The head of the Consumer Product Safety Commission is vowing to ban the
sale and manufacture of drop-side cribs. The promise comes in the wake
of at least 32 child deaths linked to drop-side cribs over the past 10
years. While the CPSC has recalled over 7 million drop-side cribs following
reports ofinjuries to children and wrongful deaths, crib manufacturers
and sellers have failed to get rid of the defects that make these cribs
so dangerous.
Just yesterday, with the cooperation of C&T International/Sorelle,
the CPSC recalled about 170,00 drop-side cribs. The cribs can pose a hazard
in the event that the drop-side hardware becomes disengaged from the tracks
and the drop side detaches. Full-sized C&T International, Sorelle
and Golden Baby wood cribs are included in the recall.
This latest recall comes following reports of 104 drop-side/crib slat
detachment incidents. Six babies sustained abrasions and bruises on different
parts of their bodies when they fell or became entrapped. Five infants
who were involved in fall accidents and crib entrapment incidents were
rescued before any injuries could occur.
Now, CPSC Chairwoman Inez Tenenbaum is saying that enough is enough. In
addition to the 32 fatalities caused by suffocation or strangulation in
a crib, 14 other entrapment fatalities may also have occurred because
of drop-side failures. Granted, major crib manufacturers have consented
to a voluntary ban on drop-side cribs. However, this isn’t the same
has having to obey a federal safety standard that bans these cribs.
Drop-Side Crib Dangers
Drop-side or crib slat detachment can create an opening between the crib
mattress and the drop-side that infants and toddlers can get stuck in.
Crib entrapment can cause suffocation and/or strangulation if the baby
isn’t rescued immediately. A child can also get hurts if the drop
side comes off completely or collapses, making it easy for a toddler to
fall onto the ground.
This defect can be grounds for a products liability lawsuit if a child
gets hurt because of a flaw in the crib design or materials.
Federal safety regulator pledges to ban drop-side cribs, Los Angeles Times,
May 8, 2010
C&T International/Sorelle Recalls Cribs Due to Strangulation and Suffocation
Hazards, CPSC, May 6, 2010
Related Web Resources:
Crib safety tips, Consumer Reports
Choosing a Crib, Healthy Children
Contact our furniture product liability lawyers today.
