Angelcare Movement and Sound Baby Monitors are being recalled, according to an announcement just released by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
This recall involves the Movement and Sound Monitor manufactured by Angelcare. This baby monitor includes a unique sensor pad that is placed inside the crib, under the mattress, to monitor the baby’s movement. An electrical cord that is about 11 feet long is permanently connected from the sensor pad to the nursery monitor unit. The hazard occurs because the cord is within reach of the baby inside of the crib. The cord can be pulled into the crib and can wrap around the child’s neck.
To date, Angelcare and CPSC have received reports of two infant cord strangulation deaths regarding crib cords. In November 2011, a 13-month-old baby girl died in San Diego, California. In August 2004, an 8-month-old baby girl died in Salem, Oregon. In both cases, the cord from the sensor pads was pulled into the crib by the infant. There have also been two reports of infants who became entangled in Angelcare baby monitor cords, which did not result infant death. In these incidents, it could not be determined if the “sensor pad cord” or the “monitor cord” was involved.
This recall involves all versions of Angelcare sensor monitors, including model numbers: AC1100, AC201, AC300, AC401, AC601 and 49255. These devices did not include rigid cord covers, which is what is being offered in the remedy. The CPSC, in cooperation with Angelcare Monitors Inc.®, of Quebec, Canada, will provide repair kits that include rigid protective cord covers for 600,000 Angelcare Movement and Sound Monitors with Sensor Pads. These cords will enable threading of the sensor pad cords. The kit will also contain a new, permanent electric cord warning label about the strangulation risk, as well as revised instructions.
Consumers should immediately ensure cords are placed out of reach of the child.
The model number may be found on the back of the nursery monitor unit. The monitors were manufactured between 1999 and 2013. 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. The monitors retailed for $100 to $300.
Angelcare may be reached, toll-free, at 1.855.355.2643 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Time (ET), Monday through Friday, or by email at [email protected]; or online at http://www.angelcarebaby.com (click on the “Safety Notice Section” of the website for more information).
In February 2011, CPSC issued a safety alert that warned 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 rose to eight; two involved the Angelcare monitors with sensor cords. Parents and caregivers are advised to visit CPSC’s Crib Information Center for additional baby monitor cord safety information, and they should ensure all cords are out of arm’s reach of children.
