Dangerous Baby Products

3/27/2017

Earlier this month there was an article in US Today that told of the dangers of many products on the market that have caused more than 66,000 children – toddlers – to go to the emergency room.  These products are nursery products, and, based on the latest injury statistics, that means a child is rushed to the emergency room at a rate close to about once every eight minutes. And yet, according to research at the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, this number is most likely an underestimate as many child-injuries are not reported since many children that are injured, don’t always end up in the ER when they are injured.

Research shows that nursery product-related injuries have increased nearly 25% within the past few years. In eighty percent of the injury cases, the baby fell out of the product. The term nursery products encompasses a host of items, including baby walkers, bouncers and changing tables. Most common injuries have occurred with baby carriers (20%), cribs/mattresses (19%) and strollers (17%). Eighty-one percent of the injuries affect the head, face or neck.

This is not the first time advocates for children safety have spoken up.  In 1999, an estimated 8800 children younger than 15 months were treated in hospital emergency departments in the United States for injuries associated with infant walkers. Thirty-four infant walker-related deaths were reported from 1973 through 1998. The vast majority of injuries occurred from falls down stairs, and head injuries.

It has been confirmed that that walkers do not help a child learn to walk! On the contrary, they can actually delay normal motor and mental development.  At the same time, the use of warning labels, public education, adult supervision during walker use, and stair gates have all been demonstrated to be insufficient strategies to prevent injuries associated with infant walkers.

One of the changes brought about due to the efforts of safety and health organizations is a revised safety standard: ASTM F977-96, which requires walkers manufactured after June 30, 1997, to be wider than a 36-in doorway or must have a braking mechanism designed to stop the walker if one or more wheel drops off the riding surface, such as at the top of a stairway.

While advocacy groups for child safety have had a voice to improve toys and baby products, there are ways parents can ensure their items are safe.  One thing parents can do is practice using the four “Rs”: Research, check for Recalls, Register the product and Read the manuals (from front to back). To check for recalls, visit www.recalls.gov.  Up to 80% of recalled children’s products are not returned!

Families that don’t buy new products should be extra cautious. For instance, crib made before June 2011, were not manufactured to comply with the latest safety standards. Also, used car seats are a concern because the history of the product can affect its safety. For example, a car seat that survived a crash is often weak.  Remember in the field of professional safety, after a body harness has been used to protect of worker from a fall, it must be discarded. This practice should be the same for car seats.

Below is a list of the leading causes of child injuries due to products. 

1. Baby carriers. Most injuries occur when kids fall out themselves or when the product malfunctions. she explained.
2. Bedding, which can cause injuries when a child gets tangled in it. If you have a mattress that is not the right size for the crib, the child can roll over and get their face stuck between the mattress and the outside of the crib. Experts recommend a bare crib with no bumper, stuffed animals or blankets while the baby is sleeping.
3. Crib tents are intended to keep the toddlers from climbing out of the cribs, but they can also become death traps. The constant pulling and poking by the little fingers can tear apart the mesh. And if your little one tries to get out, he can get trapped or tangled.
4. Sleep Positioner: These wedged or flat mats are designed to keep the infant on his back during the sleep. It claims to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and colic diseases too. But no research supports these claims. On the contrary, sleep positioners increase the likelihood of suffocation. The CPSC states that 13 deaths reported over the past 13 years are related to sleep positioners.
5. You may think that the cute bumper inside the crib would prevent the tiny limbs of your child from being stuck between the rails, but in reality, these pads are one of the unsafe baby products that causes suffocation and strangulation hazard. It is even linked to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The baby’s head can be caught on the side of the crib and the bumper. Older kids can also use the bumper to crawl out of the bed.
6. A walker may appear a great idea because it helps the infant stand and walk before he can do it on his own. But it is not as safe and convenient as it may appear. Every year, more 21,300 injuries associated with babies rolling down the flight of stairs are reported in the emergency room. It’s also been said that walkers delay the children from reaching their development milestone.
7. Co-sleepers, also called bedside sleepers, allow children to sleep near the mothers for nursing. But at the same time, it also increases the risk of suffocation because of the excess padding. Plus, the sides of the co-sleepers are very low. Even worse, a flimsy parent can roll on top of their baby. So co-sleeper is one of the recommended baby products to avoid strictly.
8. The little mirrors and stuffed animals attached to the front of the car may seem like a godsend to keep the kid entertained in the long rides. But car seat experts opine that 99% of them are not safe. The rule is- “if it did not come with the car, do not use it”. And just think, would you really want a toy hurdling your tot’s face while you are riding? No, right?
9. The danger of the bathtub seat lies from the false sense of security that it provides. Yes, it helps babies sit upright, but also increases the risk of tipping over. In the past 16 years, bath seats have been tied to 175 infant deaths. The suction cups that is meant to secure the position never really work.
10. Bumbo Seats: These cute and colorful chairs had millions falling for it when they were launched, especially since it looked like a handy way to feed the infants. The product was recalled when CPSC received reports that infants fell off the seat by leaning, arching or rocking themselves. But the product is back in the market, this time with the strap to keep the baby safe in his seat. But that’s not enough as the entire thing can topple over the infant.
11. Sling Carriers: Having your baby snuggle up to you while walking or working may look adorable. But a shocking fact is that over the past 20 years, there have been 14 deaths associated with sling carriers. Being pressed up against the body for a long time can pose the risk of suffocation. Skull injuries, head injuries, and fractures have also been reported.
12. Soft Bedding: These plushly monogrammed blankets and pillows may look adorable, but they are ideal for decorative purposes only. Your infant can get tangled in the blanket or smothered by the pillow, leading to suffocation.

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