Prompt Crib Warning

Defects Identified by CPSC Early Warning System Prompt Crib Warning to Parents
CPSC to consider rulemaking to address crib defects

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging parents and caregivers to closely inspect the hardware and stability of their cribs to ensure all parts are in place and secure. The warning by the CPSC comes after the agency’s Early Warning System has identified concerns with the durability of cribs, especially those with drop sides that can disengage and lead to dangers of entrapment and strangulation.

Since the creation of the CPSC Early Warning System in fall of 2007, the agency 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. 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.

While the mandatory and voluntary crib standards have succeeded in preventing many deaths and injuries, the agency staff believes the performance requirements can be strengthened to deal with the problems identified by the Early Warning System. Therefore, agency staff will be recommending that the Commission vote to issue an Advanced Notice of Proposed (ANPR) rulemaking to examine and assess potential design and durability issues and possible mandatory performance requirements to prevent future entrapments and strangulations to children. If approved, the ANPR will seek input and information about hardware systems, other hardware issues, assembly and instructional problems and wood quality/strength issues for cribs with both stationary and drop side construction.

Drop Side Cribs Recall

Infant Death Prompts Recall To Repair 600,000 Drop Side Cribs By Delta Enterprise; Spring Peg Failure Can Cause Entrapment and Suffocation Hazards

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), in cooperation with Delta Enterprise Corp., of New York, N.Y., is announcing the voluntary recall today of about 600,000 drop side cribs. The crib’s drop side can detach when the spring peg is not engaged, which can cause an entrapment and suffocation risk to infants and toddlers.

If the spring pegs in the base of each leg of the crib are pushed back into the lower track, the pegs can become nonfunctional. This can cause the drop side to detach from the crib and create a gap that can entrap an infant or toddler.

CPSC staff is aware of a death of an 8-month-old child who suffocated when the drop side of his crib detached. CPSC is also aware of one child entrapment and one incident in which the drop side detached due to a disengaged spring peg.

The recall involves all Delta drop side cribs manufactured prior to 2006 that use “Crib Trigger Lock with Spring Peg” drop side hardware design. The recalled model numbers and country of origin include: 4340, 4343, 4520, 4600, 4620, 4624, 4625, 4629, 4660, 4665, 4720, 4750, 4751, 4850, 4855, 4857, 4880, 4920, 4925-2, 4925-2B, 4925-6, 4980, and 8605. The model number, country of origin and manufacture dates are located on top of the mattress support board. The recalled cribs have Delta’s name and address on the mattress support boards and Delta’s logo on the teether rail.

The cribs, which were made in China, were sold at major retailers nationwide from January 2000 through January 2007 for between $33 and $200. Cribs currently sold at retail are not involved.

CPSC and Delta urge parents and caregivers to immediately stop using these cribs and contact Delta to receive a free, easy-to-install repair kit. Call Delta toll-free at (800) 816-5304 anytime after 5 pm today or log on www.cribrecallcenter.com to order the free repair kit.

Parents and caregivers are encouraged to find a safe, alternative sleep environment for their child until the repair kit, with new safety pegs, is safely installed are the recalled cribs.

CPSC would like to remind parents not to use any crib with missing, broken, or loose parts. Make sure to tighten hardware from time to time 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. Always check all sides and corners of the crib for disengagement. Any disengagement can create a gap and entrap a child. In addition, do not try to repair any side of the crib, especially with tape, wire or rope.

Convertible Cribs Pose Entrapment & Suffocation Hazard

Infant Death Prompts Recall of Convertible Cribs by Playkids USA; Crib Poses Entrapment and Suffocation Hazards

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), in cooperation with Playkids U.S.A. of Brooklyn, N.Y. is announcing today a voluntary recall of about 2,000 convertible cribs. The sides of the convertible crib are made of a mesh that expands, creating a gap between the mattress and the side through which an infant can slip. This poses suffocation and entrapment hazards for young children.

CPSC is aware of the death of a 5-month-old child on August 31, 2008 in Brooklyn, N.Y. The child became entrapped between the mattress and the drop side rail of the convertible crib and suffocated.

This recall involves the Playkids U.S.A. convertible crib/playpen/bassinet/bed with model number PLK-909. “Playkids U.S.A.” can be found on the packaging and on a label sewn into the side of the crib. The model number can be found on the packaging. The convertible cribs have a drop side rail, a stationary side rail, a canopy assembly, and a bassinet. The sides of the convertible crib, the mattress support, the bassinet, the canopy and the bedskirt are covered in fabric and mesh. The fabric and the mesh come in a variety of colors and patterns.

The convertible cribs, which were made in China, were sold in juvenile product retailers in New York from March 2007 through September 2008 for about $100.

Consumers should stop using the recalled convertible cribs immediately and contact Playkids USA to receive a full refund.

For additional information, consumers should contact Playkids USA collect at (718) 797-0302 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday.

Baby Walkers Recall

My Way Corp. Recalls Baby Walkers Due to Stairway Fall Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Baby Walkers

Units: About 800

Manufacturer: My Way Corp., of San Juan, Puerto Rico

Hazard: The walkers violate the baby walker voluntary standard and can fit through a standard doorway and are not designed to stop at the edge of a step. Babies using these walkers can be seriously injured or killed.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The recalled walkers were sold for babies 6 months and older. The walkers were sold in the following colors: pink, red, green, blue, and ivory. The walkers have an activity tray with a steering wheel and other toys. “My Way Corp” is printed on a sticker on the front of the walker.

Sold at: Independent discount stores in Puerto Rico from November 2004 through March 2008 for between $18 and $25.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should stop using these walkers immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact My Way Corp. collect at (787) 758-5848 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.

Wood Abacus Recall

Wood Abacus Recalled by LTD Commodities LLC Due to Choking Hazard

The following product safety recall was voluntarily conducted by the firm in cooperation with the CPSC. Consumers should stop using the product immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Wood Abacus

Units: About 6,000

Distributor: LTD Commodities LLC and ABC Distributing, of Bannockburn, Ill.

Manufacturer: Taizhou Orient Toys Co. Ltd., of Shanghai, China

Hazard: The wooden rods on the abacus can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.

Incidents/Injuries: LTD Commodities has received four reports of small parts detaching from the wood abacus. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The recalled wood abacus is a multi-sided activity center that has a chalkboard, movable block letters with pictures, sliding shapes, a fun maze with gears, and a blue and yellow clock on the side of the activity center with two pink moving hands. Product code E7A is printed on the packaging near the UPC bar code.

Sold by: LTD Commodities and ABC Distributing catalogs nationwide and Web site from December 2006 through February 2008 for about $12.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should take the abacus away from children immediately and contact LTD Commodities for instructions on receiving a product credit.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact LTD Commodities toll-free at (866) 736-3654 between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.ltdcommodities.com or www.abcdistributing.com

Drop Side Cribs

Simplicity Brand Drop Side Cribs Recalled By Various Retailers Due To Serious Entrapment And Suffocation Hazard To Infants and Toddlers

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firms named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Simplicity Brand Drop Side Cribs

Units: About 600,000

Retailers:

AAFES, of Dallas, Texas
Babies“R”Us, of Wayne, N.J.
Burlington Coat Factory/Baby Depot, of Burlington, N.J.
K’s 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.

Importer/Distributor: Simplicity Inc., of Reading, Pa. (this company is no longer in business)

Hazard: Due to sizing problems with the crib’s 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.

Incidents/Injuries: SFCA and CPSC are aware of nine incidents in which the drop side detached on cribs that are part of this recall. There have been no injuries.

Description: 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.

Sold by: Department stores, children’s stores and mass merchandisers nationwide from January 2005 through August 2008 for between $150 and $300.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: 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. is working with retailers to carry out this recall program.

Consumer Contact: 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

SFCA Media Contact: Amanda Lahan, (202) 466-6210, amanda.lahan@pbnco.com

Bassinets Recalls

Some Recalled Simplicity Bassinets Include Graco and “Winnie the Pooh” Brand

WASHINGTON, D.C. – – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is aware that some bassinets in the Simplicity recall announced August 28, 2008 include the Graco logo and “Winnie the Pooh” motif licensed by Disney Consumer Products. Consumers are urged to check their bassinets to ensure they are not using one of the recalled Simplicity models, including those with the Graco logo or “Winnie the Pooh” motif.

The Simplicity bassinets with the Graco logo were sold between 2001 and 2004. The Simplicity bassinets with the “Winnie the Pooh” motif were sold between 2002 and 2008.

The following retailers have voluntarily agreed to recall the product and provide a refund or store credit to consumers who return the product to the store where purchased:

CPSC learned that on August 21, 2008, a 6 ½-month-old girl from Shawnee, Kan. was strangled to death when she became entrapped between the bassinet’s metal bars. This is the second strangulation death CPSC has learned of involving the co-sleeper bassinets. On September 29, 2007, a 4-month-old girl from Noel, Mo. became entrapped in the metal bars of the bassinet and died.

The Simplicity 3-in-1 and 4-in-1 convertible bassinets contain metal bars that are covered by an adjustable fabric flap which is attached by velcro. The fabric is folded down when the bassinet is converted into a bed-side co-sleeping position. If the velcro is not properly re-secured when the flap is adjusted, an infant can slip through the opening and become entrapped in the metal bars and suffocate. This warning does not cover bassinets produced in recent months that have fabric permanently attached over the lower bar.

Due to the serious hazard these bassinets pose to babies, CPSC urges all consumers to share this safety warning with day care centers, consignment stores, family and friends to ensure that no child is placed to sleep in a Simplicity convertible bassinet covered by this warning.

Baby Carriers Recalled

Optave Inc. Recalls Action Baby Carriers Due to Fall Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Action Baby Carriers

Units: About 250

Manufacturer: Optave Inc., of Alpena, Mich.

Hazard: The baby carrier’s chest strap can detach from the shoulder straps, posing a fall hazard to the baby.

Incidents/Injuries: Optave Inc. has received two reports of the chest strap detaching from the shoulder straps on the baby carrier. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The recalled carriers were sold under the “Action Baby Carrier” brand name. The carriers are sold in various colors and patterns: blue, brown, green, “so square”, “the larrisa” and “spring breeze.”

Sold at: Specialty retail stores nationwide and Internet sites from May 2008 through June 2008 for between $80 and $90.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the carrier in the positions that require the use of the chest strap and contact Optave to receive free replacement straps.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Optave Inc. at toll-free (866) 208-0269 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Web site at www.actionbabycarriers.com

Bobbie Socks Recalled

Circo Children’s Bobbie Socks Recalled Due to Choking Hazard; Sold Exclusively at Target

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Circo Rosette Bobbie Socks

Units: About 330,000

Importer: Target, of Minneapolis, Minn.

Hazard: The ribbon on the sock can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.

Incidents/Injuries: Target has received four reports of the ribbon detaching. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The recall involves girls Circo bobbie socks. The socks were sold in packs of six (pink, purple, plain white and three pairs with a box), ranging in size from 6- to 12-months, 12- to 24-months and 2T to 5T. The socks are packaged in a green and white sleeve with a Circo-brand logo on the front.

Sold exclusively at: Target stores nationwide from January 2007 to July 2008 for about $6.

Manufactured in: Hong Kong

Remedy: Consumers should take these socks away from children and return them to the nearest Target store to receive a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Target at (800) 440-0680 between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.target.com

Baby Hammocks Recalled

Baby Hammocks Recalled by FlagHouse Inc. Due to Fall and Strangulation Hazards

The following product safety recall was voluntarily conducted by the firm in cooperation with the CPSC. Consumers should stop using the product immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Yayita Baby Hammocks

Units: About 100

Distributor: FlagHouse Inc., of Hasbrouck Heights, N.J.

Hazard: The hammock can flip over, posing a serious fall hazard and strangulation hazard to infants who get entrapped in the seat’s restraint straps while upside down.

Incidents/Injuries: FlagHouse has received one report of an incident in which the hammock flipped over entrapping a 7 month old boy in the restraint straps. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The recalled baby hammock is cream-colored canvas and hangs from a wooden pole. The hammock measures about 29 x 43 inches. It has three restraint straps with red buckles and is attached to a cushioned pad for the infant. A mounting fixture, also called a fixing set, is sold with the hammock. “La Siesta” is printed on a tag located below the restraint straps. Model number YABP-1 is printed on a white tag sewn into the hammock’s side seam.

Sold by: FlagHouse Inc.’s catalog, and online at www.flaghouse.com, and at BJ Wholesale Club’s Web site, www.bjs.com, from September 2007 through August 2008 for about $90.

Manufactured in: Colombia

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the baby hammock and contact FlagHouse to receive a full refund, or credit toward the purchase of another product.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact FlagHouse at (800) 793-7900 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.flaghouse.com