Retailers and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) are recalling about 600,000 Simplicity drop-side cribs because of an entrapment and suffocation hazard.
It's the latest in a series of safety warnings and recalls affecting Simplicity baby furniture. Last month, safety regulators warned that Simplicity bassinets had been implicated in the deaths of two infatns.
The recall notice said that, due to sizing problems with the cribs hardware, the drop side can come off the tracks. When the drop side detaches or partially detaches, it creates a hazardous gap, which can lead to infant entrapment and suffocation.
There have been at least nine incidents in which the drop side detached but so far, there have been no reports of injuries.
This recall of Simplicity drop side cribs involves models that used a different style of hardware from those cribs recalled in September 2007. The recalled model numbers include: 8620, 8745, 8748, 8755, 8756, 8778, 8810, and 8994. The recalled drop side cribs have a date code, which can be found on a label on the headboard under the mattress support, which ends in 05DH, 05GB, 06DH, 06GB, 07DH or 07GB (examples: 1806 DH or 0507 GB). The recalled model names include: Aspen and Crib N Changer Combo, Gabrielle, Camille, Providence and Shenandoah. Only the brand name Simplicity can be seen on the label on the headboard.
The cribs, made in China, were sold by department stores, childrens stores and mass merchandisers nationwide from January 2005 through August 2008 for between $150 and $300.
Retailers participating in the recall include:
AAFES, of Dallas, Texas
BabiesRUs, of Wayne, N.J.
Burlington Coat Factory/Baby Depot, of Burlington, N.J.
Ks Merchandise (out of business)
Meijer Distribution Inc., of Grand Rapids, Mich.
Nebraska Furniture Mart, of Omaha, Neb.
ShopKo, of Green Bay, Wis.
Target, of Minneapolis, Minn.
Wal-Mart Stores Inc, of Bentonville, Ark.
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled cribs and find an alternative, safe sleeping environment for their baby. Consumers should return the recalled crib to the place of purchase for a refund or store credit. SFCA Inc., of Reading, Pa., Simplicity's successor company, is working with retailers to carry out this recall program.
For additional information, contact:
AAFES - (800) 866-3605 www.AAFES.com
Babies R Us - (800) 869-7787 www.babiesrus.com
Burlington Coat Factory/Baby Depot - www.babydepot.com
Meijer Distribution Inc. - (866) 280-8419 www.meijer.com
Nebraska Furniture Mart 800-359-1200 - www.nfm.com
Shopko - (800) 791-7333 www.shopko.com
Target - (800) 440-0680 - www.target.com
Wal-Mart - (800) 925-6278 - www.walmart.com
The recall is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).