While Manufacturer Claims the Reclines are Safe, Four Major Retailers Agreed to Voluntarily Recall Nap Nanny Baby Recliners
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) said on Thursday, December 27th, that Baby Matters’ Nap Nanny and Chill model baby recliners are unsafe and should be recalled. While manufacturer Baby Matters disagrees with the statement, four major retailers have agreed to voluntarily recall the product due to safety complaints and wrongful deaths.
The four major retailers are Amazon.com, Buy Buy Baby, Diapers.com, and Toys R Us/Babies R Us. They stated that because the manufacturer is unable or unwilling to participate, they will voluntarily recall the baby recliners.
The CPSC encourages consumers who bought the product from these four manufacturers to return it for store credit immediately. About 150,000 of these defective devices have been sold. Meanwhile, the agency continues to fight the now-defunct manufacturer, Baby Matters.
Manufacturer Disagrees with Nap Nanny Recall Notice
Baby Matters told the Associated Press earlier in December that they had gone out of business. Owner and founder Leslie Gudelposted a statement on their website that she did not believe the CPSC’s complaint had merit, and that the baby recliners were perfectly safe when used as directed.
Gudel told ABC news in an email, “Baby Matters is disappointed to hear that four retailers have chosen to voluntarily recall the Nap Nanny. As I’ve said before, the loss of an infant is an unthinkable tragedy, and I am truly heartbroken for the families who have lost a child. But when the Nap Nanny has been used properly, no infant has ever suffered an injury requiring medical attention.”
The company had previous problems with its foam recliners. Initial designs of the Nap Nanny specifically were recalled in 2010 after the first reported infant death. The Nap Nanny was redesigned, raising the sides and adding warning labels. Baby Matters also added a safety instructional video to their website, so parents could learn how to properly use the baby recliners.
However, the CPSC stated that the Nap Nanny still has design defects, and there are problems with the safety instructions. The government organization said that, since the 2010 redesign, they have received 70 reports of children nearly falling out of the recliners, despite the safety harness. These complaints include 5 deaths. The CPSC’s main complaint is that, although the manufacturer took some steps to improve the recliners’ safety, it is still dangerous due to “reasonably foreseeable use,” which includes improper use of the safety harness, and putting the device on tables or in cribs.
Gudel shut down her company because, she said, she could not continue to fight the CPSC.
The Strom Law Firm Can Help with Cases Involving the Nap Nanny
Defective products make it to the market for a variety of reasons, and it is important that consumers are aware that they have recourse against manufacturers. Often, these defective products are inadequately tested, or are misrepresented by marketers. Defective products can have manufacturing or design flaws or defects, and if they are improperly tested then these problems will go unnoticed until consumers begin to complain.
If you or a loved one purchased a Nap Nanny or Chill baby recliner, it is important that you take advantage of this recall. If your child has suffered personal injury or wrongful death due to one of the baby recliners, the Strom Law Firm can help. We offer free, confidential consultations to discuss the facts of your case. Do not hesitate to contact us regarding personal injury cases.803.252.4800
