"Mothers Helper" infant cushion
CPSC Recall #90-074 - April 18, 1990
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 90-074 |
| Recall Date | April 18, 1990 |
| Remedy Type | Refund |
| Units Affected | Approximately 467,000 |
| Manufacturer | Hollander Home Fashions, of Newark, NJ |
Where It Was Sold
| Mothers Helper was sold nationwide from 1986 through January 1990. Most of the cushions were sold in Wal-Mart stores in 1988 and 1989 for approximately $8.00 each. In 1988 this product was sold at Jamesway stores in the eastern U.S. |
Product
"Mothers Helper" infant cushion
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Hollander Home Fashions, Newark, NJ, in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), is voluntarily recalling approximately 467,000 infant cushions, called "Mothers Helper," because of an alleged suffocation hazard to young infants (under 6 months of age) who are left to sleep on the product. CPSC has received 9 reports of deaths involving infants 3 months of age or younger found face down after being left to sleep on the Mothers Helper. The Commission has received 10 other reports of infant deaths on similar infant cushions made by other manufacturers. Mothers Helper was sold nationwide from 1986 through January 1990. Most of the cushions were sold in Wal-Mart stores in 1988 and 1989 for approximately $8.00 each. In 1988 this product was sold at Jamesway stores in the eastern U.S. The Mothers Helper is a quilted, fabric covered, polystyrene pellet-filled cushion intended for use with infants. The manufacturer's name, along with information concerning fiber content, appears on a paper tag attached to the product. The product also bears another tag that includes a warning never to leave the child unattended. Hollander Home Fashions and the CPSC staff urge consumers to stop using these products immediately. Consumers who have this product may return the paper tag with the manufacturer's name, along with a 6" x 6" piece of fabric cut from the cover, to the following address to receive a free infant quilt. Cushion/Quilt Exchange Hollander Home Fashions Corporation 350 Central Avenue Newark, NJ 07103 Or, return the product directly to the place of purchase for a refund. If you are unsure whether your infant cushion is a Mothers Helper brand, or if you need more information about how to obtain the free quilt or refund, call Hollander's toll free number at 1- 800-233-7666 for assistance.
Hazard
This infant cushion is being recalled because of an alleged suffocation hazard to young infants (under 6 months of age) who are left to sleep on the product.
Incidents & Injuries
CPSC has received 9 reports of deaths involving infants 3 months of age or younger found face down after being left to sleep on the Mothers Helper. The Commission has received 10 other reports of infant deaths on similar infant cushions made by other manufacturers.
Remedy Instructions
Hollander Home Fashions and the CPSC staff urge consumers to stop using these products immediately. Consumers who have this product may return the paper tag with the manufacturer's name, along with a 6" x 6" piece of fabric cut from the cover, to the following address to receive a free infant quilt: Cushion/Quilt Exchange, Hollander Home Fashions Corporation, 350 Central Avenue Newark, NJ 07103. Or, return the product directly to the place of purchase for a refund.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Refund at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly, either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Refund) at no cost to you.
Yes. If you were injured by a defective consumer product, whether recalled or not, you may have grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer and potentially the retailer. A recall notice can serve as evidence that the manufacturer was aware of the defect. Injuries that may support a claim include burns, lacerations, fractures, electric shock, choking incidents, and chemical exposure. Most product liability attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless you win. Consult an attorney promptly, as statutes of limitation vary by state.
In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.
If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney, parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.