The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) has issued a Safety Alert for baby sleep pillows following child fatalities in the UK and overseas.

The alert identifies the products as pillows or cushions for babies to sleep – or be placed – on unsupervised. Risks to the baby include suffocation and overheating which can lead to injury or, in some cases, death.

The term ‘Baby Sleep Pillows’ covers a range of products marketed under names that include baby comfort cushions, sleeping pillows or exhaust pillows. The Safety Alert gives a fuller list of common names on the market.

Parents and carers are urged not to use these products for babies under 12 months old or to place them in a cot or crib. If the product was marketed for baby sleep or to be used unattended, parents and carers should contact the business directly to discuss redress.

Advised actions for businesses include:

• Must comply with their obligations under product safety law to only place safe products on the market. Any products that are unsafe must be removed from sale and appropriate corrective action taken. 
• Must ensure that any pillow or cushion product they manufacture, import or sell is not marketed as a sleep pillow for a baby under 12 months old and does not feature claims, images or statements that promote or encourage its use for baby sleep or unattended use.  
• Must ensure that clear warnings are included with any cushion or pillow product where there is a reasonable expectation that it may be misused for baby sleep.

More information can be found here.