Strangulation Risk Prompts Warning About Crib Kickers

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Red Calliope of Los Angeles, CA and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission are issuing a warning about some crib toys known as crib kickers manufactured by Red Calliope because of a possible strangulation hazard to infants.

CPSC and Red Calliope are not aware of any strangulations or injuries associated with the company's crib kickers; however, the Commission has received reports of deaths involving similar products. An estimated 20,000 crib kickers were sold nationwide between 1980 and 1985 as companion items to the company's soft goods crib products.

These crib toys consist of a series of polyester-filled figures, e.g., animals or flowers, with two long ribbons attached at each end for tying the toy across a crib or playpen. Children who can push up on hands and knees in a crib may become entangled in the loops formed by the ribbons or could fall across the toy and become asphyxiated.

CPSC said the toy contains no warning that parents should remove the crib kicker when the child begins to push up on hands and knees or reaches five months of age. The retail package did contain a note to parents, but since this information was not attached to the toy itself it may have been discarded.

Crib kickers, like other types of crib toys intended to be hung across a crib or playpen, SHOUID BE REMOVED WHEN THE BABY REACHES FIVE MONTHS OF AGE.

The Commission recommends that all consumers who may be using any brand crib kicker that does not bear a warning statement remove it from the crib or playpen immediately and discard it. Unlabeled crib kickers stored away for future use should also be discarded to prevent exposing infants to a potential risk of strangulation.