Electrical cords and infants can unfortunately be a dangerous combination. Approximately two million baby monitors are now being recalled following the strangulation deaths of two babies. The defective product in question is the Summer Infant video baby monitor, a device with an electrical cord that can be dangerous when placed too close to an infant's crib, said the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

According to a report issued by the CPSC, a 10-month-old baby girl died last March after being strangled by the cord of the Summer Infant monitor. A similar incident happened in November, when a 6-month-old boy was killed by the monitor's cord. Another similar incident nearly took the life of a 20-month-old boy as well.

Summer Infant is currently recalling around 1.7 million defective products spanning over 40 different models. New warning labels and instructions for proper placement will be placed on the new models. The tragic incidents follow a pattern of infant deaths resulting from products that parents understandably assume are safe to use with children and infants. There have been seven cases of fatal infant strangulation resulting from baby monitors since 2004.

Summer Infant is also recalling the batteries sold with 58,000 baby video monitors. The CPSC found that the batteries are susceptible to overheating, rupturing and potentially causing severe burns after finally exploding. Summer Infant has received five separate reports of rupturing batteries, three of which led to property damage. The CPSC recommends that all parents be cautious when using any baby monitor that includes a cord.

Source: ABC News, "Deaths Prompt Baby Monitor Recall," 2/11/2011