Injuries due to infant and toddler products are the leading cause of death among children.  For every fatal injury, approximately 18 children are hospitalized and emergency departments treat 233 for non-fatal injuries. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), an average of 87 children under age 5 die annually in incidents associated with nursery products.  About 35 of these deaths each year are associated with cribs.

“Just because a product is on the shelf, it doesn’t mean that it’s safe. We don’t want our children to continue to be the test crash dummies of the industry.  The cost is just too high,” Schakowsky said.

Children’s products are recalled at an average rate of two per week, yet 70% of the people say they only hear about three recalls a year.  In 2000, 37 million products were recalled. 

“We rely on the industry to police itself.  By doing so, we’re risking the lives of our children and grandchildren. Today, our answer is to recall dangerous products after babies have been killed or injured,” Schakowsky said.  

The legislation would require the CPSC to establish the Infant and Toddler Product Review Panel to set safety standards for all durable and infant toddler products by December 31, 2005.  Manufacturers would be required to have an independent third party certify that the manufacturer’s durable infant and toddler product has met the safety standards set by the CPSC Infant and Toddler Product Review Panel.  Products that do not meet safety standards would be prohibited from being released into the market. The review panel would have a seal that would be placed on products, which would let the consumer know that the product has been tested and approved for its safety.

Schakowsky concluded, “My bill would make sure that dangerous products don’t make it to market in the first place. It would require that infant and toddler products, like cribs, car seats, strollers meet federal safety standards before being sold to consumers.”