More than 2 million baby swings and rockers manufactured by baby gear maker 4moms have been recalled over a strangulation risk following the death of a 10-month-old infant, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission said in a notice published Monday.
The recall applies to 2 million of 4moms’ MamaRoo Baby Swing, versions 1.0 through 4.0, as well as 220,000 of its RockaRoo Baby Rockers sold in the US. 4moms is a subsidiary of Pennsylvania-based Thorley Industries.
The feds said the 4moms swings and rockers were sold at BuyBuy Baby and Target locations around the country. The sales took place from January 2010 through August 2022 and the products were priced between $160 and $250.
The notice said that an additional 60,000 MamaRoo swings and 10,000 RockaRoo rockers were sold in Canada during the period.
“When the swing or rocker is not in use, their restraint straps can dangle below the seat and non-occupant crawling infants can become entangled in the straps, posing a strangulation hazard,” the recall notice said.
The CPSC said 4moms received two reports of infants who became tangled in a strap after crawling underneath the MamaRoo swing. In one of the incidents, a 10-month-old infant died from asphyxiation, while the other infant suffered bruises to his neck.
The company did not receive any injury notices related to the RockaRoo, but the device was recalled nonetheless.
“4moms has proactively worked with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to recall about 2 million MamaRoo swings, and 220,000 RockaRoo rockers,” the company said in a statement.
“When the swing or rocker is not in use, the restraint straps can dangle below the seat and crawling infants can become entangled in the dangling straps, posing a strangulation hazard.”
The firm said people who purchased the impacted producers should immediately stop using them and place them out of reach of crawling infants.
They also urged the public to contact the company for a “free strap fastener that will prevent the straps from extending under the swing when not in use.” The fasteners are available on request by phone or email and ship within 2-4 weeks.
4moms representatives did not immediately return a request for further comment on the recall.
[Written in collaboration with other media outlets with information from the following sources]