CPSC Offers Safety Tips for Infant Carrier Seats: Safety Alert

CPSC Document #5048

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The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends that parents keep a close watch when a child is in an infant carrier seat because the seat can fall or turn over and the child can be injured or killed. CPSC has reports of over 20 deaths since 1986 associated with infant carrier seats. The deaths happened when infants became entangled in restraining straps, when carrier seats toppled over on soft surfaces such as beds, or when unrestrained children fell from the carrier seat 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 their movements 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 belts and watch the child carefully, even when strapped in.
  
  
• Do not use infant carriers as a substitute for infant car seats.

To prevent injuries and deaths with infant carrier seats, always use restraining straps and watch the child carefully, even when strapped in.