After Deaths in Maryland, CPSC Issues Warning About Infant Suffocation

July 10, 1998
Release # 98-141

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For Immediate Release;
Contact: Ken Giles
(301) 504-0580 Ext. 1184

WASHINGTON, D.C. - After the deaths of two infants in Maryland from suffocation, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is reissuing its warning about the suffocation risk of putting infants to sleep in adult beds or on top of soft bedding. Press reports indicate that on May 13, 1998, two 5-month old boys apparently suffocated on an adult bed with soft bedding while at a Stevensville, Md., home daycare center.

Infants should never be put to sleep on top of soft bedding. Whether used on cribs or adult beds, soft bedding, such as comforters, pillows and sheepskins can mold itself around an infant's face. This hazard may contribute to as many as 900 infant deaths each year.

In addition to the dangers posed by soft bedding, infants placed on adult beds can become wedged between the mattress and bed frame or wall, and between the bed and an adjacent piece of furniture. Suffocation also can occur when infants sink into waterbed mattresses while sleeping on their stomachs.

"The only safe place for infants under 2 years of age is in a crib, whether putting them to sleep for the night or putting them down for a quick nap," said CPSC Chairman Ann Brown. "An infant should never be left on an adult bed."

CPSC recommends the following safety guidelines for preventing infant suffocation:

• Place infants to sleep on their backs on a firm, tight fitting mattress in cribs that meet federal safety standards and industry voluntary standards.
  
  
• Never place infants to sleep on adult beds, youth beds, waterbeds, day beds or bunk beds.
  
  
• Do not place infants to sleep on top of soft, fluffy products, such as pillows, comforters or sheepskins.