Concerns have arisen regarding the safety of two baby bassinets, the Ingenuity Dream & Grow Bedside Bassinet, manufactured by Kids2, and the Halo BassiNest Flex Portable Bassinet. Both of these bassinets share a common issue: they have a tendency not to remain level, putting infants at risk of dangerous and potentially life-threatening positions.
The cantilevered design of these bassinets, where they are supported on only one side, has raised alarm among parents and federal regulators. Reports from numerous online reviews and complaints to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) indicate that these bassinets lack stability, causing babies to roll into the sides or onto their stomachs while sleeping, posing a risk of suffocation.
The CPSC has documented at least five infant deaths related to cantilevered bassinets since 2019. This disturbing statistic underscores the potential dangers associated with these products. However, the agency did not specify which bassinets were involved in these fatalities.
Safe infant sleep guidelines, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, emphasize that babies should sleep on their backs on a firm, flat surface. Unfortunately, many baby products, including these bassinets, have been called into question due to safety concerns. The particular danger posed by these bassinets is their inability to prevent babies from rolling over while they sleep. Once a baby rolls onto their side or stomach, they can become trapped in an unsafe sleeping position.
Consumer Reports’ product safety testers investigated these bassinets in the lab and confirmed the concerns raised by parents. They observed a troubling tilt in both bassinets when weight was placed inside, supporting parents’ claims about the instability of these products.
The CPSC maintains that bassinets should be completely flat, with an incline of 0 degrees (with a margin of error not exceeding 1 degree). The term “cantilevered,” used by the CPSC, describes bassinets supported on one side only.
The Ingenuity Dream & Grow Bedside Bassinet has garnered over 100 negative reviews in the past four years, many of which highlight the issue of tilting and instability. These reviews are found on various retail websites, including Target, Amazon, and others. Concerned parents have shared their experiences, expressing worry about their babies rolling to the sides and being pushed against the bassinet’s walls. Despite the mesh walls of the bassinet, some reviews point out that the non-mesh fabric under the mattress could pose a suffocation risk if a baby’s face ends up in that area.
Incident reports submitted to the CPSC provide further troubling accounts, including instances of babies rolling onto their stomachs or becoming trapped due to the bassinet’s tilt. Some parents shared photos illustrating the dangerous positions in which their infants were found.
The Halo BassiNest Flex Portable Bassinet presents similar risks due to its base frame supported on only one side. Although no injuries have been reported to the CPSC regarding this bassinet, it has received over 100 negative reviews that mention the tilting issue. Parents have described their babies rolling to the front or onto their stomachs, causing distress and sleepless nights.
The CPSC has urged safety-standards groups for bassinets to require completely flat surfaces, with a 0-degree incline, and allow a minimal error margin of 1 degree. However, some groups had previously proposed a maximum tilt angle of 7 degrees, a suggestion that raised concerns among CPSC staff.
Consumer Reports’ safety experts recommend that the CPSC conducts its investigations and initiates recalls of both the Ingenuity Dream & Grow and Halo BassiNest Flex bassinets. Additionally, they believe that the manufacturers should take more proactive measures to ensure consumer safety.
A proposed federal class-action lawsuit has been filed against Halo Innovators, alleging that they knowingly sold a “defective” product while marketing it as “safe.” The lawsuit includes screenshots of numerous negative reviews from customers.
In conclusion, ensuring a safe sleep environment for babies is of paramount importance. These bassinets have raised serious safety concerns, putting infants at risk. If your child has been harmed or put in danger due to these or similar products, you may be entitled to seek damages through a product liability lawsuit. Such lawsuits typically involve multiple steps, including gathering evidence, filing the lawsuit, negotiations, and, if necessary, going to trial. It is crucial to consult with an experienced product liability attorney at each stage of this process to protect your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.
CONTACT PARKER WAICHMAN LLP FOR A FREE CASE REVIEW
If you believe your child has been harmed by an unsafe bassinet or any other product, we encourage you to report the incident to the CPSC through SaferProducts.gov. For legal guidance and a free consultation, reach out to the national product injury law firm Parker Waichman LLP at 1-800-YOUR-LAWYER (1-800-968-7529). Your child’s safety and your rights as a parent are of the utmost importance, and seeking legal help is a crucial step toward holding manufacturers accountable for their products’ safety.
Regardless of your location or where your injury occurred, our nationwide personal injury law firm is ready to assist you.
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