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Safety Agency Warns of Safety Hazards in Cribs

Drop-side cribs prone to entrapment, strangulation accidents

October 21, 2008

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Federal safety officials are warning parents and caregivers about potential hazards in cribs, especially those with drop sides that can disengage and lead to dangers of entrapment and strangulation.

The warning follows the death of an 8-month-old child who suffocated when the drop-side of his crib detached. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) said it is also aware of one child entrapment and one incident in which the drop side detached due to a disengaged spring peg.

The warning coincided with two recalls of cribs made by Delta Enterprise Corp. The company is recalling about 985,000 drop-side cribs to replace missing spring pegs. It is recalling 600,000 cribs because of problems with spring pegs.

Since 2007, CPSC has conducted five crib recalls where the hardware was broken, missing or otherwise failed to function. Cribs with drop sides are the type most likely to experience hardware problems. They contain more moving parts and have more non-rigid connections than static, or non-drop side cribs.

In many cases the drop side corners disengage from the tracks located on the crib ends, or safety stops become nonfunctional permitting the drop side to detach from the crib, the agency said. These types of defects are often undetected by parents or caregivers and can worsen when the baby pushes or leans against the side of the crib.

“The CPSC is committed to making sure a baby’s sleep environment is as safe as possible,” said Acting Chairman Nancy Nord. “It is that ongoing commitment that is driving the agency to explore new crib requirements and educate the public of the dangers associated with some cribs.”

Safety Tips for all cribs:

• Parents should not use any crib with missing, broken or loose parts.


• Hardware should be inspected from time to time and tightened 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 on its track.


• Always check all sides and corners of the crib for disengagement. Any disengagement can create a gap and entrap a child.


• Do not try to repair any side of the crib without manufacturer approved hardware or with tape, wire or rope.


• Putting a broken side up against the wall does not solve the problem and can often make it worse.

The CPSC staff said that mandatory and voluntary crib standards have succeeded in preventing many deaths and injuries, but stronger regulations could more effectively deal with the problems identified by the agency.

In a news release, the agency staff said it will be recommending that the Commission vote to issue a proposed rulemaking to examine and assess potential design and durability issues and possible mandatory performance requirements to prevent future entrapments and strangulations to children.

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