Cárdenas Bill to Ban Dangerous Baby Sleeping Products Goes Into Effect
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Tony Cárdenas (CA-29), Vice Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce, and Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (IL-9), Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce, applauded their Safe Sleep for Babies Act going into effect on Saturday, November 12. The law, signed by President Biden in May, bans inclined sleep products and padded crib bumpers, regardless of date of manufacture.
“Ahead of the holiday season, parents and caregivers can breathe a sigh of relief now that the lifesaving Safe Sleep for Babies Act has officially gone into effect,” said Congressman Cárdenas. “While unsafe inclined sleep products and padded crib bumpers are off of store shelves, I’m encouraging parents everywhere to stay vigilant. If parents see these dangerous products in second hand stores, do not buy them. If parents own these products, please throw them out and do not regift them. This new law will help save lives, but only if we all work together to spread the word.”
“Nearly 200 deaths have been linked to crib bumpers and infant inclined sleep products, leaving families across the country shocked and devastated,” said Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. “Thanks to the Safe Sleep for Babies Act, which I was proud to introduce with Rep. Tony Cárdenas, these dangerous products are no longer for sale, providing families with the peace of mind they deserve when purchasing new products for their newborns.”
Approximately 200 deaths have been linked to crib bumpers and infant-inclined sleep products. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), 83 deaths have been crib bumper-related and 97 have been due to inclined sleepers. A study from the CPSC notes that many researchers believe the most common risk factor for sleep-related deaths in infants is rolling into crib bumpers in their sleep area.
The CPSC is reminding caregivers to follow these practices to keep babies’ sleep space safe:
- Always place the baby to sleep on their back to reduce the risk of sudden unexpected infant death syndrome (SUID/SIDS) and suffocation.
- Always keep the baby’s sleep space bare (fitted sheet only) to prevent suffocation. Do not use pillows, padded crib bumpers, quilts or comforters.
- Transfer the baby to a firm, flat crib, bassinet, play yard or bedside sleeper if they fall asleep in a swing, bouncer, lounger, or similar product.
- Inclined products, such as rockers, gliders, soothers, and swings should never be used for infant sleep, and infants should not be left in these products unsupervised, unrestrained, or with soft bedding material, due to the risk of suffocation.
The law was also applauded by Kids In Danger (KIDS), Consumer Reports and Consumer Federation of America.
“The Safe Sleep for Babies Act is a major victory for families across the country,” said Nancy Cowles, executive director of Kids In Danger (KID). “Infants will be safer than ever before now that inclined sleep products and padded crib bumpers cannot be sold or manufactured. Thank you to our champions in Congress, consumer and medical advocates, and the parents who have lost their children to these deadly products and have been working tirelessly to prevent similar tragedies.”
“The Safe Sleep for Babies Act will help parents protect their little ones by making clear which infant products are safe for sleep and which ones are not,” said Oriene Shin, policy counsel for Consumer Reports. “This important new law is a direct result of the brave and tireless advocacy of parents who have lost a child. While experiencing unimaginable pain, they have fought for years to see change and their efforts will save countless lives.”
“The passage of the Safe Sleep for Babies Act by the House and Senate was profound. The Safe Sleep for Babies Act was signed into law on May 16 and went into effect on November 12. This lifesaving law prohibits the manufacture or sale of padded crib bumper pads and infant inclined sleep products,” said Rachel Weintraub, legislative director and general counsel with Consumer Federation of America. “Due to the leadership of Representative Cárdenas and Representative Schakowsky, and Senators Duckworth, Blumenthal, Brown, and Portman, and years of advocacy by parents, pediatricians, and consumer advocates, this legislation is now law.”
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