Welcome to CPSC’s Podcast for Friday, December 21, 2007. I’m Patty Davis.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a warning about air mattresses this week.

You obviously can’t take your child’s crib with you when you travel. So you need to be extra careful about where you put your child to sleep when you’re away from home.

CPSC is urging parents to avoid air mattresses. Air mattresses and infants don’t mix. They are too soft for use with sleeping infants.

Also avoid other soft surfaces such as water beds and adult beds which are not specifically designed or safe for infants.

Since 2002, CPSC has received reports of 16 deaths, mostly infants younger than 8 months old, who had been placed to sleep on air mattresses.

Eleven of those suffocated in a face down position on an air mattress and five died due to suffocation after falling into the gaps between the air mattress and bed frame, and the mattress and adjacent furniture or wall.

Generic twin, full or queen-sized inflatable mattresses are usually intended for adults and older children. Even properly inflated air mattresses are usually too soft for infants to maintain a clear airway.

Air leaks and under-inflation also contribute to incidents. Make sure to pay close attention to product warnings and assembly instructions.

In recall news this week,

About 3,000 bicycle helmets were recalled by Specialized. The helmets fail testing required under CPSC's safety standard for bicycle helmets.

About 60,000 full body safety harnesses were recalled by Gorilla due to a fall hazard.

American Honda Motor Corp. recalled about 167,000 walk-behind lawn mowers due to a laceration hazard.

AAFES recalled “Soldier Bear” toys due to a violation of the federal lead paint standard.

DeWALT recalled about 346,000 cordless drills due to a fire hazard.

And about 13,000 Christmas candle sets were recalled by Specialty Merchandise Corp. due to a fire hazard. Visit our Web site for more information on CPSC’s warning about air mattresses and infants, as well as information about recalls announced by CPSC.

That’s it for this week’s podcast. Thanks for listening.

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