Smart Response Swings
CPSC Recall #02-136 — April 9, 2002
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 02-136 |
| Recall Date | April 9, 2002 |
| Remedy Type | Inspect, New Instructions, Replace |
| Units Affected | About 42,000 |
Where It Was Sold
| Discount department and juvenile product stores nationwide sold these swings from December 2001 through March 2002 for about $70. |
Product
Smart Response Swings
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, (CPSC), Fisher-Price, of East Aurora, N.Y., is recalling about 42,000 Smart Response Swings for in-home inspection and repair. It is possible to misassemble the seats of these swings so that they appear secure, but are not. If the seat of the swing is not properly attached, the seat and baby can flip forward.Fisher-Price has received seven reports of the seats of the swings flipping forward, including four reports of babies hitting their heads on the floor. Though bumps and red marks were reported, there have been no serious injuries.The Smart Response Swing is an indoor infant swing for use from birth until baby can sit up unassisted. The swing operates in response to a sound sensor and plays music. The metal legs of the swing are either blue or beige, and the seat is either beige or white. The Fisher-Price logo appears on the seat's tray. Product numbers 79644, 79645 or 79647 are molded onto the back of the seat.Discount department and juvenile product stores nationwide sold these swings from December 2001 through March 2002 for about $70.Consumers should stop using swings immediately and call Fisher-Price for help in inspecting the seat to make sure the seat is properly attached. If the seat is not properly attached, a free replacement seat and revised instructions will be provided. For more information, call Fisher-Price at (800) 942-5912 anytime, or visit the firm's website at http://www.service.mattel.com.
Hazard
It is possible to misassemble the seats of these swings so that they appear secure, but are not. If the seat of the swing is not properly attached, the seat and baby can flip forward.
Incidents & Injuries
Fisher-Price has received seven reports of the seats of the swings flipping forward, including four reports of babies hitting their heads on the floor. Though bumps and red marks were reported, there have been no serious injuries.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should stop using swings immediately and call Fisher-Price for help in inspecting the seat to make sure the seat is properly attached. If the seat is not properly attached, a free replacement seat and revised instructions will be provided.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Inspect, New Instructions, Replace 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 (Inspect, New Instructions, Replace) 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.