In 1992, the U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
(CPSC) banned infant cushions that were involved in 36
infant suffocations. The Commission took action previously
to remove existing products from the marketplace and from
consumers.
The CPSC's action stemmed from the concern that other
manufacturers might begin production of the same or simi-lar
products. A ban of infant cushions can assure that this
product does not reappear into the marketplace.
There are five essential features that define the infant
cushions of concern. The cushions:
- have soft fabric coverings;
- are loosely fitted with a granular material such as plastic
foam beads or pellets;
- are easily flattened to create a nest so that the infant
lies prone on them;
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- are capable of conforming to the face or body of an
infant; and
- are intended or promoted for use by children under
one year of age.
Of these features, the key characteristic that probably con-tributes
most to deaths is the ability of the cushions to con-form to an infant's face or body.
Almost all of the incidents reported to CPSC involved chil-dren
lying in a prone, stomach down position. In all but two
of the incidents, the infant was less than four months old.
A death that occurred two years after the initial recall
announcement underscores that infant cushions not
destroyed may find their way back into infant use at a later
date.
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