Following a nationwide recall for inclined sleep products for infants, the New York State Division of Consumer Protection urges all parents and caregivers to pay attention to product recalls.

In April 2019, Fisher-Price alerted consumers to over 30 infant deaths linked to its Rock n'Play Sleeper, while Kids2 reported 11 infant deaths linked to its Rocking Sleeper. Since those initial recalls, authorities said both sleepers remained in circulation, leading to an additional 70 deaths on the Fisher-Price device and four deaths on the Kids2 device.

Both Fisher-Price and Kids2 re-issued their initial recalls this month in order to remind consumers not to buy.

Inclined sleepers are dangerous for babies and increase the risk of suffocation, officials stated. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that caregivers put babies to sleep on a firm, flat surface.

“Infants spend most of their time sleeping, so it’s important to provide a safe sleep environment for babies,” said New York Secretary of State Robert Rodriguez.

“I urge all New Yorkers to stop using these products and pay attention to product recalls. Sales and distribution of these recalled items are prohibited and illegal. Using these recalled sleeper puts children’s lives at risk.”

How to choose safe products for your baby:

• Complete product registration cards. Product registration cards are required for all durable infant and toddler products. When a company has your name and contact information, they are required to contact you to notify you if the product is recalled.

• Stay updated on the latest product recalls. Check for recalls online at www.cpsc.gov and www.fda.gov, or follow the Division of Consumer Protection on social media. If you have a recalled product, the first thing you should do is stop using it.

• Check for recalls before you buy or use new or used baby items. Stores are not always up to date on the latest the recall information, so don’t assume a product is safe just because it’s for sale at a local retailer. Remember to also check for recalls if you purchase used items online, through social media — Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, etc. — or at a “mom swap” or garage sale.

• Don’t sell or donate recalled items. Do not sell or give away recalled items; instead follow the recall guidance. In the instance of inclined infant sleepers, be sure to destroy the sleeper so that it can’t be used by anyone else.

• Regularly schedule a safety check-up on products in your home and check for recalls. Make it a habit to continuously track recalls since hundreds of items are regularly added that have been recalled for safety concerns.