The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reports that from 2005 to 2007, 265 children under the age of five died from accidents associated with nursery products. Ninety percent of those fatalities involved:
- mattresses or cribs
- bassinets or cradles
- baby baths, bath seats or bathinettes
- playpens or play yards
- infant carriers and car seat carriers
- window blind cords
- button batteries
Cribs And Mattresses
The majority of these deaths were due to the presence of extra bedding in the crib, which leads to the tragic asphyxiation of the infant. Approximately 37 percent of the deaths were due to a range of deadly hazards including incomplete assembly; missing, broken or non-functioning components; or ineffective crib repairs. The next most common cause of crib fatalities involved hazardous surroundings in and around the crib. Examples include:
- entrapment where a baby can become wedged between extra mattresses or cushions and the crib frame
- strangulation resulting from cords or strings near the crib
- suffocation from plastic bags which were near the crib
Bassinets And Cradles
Of the 43 deaths reported in cradles or bassinets, the majority involved extra bedding. Nearly half of these suffocation deaths involved pillows, while the next most common cause of death related to bassinets involved babies becoming entrapped or wedged between the bassinet frame and the mattress. Some mattresses in bassinets and cradles may not be designed to ensure babies can be safely placed in the bed.
Bath Seats, Baby Baths And Bathinettes
Bath time turned deadly for 32 babies between 2005 and 2007. Each of these deaths occurred when a parent or caregiver did not give their full attention to the infant while the baby was in the bath tub. In most of these circumstances, the baby was left unattended or with an older sibling in the tub.
Playpens And Play Yards
Play yards and playpens were associated with deaths of 29 young children from 2005 to 2007. Most of the deaths were due to positional asphyxia. This happens when the infant became wedged between the mattress and a side of the play yard or playpen. This resulted in the baby being strangled or suffocated as a result of the of environment around the play area. Suffocation from bedding accounted for the next largest number of deaths. Playpens and play yards should be designed so that babies are not able to get between the mattress and the side of the play area.
Infant Seats And Car Seat Carriers
For the same years, 27 deaths were associated with infant carriers and car seat carriers. The majority of these tragic deaths were due to strangulation because infants became entangled in the restraint straps. The second most common problem involved carriers tipping over, frequently when the carriers were placed on nonrigid surfaces.
If tragedy has struck your family and your baby has been hurt or killed due to a defective product, contact Carr & Carr online to arrange your free consultation with an Oklahoma product liability attorney. Our lawyers have offices in Tulsa and Oklahoma City, but we can arrange to meet you at your home, hospital or other location.
Window Blind Cords
Button Batteries
Button batteries are one of the fastest-moving hazards on this list. According to the CPSC, an estimated 54,300 children needed emergency care for button battery injuries from 2011 to 2021, and 27 children died. These small batteries power everyday items (remotes, watches, hearing aids, greeting cards, toys) and a design flaw as small as a battery compartment that pops open too easily is often all it takes.
If swallowed, a button battery can begin burning through a child's esophagus within two hours, and the early warning signs (vomiting, drooling, reluctance to eat) are easy to mistake for a stomach bug. Because the danger isn't always obvious, parents are urged to seek emergency care immediately any time battery ingestion is suspected, even without clear symptoms.
If your child was injured because a product's battery compartment wasn't properly secured, or a defective toy or device allowed a battery to come loose, contact Carr & Carr online to arrange a free consultation with an Oklahoma product liability attorney.