On January 8th, 2013 Fisher-Price announced the voluntary recall of “Newborn Rock ‘n Play Sleepers” after allegedly receiving hundreds of mold reports.
Mattel announced earlier in the month that they are recalling an approximate mass of 800,000 of the baby seats for remediation of instructions and repair of the units.
“Mold can develop between the removable seat cushion and the hard plastic frame of the sleeper when it remains wet/moist or is infrequently cleaned, posing a risk of exposure to mold to infants sleeping in the product,” Fisher-Price announced in a press release.
“The CPSC advises that mold has been associated with respiratory illnesses and other infections. Although mold is not present at the time of purchase, mold growth can occur after use of the product.”
Read the full Press Release here.
The recall intends to inspect the infant recliner seats due to 600 reports of mold on their products. The outbreak of mold is said to occur beneath the fabric cover that is sold in 14 patterns and color palettes—with an unhealthy and unpurified environment at the center of the issue.
“Mold can develop between the removable seat cushion and the hard plastic frame of the sleeper when it remains wet/moist or is infrequently cleaned,” Mattel’s recall information page reads.
Out of the 600 cases, 16 consumers have reported that their infants have been treated for respiratory issues such as “coughs and hives after sleeping in the product.”
Units currently sold in retail stores are not affected by the recall. Mold often becomes an unseen hazard to one’s health and home if air quality and mold testing aren’t addressed.
Consumers of the infant seats are advised to inspect for mold beneath the removable seat cushion and seize using the product if brown, gray, or black spots indicate the presence of mold.
In the event mold is found beneath the seat, consumers are encouraged to contact Fisher-Price for further assistance and instructions on cleaning.
If you are concerned about mold or the quality of air in a living space, feel free to contact us today for a consultation. We service greater Massachusetts and New Hampshire for mold/air testing.
