The Consumer Product Safety Commission has taken action to ban all drop-side
cribs. On Wednesday, the federal agency voted unanimously to stop the
manufacture, sale, and resale of cribs with drop-sides. Drop-side cribs
are at least 32 infant deaths (and possibly another 14 child fatalities)
in the past decade alone.
In the last five years alone, more than 9 million drop-side cribs have
had to be recalled over crib entrapment, suffocation, and fall hazards
caused by defective crib design, mattress support failure, drop-side detachment,
poor quality materials, and other safety issues. The new mandatory standards
requires that cribs be made with better quality wood, stronger mattress
support, and sturdier hardware.
The new mandatory standards will have to go through a final vote but are
expected to go into effect in 2011. All cribs sold would have to meet
the new standards. Daycare centers and hotels also wouldn’t be able
to use drop-side cribs. Drop-side cribs will no longer be accepted by
or sold at thrift stores.
Just last month, some 2 million drop-side cribs were recalled, including
cribs made by Delta and Evenflo. Yesterday, Pottery Barn Kids recalled
82,000 drop-side cribs because they pose an entrapment danger or a suffocation
hazard to young kids. Pottery Barn Kids is a division of Williams-Sonoma, Inc.
A Pottery Barn Kids drop-side crib can be become a suffocation hazard
if the drop-side detaches and a space is created that a young child can
become entrapped in. Possible drop-side detachment, which can occur from
hardware breakage, incorrect assembly, or a malfunctioning crib part,
also poses a fall hazard to kids.
All Pottery Barn Kids drop-side cribs are included in the recall. Already,
Pottery Barn Kids and CPSC have received 36 reports of drop-sides malfunctioning.
Seven minor injuries linked to children getting their legs caught between
the drop side and mattress or falling out of the cribs have been reported.
One child’s head got caught between the drop side and mattress during
a crib entrapment accident.
Government nears new standards for cribs, ban on drop-side cribs, CNN,
July 15, 2010
Feds push new ban as Pottery Barn recalls cribs, AP/Google, July 14, 2010
Pottery Barn Kids Recalls to Repair Drop-Side Cribs Due to Entrapment,
Suffocation and Fall Hazards,CPSC, July 14, 2010
Related Web Resources:
The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (PDF)
Dangerous Cribs, Chicago Tribune
It is important to speak with a Child injury attorney if you believe that your son or daughter was killed or suffered serious injuries because of a defective products. Our products liability law firm would like to offer you a free consultation.
