Products Liability Law Daily Wrap Up, CPSC NEWS—BABY PRODUCTS—Neck float safety standard now in effect, (Jun 16, 2026)

By WK Editorial Staff

CPSC also renewed its “do not use” warnings for Otteroo LUMI and MINI infant neck floats.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission announced that the first mandatory federal safety standard for infant neck floats took effect June 15, 2026, establishing baseline requirements for products long associated with reported drowning incidents. The rule applies to neck floats manufactured after that date and is intended to reduce the risk of infants slipping through or becoming submerged while using the products (CPSC News Release, No. 26-559 (June 15, 2026)).

The standard addresses multiple hazards identified in prior incident reports, including children slipping through neck floats due to deflation or underinflation, slipping through for reasons unrelated to inflation, failures of restraint systems, and instances in which children become submerged without slipping through. A neck float is defined as an aquatic toy intended for use by children up to and including four years of age. Life-saving flotation devices regulated by the U.S. Coast Guard are excluded from the rule.

Incidents and injuries. CPSC said it received 115 reports of incidents involving infant neck floats between January 2019 and January 2024. Those reports included two infant fatalities and two injuries requiring hospitalization. In many cases, caregivers were able to rescue infants after they slipped through or became submerged, preventing potentially fatal outcomes. The victims’ ages ranged from 17 days old to 12 months old. The agency noted that many incidents occurred even when a caregiver was nearby.

Warnings. The rule follows years of CPSC warnings and enforcement actions concerning the products. In 2022, the agency issued a public warning urging consumers to stop using Otteroo LUMI, MINI, and earlier versions of Otteroo infant flotation rings after determining infants could slip through the products if they deflated. That warning was issued after one reported infant drowning, one serious injury, and multiple incidents requiring caregiver intervention. The agency said that this warning remains in effect and continues to advise consumers not to buy, use, resell, or donate those products.

CPSC reiterated that infant neck floats are not safety devices and emphasized that drowning can occur quickly and silently. Acting Chairman Peter A. Feldman said the new mandatory standards reduce some risks associated with the products but do not eliminate them. “No flotation product can substitute for constant adult supervision,” he added.

Safety guidance. The agency also provided safety guidance for caregivers using neck floats. It advised adults to stay within arm’s reach of a child at all times to keep the child’s mouth above water, follow age and weight limits specified by manufacturers, and ensure proper inflation while checking for leaks before each use. CPSC directed consumers to its Pool Safely campaign for additional information about water safety.

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