Otteroo Baby Float Ring Consumer Warning
WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA (WXIN) — Defenders of consumer rights are sounding the alarm because of children’s rings, which are associated with death and serious injuries.
On Tuesday, the Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a drowning warning about the LUMI and MINI float rings sold by Otteroo. The warning also applies to discontinued models of Otteroo children’s swimming rings.
These rings are designed to be placed around a child’s neck. Rings are currently sold exclusively at www.otteroo.com. They were previously sold on Zulily.com and Amazon.com.
The warning comes after a CPSC evaluation found that float rings can deflate during use or storage. So far, the CPSC is aware of 68 cases where infants have slipped through the head opening of the floating ring, requiring immediate rescue. This includes one case in 2020 that required emergency care.
In a SaferProducts.gov report, a medical professional said the infant was left alone in a bathtub with a baby float. When the caregiver returned, they found him submerged in water.
Before the boy was taken to the hospital, cardiopulmonary resuscitation was performed on him. There he was intubated and required treatment to circulate the blood through the artificial lung back into the bloodstream.
Although that boy survived, the CPSC is aware of another case in which a 6-month-old girl died. In a report by SaferProducts.gov, a spokesperson for the police department said the girl was left in the bathtub with a floating LUMI ring around her neck. She slipped and drowned.
“Young parents are bombarded with advertisements that claim that baby products of all kinds will make their lives easier and keep their children safe,” said CPSC Commissioner Richard Trumko. “Parents should be aware that the CPSC does not evaluate these often misleading claims. Baby floats are not recommended for aquatic therapy and are especially dangerous for children with developmental disabilities.’
The CPSC urges people not to buy Otteroo baby swim rings. If they have it, they shouldn’t use it. They should throw it away immediately.
The CPSC also says people should not resell or donate baby flotation rings to keep other babies from being put at risk. They must report any incidents involving Otteroo baby swim rings www.SaferProducts.gov.
https://wgntv.com/news/cpsc-issues-warning-about-infant-floatation-rings-after-reported-death/
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