Jan 13 2008
Killer Pacifier
Recently there is another recall from CPSC that caught my interest again. This time, the recall is on a brand of children’s pacifier.
I don’t think this brand is available in Malaysia, so it is not my concern here. What caught my attention is the hazards described in the recall. It reads:
These pacifiers fail to meet federal safety standards for pacifiers. The pacifier shield is too small and could easily enter the mouth of an infant. Also, ventilation holes are too small and not placed to allow for the insertion of a tool to remove the pacifier when lodged in the mouth of a child. Finally, the package fails to display the required warning instructing consumers not to tie a pacifier around a child’s neck, which would present a strangulation hazard.
I don’t give my children any pacifiers due to the conflict with breastfeeding effort. Later, when MIL tried to introduce, they both rejected (thank God!).
I didn’t know there are so many requirements/guidelines on pacifiers safety. Apart from posting warnings on strangulation hazard if tied around the neck, the guideline that I think not many mothers aware in this country (myself included) is the size of the shield and ventilation holes.
Some time last year, there was a toddlers chocked to death by pacifier. The pacifier went into his mouth, got stuck in his throat. The care taker tried to remove without success, and the child died within an hour time – basically seeing him die on the way to the clinic.
I bet the killer pacifier did not pass the safety guideline above. If the shield is big enough, it would not have gone into the child’s mouth. If there are big enough ventilation holes, the child would have been able to breath, though he might still be suffering – at least won’t die till rescue arrived. If there are ventilation holes, tools could be inserted and remove it easily… Sigh! Too many ‘if’s…
How many of us do check out the few requirements above? How many of us aware of these standards? If your children use any pacifiers, please check it out. Not all pacifiers are killers, but if they fail the guideline then better to remove/replace.
My kids have outgrown this phase but you are so right, we are often not aware of the standards when purchasing things.
wow, i am also not aware of all these guide lines, but i am guided by the price i have to pay for things like pacifiers, bottles etc. i believe that if i have to pay a little extra, i am confortable with the research and safety measures. but thankfully, ryan outgrew this pacifier phase very quickly!
No pacifiers for my son. I didn’t start him on it and although some people tell me it’s more hygienic to give him a pacifier than have him sucking his thumb, I just let it be. Anyway, we always need to be wary of things that our kids used, be it pacifiers, toys or whatever.
Jo-N:
That’s why I signed up CPSC’s newsletters. Good to learn more about these kind of guidelines, isn’t it? 
Busy Bee: Hmm… agree that is a good gauge, if we are not sure of the guidelines. Chinese always say: good things never come cheap…
Tot’s Mom: Hahaha! Looks like all you who commented, don’t use pacifier for your kids. Good choice! BTW, whether hygienic or not, no body choked or killed by their own thumbs.