A major recall of crib tents and play yard tents has a horrible story behind it. The Consumer Product Safety Commission is issuing yet another recall on the baby product made by Tots in Mind, a now defunct company, to try to get them out of homes. The tents have been blamed in the death of one baby and the catastrophic brain injury of another. And yet, parents still seem to be using them.
That's got the CPSC so concerned that they've convinced five retailers who once sold the tents to give money out of their own coffers to parents. Think you're in line for a refund? Here's what you need to know to get your money ... and more importantly, keep your child safe.
1. The voluntary recall is for 330,000 crib tents and play yard tents made by Tots in Mind. There are no model numbers, but affected tents feature the Tots In Mind logo located on the non-mesh portion near the top of the tent. They were sold under the names Cozy Crib Tent, Cozy Crib Tent II, Crib Tent for Portable Play Yards, Portable Play Yard Tent Plus Cabana Kit, and Portable Play Yard Tent.
2. The tents have a serious defect that has reportedly trapped some 27 kids, including the child who died. Although a repair kit was once offered, the CPSC advises parents to stop using the tents immediately and NOT to attempt a repair.
3. The tents were sold at the following retailers, all of which can be contacted for a refund: Amazon.com; Bed Bath & Beyond/Buy Buy Baby, 800-GOBEYOND; Burlington Coat Factory, 888-223-2628; Toys R Us/Babies R Us, 800-869-7787; and Wal-mart 800-925-6278.
4. Refunds will vary. The tents originally sold for $65 to $80, and some retailers are offering store credit rather than cash.
Is your child sleeping under one of these tents?
Image via Consumer Product Safety Commission
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Comments 29
I was sad when we got the email from Amazon yesterday about this, since it was our plan to use it to prevent our cats from accidentally getting into the crib (we plan to keep them out of the room, but they are sneaky ones!). I wish somone could come up with something similar, since it's such a great idea in theory, but not worth the chance on our soon to be baby!
Nicole, I am sorry but I take major issue with your comment. Of course children are more important than pets but pets should be and for most people are a part of a family. Sometimes you have to accomdate to make it all work but the absolute last resort should be getting rid of your pets.
Nicole, that comment is just stupid. I grew up with animals and survived, and my husband an I are teaching our daughter that our dogs are members of the family and deserve to be treated with kindness and respect.
And about the recall, it's a bummer because we use the play yard tent when we travel-our daughter has been busting out of the pack n play since she was 18 months old, but isn't quite ready for a big-kid bed or a nap mat yet.
nicole, someone should "smack your head!" that was totally uncalled for!!! she was simply stating that this produce seemed like a good idea to help keep her cat out, she never did say "but i'm gonna keep on using it cuz I have a cat and cant stand to part with my cat so I'm going to use this unsafe product becasue my baby is worth less than my cat.." did anyone else see that written up there?? or am I missing something?
And I have a huge problem with your statement: "It's crazy the measures and risks people take to keep their pets after baby. If you can't bear to part with your pets, don't have kids." Is there some law somewhere that says once you have kids you cant hav pets?!?! Thats absurd. You're assuming everyone ditches the pets after the baby, which simply isnt true.
I thought it would be good to keep the cat out
@Kebates, I don't know if they still make it, but when my daughter was born, I had a "playdome" that Fisher Price made that I used as a bassinet to keep the cats at bay when she was still a teeny infant. I kept it in my room beside my bed so I could nurse, etc., and I checked with my pediatrician to make sure it was safe. Like I said, not sure if they still make it -- this was back in 2005, but something like that might help you?
wow