April 26, 2005 For immediate release Advisory OTTAWA -- Health Canada is reminding parents and caregivers that infants placed in bath seats or bath rings, which are emerged in any depth of water, must be constantly supervised with undivided attention by a competent adult. Infant bath seats and bath rings are products designed to support infants in an upright position in the bathtub, and usually consist of a plastic seat or ring. Suction cups are often employed to hold the product in place, however, newer models use an arm that attaches to the side of the bath tub instead. The expected age range for the use of these products is from six to nine months, representing the time frame in which an infant can sit unassisted, until the time when they can pull themselves to a standing position. In 2004, Health Canada was made aware of three separate fatal incidents - of which one drowning was linked to the use of a bath ring and two deaths to the use of bath seats. Since 1991, the Department has received 11 reports of drowning deaths linked to these products with nine occurring in the last five years. Additionally, 20 near-drowning incidents have been reported since 1983. In most cases, drownings and other incidents linked to bath seats and bath rings occur as a result of: the product becoming unstable and tipping over in the bath, the infant climbing out of the product, or the infant slipping through one of the leg openings and becoming lodged under water. Some models of infant bath seats and bath rings carry warning labels that state "prevent drowning - never leave child unattended" while other models bear a warning that states "prevent drowning - always keep baby within arm's reach." Despite these warnings, in most reported incidents, the infant had been left unattended or under inadequate supervision. Health Canada is concerned that parents and caregivers presume the infant is secure in the product and can leave the child unattended. To better understand the safety hazards associated with infant bath seats and bath rings, Health Canada is currently undertaking additional research and, based upon the findings of these initiatives, will put in place appropriate risk management measures if necessary. For further information or to report an incident, contact the Health Canada Product Safety Office nearest you: City, Province Telephone Number E-mail Address Vancouver, British Columbia (604) 666-5003 Bby_Prodsafe@hc-sc.gc.ca Edmonton, Alberta (780) 495-2626 Edm_Prodsafe@hc-sc.gc.ca Calgary, Alberta (403) 292-4677 Cal_Prodsafe@hc-sc.gc.ca Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (306) 975-4502 Sk_Prodsafe@hc-sc.gc.ca Winnipeg, Manitoba (204) 983-5490 Mb_Prodsafe@hc-sc.gc.ca Hamilton, Ontario (905) 572-2845 Tor_Prodsafe@hc-sc.gc.ca Toronto, Ontario (416) 973-4705 Tor_Prodsafe@hc-sc.gc.ca Montreal, Quebec (514) 283-5488 Quebec_Prod@hc-sc.gc.ca Longueuil, Quebec (450) 646-1353 Quebec_Prod@hc-sc.gc.ca Quebec, Quebec (418) 648-4327 Quebec_Prod@hc-sc.gc.ca Moncton, New Brunswick (506) 851-6638 Atlantic_ProdSafe@hc-sc.gc.ca Halifax, Nova Scotia (902) 426-8300 Atlantic_ProdSafe@hc-sc.gc.ca St. John's, Newfoundland (709) 772-4050 or (709) 772-5455 Atlantic_ProdSafe@hc-sc.gc.ca - 30 - Media Inquiries: Paul Duchesne Health Canada (613) 954-4807 Public Inquiries: (613) 957-2991
