Play yard recalled after death of 10-month-old

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) today recalled 425,000 Kolcraft infant play yards after receiving a report of the death of a 10-month-old boy who strangled on the changing table’s restraint strap that was hanging down into a “Sesame Beginnings” Travel Play Yard where he was located. The recall involves 12 different  play yards all of which have raised changing tables with a restraint strap that forms a loop beneath the changing table, posing a strangulation hazard to a child in the play yard.

In addition to the strangulation hazard with the changing table restraint strap, one model, the Contours 3-in-1 Play Yard, also has a raised cradle that rocks back and forth. A child can roll and get trapped against the side of the cradle. If that happens, the CPSC warns, a child can suffocate. Kolcraft has received 45 reports of children rolling to the side of the rocking cradle attachment.

The play yards came in a variety of colors and patterns and were sold over the past six years at retail stores nationwide from January 2001 through September 2007 for between $50 and $130. A list of models and model numbers follows. The model number is printed on a white sticker located on one of the feet of the play yard. The play yards were manufactured in China.

Parents and caregivers are advised to stop using the changing tables and rocking cradle immediately and to cut off and remove the existing changing table restraint strap. Kolcraft is offering owners a free non-looped replacement strap for the changing table and a free repair kit to secure the base of the cradle. The kit for the rocking cradle will be sent to consumers separate from the replacement strap. For additional information, call Kolcraft at (888) 655-8484 anytime, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.kolcraft.com.

The recalled models include:

Models: Kolcraft Travelin’ Tot, Kolcraft Travelin’ Tot LTD, Kolcraft Travelin’ Tot 3-in-1, Kolcraft Travelin’ Tot 4-in-1
Model numbers: 18730T-BZ, 18730T-HJ, 18734T-DV, 18934-SW, 18934-DV, 18935T-UT, 18935-CH, 18942-EC, 18950-GV, 18950T-GV, 18751-DV, 18951T-GS, 18951T-MO, 18744-BL 

Model: Carter’s Lennon Travelin’ Tot
Model numbers: 18740-UE, 18740T-UE, 18736T-LJ, 18737-LJ, 18737T-LJ 

Model: “Sesame Beginnings” by Kolcraft Travel Play Yard
Model numbers: 22361-VT, SP001-SBK 

Models: Jeep Sahara SE Play Yard, Jeep Sahara Limited Play Yard, Jeep Sahara XT Play Yard, Jeep Sahara Limited SE Play Yard, Jeep Sahara Limited XT Play Yard
Model numbers: 55235-JC, 55237-JQ, 55237T-JQ, 55237-XC, 55237-XV, 55237T-XB, 55770-XA, 55770-XI, 55772-XE, 55773-XY, JP002-XSP 

Model: Contours 3-in-1 Play Yard (with rocking cradle and changing table restraint strap)
Model numbers: 18604-OC, ZP003-MAL

Two of the models in the recall, the Jeep Sahara Limited XT and the Contours 3-in-1 Travel, were rated by Consumer Reports and featured in the Best Baby Products book.

Our advice: If your play yard includes a changing table, cradle or bassinet, remove it before placing a child in the play yard.  The CPSC is currently determining if these hazards could affect other brands and models of play yards beyond Kolcraft.  If the changing table for your play yard has a strap that can form into a loop under the table we recommend that you not use the changing table and contact the manufacturer about the problem.