Defective Cribs Can Choke Infants

On September 29, 2011 the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced a nationwide recall of defective drop-side baby cribs. Health Canada also announced a recall of the defective cribs, which pose an entrapment, suffocation and fall hazard to babies. The crib’s maker, Sherman, Inc., participated in the voluntary product recall.

The crib’s drop-side rail hardware can break, causing the drop-side to detach from the crib. This creates a gap between the drop-side rail and the crib mattress. The gap poses the entrapment hazard for the young occupant. In addition, when the drop-side breaks away from the crib, the baby can fall out of the crib.

Overall, the product recall affects about 2,300 cribs in America and about 800 cribs in Canada. Improper assembly and wear-and-tear on the crib’s hardware can also cause the drop-side detachment. If you have one of the cribs, you can contact Sherman, Inc., for a free repair kit. The kit will hold the drop-side in place. The CPSC recommends that parents not use the crib until they make the needed repair.

Many parents prefer to use older cribs handed down from previous generations. While they have sentimental value, the older cribs may not be up to current safety standards. Do you consider these things when choosing your baby’s crib?