The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) made a huge announcement on Monday, August 15, saying that the baby product maker 4moms has recalled more than 2 million infant swings and rockers. The company made the decision after a death involving one of its products was reported.
The recall notice stated that when the rocker or swing on the RockaRoo and MamaRoo products is not in use, its restraint straps can dangle below the child's seat. That would then create a hazard for a crawling infant, as the baby could become entangled in or strangled by the dangling straps, according to NBC News.
According to 4moms, it had already received two reports of entanglement incidents involving infants who became caught in the strap under a MamaRoo infant swing that was unoccupied after the baby crawled under the seat.
More than 2 million MamaRoo and RockaRoo products recalled
According to the recall notice, a 10-month-old child died from asphyxiation because of that. Another 10-month-old kid suffered neck bruising before the baby was fortunately rescued by a caregiver. No incidents have been reported involving the RockaRoo product.
The massive recall affects 220,000 RockaRoo rockers and 2 million MamaRoo swings, plus 60,000 MamaRoo swings and 10,000 RockaRoo rockers that were sold in Canada. According to the CPSC, 4moms, which manufactures products for young kids, issued a recall of its highly popular MamaRoo Baby Swing, from versions 1.0 through 4.0, as well as its RockaRoo Baby Rockers.
The U.S. CPSC's recall notice said that consumers with infants who can crawl should immediately stop using the recalled rockers and swings. The notice added that consumers should place them in an area where crawling infants cannot access the product, CNN reported.
The brand, which is owned by Pittsburgh-based Thorley Industries, is contacting all known purchasers of their rockers and swings directly regarding the recall. Concerned users can contact 4moms through their toll-free number at 877-870-7390 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.
How to contact 4moms for the recall
Affected consumers can also contact the company through email at safetyandrecall@4moms.com, and online via 4moms' main site or its recall website. Purchasers of the recalled products will receive a free fastener. That feature is designed to prevent the straps from extending under the swing when they are not in use.
Rockers and baby swings have been attracting negative headlines in the past few months as they have been involved in a number of recent recalls. The Fisher-Price Rock 'n Play sleepers were linked to more than 30 infant deaths over 10 years and the Kids II Rocking Sleepers were connected to five infant deaths.
TJX agreed to pay a 13 million fine earlier this month for selling those defective products at Marshalls, Home Goods, and TJ Maxx stores from March 2014 through October 2019 after the sleepers had been removed from the market.
