Experts Warned About Baby Neck Float Dangers Years Ago

Baby neck float death lawsuits

According to a safety alert posted on goodhousekeeping.com and a previous recall of Otteroo’s floaties, the public was warned of the dangers of baby neck floats several years ago. Safety experts warned that baby neck floats (floaties) could pose a risk of drowning. Back in 2019, baby neck floats suddenly popped up all over social media. However, experts warn that these swim aids should never be used since “any air-filled floaties can potentially deflate, putting kids at risk of drowning.”

Kyran Quinlan, the former chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Council on Injury, Violence and Poison Prevention and Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Rush University Medical Center, stated that neck floats for babies are terrifying and hopes that these devices are also terrifying to parents since neck floats are “potential death traps.” Quinlan said that having your child “one poorly sealed seam away from going under at the pool is frightening.”

Baby neck floats began gaining popularity a few years ago, and parents are regularly using them in pools, baby spas, and bathtubs. Several manufacturers of neck floats claim that their devices help children enjoy the water at a young age, and this helps them to explore and move freely. However, safety experts believe this is not a safe way to do it.

According to Kaylë Burgham of the Swimming Teachers’ Association, adults using floating tanks to disengage from the world is wonderful, but babies do not want or need this physically or emotionally. In fact, Kaylë believes that human contact and bonding with your baby is what young children need, not isolation. Babies need human contact to explore the water safely.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) warns against using any air-filled swimming aids, including “water wings,” because deflation will instantly take away buoyancy resulting in drownings. Several recent safety recalls back that belief. In 2015, Otteroo recalled about 3,000 of its floatation devices following 54 reports of seam burst incidents. Two versions of the baby floaties were recalled in Australia back in 2017 due to the products failing to meet safety standards.

Otteroo founder Tiffany Chiu stated that the company places safety as its top priority and has met U.S. regulations and safety standards, unlike similar products sold on Amazon, Walmart, and eBay. Chiu also stated that after the recall, their Otteroo floaties have new design features and thickness for both comfort and safety. Chiu also stated that Otteroo’s floaties are “intended as medical devices to aid disabled infants with aqua therapy.” She also stated that parents and caregivers should be within arm’s reach of their baby at all times.

Several manufacturers admit that it is possible that neck floaties can deflate, but using the floatation devices with adult supervision can lessen the risk involved.

FDA Issues a New Injury/Death Warning Concerning Baby Neck Floats

However, on June 29, 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a new safety warning concerning baby neck floats. The FDA warned parents, medical professionals, and caregivers not to use neck floats with babies for water therapy interventions, particularly when the baby has special needs, developmental delays, spina bifida, Down syndrome, spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type 1, or cerebral palsy. The FDA warns that the use of baby neck floats can lead to severe injury or death.

Do You Have a Case? 

If your child experiences injury or death associated with neck floats, we encourage you to contact our firm for your free case review and file a claim against the manufacturer.

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Parker Waichman LLP helps families recover monetary compensation for harm caused by dangerous products. For your free consultation, contact our law firm today by using our live chat or calling 1-800-YOUR-LAWYER (1-800-968-7529).