From Christian Science Monitor:
A massive crib recall was announced Thursday, which includes some 2 million cribs manufactured by seven companies, including Simmons Juvenile Products, Million Dollar Baby, LaJobi, Jardine, Evenflo, Delta Enterprise, and Child Craft Industries.
Eight crib models are included in the voluntarily recall. All but one have drop sides that can “malfunction, detach or otherwise fail, causing part of the drop side to fall out of position, and creating a space into which an infant or toddler can roll and become wedged or entrapped, which can lead to strangulation or suffocation,” according to a statement released by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
The exception – the Child Craft brand “Crib ‘N’ Double Bed” – is a stationary-side crib, but it poses a similar hazard, according to the CPSC. It comes with side panels that can be assembled upside-down but appear correctly constructed, leaving a dangerous five-inch gap at the top of the crib where toddlers can become ensnarled.
For owners of the recalled drop-side cribs, the CPSC is urging parents to stop using them immediately and find a safe place for their child to sleep.
For owners of the recalled Child Craft stationary crib, the commission says parents may continue to use the crib after ensuring that it has been assembled correctly.
Below is detailed information about how to repair or replace the various recalled products. More information is available at the CPSC’s crib recall website.
Simmons Ease Drop-side cribs
About 50,000 Simmons Easy Side Drop-side cribs are included in the recall. The cribs were sold at children’s product stores and other retailers nationwide and online from January 2002 through February 2007 for between $100 and $500.
The recall was announced after 30 reports of sides that malfunctioned or detached were reported. Two children became entrapped between the drop-side and the crib mattress. Two other children fell out of their cribs when the drop side malfunctioned. No serious injuries resulting from the incidents were reported.
The affected cribs were manufactured in the United States, Indonesia, Croatia, Canada and China.
To determine if your crib is on the recall list, look for the model number printed on the bottom base of the crib’s headboard. Recalled model numbers include:
- 011641; 011671; 011941; 015341; 016061; 016771; 016821; 016831; 017201 ; 017211; 017351; 018500; 018501; 018502; 018510 ; 018511; 018512; 026261; 028061; 028081; 028180; 029061; 29062; 029071; 029180; 029561; 029562; 029571; 034060; 034560; 039180; 044091; 053091; 065071; 068261; 068271; 068561; 201060; 202060; 202080; 202180; 202181; 203060; 204060; 204180; 205060; 206060; 207060; 209560; 211060; 211080; 212060; 214060; 214080; 215060; 216060; 216070; 216080; 216180; 216180; 216570; 218060; 219560; 220180; 220181; 221060; 221070; 221070; 221077; 222060; 222070; 224060; 225060; 225070; 225080; 227560; 228060; 229060; 230060; 231070; 236180; 236187; 236188; 236189; 238060; 238069; 239180; 239187; 239189; 240060; 248069; 251060; 251069; 257060; 261060; 053091A and 251060M.
If you have one of these models, contact Simmons to request a free repair kit to immobilize the drop-side. The kits will be available in the next few weeks. In the meantime, CPSC recommends that parents and caretakers find an alternate, safe sleeping place for the child.
For more information about how to locate the model number on your crib and how to order a repair kit, visit the company’s recall website or call (877) 342-3439 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern time Monday through Friday.
