The Consumer Product Safety Commission and 4moms have announced the recall of more than 2 million baby swings.
The swings can pose a strangulation hazard, according to the CPSC.
The recall affects 2 million MamaRoo swings and an additional 220,000 RockaRoo rockers in the U.S. There are an additional 60,000 swings and 10,000 rockers recalled in Canada as part of the alert.
The swing and rocker restraint straps can dangle below the seat. If an infant crawls near the straps, the child can become entangled and could be strangled, according to the CSPC.
There have been two reports of entanglement in the straps of a MamaRoo swing. One child died. The other was bruised. There were no incidents reported with the RockaRoo.
The MamaRoos are versions 1.0 and 2.0 with model number 4M-005, version 3.0 with model number 1026 and version 4.0 with model number 1037. All have a three-point harness. The swings with a five-point harness are not part of the recall.
The RockaRoo has model 4M-012.
Both the MamaRoos and RockaRoos were sold at Buybuy Baby and Target stores, and online at 4moms.com and Amazon from January 2010 through this month. The products retailed for between $160 and $250, the CPSC reported.
Families with the rockers and swings are told to stop using them immediately and put them where a crawling infant cannot get to them.
Owners are being told to contact 4moms to get a free strap fastener to keep the straps in place when no one is in the swing.
A statement emailed to the Cox Media Group National Content Desk from the company’s CEO Gary Waters said:
“Families put their trust in our company when they choose to bring our products into their homes. That’s why we take every precaution and make the extra effort to ensure that our baby gear products not only meet but exceed all applicable safety standards.
We are deeply saddened by the two incidents that occurred when babies crawled under the seat of unoccupied MamaRoo swings. After investigating the circumstances behind these two reported incidents, 4moms decided to conduct a voluntary recall in partnership with the CPSC.
The free strap fastener kit we have designed is an easy-to-install solution that we believe will prevent any other incidents from happening when a MamaRoo or RockaRoo is not in use and an infant crawls under the seat. We strongly urge our consumers, retailers, and re-seller partners to implement the strap fastener solution to ensure the complete safety of our products.
We will continue to hold ourselves to the highest quality and safety standards so that parents feel safe, secure, and confident in their decision to have 4moms support their family.”
— 4moms CEO Gary Waters
For more information, call 4moms at 877-870-7390 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, email or visit the company’s website.