On the Safety Blog, we don’t often cover product recalls. However, this one is an exception. It directly ties into serious water safety issues. A recently recalled infant bath seat provides a golden opportunity to talk about bath drowning danger.
Read on to learn more about the recalled infant bath seat and more.
Recall: Frieyss Infant Bath Seats
First, let’s start with the recalled product. According to the official alert from the
Consumer Safety Protection Commission, this recall involves Frieyss infant bath seats. The hazard in question is that the seats did not meet the required federal safety standards. These standards include specific requirements for stability and leg openings that these Frieyss products didn’t meet. As a result, it is possible for these infant baby seats to tip over while in use.
For concerned parents, below is a photo of the affected product. The bath seats are blue plastic with four green suction cups on the bottom. Stickers featuring clouds, a lion, a sun and a squirrel holding two balloons are on the front bar. The seat is about 13 inches wide, 12 inches deep and 8 inches high.
The seats were sold exclusively on Amazon. Luckily there have not been any reported injuries yet, but Frieyss is recommending a recall. Frieyss is contacting all known purchasers directly, but consumers can reach out to them directly via email at
beimeiruizexin@outlook.com.
Bath Drowning Danger is Silent and Quick
As we mentioned, there were not any reported injuries about this particular product. Of course, there is still an important water safety lesson that we should all take away. Bath drowning danger is one of the most overlooked forms of unlikely drowning hazards. This is true for people of all ages.
In today’s case, children would obviously be in danger the most. Drowning happens more quickly than most people realize. Active supervision for kids who are in the tub is crucial. A child should never be left alone in the water. Stepping away to answer the phone or grab something from the other room might be a fatal error.
Instead, a child in the water should hold the parent or guardian’s full attention. That means distractions like phones or books should be left outside.
Monitor the Water Level
When filling up the tub, don’t overdo it with the water. After all, it is very possible for a person to drown in as little as two or three inches of water. If there is enough water to cover the nose and mouth, it is enough to create a bath drowning danger. To prevent a fun bath from turning into a nightmare, the water level should be kept beneath the bather’s shoulders. Less water will mean less risk!
Safety and Bath Tub Toys
In honor of “Rubber Ducky Day” earlier in the year, we wrote a full post about
bath tub toy safety. That article is absolutely worth a full read, but here is the general gist: toys are fun, but they should be treated with care.
Before choosing a tub toy, be sure to look up reviews and read the instructions. Not all toys are created equally, so make sure each toy fulfills the needs of your child. Age recommendations can be a lifesaver. Small parts, for example can become a choking hazard for younger tykes.
When bath time is over, don’t forget to dry the toys to avoid mildew or mold from forming. These may not qualify as bath drowning danger, but they can be hazardous to your little one’s health! Finally, be sure to remove toys from the tub after bathtime, along with all water to avoid curious kids from exploring on their own.
Finally, take a lesson from today’s recall warning. Parents should always keep a close eye on websites like
www.Recalls.gov or
www.CPSC.gov. These websites help to warn parents of potential hazards of many products around the home.
