Chinese Made Cribs Linked To Two Infant Deaths And Several Incidents

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Main Category: Pediatrics / Children's Health
Also Included In: Sleep / Sleep Disorders / Insomnia;  Public Health
Article Date: 21 Sep 2007 - 13:00 PST

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About one million baby cribs, made in China, have been recalled by Simplicity Inc., a supplier to large retailers, such as Wal-Mart, due to failures resulting in infant deaths. The US Consumer Safety Commission (CPSC) says it is a voluntary recall.

The CPSC says a dangerous gap which can lead to entrapment (baby getting stuck) is created when the drop-side can detach from the crib, raising the risk of suffocation for the infant.

CPSC says it has received two reports of infant deaths linked to these cribs, including a 9-month old baby and another 6-month old. These two deaths are linked to Simplicity cribs with older style hardware, where the drop-side was installed wrongly (upside-down). These old style hardware cribs are also linked to 7 infant entrapments and 55 other incidents, says the CPSC.

An investigation is underway after a one-year-old child died in a new style hardware Simplicity crib - in this case the drop-side had also been installed upside-down.

It is vital that all parents, guardians and caregivers check that the drop-side is installed correctly.

The failures in the drop-side result from crib and hardware design, says the CPSC. Consumers can accidentally install the drop-side incorrectly (upside-down). This error weakens the hardware and the eventual detachment of the drop-side from the crib. When the drop-side detaches a gap is created, into which the infant can fall and get stuck.

There are two more incidents, reports the CPSC, in which the drop-side was installed correctly using older style hardware. However, CPSC stresses that the risk of failure is significantly reduced if the installation is done correctly.

The following Simplicity crib models have been recalled:

-- Aspen 3 in 1
-- Aspen 4 in 1
-- Nursery-in-a-Box
-- Crib N Changer Combo
-- Chelsea and Pooh 4 in 1

The following Simplicity cribs that have the Graco logo are also included in this recall:

-- Aspen 3 in 1
-- Ultra 3 in 1
-- Ultra 4 in1
-- Ultra 5 in 1
-- Whitney
-- Trio

The products in question may have one of these model numbers:

4600, 4605, 4705, 5000, 8000, 8324, 8800, 8740, 8910, 8994, 8050, 8750, 8760, and 8996
(These numbers are written on the envelope attached to the mattress support and on the label attached to the headboard)

According to the CPSC, these cribs were made in China and sold in various types of large stores and regular shops throughout the USA. Consumers should check that the drop-side is installed the right way up.

-- http://www.simplicityforchildren.com
-- Click here for pictures and instructions on how to check your crib (CPSC web site)

Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today