Two Additional Infant Deaths Prompt Re-announcement of Simplicity "Close-Sleeper/Bedside Sleeper" Bassinets

Consumers urged to immediately stop using the 3-in-1 and 4-in-1 bassinets, including those with Graco logo and "Winnie the Pooh" motifs

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is once again urging all parents and caregivers to immediately stop using convertible "close-sleeper/bedside sleeper" bassinets manufactured by Simplicity Inc., of Reading, Pa. CPSC has learned of two additional infant deaths since the August 2008 safety alert and recall announcements that notified consumers of two infants who had strangled in their Simplicity bassinets. To date, CPSC is aware of four infants who have died in the close-sleeper bassinets.

CPSC learned that in September 2008, a two-month old female in Demorest, Georgia suffocated when she rolled into the adjustable fabric siding of the bassinet, pressing her face into a "pocket" which formed near the Velcro© fasteners. In another incident in January 2009, a six-month old female in Fort Worth, Texas appears to have been fatally entrapped in the bassinet's bar opening created when the Velcro© fasteners were not secured. An investigation into this infant's death is ongoing.

In addition, CPSC has received two separate reports involving a 10-week old and a 3-month old whose heads became entrapped between the lower bassinet bar and the mattress support. The infants were freed by their caregivers without injury.

The Simplicity 3-in-1 and 4-in-1 convertible bassinets, including bassinets with the Graco logo and "Winnie the Pooh" motif licensed by Disney Consumer Products, contain metal bars that are covered by an adjustable fabric flap. This fabric flap is secured by Velcro© fasteners, which are intended to be partially removed when the bassinet is converted into the bedside/close-sleeper mode. If the Velcro© fasteners are not properly re-secured when the fabric flap is adjusted, or if the consumer entirely removes the fabric flap exposing the metal bars, an infant can slip through the opening between the lower metal bar and the mattress support and become entrapped and suffocate or strangle. Consumers are urged to check their bassinets to ensure they are not using one of the recalled Simplicity bassinets.

Parents and caregivers are advised to return these bassinets to the retail store where they were purchased. All of the recalled bassinets can pose a danger to infants.

To determine whether your bassinet has been recalled, please check for the model number and the manufacture date code pictured below. Bassinets manufactured prior to 21st week of 2008, "2108" (before May 18) are recalled. The model numbers for recalled bassinets manufactured prior to "2108" are:

3000 3010 3011 3012 3013 3014
3015 3016 3017 3020 3025 3026
3027 3030 3040 3045 3046 3047
3050 3060 3070 3111 3112
343-8363 343-8399
5730 5750 8383 9250 TD2500

The following retailers have voluntarily agreed to recall the product and provide a refund or store credit to consumers who return the product to the store where purchased.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Bentonville, Ark.
Toys "R" Us Inc., Wayne, N.J.
Kmart Corp., Hoffman Estates, Ill.
Big Lots!, Columbus, Ohio
Target, Minneapolis, Minnesota
J.C. Penney, Plano, Texas
AAFES, Dallas, Texas
Amazon.com, LLC Seattle, WA
Bed Bath & Beyond, Union, NJ
Burlington Coat Factory, Burlington, NC
Buy Buy Baby Garden City, NY
Chelsea&Scott LTD (One Step Ahead), Lake Bluff, IL
CSN Stores of Boston, MA
Fingerhut Direct Marketing, Eden Prairie, MN
Frogs and Lily Pads, St. Johnsbury, VT
Kohl's Department Stores, Menomonee Falls, WI
ShopKo Stores, Inc., Green Bay, WI
Sweet Pea Décor, North Beach, MD
USA Baby #47, Overland Park, KS
USA Baby #58, Brookfield, WI
USA Baby #136, Berlin, CT
USA Baby #141, Waipahu, HI
USA Baby #142, Virginia Beach, VA
USA Baby #147, Clovis, CA
Value City Department Stores, Columbus, OH

Due to the life-threatening hazard these bassinets pose to infants, CPSC urges all consumers to share this safety warning with friends, family, day care centers, and consignment stores to ensure that no child is placed to sleep in a Simplicity convertible bassinet covered by this warning.

SFCA Inc., the Reading, Pa.-based company that purchased the assets of juvenile product manufacturer Simplicity Inc. after foreclosure, no longer appears to be conducting day to day operations. SFCA Inc. is no longer answering phone calls or responding to e-mails from consumers.

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Six Reported Deaths Prompt Urgent Re-announcement of Blair Recall of Women's Chenille Robes

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Blair LLC, of Warren, Pa., are re-announcing the voluntary recall by Blair of 162,000 women's full length Chenille Robes. Since the recall was originally announced in April 2009, Blair has received reports of six deaths due to the robes catching on fire. Five of the six victims were female, and all five were cooking at the time of the incidents. Three of the victims were in their 80s.

CPSC and Blair announced the recall for the robes after Blair learned of three robes catching on fire, including one report of second-degree burns. Blair was subsequently made aware of the fatalities after the recall was announced and after Blair had sent letters of the recall to consumers who purchased the robes.

The Women's Chenille Robes have the following item numbers: 3093111, 3093112, 3093113, 3093114, 3093115, and 3093116. The item number is identified on a label in the garment's neckline. The robe is a one-piece garment made of plush sculpted chenille, a shaped stand collar, and horizontal chenille front and back yolks and cuffs. The robe has a full-button front with seven matching button closures, long sleeves with self cuffs, a straight bottom with self hem, and two sideseam pockets. The robe's sewn in label states: "100% Cotton, RN 81700, Made in Pakistan".

The robes were sold in Blair catalogs and Web site, and Blair stores in Warren, Pa., Grove City, Pa., and Wilmington, Del., from January 2003 through March 2009 from about $20 to $40.

CPSC and Blair once again urge consumers to stop wearing the garments immediately and contact Blair LLC for information on returning the robe and to receive a refund or a $50 gift card for Blair merchandise. Contact Blair toll-free at (877) 392-7095 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. ET Monday through Saturday, visit the firm's Web site at www.blair.com/recall, or contact the firm by e-mail at blairproductrecall@blair.com

"CPSC urges all consumers to report any incidents or injuries involving consumer products, even after a recall has been announced," said Acting CPSC Chairman Thomas Moore. "Contact the CPSC so that we may help prevent tragic deaths or injuries like those that might be related to the Blair robes."