Because of recent infant deaths, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) today issued an urgent warning not to place infants, especially those under six months of age, to sleep on small pillows or cushions filled with plastic foam (polystyrene) beads because of a suffocation risk.
In response to reports that infants were found dead lying on this type of cushion, the CPSC initiated an investigation. To date, the Commission is aware of 10 deaths. All of the victims were three months old or younger and had been placed on one of these cushions and reportedly fell asleep. Each victim was found on his stomach on the soft cushion. The 10 deaths occurred between December 1987 and February 1990. Seven of these deaths have occurred since June, 1989.
It is unusual for so many deaths associated with a relatively new product to occur over such a short period.
The cushions resemble pillows or small "bean bags." They are about 24 inches long by 12 inches wide, usually made of quilted fabric and loosely filled with plastic foam beads or pellets. The fabric patterns vary. The Commission believes the products are made and sold by at least 10 firms.
The CPSC's investigation is continuing. Because of the number of reported deaths, however, it urges parents and caretakers never to leave infants on these products unattended. In particular, the agency warns that infants should not be permitted to sleep on these products.
Some deaths were reported as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). An autopsy would not tell the difference between some types of suffocation and SIDS. Such deaths are not normally reported to the CPSC and only came to light after the staff began its investigation.
CPSC requests that anyone knowing of other incidents involving pellet-filled cushions or having information which may assist in this investigation call the Commission's toll-free Hotline at 1-800-638-2772, or write: Pillows, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington, D.C. 20207, or call 301- 492-6580.
About the U.S. CPSC
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risk of injury associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product-related incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. Since the CPSC was established more than 50 years ago, it has worked to ensure the safety of consumer products, which has contributed to a decline in injuries associated with these products.
Federal law prohibits any person from selling products subject to a Commission ordered recall or a voluntary recall undertaken in consultation with the CPSC.
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