According to recent news reports Summer Infant Inc. has voluntarily recalled 1.7 million baby monitors due to risks of strangulation when the monitor is located close to a child. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CSPC) has received two reports of infant fatalities as a result of strangulation caused by the electrical cords found on these baby monitors. One incident resulted in the death of a 10-month-old child; the other incident involved a 6-month-old child. The affected baby monitors were available for purchase between June 2003 and February 2011. If you own one of these Summer Infant baby monitors you are strongly encouraged to ensure that the monitor is well out of reach of your child. Those with questions regarding the recall may contact Summer Infant at 1-800-426-8627 or learn more about the recall at Summer Infants Baby Monitor Recall website. An electrical cord warning label can be received in addition to further information regarding safe mounting procedures and keeping cords out of a childs reach.
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Its tragic that the issuance of such a recall is the result of not only one child fatality but two. While some people may often dismiss the warning labels often affixed to electrical cords attached to all types of home appliances and devices such warnings serve a purpose. Its noticeably surprising that such a label apparently was not attached to these baby monitors when they were released. In such instances a product manufacturer may bear liability for any injuries or deaths resulting from the use of their product that did not have proper warnings attached to their product. Companies have a legal duty to ensure that their products are safe for consumers to purchase and use in their homes. Such safety should be even more highly valued in connection to products meant for use in close proximity to young children.
– Texas Product Liability Lawyer Michael Grossman
