Angelcare Monitors Inc., of Quebec, Canada, is announcing a recall to provide cord covers for 600,000 Angelcare Movement and Sound Monitors with Sensor Pads.
The cord attached to the baby monitor’s sensor pad is placed under the crib mattress, which poses a strangulation risk if the child pulls the cord into the crib and it becomes wrapped around the neck.
Angelcare and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission have received reports of two infant cord strangulation deaths.
In November 2011, a 13-month-old female died in San Diego, Calif., and, in August 2004, an 8-month-old female died in Salem, Oregon. In both fatalities, the cord from the sensor pads was pulled into the crib by the infant.
In addition, two reports have been made of infants who became entangled in cords of Angelcare baby monitor models, which didn’t result in fatalities.
The recall involves the Movement and Sound Monitor manufactured by Angelcare. The baby monitor includes a sensor pad placed inside the crib, under the mattress, to monitor the baby’s movements. An electrical cord about 11 feet long is connected from the sensor pad to the nursery monitor unit.
The recall involves all versions of Angelcare sensor monitors including model numbers: AC1100, AC201, AC300, AC401, AC601 and 49255 that didn’t include rigid cord covers. The model number is located on the back of the nursery monitor unit. The monitors were manufactured between 1999 and 2013.
Angelcare is providing consumers with a repair kit that includes rigid protective cord covers through which the sensor pad cords can be threaded, a new, permanent electric cord warning label about the strangulation risk, and revised instructions.
The recalled baby monitors were sold at Babies R Us/Toys R Us, Burlington Coat Factory, Meijer, Sears, Walmart, Amazon.com, Target.com, Overstock.com, and nearly 70 small baby specialty stores from October 1999 through September 2013. The cost was about $100 to $300.
Consumers should immediately make sure cords are placed out of reach of the child and contact Angelcare at 855-355-2643 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm's website at www.angelcarebaby.com to order the free repair kit.
For details on other recalls, see www.recalls.gov.
Safety alert on baby monitor cords
In February 2011, the commission issued a safety alert warning consumers that seven strangulations from baby monitor cords have occurred since 2002. Since that alert, the number of death reports has risen to eight including the two involving the Angelcare monitors with sensor cords.
The commission advises parents to create a safety zone of at least three feet around a crib. See Infants Can Strangle in Baby Monitor Cords for more information.
The commission is conducting an education campaign with Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association, in which Angelcare is participated, to raise awareness on the hazards associated with baby monitor cords.
Parents and caregivers can visit the commission’s Crib Information Center at www.cpsc.gov/cribs for more baby monitor cord safety information.
