CPSC Announces Baby Crib Recall

The CPSC has announced a baby crib recall Thursday. 

The recall focuses on two companies, Simplicity and Graco. 

The federal government warns problems with hardware could cause babies to suffocate or strangle in certain models. 

The Simplicity recall is linked to at least one death and could involve hundreds of thousands of cribs. 

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is announcing the recall of all Simplicity full-size cribs with tubular metal mattress-support frames. This recall includes fixed-side and drop-side cribs. These cribs pose a risk of serious injury or death due to entrapment, strangulation, suffocation and fall hazards to infants and toddlers.

The crib's tubular metal mattress-support frame can bend or detach and cause part of the mattress to collapse, creating a space into which an infant or toddler can roll and become wedged, entrapped or fall out of the crib.

CPSC has received a report of a one-year-old child from North Attleboro, Mass. who suffocated when he became entrapped between the crib mattress and the crib frame in April 2008. CPSC is aware of 13 additional incidents involving the recalled cribs collapsing due to the metal mattress- support frame bending or detaching, including one child entrapment that did not result in injury, and one child who suffered minor cuts to his head when his mattress collapsed and he fell out of the crib.

CPSC staff urges parents and caregivers to stop using these cribs immediately and find an alternative, safe sleeping environment for their baby. Do not attempt to fix these cribs.

Due to the fact that Simplicity and its successor, SFCA Inc., are no longer in business, CPSC has limited information about the number of cribs sold. All Simplicity drop-side cribs have previously been recalled for a hazard involving the drop side. Simplicity drop-side cribs could still be in use by parents or caregivers who are unaware of the recalls or by those who received a repair kit to immobilize the drop side from Simplicity when the firm was still in business. This recall involves all Simplicity cribs with tubular metal mattress-support frames, which include but are not limited to the following models:

Crib Name Model Number

• Aspen 4-in-1 8755
• Chelsea Deluxe 4-in-1 Convertible Sleep System 8324
• Graco 4-in-1 Ultra Sleep System 4600
• Graco Aspen 3-in-1 8740
• Simplicity Crib and Changer Combo 8994
• Simplicity Ellis Deluxe 4-in-1 Convertible Sleep System 8676
• Simplicity Nursery-in-a-Box Convertible Crib 8910

Some model numbers are followed by letters, indicating the color or finish of the crib. The name "Simplicity Inc." or "Simplicity for Children" appears on a label on the crib's mattress-support frame and/or the crib's end panels. The cribs were manufactured in China.

The recalled cribs were sold at Walmart, Target, Babies R Us and other stores nationwide for between $150 and $300. Consumers should contact the store where the crib was purchased to receive a refund, replacement crib or store credit.

About 217,000 Graco drop-side cribs are also being recalled. 

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: Graco®-branded drop side cribs made by LaJobi

Units: About 217,000

Manufacturer: LaJobi Inc., of Cranbury, N.J.

Hazard: The drop side hardware can break or fail, allowing the drop side to detach from the crib. When the drop side detaches, a hazardous gap is created between the drop side and the crib mattress in which infants and toddlers can become wedged or entrapped, posing a risk of suffocation and strangulation. In addition, children can fall from the cribs when the drop side detaches or fails to lock.

Incidents/Injuries: CPSC and LaJobi have received a total of 99 reports of drop side incidents, including hardware breakage and drop side detachment. There were two incidents in which children became entrapped in the gap created by the detached drop side. Both children were freed by their caregivers. There were six reports of children falling due to drop side failure, including one report of a mild concussion.

Description: This recall involves LaJobi-manufactured Graco® wood cribs. The full size cribs were sold in cherry, espresso, natural and white finishes. The production date, item number, purchase order number and finish name is printed on a label affixed to the footboard or headboard. "LaJobi" and the crib model name are printed on a product sticker located on the stabilizer bar or bottom rail of the crib. Affected models are listed below.

Model Numbers

• Ashleigh Drop Side 3280142 - 3280154 - 3280181
• Hampton Drop Side 3080136
• Jason Convertible Drop Side 3290235 - 3290254 - 3290281
• Kendal Drop Side 3570170 - 3570181
• Lauren Drop Side 3250235 - 3250242 - 3250247 - 3250254 - 3250281 - 3250282 - 3150281 - 3150282
• Rachel Convertible Drop Side 3300236 - 3300281
• Sarah Drop Side 3000135 - 3000136 - 3000142 - 3000147 - 3000154 - 3000181
• Shannon Drop Side 3010136 - 3010154 - 3010181
• Tifton Drop Side 3090136 - 3270136

Sold at: Children's product stores and other retailers nationwide from February 2007 to March 2010 for between $140 and $200.

Manufactured in: China and Vietnam

If you think you have one of the recalled models, you need to check out the Consumer Product Safety Commission's web site.