The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Fisher-Price are urging consumers to take immediate safety precautions regarding Fisher-Price Infant-to-Toddler Rockers and Newborn-to-Toddler Rockers following reports of at least 13 infant deaths between 2009 and 2021. These tragic incidents underscore a critical safety message: rockers should never be used for infant sleep, and babies should always be supervised and properly restrained when in a rocker.
These popular Fisher Price Rocker products, sold worldwide since the 1990s with over 17 million units in circulation, are now under increased scrutiny due to the reported fatalities. The CPSC is actively investigating these incidents and encourages parents and caregivers to report any related issues through saferproducts.gov.
Fisher-Price is also responding to these safety concerns. The company emphasizes its commitment to product safety and encourages consumers to visit their Safe Start webpage (www.fisherprice.com/SafeStart) for essential safety videos, tips, and up-to-date safety warnings concerning fisher price rocker models and other infant products. Additionally, consumers can directly report incidents to Fisher-Price at 800-432-5437.
The core issue highlighted by the CPSC is the danger of using inclined products, including rockers, gliders, soothers, and swings, for infant sleep. These products pose a suffocation risk if infants are left unsupervised, unrestrained, or with bedding material. To mitigate such risks, the CPSC has recently finalized a new safety rule that mandates infant sleep products to have a sleep surface angle of 10 degrees or less, effective from June 23, 2022.
To ensure infant safety, parents and caregivers are strongly advised to adhere to the following safe sleep guidelines:
- Always place infants to sleep on a firm, flat surface such as a crib, bassinet, or play yard.
- Use only a fitted sheet and avoid adding any blankets, pillows, padded crib bumpers, or extra items to the infant’s sleep environment.
- Always place infants on their back to sleep.
- If an infant falls asleep in a fisher price rocker or any inclined product, immediately transfer them to a safe sleep environment – a crib, bassinet, or play yard with a firm, flat surface.
Fisher-Price, a brand with over 90 years of history, aims to be a trusted source for parents and caregivers. This safety alert serves as a critical reminder of the importance of safe sleep practices and the appropriate use of infant products like the fisher price rocker. By staying informed and following safety guidelines, parents and caregivers can significantly reduce risks and ensure a safer environment for their infants.
For further information and official statements, please refer to:
- CPSC Chair Alex D. Hoehn-Saric Statement: statement
- CPSC Commissioner Richard Trumka Statement: statement
