Mattel recalls Fisher-Price Snuga infant swings on suffocation risks after five deaths

(Reuters) - Mattel is recalling all models of its Fisher-Price Snuga infant swings after five deaths were reported from suffocation hazards between 2012 and 2022, the U.S. consumer protection authority and the toymaker said on Thursday.

The Snuga Swing, targeted at infants of up to nine months of age, has both front-to-back and side-to-side motions and comes in 21 different models.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) said the swing should never be used for sleep and bedding materials such as blankets should not be added to it as they could increase the risk of suffocation.

"Consumers should immediately remove both the headrest, by cutting the tether, and the body support insert from the seat pad before continuing to use the swing," the CPSC warned.

Fisher-Price would provide a partial refund of $25 to consumers who do so, the statement said.

"The recall was to repair, not a full product recall," Mattel said.

The five reported deaths were in the age group of one to three months, when the product was used for sleep and bedding materials were added.

The swings were sold for about $160 at stores such as Toys R Us, Walmart's Sam's Club and Target as well as Amazon.

About 2.1 million swings were sold in the United States, about 99,000 swings were sold in Canada and about 500 swings were sold in Mexico since 2010, according to the statement.

The products are being jointly recalled by the U.S. CPSC, Health Canada and Mexico's Consumer Protection Federal Agency.

(Reporting by Anuja Bharat Mistry in Bengaluru; Editing by Krishna Chandra Eluri)