Kid to Kid Cares about Product Safety

Dangers of Baby Monitor Cords

Infants and Toddlers Can Strangle in Baby Monitor Cords—Seven Children Have Died Since 2002
Coordinate a Safe and Sound Zone Awareness Campaign Kicks Off Today
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) are warning parents and caregivers that cords on baby audio and video monitors present a strangulation hazard to infants and toddlers when placed within a child’s reach. Since 2002, seven infants and toddlers were strangled in baby monitor cords, and three infants and toddlers nearly strangled. The victims involved were as young as 6 months old to 20 months old.

In an effort to prevent infants and toddlers from strangling in monitor cords, CPSC and JPMA urge parents to:

• Immediately check the location of all monitors and other products with electrical cords--including those mounted on the wall--to make sure cords are out of your child’s reach.
• Place cords at least three feet away from any part of the crib, bassinet, play yard or other safe sleep environment.
• Never position a monitor inside or on the edge of a crib.
• Remember, at least three feet away is where your monitor should stay.

The CPSC and JPMA urge parents to request a free permanent electric cord warning label about the strangulation risk to affix to the cord of the baby monitor.  Please click here for more information.