SA: Coroner says ban on baby bath seats should be considered

AAP General News (Australia)
04-28-2004
SA: Coroner says ban on baby bath seats should be considered

The South Australian coroner has called for consideration of a ban on baby bath seats
following the drowning death of a seven-month-old boy.

CHRISTOPHER SMITH drowned in a bath about 12.5 centimtres deep at his northern Adelaide
home in November 2002 after his legs slipped between holes in the bath seat.

His mother had left the bathroom to answer a telephone call.

The infant had been in a Fisher Price Stay'n'Play bath seat, which was removed from
production in 1997.

South Australian Coroner WAYNE CHIVELL has stopped short of recommending the baths
be banned, but he's urged regulatory agencies to consider such action.

Mr CHIVELL says he decided against recommending a ban on the advice of forensic pathologist
ROGER BYARD, who performed the post-mortem examination on CHRISTOPHER.

Professor BYARD told the coroner that while he would not advocate their use, mothers
with twins have found the baths to be useful.

AAP RTV la/wf/rp

KEYWORD: BATHSEAT (ADELAIDE)

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