Photo courtesy: Fisher PriceWASHINGTON (AP) - The government is warning consumers to inspect
Fisher-Price Newborn Rock 'N Play Sleepers due to risk of exposure to
mold for infants who use them.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission said Tuesday
that its warning applies to 800,000 infant recliner seats, called
sleepers, that were sold at stores nationwide and online since September
2009, with prices ranging between $50 and $85. The seats, designed for
babies up to 25 pounds, feature a soft plastic seat held in a tubular
metal rocking frame. The product has a removable fabric cover.
Mold can develop between the removable seat cushion
and the hard plastic frame if the sleeper remains wet or is
infrequently cleaned, the agency said. Mold is associated with
respiratory illnesses and other infections, the warning said.
Fisher-Price has received 600 reports of mold and 16 infants have been
treated for respiratory issues, coughs and hives after they were in the
Fisher-Price sleepers.
The agency said consumers should check for dark
brown, gray or black spots that can indicate the presence of mold under
the removable seat cushion. If mold is found, they are advised to
immediately stop using the product and to contact Fisher-Price for
cleaning instructions or further assistance.
Units currently in retail stores are not affected by the warning, but mold growth can occur after use of the infant sleepers.
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For information: Call Fisher-Price at 800-432-5437
Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST, or visit the company's
website at http://www.service.mattel.com .
