KAPOK DANGER

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21306, 19 January 1944, Page 4

KAPOK DANGER

DEATH OF INFANT

The inadvisability of using kapokpillows’ for infants was strongly emphasised by a doctor and by the, -jury at an inquest into the death of Janette Winsome Mitchell, the 10-wceks-olcl daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R. T. Mitchell, Invercargill. the, inquest was held before the actingcoroner, Mr. J. Ward, J.P., and a jtuy Of four. , , The mother of the child gave evielence thcit she had lcist * seen the baby' alive about 3 p.m. on January 5, when, she was asleep in a bassinette. When, she went to pick up the baby at about 510 p.m., she found her lying face down with her head partly covered by the bed clothes. Tire-child was then dead. . , n Evidence was also given by Di D. R, Jennings, who stated that the, child had died apparently from Suffocation as a result of her burying her herd in a kaook nillow. The public should, be informed of the danger of using kapok pillows for young children, said Dr Jennings. These pillows were practically a death-trap, especially for young babies whose arms were pinioned; bv wrappings. A verdict was returned that me child died on January f>, the eaUse of death being accidental suffocation.