Retailers remove Simplicity bassinets from shelves

Six major retailers are pulling Simplicity bassinets from their shelves after reports of two infant deaths related to their use, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

Wal-Mart, Toys R Us, Kmart, Target, Big Lots, and J.C. Penney have recalled the Simplicity 3-in-1 and 4-in-1 Convertible "Close-Sleeper" bassinets because of a strangulation hazard previously reported by the CPSC. The recall affects nearly 900,000 bassinets.

On August 21, 2008, a 6 1/2-month-old girl from Kansas was strangled to death when she became trapped between the bassinet's metal bars, the CPSC stated. On September 29, 2007, a 4-month-old girl from Missouri became entrapped in the metal bars of the bassinet and died.

CPSC has warned parents, caregivers, and consumers to immediately stop using convertible "close-sleeper/bedside sleeper" bassinets manufactured by Simplicity Inc., due to the serious safety risk, and is urging all retailers to stop selling and recall the product.

More information can be accessed on the CPSC Web site here.