Albee Baby of East Rutherford, New Jersey just issued a recall of 130 of its C & T International/Sorelle Brand “Prescott” Fixed-Side Cribs, which were manufactured by Simplicity Inc.—which is not longer in business—due to entrapment, suffocation, and fall hazards, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) just announced. The CPSC is advising consumers to […]
Albee Baby of East Rutherford, New Jersey just issued a recall of 130 of its<"https://www.yourlawyer.com/practice_areas/product_liability"> C & T International/Sorelle Brand “Prescott” Fixed-Side Cribs, which were manufactured by Simplicity Inc.—which is not longer in business—due to entrapment, suffocation, and fall hazards, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) just announced. The CPSC is advising consumers to stop using recalled products immediately and note that it’s illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.
We recently wrote that Simplicity drop-side cribs have killed nearly one dozen children. In addition, CPSC has received reports of 25 incidents involving the Simplicity cribs in which the cribs collapsed due to the metal mattress support frame detaching or bending and an additional 29 other incidents involving the drop side detaching from the crib.
Since December 2005, the CPSC has recalled over 2 million Simplicity drop side cribs due to problems with the crib’s plastic hardware. According to the CPSC, all Simplicity drop side cribs have been recalled. Simplicity was acquired by SFCA, Inc. last year; but, according to the CPSC, both firms have ceased operations. Because of this, CPSC has limited information about the number of cribs sold.
This current recall involves cribs that are re-labeled, fixed-sided Simplicity cribs that contain tubular metal mattress-support frames recalled in April 2010. The mattress support frames can bend or detach, causing part of the mattress to drop, creating a dangerous space into which an infant or toddler can roll and become wedged or entrapped or fall out of the crib. Of note, in the April 2010 Simplicity recall, CPSC reported the death of a one-year-old child from Attleboro, Massachusetts who suffocated when he became entrapped between the crib mattress and the crib frame.
These are full-sized fixed-sided cribs manufactured in China and sold in an oak finish, as 3-in-1 or 4-in-1 convertible cribs. “Sorelle Furniture” along with the company’s address, the crib’s model number, and a manufacturer’s code are printed on a label attached to the headboard or footboard. The recalled cribs, which are limited to Sorelle “Prescott” cribs, were sold online by AlbeeBaby.com between July 2009 and October 2009 for between $180 and $210.
CPSC also received one report of a consumer who, in April of 2010, removed the Sorelle Prescott label from the crib and found a Simplicity crib label underneath. The consumer purchased the crib in July 2009, prior to Simplicity’s mattress support recall.
The CPSC is advising consumers to immediately stop using the recalled cribs and contact Albee Baby for a replacement crib, store credit, or refund. C&T International/Albee Baby is attempting to directly contact known consumers who purchased the recalled crib online from July 2009 through October 2009. In the meantime, find an alternate, age appropriate, safe sleeping environment for the child, such as a bassinet, play yard, or toddler bed.
Albee Baby can be reached toll-free at (877) 692-5233 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday or at the firm’s website at www.albeebaby.com
CPSC reminds parents not to use any crib with missing, broken, or loose parts. Make sure to tighten hardware from time to time to keep the crib sturdy. When using a drop-side crib, parents should check to make sure the drop side or any other moving part operates smoothly. Always check all sides and corners of the crib for parts separating. Disengagements can create a gap and entrap a child. Do not try to repair any side of the crib. Babies have died in cribs in which repairs were attempted by caregivers. Crib age is a factor in safety. At a minimum, CPSC staff recommends that you not use a crib that is older than 10 years; many older cribs may not meet current voluntary standards and can have numerous safety problems.