Advisory - Health Canada Warns Parent and Caregivers to Stop Using the KidCo PEAPOD™

OTTAWA, Oct. 15, 2012 /CNW/ -

The issue:

The KidCo PEAPOD^TM is marketed as an indoor/outdoor travel bed for infants.  Health Canada has received two reports of infants rolling over and getting their faces trapped between the mattress and the side of the product, posing a suffocation hazard.

Who is affected:

Parents and caregivers who own or use the KidCo PEAPOD^TM.

What consumers should do:

• Consumers should immediately stop using the KidCo PEAPOD^TM for infants under one year of age.
  
  
  
• The safest place for an unsupervised infant to sleep alone is in a crib that meets current Canadian safety regulations.
  
  
• A bassinet or cradle that meets current Canadian safety regulations is also a safe place for an infant until he or she reaches the maximum weight recommended by the manufacturer OR until he/she can roll over, whichever comes first.
  
  
• Infants should never be placed to sleep in products that are not specifically designed to accommodate an unattended sleeping infant, such as carriages, strollers, car seats, playpens, infant swings and bouncers.

What Health Canada is doing:

Health Canada is currently in discussions with the company about how it will address the safety concerns related to the use of this product.  In the meantime, the department is warning consumers to immediately stop using the product for infants under 1 year of age.

Background:

The safest place for your baby to sleep is on his or her back, in a crib, cradle or bassinet. Health Canada recommends room sharing for the first six months of your baby's life.

Infants should never be placed to sleep on unsuitable surfaces, such as a standard bed, water bed, air mattress, sofa, futon or armchair.  An infant's sleep surface should always be firm, flat, and free of soft bedding.

Please also see Health Canada's Is Your Child Safe? Sleep Time

For more information:

Consumers and health professionals wanting more information about this advisory from Health Canada can contact the Public Enquiries Line at 613-957-2991, or toll free at 1-866-225-0709.

Media enquiries related to this Advisory should be directed to Health Canada Media Relations at 613-957-2983.

How to report problems with consumer products:

Health Canada would like to remind Canadians to report any health or safety incidents related to the use of a consumer product or cosmetic. An easy-to-use incident report form is now available on the Department's website.

E-mail: [email protected]
Mail: Incident Report - Consumer Product Safety Directorate
Health Canada
123 Slater Street
Ottawa, ON, Canada, K1A 0K9

Stay connected with Health Canada and receive the latest advisories and product recalls using these social media tools: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/home-accueil/sm-ms/index-eng.php

Image with caption: "Products affected: All KidCo PEAPOD(TM) travel beds (CNW Group/Health Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20121015_C7109_PHOTO_EN_19336.jpg

SOURCE: Health Canada

Media Enquiries:
Health Canada
613-957-2983

Public Enquiries:
613-957-2991
1-866 225-0709

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