Cárdenas Praises Committee Passage of Safe Sleep for Babies Act
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the House Energy and Commerce Committee passed Congressman Tony Cárdenas’s (CA-29) Safe Sleep for Babies Act, legislation that would prohibit the sale of dangerous inclined sleepers that have been linked to infant deaths. The bill would ban sleepers with an inclined surface of greater than 10 degrees that is intended, marketed, or designed to provide sleeping accommodations for infants up to one year old.
“I’m proud that my colleagues supported my bill that would keep American babies safe,” said Congressman Cardenas. “The Safe Sleep for Babies Act is a common-sense measure that would remove dangerous sleeper products from stores. I look forward to having the full House vote on my bipartisan bill.”
At least 37 infant deaths have been linked to infant inclined sleep products. The American Academy of Pediatrics has long recommended that babies sleep on their backs on a flat, firm surface without any other bedding or restraints. On April 12 and April 26, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued recalls of the Fisher-Price Rock ‘n Play and Kids II Rocking Sleeper, respectively, but there are other inclined sleep products that remain on the market. This is a problem for consumers like grandparents and parents who will assume the products that remain in stores and on the market are somehow safer than the ones that have been recalled.
In April, the Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee held a hearing on the role and mission of the CPSC to protect the American people from dangerous consumer products.