Baby Monitor Recall

Baby monitor cord hazard

Slim and Secure monitor

Recalled battery

The U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission issued 2 recalls this weekend involving Summer Infant baby monitors.

The first recall involves nearly 2 million baby monitors due to a strangulation hazard. Nothing is actually wrong with the monitors themselves, but two infants have died in the last year after becoming entangled in the cords of monitors that were placed too close to their cribs, and the CPSC is aware of at least one other case in which an infant became entangled but was found before any serious injuries resulted. Summer Infant is issuing a voluntary recall of more than 40 models of baby monitors from store shelves, in order to add warning labels and safety instructions. The company is not offering to replace or refund any monitors already purchased.

"I urge all parents and caregivers to put at least 3 feet between any video or audio baby monitor cords and a child in a crib," says CPSC chairman Inez Tennenbaum. "This simple step can save your child's life." The commission has had reports of seven infant deaths due to strangulation in baby monitor cords since 2004.

Summer Infant is also recalling the rechargeable batteries sold with 58,000 Slim and Secure Video Monitors. The CPSC reports that the batteries can overheat and rupture, causing a burn hazard for users. No injuries have been reported so far, but Summer Infant is aware of 5 cases of the batteries rupturing. The monitors involved were sold exclusively at Babies R Us between September 2009 and May 2010.

Consumers should check for model numbers #02800 or #02805, with unmarked, MP or BK rechargeable batteries in the receiver unit. Batteries marked TCL are not affected. The CPSC warns that consumers should immediately stop using the affected monitors and contact Summer Infant at (800) 426-8627 for replacement batteries.