New Federal Standard to Improve Safety of Infant Bouncer Seats Takes Effect

WASHINGTON, March 23, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A new federal standard aimed at making bouncers safer is now in effect. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) approved the safety standard to prevent deaths and injuries to babies. The new mandatory standard applies to any infant bouncer seat manufactured or imported after March 19, 2018.

What are the new rules?

Fall hazard warnings will be placed on the front of the bouncer seat near the baby's head and shoulders, improving the visibility of the warning. The standard also instructs caregivers to use restraints, even if a baby falls asleep in the bouncer, which is a likely occurrence.

Warning labels must include these statements:

• "Use bouncer ONLY on the floor."
• "ALWAYS use restraints and adjust to fit snugly, even if baby falls asleep."
• "STOP using bouncer when baby starts trying to sit up or has reached [insert manufacturer's recommended maximum weight, not to exceed 20 lbs.], whichever comes first."

What the Data Show

Between January 1, 2006 and July 6, 2016, there were 347 incidents involving bouncer seats reported to CPSC, including 12 fatalities and 54 injuries. The major cause of reported fatalities was suffocation when unrestrained babies turned over in a bouncer or bouncers tipped over onto soft surfaces (e.g., mattresses and comforters) when placed on adult beds and in cribs. Additional incidents primarily involved infants falling while in bouncers, or falling from a bouncer placed in hazardous locations, such as kitchen countertops, tables and other elevated surfaces.

Safety Tips for Using Infant Bouncer Seats        

CPSC recommends the following tips for parents and caregivers when using an infant bouncer seat:

• Always use the bouncer on the floor, never on a countertop, table or other elevated surface.
• Never place the bouncer on a bed, sofa, or other soft surface because babies have suffocated when bouncers tip over onto soft surfaces.
• Always use restraints and adjust restraints to fit snugly, even if baby falls asleep.
• Stay nearby and watch the baby during use.
• Stop using the bouncer when a child is able to sit up on his/her own or the baby reaches 20 lbs. or the manufacturer's recommended maximum weight.    

About U.S. CPSC:
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical or mechanical hazard. CPSC's work to help ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters and household chemicals -– contributed to a decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 40 years.

Federal law bars any person from selling products subject to a publicly-announced voluntary recall by a manufacturer or a mandatory recall ordered by the Commission.

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury go online to www.SaferProducts.gov or call CPSC's Hotline at 800-638-2772 or teletypewriter at 301-595-7054 for the hearing impaired. Consumers can obtain news release and recall information at www.cpsc.gov, on Twitter @USCPSC or by subscribing to CPSC's free e-mail newsletters.

CPSC Consumer Information Hotline
Contact us at this toll-free number if you have questions about a recall:
800-638-2772 (TTY 301-595-7054)
Times: 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. ET; Messages can be left anytime
Call to get product safety and other agency information and to report unsafe products.

Media Contact
Please use the phone numbers below for all media requests.
Phone: 301-504-7908
Spanish: 301-504-7800

SOURCE U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Related Links

http://www.cpsc.gov