Crib recall – dangers of drop side cribs

Photo from CPSC showing faulty hardware

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a recall of drop-side cribs again last week. This time, they are recalling all Generation 2 Worldwide "SafetyCraft" brand full-size and portable drop-side cribs.

A recall was issued a year ago for Generation 2 Worldwide "ChildESIGNS" brand drop-side cribs, because the plastic hardware used to hold the rail up breaks easily. The drop side can detach from the side of the crib, creating a space that can trap, suffocate or strangle an infant.

Now it has been found that "SafetyCraft" brand cribs manufactured by the same company use identical hardware and are prone to the same failure. Because Generation 2 Worldwide ceased operations in 2005, it has been hard for the CPSC to find specific information about model numbers or where the cribs may have been sold. Consumers are being told to look for the name "SafetyCraft" on a label attached to the crib's headboard or footboard.

Further complicating the issue is the fact that the "SafetyCraft" trademark was purchased by Foundations Children's Products in 2005. SafetyCraft cribs manufactured by this company are not included in the current recall. Foundations SafetyCraft cribs can be identified by "Foundations" printed on the assembly instructions label on the mattress support.

It's worth noting here that on December 15, 2010, the CPSC voted to ban all drop-side cribs, meaning that these cribs cannot be sold, resold or used in hotels or daycares. The ban will come into effect this June, with hotels having a few months longer to replace their existing cribs. The ban is due to findings that over 30 infants have died in recent years due to suffocation or strangulation in faulty drop-side cribs.

If you are in possession of ANY drop-side crib, recalled or not, you might want to think seriously about replacing it. If you are currently shopping for a crib, don't wait for this ban to come into effect - buy a fixed-side crib to be safe.