Product Recall: Angelcare Movement And Sound Baby Monitors

Angelcare Recalls to Repair Movement and Sound Baby Monitors After Two Deaths Due to Strangulation Hazard

Consumers should stop using this product unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Recall date: NOVEMBER 21, 2013

Recall number: 14-028

Name of product: Angelcare Movement and Sound Baby Monitors

Hazard:

The cord attached to the baby monitor’s sensor pad is placed under the crib mattress, which poses a strangulation risk if the child pulls the cord into the crib and it becomes wrapped around the neck.

Consumer Contact:

Angelcare at (855) 355-2643 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, e-mail atConsumers@angelcare.ca or online athttp://www.angelcarebaby.com and click on the safety notice section of the website for more information. 

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), in cooperation with Angelcare Monitors Inc.®, of Quebec, Canada, is announcing a voluntary recall to provide cord covers for 600,000 Angelcare Movement and Sound Monitors with Sensor Pads. The cord attached to the baby monitor’s sensor pad is placed under the crib mattress, which poses a strangulation risk if the child pulls the cord into the crib and it becomes wrapped around the neck.

Angelcare and CPSC have received reports of two infant cord strangulation deaths. In November 2011, a 13-month-old female died in San Diego, California, and, in August 2004, an 8-month-old female died in Salem, Oregon. In both fatalities, the cord from the sensor pads was pulled into the crib by the infant. In addition, there have been two reports of infants who became entangled in cords of Angelcare baby monitor models, which did not result in fatalities. In these incidents, it could not be determined if the “sensor pad cord” or the “monitor cord” was involved in the incident.

The recall involves the Movement and Sound Monitor manufactured by Angelcare. This design of baby monitor includes a unique sensor pad placed inside the crib, under the mattress, to monitor movement of the baby. An electrical cord about 11 feet long is permanently connected from the sensor pad to the nursery monitor unit. The hazard is created by a cord within reach of a baby inside the crib. The cord can be pulled into the crib and can wrap around the child’s neck. The recall involves all versions of Angelcare sensor monitors including model numbers: AC1100, AC201, AC300, AC401 AC601 and 49255 that did not include rigid cord covers, offered in the remedy. The model number is located on the back of the nursery monitor unit. The monitors were manufactured between 1999 and 2013.

Angelcare is providing consumers with a repair kit that includes rigid protective cord covers through which the sensor pad cords can be threaded, a new, permanent electric cord warning label about the strangulation risk, and revised instructions.

The recalled baby monitors were sold at Babies R Us/Toys R Us, Burlington Coat Factory, Meijer, Sears, Walmart, Amazon.com, Target.com, Overstock.com, and nearly 70 small baby specialty stores, from October 1999 through September 2013 for about $100to $300. 

Consumers should immediately make sure cords are placed out of reach of the child and contact Angelcare toll-free at (855)355-2643 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm's website atwww.angelcarebaby.com to order the free repair kit.

CPSC Safety Alert Campaign on Monitor Cords

In February 2011, CPSC issued a safety alert warning consumers that industry-wide there had been seven reports of strangulation in baby monitor cords since 2002. Since that alert, the number of death reports has risen to eight of which two involved the Angelcare monitors with sensor cords. CPSC has a safety alert Infants Can Strangle in Baby Monitor Cords and conducted an information and education campaign with JPMA in which Angelcare has taken an active role to raise awareness on the hazards associated with baby monitor cords. Parents and caregivers should visit CPSC’s Crib Information Center at www.cpsc.gov/cribs for additional baby monitor cord safety information and they should make sure all cords are out of arm’s reach of children. 

You can find this article here.

Baby Walkers are Banned in Canada!

DID YOU KNOW?!?!

In Canada, the sale of baby walkers was banned on April 7, 2004. Canada is the first country in the world to ban the sale, importation and advertisement of baby walkers. This ban extends to modified and second hand baby walkers, including those sold at a yard sales or flea markets. The Consumers Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA) changed the items that were allowed to be sold at such sales. Owners of baby walkers may be fined up to $100,000 or sentenced to up to six months in jail.

Yet the US still sells them like crazy... I hope at least one mom reads this and does NOT buy walker but maybe an activity station like the around we go or an excersaucer. I recommend the "around we go" as it teaches the child to walk around the table to each toy station. It is also not considered a walker as it is still a stationary toy that stays in one place (just rotates around the stationary table in 360 degrees). To find out more about the around we go, view yesterday's blog click here. It's a product review on the around we go by bright starts.

Here's an article from the NY Times to let you know a little bit more.

Q: D. J. from New York City asks the Consults blog:

I know some people use baby walkers to help young children learn to walk. Is it true that this may actually be harmful to developing bones and muscles?

A: Pediatrician Dr. Alan Greene responds:

It’s so exciting to see a baby take the first step! When wheeled seats arrived on the scene that would allow babies to move around with their feet on the floor, parents and babies alike were delighted. Some parents still use these baby walkers to help their children learn to walk or to give them some exercise or mobility. Some use baby walkers almost like pacifiers for the legs: many babies seem happier when they are propelling themselves across the floor.

And let’s face it, sometimes parents need to get things done. Sometimes parents use walkers as a baby-sitter, to keep their baby occupied and entertained so they do other things.

Parents should know that walker use typically delays motor development – and that it delays mental development even more. Beyond this, walker use is dangerous.

Back in 1994, when baby walkers were still extremely popular in the United States, the Consumer Products Safety Commission declared that baby walkers were responsible for more injuries than any other children’s product. The types of injuries included head injuries, broken bones, broken teeth, burns, entrapment of fingers and even amputations or death.

Walkers allow mobility beyond a baby’s natural capability, and faster than a parent’s reaction time. Most of the injuries involve falls down stairs, but injuries can also come, for instance, from allowing reach to hot, heavy or poisonous objects. Today’s walkers are safer, but they are still hazardous – and of no benefit to the baby.

Canada banned baby walkers in 2004. Possession of a baby walker can lead to fines up to $100,000 or six months in jail. But in some countries, more than 75 percent of babies still use walkers– and the injuries continue.

Sometime in the second half of the first year, healthy babies develop a strong urge to move across the floor. At first, this is a struggle for them as they work their arms and legs, stretching, rolling, scooting or crawling. They find delight in accomplishment as they achieve their goal of a toy out of reach. Later, the focus of their work will turn to pulling themselves upright.

Babies who use a walker skip some of this magnificent developmental journey. With their toes in an unnatural position, they glide across the floor with ease, moving upright before their time.

What’s the outcome?

Besides the added dangers of moving faster, falling farther and reaching higher, babies who use walkers learn to crawl, stand and walk later than they would have otherwise, and continue to show delayed motor development for months after they have learned to walk. The delay seems to be a little more than three days for every 24 hours of total walker use.

But the biggest delays – and the biggest surprise to many parents – are delays in mental development and lower scores on mental developmental testing, still present 10 months after initial walker use.

Stationary activity centers for babies can provide many of the benefits parents are looking for from walkers, without the serious problems.

I’m so glad for your question. Almost every week I still come across a parent who is using a walker in the mistaken belief that it will benefit their children, unaware of the risks and the costs of walker use.

Alan Greene, M.D., is the founder of the Web site DrGreene.com and the author of “From First Kicks to First Steps.”

Product Review: Bright Starts Around We Go Activity Station

Bright Starts: the Around We Go Activity Station (Doodle Bug theme)

This is my second time getting one of these! Why don't I have my first one still you may be asking? Well, that's simple. I do! It's just in storage back in Miami, FL and we are currently living in Toronto, ON, Canada. I will have it down there when I travel to visit. The new one is slightly better than our 4 year older model too, with newer toys and a "doodle bug" theme. The older model was ocean animals and included a water section which needed to be refilled and was a bit of a pain. I'm loving this newer version of the product and wouldn't change a thing!

With Seat (4-18 Months)

Without Seat (12-24 Months)

Product Description

• Electronic piano with flip book has 3 modes of play: fun songs, piano keys, and silly sounds
• Pond station with bead chaser, popping fish toy, spinning dragonfly, and sliding fish character
• Frog popper toy with swirling beads plus a large mirror
• Ratcheting bee toy, spinning ball toy, and bendable bug stalk toys
• Seat is easily removable so toddlers can enjoy as a play table
• Seat is easily removable so older babies and toddlers can use the activity table standing up
• Removable toy/snack tray

Starting at 4 months old some babies go through a little bit of a stage that they don't know whether to sit up, roll over, or just be held. They are still too young to stand or even sit unassisted. That's where this comes in. You simply seat your child in the seat and show them how to reach for toys and turn the seat side to side. The walking part comes later. Once they realize they can move, they never stop!

This product is designed for ages 4 months old to about 24 months. I personally think it's a little more for 5/6 months and up. My son is four months and his feet still don't reach the floor at the same time. He's only about 26 & 1/2 inches tall and one leg will touch but not the other. Therefore, he won't be walking in it any time soon. However, when my daughter was about 5 & 1/2 months old she was given this item for Christmas and took right to it! She LOVED the toys, music, and little snack tray for her yogurt melts. After about 2 or 3 days she started scooting backwards thought it was the greatest thing! She would giggle as she went around and around the table. It was adorable, we filmed it and showed everyone (as most first time parents do). Soon after she learned how to move forward as well, and once that started she was walking NONSTOP around the table to each station.

Now what's the average price of this item? In the US, they are about $89.99 at most places like Walmart, Target, Babies R Us, and even Sears/Kmart. They are not sold in Canada. However I did purchase mine through Sears.com and they shipped it here within only 2 days for under $20 in shipping! Definitely worth it!

Here's a short and very basic review on the product from a customer. It's simply to show how easy it is to remove the seat and have the table for older babies.

Cloth Diapering 101: Accessories

Inserts
Inserts are used to add absorbency to a diapering system. Inserts can be placed between the diaper and cover or stuffed into the pocket or sleeve.

Diaper Ointment
It is very important to choose a baby ointment that is cloth diaper safe. Many traditional diaper ointments contain petroleum or other ingredients which coat fibers and cause diapers to repel.

Reusable Wipes
Are a great alternative to disposable wipes and can save you up to $500. Pair with a baby wipe solution for the best results.

Baby Wipe Solution
When using reusable wipes you will want to purchase a baby wipe solution to properly cleanse and moisturize your baby’s skin.

Wet Bag
A great accessory for your diaper bag used to either enclose clean or soiled diapers. Wet bags come with a closure system to keep odors from escaping.

Diaper Pail
The use of a diaper pail is necessary to keep odors at bay while storing your baby’s soiled diapers until laundry day. 52 quart garbage pails with a lid are a popular choice but any large container with a closure will work.

Pail Liner
Washable liners are designed to fit your diaper pail and be thrown in the wash with your soiled diapers. Pail liners are waterproof and designed to keep odors sealed within.

Diaper Sprayer
A hose with a nozel that is attached to the plumbing of your toilet and is used to cleanse poop from soiled diapers. Diaper sprayers aren’t typically necessary until your baby begins to eat solids.