The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) just announced three separate recalls to repair <"https://www.yourlawyer.com/practice_areas/product_liability">drop-side cribs due to entrapment, suffocation, and fall hazards. The CPSC is advising consumers to stop using these recalled cribs immediately and notes that it is illegal to resell or to attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.
In every case, the crib’s drop-side rail can malfunction, detach, or otherwise fail, causing part of the drop-side to detach from the crib. When the drop-side rail partially detaches, it creates a space between the drop side and the crib mattress. An infant or toddler’s body can become entrapped in the space, which can lead to strangulation and/or suffocation. A child can also fall out of the crib. Drop-side incidents can also occur due to age-related wear and tear.
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 that can create a gap and entrap a child. In addition, 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 a variety of safety problems. Check if your crib has been recalled at www.cpsc.gov.
Consumers should immediately stop using the cribs and contact the manufacturer for a free repair kit that will immobilize the drop-side rail. In the meantime, parents are urged to find an alternate, safe sleeping environment for the child, such as a bassinet, play yard, or toddler bed depending on the child’s age.
Victory Land Group
Victory Land group just issued a recall of 34,000 Heritage Collection 3-in-1 Drop-Side Cribs that were manufactured In Vietnam; sold exclusively at Kmart; imported by Victory Land Group Inc., of Bartlett, Illinois; and sold by Kmart Corp., of Hoffman Estates, Illinois. CPSC and Victory Land Group have received 17 reports of incidents involving drop-side rail detachments from the cribs. Three infants received bruises and abrasions to the neck, back, and legs after becoming entrapped when the drop-side detached.
This recall involves Heritage Collection 3-in-1 Drop-Side Cribs with Kmart model numbers 07-1248 and 07-1252 that were sold in natural and white. A label with Kmart and the model number can be found on the inner side of the crib’s headboard or footboard on the bottom rail. The 3-in-1 infant cribs can be converted into a toddler bed and a double bed and were sold at Kmart stores nationwide from February 2007 through October 2008 for about $130.
Victory Land Group can be reached, toll-free, at (866) 499-2099 between 9:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday or at the firm’s website at www.victorylandgroup.com.
Ethan Allen
Ethan Allen issued a recall for about 3,250 Drop-Side Cribs that were manufactured in the United States and China by Ethan Allen, of Danbury, Connecticut. To date, Ethan Allen has received five reports of incidents involving the crib’s drop-side detaching, resulting in bumps and bruises to three children. One child became entrapped and two children fell out of the crib after the drop side detached, one child received a pinched hand and one child received an unspecified injury.
This recall involves Ethan Allen brand cribs with item numbers 14-5650, 15-5650, 16-5650, 26-5650, 35-5622, 36-5620, 36-5622 and 38-5622. “Ethan Allen†and the item number are printed on a label on the crib’s headboard or footboard. The cribs were sold in a variety of colors at Ethan Allen stores from January 2002 through December 2008 for between $550 and $900.
Ethan Allen can be reached toll-free at (888) 339-9398 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:45 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday; or contact your local Ethan Allen store or visit the firm’s website at www.ethanallen.com
Angel Line
Angel Line recalled about 3.400 Longwood Forest Drop-Side Cribs that were manufactured in China an imported by Angel Line, of Pennsville, New Jersey. To date, CPSC is aware of one incident in which the crib’s drop side detached. No injuries have been reported.
This recall involves the following models of Longwood Forest drop-side cribs with plastic drop-side hardware: 6103S, 6105S, 6106S, 6108S, 6109S, 8025P, and 8029P. They were sold in white, brown, natural, and oak colors. “Longwood Forest†or “Angel Line†and the model number are printed on a label on the crib’s headboard. The firm’s fixed-side cribs and drop-side cribs with metal rod-type hardware are not included in this recall. The recalled Longwood Forest Drop-Side Cribs were sold on the Web at Ababy.com, Babyage.com, and other Web retailers from December 2004 through January 2009 for about $140.
Angel Line can be reached, toll-free, at (800) 889-8158 anytime, at its website at www.angelline.com, or by email at parts@angelline.com.
