Angelcare baby monitors recalled after two infant deaths

WASHINGTON D.C. -- Angelcare Monitors Inc. has voluntarily recalled 600,000 of its baby monitors after two infants were strangled by the monitor's 11-foot cord.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said Thursday that the electrical cord attached to the baby monitor’s sensor pad is placed under the crib mattress, creating a strangulation risk if the child pulls the cord into the crib and it becomes wrapped around the child's neck.

In November 2011, a 13-month-old died in California and in August 2004, an 8-month-old died in Oregon after the cord from the sensor pad was pulled into the crib and the infants became entangled. There were more two reports of infants who became entangled in cords, but those incidents did not result in fatalities.

The recall includes all versions of Angelcare sensor monitors, including model numbers: AC1100, AC201, AC300, AC401 AC601 and 49255 that did not include rigid cord covers, offered in the remedy.  The model number is located on the back of the nursery monitor unit. The monitors were manufactured between 1999 and 2013.

Angelcare is providing consumers with a repair kit that includes rigid protective cord covers through which the sensor pad cords can be threaded, a new, permanent electric cord warning label about the strangulation risk, and revised instructions.

The recalled baby monitors were sold at Babies R Us/Toys R Us, Burlington Coat Factory, Meijer, Sears, Walmart, Amazon.com, Target.com, Overstock.com, and nearly 70 small baby specialty stores, from October 1999 through September 2013 for about $100 to $300. 

Consumers should contact Angelcare at (855) 355-2643 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s website to order the free repair kit.