Overview
Mom Genius Retractable Safety Gates, designed to create temporary barriers for stairways and doorways to protect infants and toddlers, were recalled on January 25, 2026, after the CPSC found they fail to comply with the mandatory ASTM F1004-19 standard for gates and enclosures [1].
These gates, sold on the Mom Genius website and Amazon for $40–$60, feature a retractable mesh fabric with a plastic frame and mounting hardware, available in widths from 27 to 45 inches. The defect involves the gate’s mesh fabric, which can create openings large enough for a child’s body to pass through, leading to entrapment, falls, or strangulation.
The CPSC received no reports of incidents or injuries at the time of the recall but emphasized the severe hazards, noting that unsafe gates contribute to hundreds of emergency room visits annually for children under 5. Consumers are instructed to stop using the gates immediately, remove them from installations, and contact Mom Genius for a full refund by submitting photos of the destroyed product.
The recall, assigned number 26-018, highlights the dangers of imported baby gear sold through e-commerce, where compliance with U.S. safety standards can be overlooked. Potential class action lawsuits are emerging, alleging product liability, negligence, and failure to warn, as families face the financial and emotional burden of replacing unsafe products and ensuring child safety.
This recall is part of a series of safety alerts for infant gates, following the 2025 recalls of YGJT Baby Loungers and LXDHSTRA Baby Loungers for similar entrapment risks. The Mom Genius case illustrates the challenges of regulating direct-to-consumer imports on platforms like Amazon, where low prices ($40–$60) attract buyers but compromise quality assurance.
The plaintiff class could be substantial, given the gates’ popularity among new parents, and successful litigation may enforce stricter mesh size limits and mandatory pre-market testing for all e-commerce baby safety products.
Affected Mom Genius Safety Gate Models
The recall targets:
- Mom Genius Retractable Safety Gate (Model No. Not Specified): A portable gate with retractable mesh fabric, plastic frame, and mounting hardware, adjustable from 27 to 45 inches wide. Sold on the Mom Genius website and Amazon from March 2025 to September 2025 for $40–$60. Identifiable by the Mom Genius brand name on the product or packaging.
Consumers can verify affected products by checking the Mom Genius label and confirming the retractable mesh design. All units sold during the recall period are included, regardless of lot numbers.
Hazards of the Defective Safety Gates
The Mom Genius Retractable Safety Gates pose multiple safety risks, as identified by the CPSC:
- Entrapment Hazard: The mesh fabric creates openings larger than the 3-inch maximum allowed under ASTM F1004-19, allowing a child’s head or body to become trapped.
- Fall Risk: If a child squeezes through the gate, they may fall down stairs or from elevated areas, leading to serious injuries.
- Strangulation Danger: Loose mesh or frame components can entangle a child’s neck, obstructing breathing.
- Violation of Federal Standards: The gates fail the mandatory standard for gates and enclosures, which requires small mesh openings and secure mounting to prevent passage.
These defects undermine the gates’ purpose as safety barriers, contributing to the CPSC’s estimate of 100–200 annual injuries from unsafe infant gates.
Symptoms of Potential Injuries
While no injuries have been reported, the risks of the Mom Genius Retractable Safety Gates could lead to:
- Entrapment Symptoms: Bruising, lacerations, or breathing difficulties from being stuck in the mesh.
- Fall Injuries: Head trauma, fractures, or concussions from tumbling through the gate.
- Strangulation Signs: Cyanosis (blue skin), gasping, or unresponsiveness if the neck is entangled.
- Emotional Distress: Parental anxiety or trauma from discovering a child in peril.
Medical costs for entrapment or fall incidents can range from $5,000 for emergency care to $50,000 or more for hospitalization and long-term therapy.
Recall Remedy and Consumer Actions
The CPSC and Mom Genius recommend the following steps for a full refund:
- Immediately stop using the recalled Mom Genius Retractable Safety Gate and remove it from installations.
- Cut the mesh fabric and frame to destroy the gate.
- Take photos of the destroyed product.
- Submit the photos and contact information to Mom Genius via the recall website or email for refund processing.
Mom Genius is notifying known purchasers, and Amazon is facilitating communications. Consumers should not resell or donate the product, as this is prohibited under federal law. Documenting purchase records and any incidents is critical for potential legal claims, as refund processing may take 2–4 weeks due to Mom Genius’s operations.
Potential for a Class Action Lawsuit
The recall of 1,500 Mom Genius Retractable Safety Gates, driven by their violation of federal safety standards, provides a strong foundation for class action lawsuits. Potential claims include:
- Product Liability: Alleging the gates’ mesh design is defective and non-compliant with ASTM F1004-19.
- Negligence: Claiming Mom Genius failed to test the product for entrapment risks before selling on Amazon.
- Failure to Warn: Asserting that the company did not disclose fall or strangulation risks on packaging or listings.
- Breach of Consumer Protection Laws: Arguing that the gates were misrepresented as safe for infant use, violating state consumer protection statutes.
Do I Have a Mom Genius Retractable Safety Gate Class Action Lawsuit?
The Class Action Litigation Group at our law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus on the representation of plaintiffs in Mom Genius Retractable Safety Gate lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting new cases in all 50 states.
Free Mom Genius Retractable Safety Gate Class Action Lawsuit Evaluation: If you purchased a recalled Mom Genius Retractable Safety Gate or experienced risks to your child from its use, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a Mom Genius Retractable Safety Gate class action suit, and our lawyers can help.
References
- 1. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2026/Mom-Genius-Recalls-Retractable-Safety-Gates-Due-to-Risk-of-Serious-Injury-or-Death-from-Entrapment-Violates-Mandatory-Standard-for-Gates-and-Enclosures