![]()
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced a voluntary recall of approximately 560 Happy Swing II infant swings and approximately 90 Bistro High Chairs due to strangulation hazards. The recall is in cooperation with Dream on Me, Inc. of South Plainfield, the company that imported both products from China. No injuries related to either product have been reported, the CPSC said.
Owners of the Happy Swing II or Bistro High Chair should immediately stop using the product and contact Dream On Me, Inc. for instructions on receiving a free replacement. Consumers will also have the option of replacing the swing with a walker. Contact Dream On Me toll-free at 877-201-4317 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. eastern standard time Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's website at www.dreamonme.com.
According to the CPSC, the fabric infant swing is being recalled because "the opening between the tray and seat or the grab bar and seat can allow a child's body to pass through and become entrapped at the neck, posing a strangulation hazard to young children if the belt is not engaged." The model/style number involved in the recall is "432" which is printed on a label on the frame of the swing. The fabric swing sits on a triangular frame and is battery operated. This swing was sold at juvenile products stores and CSN stores nationwide and online at Wayfair and Amazon.com from October 2010 through September 2012.
The Bistro High Chair is being recalled, the CPSC said, because "the front openings between the tray and seat bottom and on the side openings of the high chair between the armrest and seat bottom can allow a child's body to pass through and become entrapped at the neck. This poses a strangulation hazard to young children if the belt is not engaged. In addition, exposed springs between the seat and armrest on both sides of the high chair can create a pinch hazard to the child."
The recall involves all Dream on Me Bistro high chairs with model/style number "255" which is printed on a tag attached to the back of the seat that were manufactured in July 2011-- a date code is printed on a label on the back of the chair. The chairs were sold at Americas Kids, Kid Pro USA and independent juvenile specialty stores and online at Toysrus.com between November 2011 and September 2012.
The recalls come after Consumer Reports alerted the CSPC and Dream on Me in February that the Bistro failed to meet two key criteria in our tests, which are based in part on the voluntary ASTM International safety standards for high chairs. Consumer Reports designated the Bistro "Don't Buy: Safety Risk."
First, we found, the Dream on Me Bistro lacks a "passive crotch restraint," essentially a fixed post that sits between the child's legs to prevent him from slipping under the tray and either falling or getting his head caught between the tray and seat, which can result in strangulation. The Dream on Me Bistro has a five-point belt harness that can be buckled to hold a child in place, but it doesn't have the fixed post that the standard specifies.
The Dream on Me Bistro also failed our tests based on the ASTM standard's "side containment" requirement, because it has openings between the chair arms and seat that are large enough for a child's leg or torso to slip through, also posing a risk of injury.
See our buying advice for baby swings, and high chairs. Subscribers can see our Ratings for high chairs.
Sources:
Dream On Me Recalls Infant Swings Due to Strangulation Hazard [CPSC]
Dream On Me Recalls High Chairs Due to Strangulation Hazard [CPSC]
