Baby Monitors Recalled for Burn, Strangulation Hazard

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced a voluntary recall by Summer Infant of its video baby monitors, both rechargeable battery and cord models. The cord models have caused at least two strangulation deaths and the battery models pose burn risks.

Summer Infant Slim and Secure video baby monitors are handlheld products sold with MP and BK rechargeable batteries. It's the batteries that are causing the burn problems. They can overheat and rupture. Consumers are instructed to stop using the rechargeable batteries with the baby monitor and send them to Summer Infant. The monitor is not faulty.

Summer Infant says that the battery-powered video cameras can still be used with the AC power cord. However, Summer Infant is also recalling corded video baby monitors, also. Two children died in the last year due to strangulation on Summer Infant video monitor cords. One monitor was mounted on the wall. Since 2004, six infant deaths from strangulation on baby monitor cords have been reported to the CPSC.

Summer Infant video baby monitors are marketed from Rhode Island and made in China. The Summer Infant rechargeable battery baby monitors were sold exclusively at Babies R Us (a subsidiary of Toys R Us), from September, 2009 to May, 2010. Corded Summer Infant products were sold at a variety of mass merchandisers and retail outlets. 1.7 million products are affected by the recall. Summer Infant plans to place clear hazard warning labels on both products.

Parents using baby monitors with cords should consider these safety factors. First, never place an infant's crib or child's bed near a wall outlet. All corded products, lamps, monitors, radios should be placed out of reach from the crib or bed. For example, if you set a dresser near baby's bed, put the lamp on the far end away from the bed.

Do not mount shelves or appliances over baby's bed. Avoid dangling cords by wrapping excess cord around the base the appliance or winding it up and securing extra cord with a cable tie. It's best to use few corded appliances in a child's. Cap off any unused wall outlets with molded tight fitting plug covers.

The best baby monitor cannot replace parental monitoring. Don't trust baby's safety exclusively to a monitor. Routinely check to make sure baby is safe.

Consider co-sleeping with baby. Neither the AAP or CPSC recommend co-sleeping in an adult bed, citing dangers and infant death statistics. However, It's important to balance those facts against the number of infant crib deaths and the number of cribs and bassinets recalls for safety hazards. Add the number of deaths from infant room accessories, like corded appliances, shades, blinds and bedding and the case for co-sleeping becomes stronger.

The AAP does recommend that babies sleep close to parents. Products like Arm's Reach Co-Sleeper, which are cribs that connect directly to the adult bed, may answer both issues.

"Marilisa Kinney Sachteleben writes from 25 years teaching K-8, special needs, adults, ESL and homeschool and 22 years parenting four children. She advocates for child and family issues, breast-feeding, attachment parenting, sustainable lifestyles and social justice. Marilisa writes for the Yahoo! Contributor Network about parenting concerns."