Summer Infant Bather Recall Issued After Infant Skull Fractures

About 2 million Mother’s Touch Deluxe Baby Bathers have been recalled by Summer Infant, after consumers reported that the seats collapsed while being carried, resulting in at least four infants suffering skull fractures. 

The Summer Infant baby bathers recall was announced by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) on August 20, following at least seven reports of incidents sent in to the manufacturer, Summer Infant Inc., of Woonsocket, Rhode Island. Five children were injured, including the four skull fractures.

All of the infants who suffered skull fractures were between the ages of two weeks and two months old. One required intensive care for bleeding on the brain. The fifth injured child suffered a bump to the head and was treated in an emergency room. There have been no fatalities linked to the recalled baby bathers.

According to the CPSC, the problem occurs when the bathers are lifted with a child in them. The bather has a folding wire frame that can unexpectedly detach from the side hinge, causing the baby to fall out. The CPSC has determined that the design of the bathers pose a fall hazard and head injury risk for infants.

The recall affects Summer Infant Mother’s Touch and Deluxe Baby bathers. They have a small blue or pink plastic base about 13 and 1/2 inches long by 12 and 1/2 inches wide. They have adjustable side hignes held by five rivets, as well as a white wire frame and a mesh fabric sling seat. Some models also have a head support cushion. The fabric seat itself was sold in white, blue, green, yellow and orange with patterns that included fish, turtles, frogs, butterflies, ducks and flowers.

A complete list of model numbers affected by the recall is located on the recall notice. The model numbers can be found on the side of the baby bather either near the warning label or on the front near the wash instructions. Some have multiple model numbers or a letter at the end of the model number. Those manufactured since July 2007 have a warning label that states “Never lift or carry the bather with infant in it.”

The bathers were sold at mass merchandise stores nationwide and online for between $15 and $30 from September 2004 through November 2011.

The CPSC recommends consumers who have recalled bathers stop using them immediately and contact Summer Infant for a free repair kit. Even with the repairs, the bathers should not be used to carry and lift an infant, the commission warns.

Consumers with questions can call Summer Infant at (800) 426-8627 or visit the company’s website at www.summerinfant.com/batherrepairkit.