New CHOICE testing has revealed that four out of ten bassinets tested have serious safety failures.
"Unfortunately, there is currently no mandatory Australian safety standard for bassinets. This means that year after year we continue to see unsafe bassinets make it onto the shelves," says Kim Gilmour, CHOICE baby product expert.
"The most concerning findings were related to ill-fitting mattresses and non-breathable areas on the side of bassinets that can create an unsafe sleeping environment. Although there isn't a safety standard for bassinets in Australia, there is a standard test for cot mattress firmness, which we conducted in our accredited laboratory," says Gilmour.
The bassinets with serious safety failures are:
- Kmart Anko Bassinet with Canopy
- Childcare Osmo Bassinet
- Fisher-Price Soothing View Bassinet
- Stokke Sleepi Mini V3 and mattress
"Bassinets from Childcare, Stokke and Fisher-Price had mattresses that were too soft, with coverings that were insufficiently firm at areas where the covering is puffed at the sides and ends, posing a suffocation risk if your baby rolls over or moves," says CHOICE baby product expert Kim Gilmour.
"Other failures, for the Childcare and Kmart Anko bassinets, were due to the fact that they had areas of non-breathable material around the edges of the bassinet, which also present a suffocation risk if an infant happens to roll onto their side," says Gilmour.
If you've purchased one of these bassinets, CHOICE's advice is to take it back to the retailer and ask for a refund. If the retailer doesn't give you a fair refund, you can escalate your complaint to your state or territory fair trading body.
"If you're currently shopping for a bassinet, look for things such as adequate breathable zones on all four sides of the bassinet, sturdy construction and a mattress that fits snugly around all sides with no gaps," says Gilmour.
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