Parents' alert - U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission on reliability of infant carrier seats

Pediatrics for Parents, Nov, 1992

The U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission recommends that parents closely watch there children when in an infant carrier seat. The seat can easily fall or turn over and the children be injured or killed. CPSC has reports of over 20 deaths since 1986 associated with infant carrier seats. The deaths happen when infants become entangled in restraining straps, when carrier seats topple over on soft surfaces such as beds, or when unrestrained children fell from the carrier seats to the floor. In almost all of the cases, infants were left unattended in the infant carrier seat. Active infants can move or tip carrier seats by moving or by pushing off on other objects with their feet.

To prevent injuries and deaths with infant carrier seats, CPSC recommends that parents:

* Choose a carrier with a wide, sturdy base for stability.

* Stay within arm's reach of the baby when the carrier seat is on tables, counters, couches, and chairs.

* Never place a carrier seat on soft, plush surfaces that will make it unstable.

* Always use the safety belt.

* Do not use infant carriers as a substitute for infant car seats.