FISHER-Price has been blasted for offering parents just $25 to get rid of a deadly baby swing.
The mega-company recalled two components of its Snuga Swings on Thursday, telling customers they would get the cash if they “remove and destroy” the deadly parts.
Fisher-Price has recalled its Snuga Infant Swing over safety fears[/caption]
Customers are urged to ‘remove and destroy’ the deadly parts that could suffocate a sleeping baby[/caption]
The swings, sold at Amazon, Walmart and Target for $160, are designed to soothe little ones by swaying them back and forth.
But the items have been linked to five infant deaths between 2012 and 2022, all caused while the babies slept.
In most of those cases, the babies were unrestrained and bedding was added to comfort them – something Fisher Price says can ramp up the risk of suffocation.
“The swing should never be used for sleep and bedding materials should never be added to it,” the company said in the recall announcement.
“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.
“Consumers should immediately remove both the headrest (by cutting the tether) and the body support insert from the seat pad before continuing to use the swing for awake-time activities.”
It added that Fisher-Price will “provide a $25 refund to consumers who remove and destroy the headrest and body support insert.”
And it urged parents to never use any inclined seated products, such as swings, gliders, soothers, and rockers, for infant sleep or leave their children in the products unsupervised.
Fisher Price, however, has since come under fire for not doing enough for customer safety.
“I believe that the flawed recall that Fisher-Price is announcing today is doomed to fail and will keep many babies in harm’s way,” Richard Trumka Jr., a commissioner of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said in response to the recall.
He said Fisher-Price is offering consumers “only a small portion of the product’s cost” and that “this dangerous approach will keep babies at risk of death just to save Fisher-Price money—a horrible example of putting profit over people.”
“My advice: get your $25 refund and then throw this product away; do not keep it in your homes because even after the so-called ‘repair’ this product will still be unsafe for infant sleep,” he added.
The Snuga Swings were sold at Amazon, Toys R Us, Walmart/Sams Club, and Target nationwide from October 2010 until January 2024.
Since 2010, approximately 2.1 million were sold in the US, about 99,000 in Canada and about 500 in Mexico.
Fisher-Price has recalled a number of its infant products over safety fears in recent years.
In 2019, it recalled millions of Rock ‘n Play Sleepers after 30 baby deaths were linked to the product.
These were mostly attributed to babies rolling onto their tummies or sides while using the portable bassinet.
Another eight deaths have followed since, prompting Fisher-Price to remind customers about the recall.
Snuga Swing Recall
- 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.
- Consumers should immediately remove both the headrest (by cutting the tether) and the body support insert from the seat pad before continuing to use the swing.
- Fisher-Price will provide a $25 refund to consumers who remove and destroy the headrest and body support insert.
- Instructions can be found at www.service.mattel.com.
In total, the company has received reports of at least 100 infant deaths linked to the Rock ‘n Play.
Another four baby deaths have been linked to Fisher-Price’s Rock ‘n Glide Soother — a baby seat that vibrates and moves back and forth.
This product was recalled in 2021.
The company recalled its Soothe ‘n Play Gliders at the same time, though no deaths were linked to the product.
Of the recalls, Trumka said, “Instead of fretting about its sales and reputation, Fisher-Price should be placing safety first and considering the science on infant safety.”
To learn how to remove the parts on your Snuga Swing, visit www.service.mattel.com.
