Sleeping Danger: The Rock ‘n Play and Failures in Infant Product Safety

Chairwoman Maloney's Opening Statement [PDF]

Chairman Krishnamoorthi's Opening Statement [PDF]

Washington D.C. (June 1, 2021)— On Monday, June 7, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. ET, Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney, the Chairwoman of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, will hold a hybrid hearing on the Committee’s investigation into dozens of infant deaths associated with the Rock ‘n Play Sleeper sold by Fisher-Price, a subsidiary of Mattel, and grave flaws in the U.S. consumer product safety system.

The hearing will examine how Fisher-Price was able to keep the Rock ‘n Play on the market for a decade despite the risks it posed, and how current laws leave manufacturers to police themselves and American children and families vulnerable to dangerous products. 

On August 13, 2019, the Oversight Committee launched an investigation into the recall of infant inclined sleep products that had been reportedly tied to dozens of infant deaths. 

The Committee’s investigation examined whether Fisher-Price took any steps to ensure its product was safe before releasing it on the market, and whether the company should have recognized sooner that the Rock ‘n Play was dangerous.   

The Committee’s investigation demonstrates why the Consumer Product Safety Commission must be given more authority to regulate dangerous products, particularly those for infants and children, and how consumer protection laws can be strengthened.