Cribs

Cribs are small beds designed specifically for infants and are meant to provide a safe place for babies to sleep from birth through 36 months of age.

According to the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA), about 50 babies suffocate or strangle within their cribs each year in the United States. The majority of these deaths occur due to crib manufacturing or design defects. The JPMA and other Federal agencies exist specifically to ensure cribs made and sold in America meet very strict safety guidelines to prevent death or injury to babies. Buying, selling, or using a crib that is more than a few years old compromises these agencies’ ability to govern the safety of children, as the industry is continually changing and improving to address new concerns discovered through actual accidents and injuries.

Some of the defects that may be present in cribs and create vulnerability for infants include:

Crib rails or barrier slats may be too widely spaced, creating room for a baby to become entangled, particularly by the head or neck, causing strangulation
Mattresses may not fit the bed adequately, leaving a gap or space for the infant to become trapped and suffocate
Small hardware or parts may be removable by the infant or otherwise may become dislodged and provide a choking hazard
Exposed hardware, screws, splinters, or hard edges create abrasion hazards
Paints may contain toxic chemicals such as lead
Decorative aspects may become detached from the bed and present a choking hazard
Corner posts extending above the crib base offer potential for a baby to become entangled and strangled by loose clothing, bedding, or other items
Headboard cutouts or open designs provide space for the infant’s head to become lodged and may cause strangulation
Moving parts such as fold-down sides create pinching and finger amputation hazards, particularly in hinges
Slats may become detached or broken, causing impalement and abrasion hazards, as well as entrapment concerns

General Product Failure

Some examples of defective manufacturing and design of cribs that resulted in recall and action by the Consumer Protection Safety

Commission include:

In 2008 and 2009, several hundred thousand cribs created by several manufacturers were recalled, as the design did not prevent infants from falling out of the crib
In August 2007, Stokke, Inc. recalled 1000 oval-shaped Sleepi crib foam mattresses, as the specially-designed mattress for this oval crib design did not properly fit and presented a suffocation hazard
Within the period of one year from 2007 to 2008, the CPSC conducted five crib recalls due to defective, broken, or missing hardware

Statistics

In the past two years, more than 5 million baby cribs have been recalled in the United States due to safety hazards and defects. From 2003 to the first quarter of 2009, 31 different crib brands were recalled due to safety defects. Nine of these recalls were caused by violations occurring against current regulations of the Consumer Products Safety Commission, and 22 were attributed to manufacturing defects.

Cribs are often the cause of injury and death amongst infants. Recalls of cribs by both the manufacturers and the Consumer Product Safety Commission are fairly constant, with dozens recalls occurring each year. Some examples of injury and death resulting from cribs include:

In September 2007, Simplicity, Inc recalled more than 1 million cribs due to defective detachment of a drop-side railing. Entrapment and suffocation of two babies resulted in death and there were 55 incidences of occurrence and seven entrapments leading to injury reported by the time of the recall.
In October 2008, Delta Enterprise Corp. recalled more than 985,000 cribs with drop-side railings as missing safety pegs in the railing operation caused at least one infant death. An 8-month-old child became entrapped and suffocated.
In November 2007, Bassettbaby cribs sold exclusively at Babies ‘R Us were recalled due to loosening bolt hardware which presented a space for babies to become entrapped or strangled. One 13-month-old child suffered injuries as a result of this defect.

In 1996, the Canadian Government provided results of a very thorough investigation into crib safety and infant injury and death associated with use of cribs. Below are some of that study’s findings regarding causes of non-fatal crib injuries :

46.3 percent result from falls from the crib
9.3 percent involve falling within the crib
4.4 percent included body parts becoming caught in the crib
1 percent are associated with crib breakage or collapse
.3 percent surround ingestion of crib parts or splinter injuries
.3 percent of cribs tipped over, causing injury

C&T/Sorelle Crib Recall

On May 6, 2010, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and C&T International/Sorelle announced a safety recall of approximately 170,000 drop-side cribs sold under the brand names C&T International, Sorelle, or Golden Baby from January 2000 to March 2010.

The recall includes all of the above full-size crib brands, sold in natural, white, and cherry finishes. The following model names and numbers are affected by the recall:

Alessandra (model number 180)
Alex 3 in 1 (model number 910)
Amelia (model number 185)
Chelsea (model number 100)
Federica (model number 170)
Glenda/Toscana (model number 350)
Hampton (model number 303)
Jackie (model number 440)
Jessica (model number 810)
Lana (model number 240)
Leonardo (model number 395)
Marisa (model number 680)
Martina (model number 135)
Mirabella (model number 930)
Nadia (model number 245)
Natasha (model number 900)
Nico (model number 630)
Nina Pine (model number 710)
Noelle (model number 999)
Pagodina (model number 195)
Rita (model number 490)
Rosa (model number 870)
Rosemary (model number 925)
Silver (model number 485)

The recalled cribs have defective hardware that can cause the drop side to disengage from the tracks and detach from the crib. Infants are in danger of falling from the crib if the drop side detaches, and the space between the crib mattress and the drop side can suffocate, strangle, or entrap infants.

To date, the C&T International/Sorelle has received 104 reports of incidents involving the drop sides detaching from the cribs, with six reports of infants suffering from bruises and abrasions to the head, face, torso, or leg from falling or becoming entrapped when the drop side disengaged.

The cribs were sold nationwide for $300-$600. The CPSC advises parents and caregivers to immediately stop using any recalled cribs and contact the company at 877-791-9398 to receive a free replacement kit.

Delta Crib Recalls

On October 21, 2008, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Delta Enterprise Corp. announced a voluntary recall of approximately 985,000 drop-side cribs in order to replace missing safety pegs located in the base of each leg of the crib. Failure to use the safety pegs can result in entrapment or suffocation of infants and toddlers in the gap created by the detached side. A recall of approximately 600,000 drop-side cribs was also announced for a drop-side that could detach when the spring peg is not engaged and cause entrapment or suffocation of infants and toddlers.

The CPSC received a report of the death of an 8-month-old child who suffocated from entrapment when the drop side detached from the crib. Two additional entrapments were reported, along with nine disengagement incidents involving missing safety pegs. The cribs were sold nationwide from January 1995 through September 2007.

The 985,000 crib recall involves all Delta drop-side cribs manufactured in Taiwan or Indonesia that feature the “Crib Trigger Lock with Safety Peg” hardware design. The model numbers included in the recall are: 4320, 4340, 4500, 4520, 4530, 4532, 4540, 4542, 4550, 4551, 4580, 4600, 4620, 4624 (production dates 1/2006 to 11/2007), 4640, 4660, 4720, 4735, 4742, 4750 (production dates 1/1995 to 12/2000), 4760, 4770, 4780, 4790, 4820, 4840, 4850, 4860, 4880, 4890, 4892, 4900, 4910, 4920, 4925-2, 4925-6, 4930, 4940, 4943, 4944, 4947, 4948, 4949, 4950, 4958, 4963, 4968, 4969, and 4980.

The 600,000 recall involves all Delta drop-side cribs made prior to 2006 that feature the “Crib Trigger Lock with Spring Peg” hardware design. The model numbers included in the recall are: 4340, 4343, 4520, 4600, 4620, 4624, 4625, 4629, 4660, 4665, 4720, 4750, 4751, 4850, 4855, 4857, 4880, 4920, 4925-2, 4925-2B, 4925-6, 4980, and 8605.

The CPSC and Delta urge consumers to immediately stop using the defective cribs and contact the company at 800-816-5304 to receive a free repair kit with new safety pegs.

Delta Recalls 600,000 Drop-Side Cribs After Infant Death

On October 21, 2008, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Delta Enterprise Corp. announced a voluntary recall of approximately 600,000 drop-side cribs, citing that the drop side can detach when the spring peg is not engaged and cause entrapment or suffocation of infants and toddlers.

The CPSC received a report of the death of an 8-month-old child who suffocated when the drop side detached from the crib. Other accident reports include one child entrapment. The cribs were sold nationwide from January 2000 through January 2007.

The recall involves all Delta drop-side cribs made prior to 2006 that feature the “Crib Trigger Lock with Spring Peg” hardware design. The model numbers included in the recall are: 4340, 4343, 4520, 4600, 4620, 4624, 4625, 4629, 4660, 4665, 4720, 4750, 4751, 4850, 4855, 4857, 4880, 4920, 4925-2, 4925-2B, 4925-6, 4980, and 8605.

The CPSC and Delta urge consumers to immediately stop using the defective cribs and contact the company at 800-816-5304 to receive a free repair kit with new safety pegs.

Dorel Asia Cribs Recalled after Infant Death

On January 19, 2010, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Dorel Asia, SRL of Barbados, announced a voluntary recall to replace approximately 635,000 Dorel Asia drop side and non-drop side cribs, due to a suffocation and strangulation hazard to infants and toddlers.

The CPSC and Dorel Asia received one report of the death of a 6-month-old from Iowa who became entrapped and strangled in a crib after the drop side hardware broke. The company has received 31 other reports of drop side incidents, with six involving entrapment between the drop side and the mattress. Other incidents involving slat breakage have also been reported.

The recall affects the following Dorel Asia cribs:

2-1 Crib, fixed, walnut (WM1676BCR-DC)
3-1 Convertible Crib, drop side, natural (DA1615B3)
3-1 Convertible Crib, drop side, white (DAKM5132)
3-1 Convertible, drop side, espresso (GP004B3EGR)
3-1 Convertible, drop side, toffee (DASE5015)
3-1 Convertible, drop side, white (GP004B3WGR)
3-1 Heritage Crib, drop side, natural (DA0504KMC-1N)
3-1 Heritage Crib, drop side, white (DA0504KMC-1W)
3-1 Lexington Crib, drop side, cherry (DA1614B3)
3-1 Sleigh Crib, drop side with no castors, cherry (WM1633-0)
3-1 Sleigh Crib, drop side, cherry (WM1633)
3-1 Sleigh Crib, fixed with no castors (WM1633-0-DC)
4-1 Bethany James Crib, fixed, walnut (WM1676BC)
4-1 Crib, fixed, Manhattan walnut (WM2163)
4-1 Crib, fixed, Manhattan walnut (WM2163DC)
Cottage Hill Single Crib, drop side, white (DASE5005)
Jenny Lind Single Crib, drop side, walnut (DAKM5152)
Single, drop side, espresso (GP006BCEGR)
Single, drop side, white (GP006BCWGR)
Vintage Estate 3-1 Sleigh Crib, drop side, cherry (DASE5009)

The recalled cribs were sold at K-Mart, Sears, and Walmart stores nationwide from January 2005 through December 2009.

Consumers are advised to stop using the cribs immediately and contact Dorel Asia at 866-762-2304 to receive a free replacement kit.

Generation 2, ChildESIGNS Crib Recalls

On February 9, 2010, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced a recall of more than 500,000 Generation 2 Worldwide and “ChildESIGNS” drop-side cribs, citing a risk of serious injury or death due to strangulation and suffocation. The recalled cribs have plastic hardware that can break and cause the drop side to detach and create a space into which a child can fall and become entrapped. The cribs’ mattress can also detach from the frame, creating a hazardous space and a potential for entrapment.

The recalled cribs include all Generation 2 Worldwide and “ChildESIGNS” drop-side cribs. For some cribs, “Generation 2 Worldwide” appears on a label on the headboard or footboard, with China or Dothan, Alabama, listed as the country of manufacture. “ChildESIGNS” appears on a label on the teething rail of other recalled cribs.

The CPSC received three reports of fatal infant suffocation from crib entrapment, in addition to 20 other reports of drop-side detachment resulting in falling and entrapment. The CPSC received eight reports of mattresses detaching from the cribs.

The recalled cribs were sold at various furniture and retail stores nationwide, including Buy Buy Baby, K-Mart, and Wal-Mart. Consumers are urged to contact the store from which the crib was purchased for more information.

Stork Recalls More Than 2.1 Million Drop-Side Cribs

In November 2009, Stork Craft Manufacturing, Inc. and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced a voluntary recall of more than 2.1 million Stork Craft drop-side cribs, including 147,000 cribs with the Fisher-Price logo. The cribs have defective plastic hardware that can break and cause the drop-side to detach in one or more corners, posing a risk of falls or child entrapment if the child slips in the space between the drop-side and the mattress. The defective cribs may also have deformed claws, connectors, tracks, and tab stops; loose or missing metal spring clips; stripped screws; and drop-sides installed upside-down.

The recall affects Stork Craft drop-side cribs and Stork Craft drop-side cribs with the Fisher-Price logo that have plastic hardware and one-hand-system hardware. The recall does not include cribs without a drop-side, or cribs with metal rod drop-side hardware.

There have been at least 110 incidents of drop-side detachment, including 15 entrapments, and 20 falls from cribs. Four cases of entrapment resulted in suffocation in infants 6 to 9 months old. Other injuries ranged from concussions to bumps and bruises. The cribs were sold in the U.S. and Canada between January 1993 and October 2009, in retailers including BJ’s Wholesale Club, J.C. Penney, Kmart, Meijer, USA Baby, Sears, and Wal-Mart, as well as many online retailers.

The CPSC urges consumers to immediately stop using the recalled cribs and request a free repair kit from Stork Craft to convert the drop-side to a fixed side.