Inflatable baby floats recalled due to drowning hazard

Acqua-Leisure Industries of Avon, Massachusetts is voluntarily recalling certain models of its inflatable baby floats due to concerns about a possible drowning hazard.

(Not all models have been recalled. Information about which models are involved can be found through the links at the end of this posting.)

Leg straps in the recalled models seats can tear, “causing children to unexpectedly fall into or under the water”, putting them at risk for drowning, the Commission said in a press release announcing the recall.

To date, there have been 31 reports of float seats tearing, causing children to fall into the water, the release said. However, there had been no reports of injuries.

About 4 million of the floats have been sold in a wide variety of models and styles at retail stores across the country, including Target, Toys “R” Us, Wal-Mart, Dollar General, Kmart, Walgreens, Ace Hardware, and Bed, Bath & Beyond from December 2002 through June 2009 for between $8 and $15.

Note: Not all models sold during this time have been recalled. For full details please see the company’s FAQ sheet at the end of this post or at the company’s Web site and read the recall alert from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Tags: Acqua-Leisure Industries, Baby Float, Consumer Product Safety Commission, Inflatable Baby Floats, Product Recall, Swimming, Water Safety

Category: Child & Youth Health, Newborn and Infant Health, Product Recall, Safety