRG43 - Sweet Snugapuppy™ Swing
• Model Number: FKL21 - Deluxe Swing- Surreal Serenity™
• Model Number: GJB53 - Sweet Snugamonkey Swing
• Model Number: GKH44 - Blooming Flowers Swing
• Model Number: GNG38 - Fawn Meadows Deluxe Swing
• Model Number: GNG40 - Peek-a-boo Fox Swing
• Model Number: GVF83 - Dots & Spots Puppy Swing
• Model Number: HBM23 - Snow Leopard Swing
• Model Number: HDY10 - Hearthstone Swing
• Model Number: HGX49 - Baby Raccoon Swing
• Model Number: V0099 - My Little Snugabunny Cradle ‘n Swing
• Model Number: W9510 - My Little Sweetie™ Deluxe Cradle ‘n Swing
• Model Number: X7051 - My Little SnugaMonkey™ Cradle ‘n Swing
• Model Number: X7345 - My Little Snugapuppy™ Cradle 'n Swing
• Model Number: X7347 - My Little Snugabear Cradle 'n Swing

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Minnesota and Wisconsin consumers can contact Fisher-Price toll-free at 855-853-6224 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CST Monday through Friday. You can also visit them online at www.service.mattel.com and click “Recall & Safety Alerts” or at  www.service.mattel.com/us/recall.aspx for more information.