BASSINET Recall Ordered

Tuesday, July 31st 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

WASHINGTON, D.C.- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Fisher-Price, of East Aurora, N.Y., is recalling about 569,000 portable bassinets. Children and adults can be injured when their fingers are pinched or cut between parts of the folding mechanism.

Fisher-Price has received 24 reports of fingers getting caught or pinched in the bassinet frame, including 10 children with cut fingertips, one infection and one broken finger.

The recalled portable bassinet converts to an infant seat, with a vibrating unit and is supported by a white metal folding frame that makes it portable. The bassinet is covered in a blue and white print fabric with stars, swirls and hearts. Fisher-Price is molded into the white plastic sides of the vibrating unit. The portable bassinet was sold under the names Sit & Soothe Portable Bassinet, Soothing Sounds Bassinet and Soothing Sounds Portable Bassinet. "Fisher-Price" and model number 79338, 79334 or 79336 appear on the upper left hand corner of a white nylon label located on the underside of the foot of the bassinet. Only bassinets manufactured before April 2000 are included in this recall.

Toy, mass merchandise and discount stores nationwide sold these portable bassinets from November 1997 through March 2001 for about $50.

Consumers should stop using these portable bassinets immediately and contact Fisher -Price at (800) 285-0324 anytime to order a free repair kit. The repair kit will prevent the frame from folding. Consumers also can visit the firm's web site at www.fisher-price.com