There is an urgent warning for parents about an infant lounger connected to two infant deaths.
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The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging parents to immediately stop using the Leacho Podster, Podster Plush, Bummzie and Podster Playtime (the “Podsters”) infant loungers.
CPSC said the alert stems from the deaths of a four-month-old in December 2015 and a 17-day-old infant in January 2018 in the U.S.
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The agency said their noses and mouths were obstructed by the Podster or another object.
“We want to make sure parents are aware that this is a risk, and they should stop using them,” said Alex Hoehn-Saric, CPSC Chair. “When you’re talking about infant sleep, it’s critically important that people use flat surfaces, flat firm surfaces like a crib or bassinet for children to sleep.”
Despite the safety warning from CPSC, Leacho is standing by the items and is rejecting safety concerns raised by CPSC.
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In a statement, Leachco said in part: “The Podster is not a sleep product. Even though infants can fall asleep anywhere, safe sleep guidelines and CPSC regulations draw a clear line between products intended for sleep and products not intended for sleep. Leachco has always had clear warnings on the product and its packaging not to place it in a bed or crib or use it for unsupervised sleep. The CPSC is wrongly telling consumers to stop using the Podster altogether instead of explaining that no lounger should be used in a crib or bed and no lounger is safe for unsupervised sleep. The loss of an infant is truly tragic and families who suffered that loss have our deepest sympathies. Unfortunately, the statistics show that infant deaths can occur anywhere, even in cribs where sleep is the safest.”
CPSC said since Leachco is not issuing a voluntary recall, the agency “intends to promptly consider other actions, including potential filing of an administrative complaint.”
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