155,000 Nap Nanny recliners recalled, owner disputes claim

Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, December 28, 2012

This photo of a Nap Nanny recliner accompanied a statement from Nap Nanny founder Leslie Gudel in which the company said its products are safe when used properly.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission on Thursday announced a voluntary recall of about 155,000 Nap Nanny recliners made by Berwyn, Pa.-based Baby Matters.

The recall affects Nap Nanny Generations One and Two, and Chill model infant recliners that the CPSC said contains design defects that pose risks for infants.

The Nap Nanny is a portable infant recliner designed with a bucket seat-shaped foam base and fitted fabric cover with three-point waist harness.

The recalled recliners were priced at about $130 and sold at toy and children's retail stores nationwide and online, including at www.napnanny.com.

The CPSC said since the manufacturer is unable or unwilling to participate in the recall, retailers including Amazon.com, Buy Buy Baby, Diapers.com and Toys R Us/Babies R Us are working to inform consumers about the recall.

In a statement on its website, Nap Nanny founder Leslie Gudel said that the CPSC's alleged infants recliner deaths occurred from improper use.

"No infant using the Nap Nanny properly has ever suffered an injury requiring medical attention. The Nap Nanny was designed and constructed for use only on the floor with the harness secured," the statement said, adding that the recall has forced it to shut down.

"Another small business is gone. Twenty-two Americans are out of work between Nap Nanny and our supplier. This doesn't take into account the financial impact our closure has had on our other U.S. suppliers," the statement said.

A Generation One Nap Nanny was recalled in 2010 after an infant death and 22 reports of infants hanging or falling out over the side even though most of the infants had been placed in the harness, the CPSC said.

Following improved instructions and warnings, additional deaths were reported, the CPSC said. Among items recalled this week were one hundred thousand Chill models sold since January 2011.

Gudel disputed the CPSC's claims on Chill model recliners.

"We have not received a single report about an infant getting over the side of the Nap Nanny Chill. Rotation in the Nap Nanny was an issue in the Gen1 and Gen2, but addressed in the Chill product we have been selling for the last two years," Gudel said in the statement.

For the full CPSC Recall notice, click here.