FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 16, 2000
Release # 00-079
| CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: Nychelle Fleming, (301) 504-7063
|
CPSC Warns Against Baby Mattresses, Pads That Make Unfounded Claims About Reducing SIDS
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is
warning consumers that certain baby mattresses and mattress pads
encourage the potentially deadly practice of placing babies to sleep on
their stomachs, and claim that the products reduce the risk of Sudden
Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Despite the claims, CPSC is not aware of
any evidence that proves that babies can safely be placed to sleep on
their stomachs on these products, or that using the products will reduce
the risk of SIDS. Parents and caregivers should never put babies to
sleep on their stomachs, whether on these products or any others.
The following products make the claims through their advertising and
marketing, including their instructions and packaging. Due to the
efforts of CPSC, these firms have stopped manufacturing and distributing
the products. CPSC also has requested that retailers stop sale and
remove the products from store shelves immediately.
| Product
Manufacturer/Importer |
Estimated Quantity Sold |
Description |
|---|
Baby Air (Breathable Mattress)
Kid Safe
Van Nuys, Calif.
|
5,000 |
A wood frame covered by mesh fabric.
Used in place of or on top of mattress. |
Breathe Easy Vented Infant Sleeping Surface
U.S. Family Products
Willard, Mo.
|
33,000 |
Ridged foam mattress pad with air
holes. Used on top of mattress.
|
Sleep Guardian Sleeping Pad
Sleep Guardian
Charleston, S.C. |
600 |
Vinyl pad with open weave fabric cover
attached to an air pump. Used on top of mattress. |
Sleep Safe Mattress Cover
Jupiter Industries
Ontario, Canada |
1,000 |
Mesh fabric mattress cover.
|
According to CPSC, the risk of SIDS is significantly reduced by placing
babies to sleep on their backs in a crib that meets current safety
standards and has a firm, tight-fitting mattress and no soft bedding.
There are about 3,000 SIDS deaths per year--a reduction of about 38
percent in the 5 years following the American Academy of Pediatrics
recommendation that babies be placed to sleep on their backs.
The four products involved in CPSC's action have been sold for about $30
to $100 in baby, drug and discount department stores; in catalogs; and
on the Internet, including the following web sites: www.sidsprevent.com,
www.kidsafeprod.com and flashmall.com.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is reviewing the products and
their claims.
|
