Modifcation Kit for Safety issue - NCT Bednest Co-Sleeper -don't use folding side half way position

[emahoney64]

I sold my NCT Bednest crib on the forum about 3 years ago.

I received this email today from NCT regarding a possible safety issue so I wanted to pass on the message in case anyone is using one but didn't receive this advice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I am contacting you because our records show that you purchased a Bednest crib or accessories for a Bednest crib from NCT Trading.

You may be aware of the tragic death of a baby in a Bednest crib in April. All our thoughts have been and remain with the family.

When we learnt of the death we immediately suspended the sale and hire of the Bednest crib, both new and secondhand. We further commissioned independent experts to undertake a thorough investigation. This was both to assist the Coroner and to ensure the safety of infants. We instructed a distinguished Consultant Paediatrician and a leading furniture safety expert.

When the Bednest crib was co-branded by NCT in July 2012 it had been tested by the Furniture Industry Research Association (FIRA), acknowledged globally as a leading authority in furniture testing, who certified that the crib passed the relevant European safety standards.

Expert opinion has now identified that, if the folding side of the crib is in the half-raised position, there is a small but plausible risk that a baby could move onto or over the side of the crib and suffer injury or death as a result. We are now communicating this advice to parents.

The Bednest crib must not be used with the folding side in the half-way position. Using the crib with the folding side fully up (or fully down if bedside-sleeping) eliminates the risk that a baby could move onto or over the side of the crib.

The manufacturer is exploring a solution that can be quickly and easily applied by parents and that will make it impossible to use the Bednest in the half-raised position, eliminating the risk that a baby could move over or onto the side of the crib.

If you own a Bednest product please click on this link to confirm your contact details. We will share these with the manufacturer of Bednest so you can receive further details from them and we will communicate with you as soon as we are able to. If you have any questions, we have set up a dedicated freephone helpline on 0808 1261879.

If you have passed the crib on to friends or family, or are aware of anyone using a Bednest crib, please do inform them of the action we are taking and that they should not use the crib with the folding side in the half-raised position.

The welfare of parents and babies is, and always will be, at the heart of NCT and we understand and apologise sincerely for the distress this situation has caused.

NCT supports hundreds of thousands of new and expectant parents a year. We take this responsibility very seriously. This is why, though the risk identified is small, we feel we need to share it with you now as a precaution, and tell you how to avoid it immediately while the manufacturer explores a solution that will eliminate it fully.

Yours sincerely,

Nick Wilkie

Chief Executive, NCT

[emahoney64]

Update received:

Products: BEDNEST bedside crib & NCT BEDNEST bedside crib

Dear Customer

Concern has recently been raised by some UK experts about the height of adjustable sides of bedside cribs for infants as their movement ability increases. The concern is that there is a small but plausible risk that an infant could move onto or over the side of the crib and suffer injury or death on the side panel if it is left in the half-raised position.

As a precaution, Bednest is making a modification kit available which prevents the folding panel being left in the half-raised position. In the meantime, do not use the folding panel in the half-raised position - only fully raise or fully lower the side panel. Always use the Bednest in accordance with the instructions. The latest User Guide, updated in light of the modification, is available from our website www.bednest.com

All Bednests being dispatched from now, both rental and sales, will already be modified.

The Bednest has been certified by independent testing authorities to the relevant Standards* in the UK and Europe. In addition the Bednest passed the latest U.S. Standard* for bedside cribs, which specifies a minimum height for adjustable sides. Nevertheless because this minimum height is being questioned we feel it prudent to make this modification.

PRODUCT MODIFICATION KIT

The simple, self-fit modification kit locks the side panel so that it is no longer capable of folding in half, effectively making it like the existing non-folding panel. You will still be able to lower the whole panel as a safe bridge to your bed, giving easy access to your baby.

The modification does not require any specialist skills and will take only three to four minutes to complete. The kit consists of two small screws and a screwdriver, and the screws are simply inserted into holes that already exist in the hinge of the folding panel.

HOW TO GET THE MODIFICATION KIT

Register by clicking this link www.surveymonkey.co.uk and we will send you the modification kit by post. The kits will start shipping shortly, and include simple instructions for fitting. A demonstration video will be available from our website www.bednest.com

IF YOU NO LONGER HAVE THE BEDNEST

If you have sold or loaned the Bednest to someone else, please pass on this Product Safety Notice to the current user / owner if you can.

MORE INFORMATION

We have included a series of Questions and Answers below. If you have more questions, you can email [email protected]., or call our dedicated modification helpline 0800 2404629 from the UK or +44 208 712 5564 from outside the UK.

Thank you for your time. The Bednest has been designed around safe sleep, and we remain committed to providing the highest level of safety.

Yours sincerely

Mark Green

Managing Director

Bednest Limited

Questions & Answers

CAN I CONTINUE TO USE THE BEDNEST BEFORE THE MODIFICATION KIT ARRIVES?

Yes. Simply do not use the folding panel in the half-raised position - only fully raise or fully lower the side panel. Always use the Bednest in accordance with the instructions. The latest User Guide, updated in light of the modification, is available from our website www.bednest.com

WHY IS THIS MODIFICATION NECESSARY?

Some UK experts have recently raised some concern about the height of adjustable sides of bedside cribs for infants as their movement ability increases. The concern is that there is a small but plausible risk that an infant could move onto or over the side of the crib and suffer injury or death on the side panel if it is left in the half-raised position. The most recent relevant safety standard in the world is the American bedside crib safety standard (which Bednest passed) which specifies a minimum height for adjustable sides. However, this recent concern questions the Standard, and as a precaution we are making this modification.

WILL I STILL BE ABLE TO USE THE BEDNEST AS A BEDSIDE CRIB AND OPEN THE SIDE BY MY BED TO GET ACCESS TO MY BABY?

Yes you will, the modified side panel will still lower onto your bed to act as a safe bridge giving you easy access to your baby. In the meantime do not use the folding panel in the half-raised position - only fully raise or fully lower the side panel. Always use the Bednest in accordance with the instructions. The latest User Guide, updated in light of the modification, is available from our website www.bednest.com

WILL THERE BE ANY INSTRUCTIONS WITH THE MODIFICATION KIT?

Yes. Clear diagrams and simple instructions. A link to a demonstration video will be available on the website.

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE MODIFICATION KIT AND DO I HAVE TO PAY FOR IT?

The kit will be supplied free of charge and includes

2 x screws that fit in existing holes in the side panel hinge.

1 x screwdriver

Clear instructions

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE ME TO FIT AND DO I NEED ANY SPECIAL SKILLS?

It will take no more than three or four minutes to fit and will require no special skill. The instructions are clear, the kit contains everything you need, and there is link to a demonstration video on our website.

CAN I BE SURE THE MODIFICATION IS SAFE?

Yes. The modification has been exhaustively tested by FIRA, an independent Test Laboratory of international repute, and reviewed by an independent Risk Assessment expert.

DO I NEED TO REGISTER IF I HAVEN?T RECEIVED MY BEDNEST YET?

No. All dispatches of sale or rental product ordered from our website will already have been modified

WHEN SHOULD I STOP USING THE BEDNEST FOR MY CHILD?

As we say in the User Guide ?The Bednest is designed to provide a sleeping area for an infant until he/she begins to push up on hands and knees, kneel or sit up or pull themselves up unaided, weighs 10kgs (22lbs) or is approximately 5 months of age, whichever is the sooner. Move your child to another sleeping product when your child reaches this stage?. Always use the Bednest in accordance with the instructions ? the latest User Guide, updated in light of the modification, is available from our website www.bednest.com

* Cribs and cradles for domestic use BSEN ? 1130 1997 parts 1 and 2

Bedside Sleepers ASTM F2906-13

Cradles and Bassinets ASTM F2194-13